News
Jewelry Trends 2026: A Deep-Dive Forecast and How They Compare to 2025
The global jewelry industry is entering a transformative phase as consumer behavior rapidly evolves; digital retail accelerates, and demand shifts toward affordability, sustainability, and personalization. New data from market insights in 2025–2026 highlights a clear directional shift: the future of jewelry is more accessible, more transparent, and more technologically enhanced than ever before.
This article explores the most important trends shaping the jewelry market in 2026, enriched with your market report findings, and provides a direct comparison to 2025.
1. Market Shift Toward Non-Luxury Jewelry Strengthens in 2026
2025 Baseline
According to industry data, 75% of jewelry revenue in 2025 came from non-luxury (mass-market) products. This confirms a strong tilt toward affordable, everyday jewelry driven by Millennials, Gen Z, and value-conscious consumers.
Online channels—especially mobile commerce—were already dominant, and mobile accounted for the largest share of online purchases.
2026 Outlook
In 2026, this shift becomes even more pronounced:
- Non-luxury jewelry continues to hold approximately 75–77% of the market share.
- Online revenue keeps growing year over year, with mobile commerce remaining as the primary driver.
- Tablet-based shopping begins emerging but remains small.
- Consumers favor accessible price points and impulse-friendly digital journeys.
What changes from 2025 to 2026:
In 2025, affordability was a strong preference.
In 2026, affordability becomes the core industry anchor, shaping design, marketing, and omnichannel strategy.
2. Lab-Grown Diamonds Become a Mainstream Force
2025 Baseline
Lab-grown diamonds (LGD) were already gaining traction due to their lower price and ethical appeal. Early adoption was driven by younger buyers in Western markets.
New 2026 Insights
- LGDs are 80–90% cheaper than natural diamonds.
- Highly attractive to Millennials and Gen Z, especially in the U.S.
- Expected to account for 50% of all diamond jewelry sales by 2030.
- 33% of U.S. consumers prefer receiving lab-grown diamonds.
How 2026 differs from 2025
In 2025, LGD were largely an “affordable alternative.”
In 2026, they are a culturally accepted, value-driven default, and the market sees the beginning of premium LGD collections with creative colors and exceptional purity.
3. Male Jewelry & Self-Purchasing Expand Rapidly
Key 2026 Insights
35% of men and 42% of women now self-purchase jewelry.
Male jewelry is growing at 7–8% per year—a dramatic acceleration compared to 2–3 years ago.
Comparison with 2025
In 2025, self-purchasing was growing but still emerging.
In 2026, it becomes a normalized behavior, especially among:
- Fashion-forward men,
- Financially independent women,
- Gen Z buyers seeking identity-driven pieces.
This trend significantly impacts product design, with brands expanding into bold men’s designs, unisex minimalism, and customizable everyday luxury.
4. Ethical Sourcing Becomes a Decisive Purchase Driver
2026 Insights
31% of U.S. shoppers consider transparency and ethical sourcing essential in jewelry purchases.
Chinese consumers show rising interest in luxury authenticity, with 16% planning to buy luxury jewelry.
2025 vs 2026
In 2025, ethical sourcing was influential but secondary.
By 2026, it becomes a top-tier decision factor, aligned with sustainability and brand trust.
This encourages brands to adopt:
- Blockchain traceability
- Certified responsible mining
- Transparent disclosure of gemstone origins
- Lab-grown alternatives
- Carbon-neutral manufacturing
5. AI Shopping, Virtual Try-On, and Personalization Dominate The 2026 Buyer Journey.
2026 Insights
AI optimizes the entire shopping path.
Virtual try-on technology enhances buyer confidence, particularly for high-value jewelry.
AI-powered personalization improves product recommendations, gifting suggestions, and sizing accuracy.
Hard Gold 24K vs. Original 24K Gold
The Big Differences That Matter in Jewelry Production
Although both are 99.9% pure, they behave very differently. The difference comes from structure, not purity.
PNJ PRODUCTION’s Strength in Hard Gold Production
PNJ PRODUCTION supports brands developing hard gold collections with a strong combination of craftsmanship and technology.
. Advanced Machinery & Technology
High-precision casting, CAD/CAM design, automated QC, and specialized polishing lines maintain stability and quality.
. Mass Production Capacity
Up to 5 million pieces annually, with reliable consistency and lead times.
. Skilled Craftsmanship
Hand-polishing, clean soldering, and detailed finishing ensure hard gold achieves premium aesthetics.
. Responsible Manufacturing
PNJ PRODUCTION meets international expectations through:
- SMETA compliance
- ISO 14001 environmental certification
The Bottom Line
24K Hard Gold is the future of wearable pure gold jewelry.
It offers durability, design flexibility, and commercial efficiency — making it a smart choice for brands building modern 24K collections.
With PNJ PRODUCTION’s technology, scale, and craftsmanship, buyers can bring hard gold products to market confidently and competitively.
Let's Build Something Iconic Together
At PNJP, we know that jewelry is more than an accessory — it’s an expression. And whether you need 1,000 units or 100,000, each piece deserves to reflect the care, precision, and passion that make it unforgettable.
Looking for a manufacturing partner that delivers both artistry and scale? Let’s start a conversation.