CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic WinCollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes Unity
The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
The 2026 Winter Olympic medals represent the union of a player and their team, and the two cities—Milano, Italy, and Cortina, Italy—where the games will take place. The opening ceremony for the XXV Winter Olympic Games is scheduled for Friday. (Image credit: Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026)
Venice—The opening ceremony for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games is scheduled for Friday, with this year’s medals reflective of the Games’ unique logistics.
It is the first time the Games will be split between two host cities—Milano, Italy, and Cortina, Italy—a fact that inspired the vision of the Games’ design team, led by Milano Cortina 2026’s Brand, Identity, and Look of the Games Director Raffaella Paniè.
The gold, silver, and bronze medals feature two halves, each finished with different textures meant to symbolize the union of the two cities.
SEE: The Medals for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games
It is the first time the Games will be split between two host cities—Milano, Italy, and Cortina, Italy—a fact that inspired the vision of the Games’ design team, led by Milano Cortina 2026’s Brand, Identity, and Look of the Games Director Raffaella Paniè.
The gold, silver, and bronze medals feature two halves, each finished with different textures meant to symbolize the union of the two cities.
SEE: The Medals for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games
The reverse of the Olympic medals is seen on the bronze medal (right). (Image credit: Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026)
The medals read “XXV Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.” (Image credit: Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026)
The medal boxes were created by Versalis, a subsidiary of Eni. (Image credit: Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026)
It also is a metaphor for a player and their team coming together, putting emotion and teamwork at the core of the design, said the designers.
The design also appears on the Paralympic Games medals.
The medal design centers on the athlete and Para athlete, reflecting the culmination of their journey and all who supported them along the way.
These medals are coherent with the concept of “Italian Spirit,” designers said.
They are vibrant, dynamic, and contemporary, and inspired by Italian avant-garde, embodying “the determination and passion of the world’s greatest athletes and Para athletes, but also the Olympic and Paralympic spirits,” said Paniè.
“We conceived a medal that represents purity and a return to essence. With our medals, we celebrate the strength found in difference: two unique halves that join through the Olympic and Paralympic symbols to deliver a bold and unified message.”
Paniè added, “This concept is also reflected in the surfaces of the medals, where two textures meet and begin a story written not only by the athletes and Para athletes, but also those who supported them: coaches, teammates, family members, and fans.”
Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), the Italian state printer and mint, crafted the medals for the 2026 Olympics and Paralympics.
IPZS produced the medals with an eco-friendly, non-toxic, recyclable protective finish, organizers said.
The medals bring together elegance, visual impact, and sustainability, as the energy used by IPZS comes entirely from renewable sources.
“The medals of Milano Cortina 2026 are much more than mere awards: they are the heartbeat of Italy, the essence of a design that moves, the reflection of a dream taking shape. They encapsulate the identity of a country—its creativity, its passion for sports and beauty,” said Giovanni Malagò, president of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation.
“Each medal, whether Olympic or Paralympic, is a story etched into metal: it speaks to effort, determination, sacrifice, and the hopes of those who have lived to reach the podium.”
Medals will be awarded in 195 events.
A total of 1,146 gold, silver, and bronze medals will be presented in both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The boxes and trays for the medals will be created by Versalis, a subsidiary of Italian energy company Eni. It is an official supporter of the Games, who is also involved in the creation of the Olympic and Paralympic torches.
While this is the first time the Olympic Games will be split between two host cities, it isn’t the first time the games have taken place in Italy.
Four years before the Summer Olympics were held in Rome in 1960, Italy made its debut as a host for the Games with Cortina hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics, according to the Olympics website.
The 2026 Games mark a return to the city after 70 years.
The Winter Olympics were also held more recently in Turin, Italy, in 2006.
“A new and significant step forward toward what I do not hesitate to call one of the most important events in the sporting history of our country. Medals have always been synonymous with the Olympics and tangibly represent the value of a truly unique competition,” said Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy regional government.
“Just like the Olympic torches, the medals are a perfect synthesis of design and tradition—two cornerstones of the Italian way of thinking. Out of superstition, I won’t say more, but it’s clear that the hope is to see them being worn by the athletes around their necks, dressed in the Italian uniform.”
The full schedule for the 2026 Olympics can be viewed on the NBC website, while the schedule for the Paralympic Games is available here.
More on Collections
The Latest
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Weekly QuizFeb 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
SurveysFeb 10, 2026
Shoppers to Spend Big on Jewelry This Valentine’s Day, Says NRFJewelry is expected to be the No. 1 gift this year in terms of dollars spent.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2026
Kering Plans Transformation as 2025 Sales Sink 13%As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
AGTA To Debut ‘Stuller Color of the Year’ Spectrum Awards CategoryThe new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”
Policies & IssuesFeb 09, 2026
U.S., India Trade Deal One Step Closer to Being FinalizedThe White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.
