Holiday Jewelry Trends for Fall and Winter 2026: What's Worth Wearing This Season

There’s something about holiday jewelry that makes people a little more willing to have fun. The rest of the year, we might reach for the same pair of diamond studs or a simple gold chain without thinking twice. Then December rolls around, the invitations start showing up, and suddenly wearing a little more sparkle feels completely appropriate. The good news is that holiday jewelry this year is giving us plenty of excuses to do exactly that.

The jewelry trends for fall and winter 2026 are moving away from minimalism and toward bold necklaces, sculptural pieces, statement earrings, brooches, pearls, and pieces that actually have some personality. That doesn't mean you need to completely abandon your delicate jewelry collection, though. If anything, this year's trends are a reminder that holiday jewelry doesn't have to mean following a strict set of rules. It can simply mean choosing one piece that makes your outfit feel a little more special.

Statement Jewelry Is Having a Moment

For the past few years, jewelry has leaned heavily toward minimalism. Think tiny pendants, delicate chains, small hoops, stacking rings, and jewelry that is intentionally easy to overlook. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that look, but 2026 is bringing some of the drama back with jewelry that is meant to be noticed.

That makes statement jewelry especially fitting for the holiday season. A large necklace can completely change a simple black dress, while a bold pair of earrings can make a basic sweater and slacks look like an actual outfit. The trick is remembering that statement jewelry doesn't necessarily mean wearing the biggest piece you can find. It means choosing something with enough presence that it becomes part of the outfit instead of an afterthought.

This is also where jewelry can do some of the heavy lifting during the holidays. You don't necessarily need a brand new dress for every gathering. A familiar outfit can feel completely different with a dramatic necklace, sculptural cuff, or pair of oversized earrings. You can experiment with your look without completely rebuilding your wardrobe.

Big Earrings Are Back

If you're someone who would rather wear a statement earring than a statement necklace, this is a very good year for you. Oversized hoops, chandelier earrings, sculptural designs, and other dramatic earring shapes are showing up on runways for fall and winter.  

There is a practical reason statement earrings work so well during the holidays, too. Your earrings are visible even when you're wearing a coat, scarf, or high neckline, which can make them a better choice than a necklace for certain winter outfits. They also frame the face, so a great pair can make a surprisingly big difference without requiring you to accessorize much anywhere else.

The important thing is comfort. A pair of enormous earrings may look fantastic for twenty minutes, but can weigh your ears down. Look for designs that have visual impact without unnecessary weight.

Pearls Are Getting a Modern Makeover

Pearls are one of those jewelry trends that never really disappear, but they do change personalities. This year, they're showing up in much more playful ways rather than being reserved for the traditional strand necklace. A traditional pearl necklace can work with a dressy outfit, but you can also find pearl earrings with unusual shapes, pearls mixed with colored gemstones, pearls combined with gold, or irregular baroque pearls that look much less formal.

And don't assume pearls automatically make an outfit look old fashioned. Pairing them with a modern metal setting can completely change their look. A pearl pendant with a chunky chain feels very different from the classic pearl strand. Holiday jewelry is a great opportunity to take something traditional and wear it in a way that feels more like you.

Brooches Are Coming Back

2026 has been a surprisingly good year for the brooch revival, with the trend showing up in fall and winter fashion. Bold brooches, jeweled collars, and corsage style pins have been appearing in fall and winter fashion coverage. Plus, the modern brooch is much more versatile than those of the past. Holiday parties might actually be the perfect setting for this trend. Adding a brooch to a simple black dress creates a focal point without much effort.

Bigger Necklaces Are Sharing the Spotlight

2026 trends are moving toward more substantial necklaces, with chunky collars, big pendant necklaces, and chokers getting plenty of attention. Instead of relying entirely on several delicate pieces to create interest, the current approach is often about choosing one piece with enough personality to stand on its own.

But keep in mind that if you're wearing a very large necklace, you don't necessarily need enormous earrings, a stack of bracelets, and five rings to go with it. Although maximalism is certainly having its moment, sometimes the most fashionable thing you can do is let one piece be the star.

Color Is Getting More Interesting

Diamonds and gold will always have a place in holiday jewelry, but colored gemstones are an easy way to make seasonal jewelry feel more personal. Holiday 2026 is embracing color, including beads, colorful stones, and more playful combinations. Deep emerald greens, rich reds, sapphires, garnets, and other gemstones can feel especially appropriate during the winter months. But you can choose colors that aren’t traditionally “holiday”, like pale blue, soft pink, or a bright yellow.

Mixing Metals

For a long time, there were a lot of rules about how jewelry should be worn. Gold with gold. Silver with silver. Don't mix rose gold with yellow gold. Don't wear too many different finishes. Thankfully, most of those rules are much less important now. Mixed metal jewelry is an easy way to make your holiday look feel more interesting without buying a completely new collection. You can combine yellow gold with white gold, platinum, or silver, or choose a piece that already incorporates multiple metals. You don't need to replace your favorite white gold earrings just because you're wearing a yellow gold necklace. A mixed metal piece can act as the bridge, making the whole combination look intentional rather than accidental.

What About Diamonds?

Of course, we can't talk about holiday jewelry without talking about diamonds. Even with all of the interest in bold metals, colorful gemstones, pearls, and statement pieces, diamonds aren't going anywhere. A larger pair of diamond earrings or a cluster design in a pendant or ring can be very dramatic. The holidays are also a great time to remember that diamond jewelry doesn't have to be reserved for formal occasions.

Final Thoughts

The best holiday jewelry trend this year isn't necessarily the biggest necklace, the largest earrings, or the most colorful gemstone. It's the idea that jewelry should be fun again. Whether that means wearing a dramatic statement piece, bringing pearls into a more modern outfit, mixing your metals, adding a colorful gemstone, or simply putting on your favorite diamond earrings, there are plenty of ways to make your holiday look feel special.

And you certainly don't need to follow every trend at once. In fact, you probably shouldn't. Choose one or two that fit your personal style and let them do the work. A statement necklace can make a simple dress feel completely different, while a pair of bold earrings or a colorful gemstone pendant can add personality to an otherwise everyday outfit.

Trends will come and go, but great jewelry tends to stick around. So if you're going to invest in something new this holiday season, look for a piece you genuinely enjoy wearing rather than something you'll only like because it's currently trending. The best piece is the one that makes you feel a little more dressed up, a little more confident, and maybe gives you an excuse to keep wearing it long after the holiday decorations come down.