Bold, Colorful Jewelry Marks the Return of Maximalism
Welcome to the new maximalism, with bold and colorful jewelry, and joy is the point.
MACADAM Quadra Open Blue Enamel and Diamond Bracelet. (Courtesy of MACADAM)
After years of restraint—minimalism, neutral palettes, quiet luxury—colorful jewelry has returned with conviction. Not as an accent, but as a statement. Saturated gemstones, vivid enamels, lively ceramics, and tinted metals are surging back into focus, always punctuated with a spark of diamonds.
Across jewelry, designers are leaning into vibrancy: mouthwatering rubies, dreamy turquoise blues, bright green enamel. And diamonds remain the architecture—providing light, contrast, and the unmistakable signal of fine jewelry. Color may draw you in—but diamonds make it endure.
Meet the Experts
Stylist Elizabeth Saltzman is known for her signature aesthetic of classic elegance with an unexpected twist. Her career began in 1984 at Giorgio Armani, before joining Vogue as a senior fashion editor. She currently serves as a contributing editor for both Vanity Fair and British Vogue.
Nina Garcia is the editor-in-chief of ELLE magazine. Garcia oversaw a dynamic redesign that complements the magazine’s thought-provoking features and showcases fashion in the context of culture.
The Rise of Colorful Jewelry
The shift feels both fresh and cyclical. Fashion and jewelry have always responded to the cultural mood. The bold, gem-heavy glamour of the 1960s and ’70s gave way to the minimalism of the ’90s, then the easy layering of the 2010s. Today’s return to exuberance reads as a reaction to years of uncertainty. When the world feels heavy, people gravitate toward pieces that feel joyful, optimistic, and expressive.
“In times of darkness, people look for things that spark joy and lightness,” says longtime fashion editor and stylist Elizabeth Saltzman, whose clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Jodie Comer, and Saoirse Ronan. “Color hasn’t been around like this in decades.”
The longing for optimism has been building on the runways. Designers have moved beyond overly casual and rigid designs toward clothes that feel lighter, prettier, and emotionally resonant. One of the season’s most talked about shows was Matthieu Blazy’s first collection for Chanel, praised for its romantic spirit, lightness and ease, and joyful energy on the runway.
“Coming off several seasons of modern art-inspired primary shades and bold color blocking on the runway, it feels like fashion has fallen back in love with color,” says Nina Garcia, editor in chief of Elle. Jewelry is following suit, with colorful jewelry emerging in countless ways.
Natural Diamonds Amplify the Brilliance of Colorful Jewelry
Color alone isn’t the story. The most sophisticated pieces rely on diamonds to amplify saturation and deliver brilliance. The interplay between stone and sparkle is what elevates bright jewels from playful to precious.
Few understand that balance better than James de Givenchy for Taffin, whose playful striped ceramic rings and pendants feature serious diamonds. Selim Mouzannar’s pieces are drenched in vivid enamel—pink, lime, sunflower—with a diamond center.
At David Webb, saturated enamel and carved gemstones appear in expressive animal cuffs, cocktail rings, and statement necklaces. Hemmerle sets dreamy diamonds and rare stones into color-tinted aluminum, creating unexpected tension between precious and industrial. Brent Neale mixes gemstones and diamonds in substantial gold pieces meant for everyday wear rather than special occasions.
The message is clear: diamonds are not competing with color—they’re activating it. “Color is also having a moment because people are more willing to take risks in their style,” Saltzman says. “It’s about individuality.”
Colorful Jewelry Marks the Embrace of Maximalism
Elizabeth Saltzman’s own touchstones include Taffin by James de Givenchy, Glenn Spiro, Belperron, and JAR. Among her most treasured pieces is a gem-laden vintage Verdura Maltese cross pendant passed down through three generations. “It elevates everything from a T-shirt to a slip dress,” she says. “A unique piece can complete a look—or distract from something. That’s a styling trick.”
Garcia shares a similar philosophy. “I’m always looking to accentuate diamonds with something colorful,” she says, noting emeralds as a favorite pairing. Brooches, prominently featured on the recent runways at Ralph Lauren and Khaite, offer an easy entry point. “I love wearing them in a unique way,” says Garcia. “I recently accessorized with a Briony Raymond brooch pinned at my waist for a friend’s wedding.”
Fine jewelry is embracing maximalism—bigger color, bigger presence, bigger personality—with diamonds providing the polish and permanence. The result feels optimistic, expressive, and unapologetically luxurious.
Shop Colorful Jewelry
Yvonne Leon Alliance Damier Malachite & Lapis Lazuli or Jaune Ring, $3,425, yvonneleon.com
David Webb Light Blue Enamel Oval Link Necklace, $115,000, davidwebb.com
MACADAM Quadra Open Turquoise Enamel Bracelet, Price Upon Request, macadamjewelry.com
Marie Lichtenberg Dado Jasper Jumbo Charm, $22,540, marielichtenberg.com
