CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic WinCollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes Unity
The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
The 2026 Winter Olympic medals represent the union of a player and their team, and the two cities—Milano, Italy, and Cortina, Italy—that the Games will take place in. (Image credit: Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026)
Venice—The 2026 Olympic Winter Games organizers have revealed the medal designs for next year’s event, set to take place in Italy.
It is the first time the Games will be split between two host cities—Milano, Italy, and Cortina, Italy—a unique marker in Olympics history that inspired the vision of the Games' design team, which was 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 unique marker in Olympics history that inspired the vision of the Games' design team, which was 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.
The upcoming Winter Olympics are slated for Feb. 4-22.
“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.”
More on Collections
The Latest
MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
