Jewellery Trends That’ll Actually Last Beyond This Season

Every few months there’s a new jewellery trend. Chunky chains, delicate layers, statement earrings, minimalist rings – the cycle never stops. Most of them disappear as quickly as they arrived, leaving you with a drawer full of stuff you’ll never wear again.

So what’s worth paying attention to? What’s actually going to stick around?

Pearls Aren’t Just for Your Nan Anymore

Pearls have had a complete image overhaul. They’re not stuffy or old-fashioned anymore – at least not in the way they’re being worn now.

Modern pearl jewellery tends to be asymmetric, chunky, or mixed with other materials. Baroque pearls (the irregular, imperfect ones) are particularly popular because they look less formal.

The traditional pearl necklace still has its place, but there’s a lot more variety now. Pearl earrings in different sizes, pearl-studded hoops, pearl bracelets that don’t look like something you’d inherit from a relative.

Will this last? Probably. Pearls have been around for centuries. They just go through phases of being cool or uncool.

Chunky Chain Necklaces

These have been around for a few years now and they’re still going strong. The thick, bold chain necklaces that sit on your collarbone – you know the ones.

They work because they’re simple. One piece, doesn’t need anything else, makes a plain outfit look intentional. Gold or silver, doesn’t matter much.

The downside is they’re quite heavy if you go for anything substantial. Fine for a few hours, less fine if you’re wearing them all day. Something to think about before you spend money on one.

Signet Rings Are Back

Men have been wearing them for ages. Women are catching up. Signet rings – the flat-topped ones, often with initials or family crests – are having a moment.

Modern versions are less about heraldry and more about clean design. Simple bands with a flat face, sometimes engraved, sometimes left plain. They’re chunky without being overly statement.

These will probably stick around because they’re not trend-led. They’re just a solid, substantial ring that happens to be in fashion right now. When the trend passes, they’ll still be wearable.

Hoop Earrings in Various Sizes

Hoops never really go away, do they? But the size fluctuates. Right now, medium-sized hoops are everywhere. Not the tiny sleeper hoops, not the enormous door-knocker style – something in between.

Chunky hoops with some weight to them are more popular than thin, delicate ones. Gold more than silver, though both work.

The advantage of hoops is they’re incredibly versatile. Work, casual, going out – same earrings. That’s why they’re a good investment.

What About Diamonds?

Diamonds really are forever, as we’ve talked about before. They don’t go in and out of fashion in the same way other jewellery does.

What does change is how they’re set. Big, showy settings feel dated quite quickly. Simple settings, smaller stones, delicate designs – those tend to age better.

Lab-grown diamonds are becoming more acceptable, which means you can get a better stone for less money. That’s changing what people can afford and what they choose to buy.

Silver Is Still Here

Silver gets overlooked when gold is having a moment, but it’s not going anywhere. It’s cheaper, it suits certain styles better, and some people just prefer it.

Oxidised silver (the deliberately blackened finish) is particularly popular right now. It gives jewellery a vintage, almost gothic look without being too heavy-handed.

The problem with silver is it tarnishes. If you’re not going to clean it regularly, gold or gold-plated might be a better option.

Statement Earrings vs Delicate Studs

Both are fine. Depends on your style and what you actually wear.

Statement earrings are great for making an outfit more interesting. They’re also quite high-commitment – you’re going to notice them all day, and so is everyone else.

Delicate studs are practical. Choosing the right earrings matters more when they’re small though, because the wrong size or style just looks like an afterthought.

Vintage and Second-Hand

This isn’t so much a trend as a permanent shift. People are buying more vintage and second-hand jewellery because it’s better quality for the money and it’s more sustainable.

Art deco pieces are particularly popular. So are Victorian and Edwardian designs. Anything from the 1920s to 1940s tends to hold its value.

The catch is you need to know what you’re looking at. Vintage jewellery can be incredible or it can be overpriced junk. If you’re not confident, take someone who knows what they’re doing.

What to Skip

Anything that’s very obviously trend-led probably won’t last. If you can’t imagine wearing it in three years, don’t buy it.

Overly matchy-matchy sets look dated. Matching necklace, earrings, bracelet – it’s too formal for how most people dress now.

Very delicate, fragile jewellery might look lovely, but if it’s going to break the first time you wear it, what’s the point?

Investing in Jewellery

Not everything needs to be an investment piece. Sometimes you just want something cheap and cheerful for now.

But if you’re spending proper money, think about longevity. Classic designs in quality materials will always have value. Trendy pieces in cheap materials won’t.

Gold holds its value. Silver doesn’t in the same way. Gemstones depend entirely on what they are – diamonds, sapphires, and rubies retain value. Most other stones don’t.

The Bottom Line

Buy what you like. Buy what suits you. But if you want something that’ll still look current in five years, go for classic shapes in quality materials.

Trends come and go. Having a few solid pieces that work with everything is more useful than a collection of things you wore once.

And if something’s uncomfortable or impractical, you won’t wear it. Doesn’t matter how fashionable it is.