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.
EditorsJun 20, 2018
Couture Jewelry Trend: The New Chandelier Earring
For years, mix-and-match studs have stolen the show. Now, contemporary designers are focusing on bolder earring styles, writes Associate Editor Ashley Davis.
David Yurman “Novella” earrings in 18-karat yellow gold with blue topaz, tanzanite and diamonds ($5,200)
For years, mix-and-match studs have stolen the show. Now, contemporary designers are focusing on bolder earring styles.
At the Couture jewelry trade show, concluded earlier this month in Las Vegas, several designers were embracing high-impact looks courtesy of chandelier earrings, and they weren’t just the usual suspects.
For Sylva & Cie, Irene Neuwirth and David Webb, a great pair of statement chandeliers can always be found in their showcases, but even designers who don’t typically favor the silhouette have been putting their own spin on the style.
Margery Hirschey is a fan of a statement earring and, as of late, has been churning out loads of chandelier styles. She debuted several new geometric, mobile-like examples at the jewelry trade show in her signature organic touch.
Many of the whimsical pieces featured different shapes and sizes of the hand-cut gemstones Hirschey favors—particularly of the emerald and ruby variety, as the designer often works with Gemfields--which make the chandelier feel modern and irreverent.
Lito’s Lito Karakostanoglou is a forerunner of the current jewelry trend. Every few seasons, Karakostanoglou veers in a totally new artistic direction and her gem-laden chandeliers represent her latest.
The collection, which centers on cascading gemstones and also includes necklaces, combines stones like aquamarine, tourmaline, moonstone, iolite and tanzanite with warm yellow gold and thin baroque pearls that lend an almost primitive touch.
Speaking of primitive, Vram designer Vram Minassian made the trending earring silhouette the star of his third collection, “Continuum 3,” which was inspired by the prehistoric era.
Never too literal, it’s also chockful of ridiculously luscious gemstones that make the collection feel ultra-glamorous and red carpet ready. Minassian’s chandeliers are visually striking in part because of their color; several hues of a particular stone like purple sapphire or brown zircon give an ombre effect.
Below, see several eye-catching styles from Couture-exhibiting designers who are breathing new life into the jewelry trend.
Colette black rhodium-plated 18-karat white gold earrings with emeralds, diamonds and pearls ($8,000)
David Webb girandole earrings with amethysts, turquoise, emeralds and diamonds (price upon request)
Fernando Jorge “Brilliant” earrings in 18-karat yellow gold with diamonds ($273,240)
Irene Neuwirth 18-karat white gold earrings with Akoya pearls and diamonds (price upon request)
Joana Salazar chandelier earrings with amethyst and green tourmaline in 14-karat rose gold ($5,985)
Lalaounis “Honeycomb” chandelier earrings in 18-karat yellow gold with diamond accents ($5,800)
Lito 14-karat yellow gold earrings with aquamarine, gray freshwater pearls, green tourmalines and white pearl picks ($2,330)
Nikos Koulis “Oui Collection” 18-karat white gold and black enamel earrings with white diamonds (price upon request)
Saboo 18-karat white gold earrings with rose-cut emeralds and diamonds (price upon request)
Sylva & Cie “Maya Collection” earrings in 14-karat rose gold with pink tourmalines ($12,125)
Temple St. Clair 18-karat yellow gold “Seta Spinel Fringe” earrings with royal blue moonstone, lavender spinel, pink spinel and diamonds ($15,500)
Todd Reed 18-karat yellow gold earrings with fancy color diamonds and white diamonds ($21,560)
Vram one-of-a-kind “Chrona” earrings in black rhodium-plated 18-karat white gold with purple and lavender sapphires and diamonds ($52,000)
Yossi Harari “Reyna” earrings in 24-karat yellow gold with multicolor sapphires ($6,054)
More on Editors
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizFeb 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into 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.
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.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
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.
Events & AwardsFeb 09, 2026
JA Now Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEntries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.
IndependentsFeb 09, 2026
James Free Jewelers Unveils Revamped FlagshipThe Ohio jeweler’s new layout features a curated collection of brand boutiques to promote storytelling and host in-store events.
TrendsFeb 09, 2026
These 14 Jewels Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s DayFrom heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.
