The Global Jewelry Landscape: Numbers That Matter

        The jewelry industry in 2025 stands at a defining crossroads, shaped by unprecedented shifts in consumer values, digital acceleration, and a renewed reverence for heritage. For artisans and industry leaders with decades of expertise, the challenge—and opportunity—is to harness these forces into enduring value.

        Market size and segmentation are formidable:

    • China leads with USD 119.3 billion in 2024 jewelry revenue, followed by India (USD 97.25 billion) and the USA (USD 61.24 billion).

    • Europe and Africa contribute USD 37.37 billion and USD 23.07 billion respectively, with Japan (USD 20.01 billion) and Australia (USD 2.64 billion) rounding out the top markets1.

    • Luxury jewelry commands a dominant 40% share of global revenue, with fashion jewelry at 30%, fine jewelry at 20%, and costume jewelry at 10%1.

        These figures confirm a robust appetite for both exclusivity and accessibility, pushing brands to excel in both craftsmanship and innovation.

Consumer Evolution: The New Standard

        Understanding the 2025–2026 consumer is non-negotiable.

        Today’s buyers are not just seeking adornment—they demand resonance with their personal values, narratives, and aspirations. The market is now a mosaic of generations, each with distinct behaviors and influences:

*Parental disposable income1.

Key trends in consumer behavior:

    • Personalization is paramount. Consumers now expect jewelry to reflect their identity and story.

    • Sustainability and transparency are baseline expectations, not differentiators.

    • Digital engagement is universal: Social media, in-app shopping, and web platforms are now primary touchpoints, especially for Gen Z and Millennials1.

Macro Design Trends: The Four Pillars of 2025–2026

    1. Digital Nouveau: The Fusion of Heritage and Technology

2026’s defining aesthetic is Digital Nouveau, a seamless blend of early 1900s Art Nouveau elegance and cutting-edge digital motifs. This trend is a direct response to the growing societal focus on wellness, beauty, comfort, and sustainability.

Design signatures:

    • AI Nouveau: Algorithmic patterns, digital textures, and abstract geometry.

    • Winged Creatures: Butterfly and bird motifs, as seen in Cartier’s CHRYSÉIS necklace, which pairs black-and-white butterfly wing patterns with a 63.76-carat rubellite and chalcedony beads1.

    • Rough Luxe: Contrasts of raw and polished materials, echoing the tension between nature and technology.

Strategic insight:

        Brands that master the interplay of digital and organic—through both design and storytelling—will capture the imagination of the next generation.

2. Opulent Extravaganza: Memory, Majesty, and Materiality

        In times of uncertainty, consumers turn to jewelry as a vessel for memory, identity, and optimism. Opulent Extravaganza channels the grandeur of regency, the splendor of Maharajas, and the emotional power of legacy pieces.

Design signatures:

    • Regency Opulence: Lavish gemstones and intricate metalwork.

    • The Power of Memory: Pieces that evoke nostalgia and personal milestones.

    • Maharajas Magnificence: Bold color, scale, and historic motifs.

Examples:

    • Tiffany’s Bird on a Rock series, reimagined as owls perched on rare gemstones, or the Phoenix brooch with a 29-carat fire opal and Umba sapphires1.

    • The Star Burst necklace, featuring over 64 carats of crystal opals and 69 carats of diamonds, exemplifies the scale and luminosity consumers crave1.

Strategic insight:

        Heritage brands should leverage archival motifs and exceptional stones, while new entrants can differentiate through storytelling and emotional resonance.

3. Street Coolness: Urban Energy and Cultural Hybridity

        The rise of global digital tribes—stretching from New York to Shanghai—has birthed Street Coolness: a trend defined by cultural mash-ups, urban grit, and expressive individuality.

Design signatures:

    • Cultural Connections: Motifs and materials from diverse heritages.

    • XL-Layering: Multiple chains, oversized charms, and mixed media.

    • Urban Tribe: Edgy, dystopian silhouettes and transformable pieces.

Examples:

    • Shooting Star and Arrow motifs, reimagined as transformable necklaces with Fancy Intense Yellow diamonds over 18 carats1.

    • Peacock brooches with 13-carat tanzanite and custom-cut green tourmalines, blending archival inspiration with streetwear sensibility1.

Strategic insight:

        Embrace boldness and adaptability. Pieces that can be customized or transformed will appeal to the digitally native, self-expressive consumer.

4. Wonderland: Escapism, Color, and Play

        In a world seeking relief from anxiety, jewelry is becoming a conduit for joy and escapism. Wonderland is about hyper-realistic motifs, pop abstraction, and vibrant, shifting colors.

Design signatures:

    • Hyper-realism: Lifelike flowers, animals, and objects rendered in precious materials.

    • Pop Abstraction: Surreal forms and unexpected color combinations.

    • Wonder Shades: Iridescent, color-shifting gemstones and enamel.

Strategic insight:

        This is the era of the “joy economy.” Playful, optimistic designs—especially those that photograph well for social media—will drive engagement and sales.

Technical and Material Innovations

    • Sustainability: Recycled metals, traceable gemstones, and lab-grown diamonds are now industry standards.

    • Phygital Experiences: Integration of AR try-ons, NFTs, and digital certificates is redefining authenticity and luxury.

    • AI-Driven Design: Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing pattern generation, stone selection, and bespoke customization.

Action Points for Industry Leaders

    1. Invest in Storytelling:

    Heritage and narrative are as valuable as material. Document and share the journey of each piece, from concept to creation.

    2. Double Down on Transparency:

Traceability, ethical sourcing, and clear communication are critical to building trust with new generations.

    3. Accelerate Digital Transformation:

    Expand into digital retail, leverage social media storytelling, and explore partnerships with digital artists.

    4. Prioritize Customization:

    Modular, customizable, and limited-edition pieces will command premium prices.

    5. Experiment with Materials and Formats:

    Combine traditional precious stones with unconventional materials and digital elements to create future icons.

Conclusion

        2025–2026 is not a time for incremental change—it is a moment for bold reinvention. The artisans and brands who succeed will be those who fuse tradition with innovation, heritage with technology, and luxury with accessibility. The numbers are clear, the trends are defined, and the opportunity is immense. The future belongs to those who craft it—one visionary piece at a time.

        For collaboration and further insights, contact Sitthichai Parinyanusorn at The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand.

Written by Sitthichai Parinyanusorn, Deputy Director

The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand

October 2025