2025 Mid-Year Jewelry Report: What's Hot & What's Not

As we reach the midpoint of 2025, the jewelry landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation. Gone are the days of quiet luxury and understated elegance—this year is all about bold self-expression, maximalist aesthetics, and meaningful personal style. From runway shows to street style, the jewelry trends of 2025 reflect a collective desire to break free from restraint and embrace the "more is more" philosophy.

The Big Picture: Maximalism Takes Center Stage

There's a collective, decisive shift against all things quiet and demure when it comes to 2025's jewelry trends. Designers seem to be loosening up, letting go of the restraint they've practiced in the wake of "quiet luxury," especially in the finishing touches department. This shift represents more than just a fashion moment—it's a cultural statement about embracing joy, individuality, and fearless self-expression.

What's Hot in 2025: The Trending Jewelry Styles

1. Statement Earrings That Demand Attention

Bold, sculptural earrings are having their moment in 2025. Models piled on the jewelry, their lobes adorned with oversized, sculptural earrings that brought home the "I-raided-my-grandma's-closet-for-this-look" vibe. From chunky hoops to asymmetrical designs, earrings are no longer subtle accessories but conversation starters.

Key styling tips:

• Wear statement earrings with pulled-back hair to showcase their full impact
• Keep other jewelry minimal when sporting oversized earrings
• Mix metals and textures for an eclectic, curated look

2. Pearls Get a Modern Makeover

The SS25 runways were brimming with more pearls than ever before, with Bottega Veneta and Chloé presenting tassel earrings, chic arm cuffs and plunging pendants all bearing pretty pearls. But these aren't your grandmother's pearls—baroque pearls in irregular shapes are leading the charge, offering organic, contemporary appeal.

The new pearl paradigm:

• Baroque and irregularly shaped pearls over perfect rounds
• Mixed with other materials like leather, metals, and gemstones
• Worn casually with denim and contemporary pieces
• Colorful pearls in jade green and other unconventional hues

3. Brooches: The Comeback of 2025

If 2024 was the year of the bag charm, 2025 will be the year of the brooch. These vintage-inspired accessories are transforming ordinary outfits into personalized statements. The internet is obsessed with using vintage brooches to decorate a coat that would otherwise look like any other jacket, or opting for mismatched pins as buttons on a sweater.

4. Layered Chains and Necklace Stacking

Necklace layering caters to the 'more is more' aesthetic in spades, and fine-jewelry designers have done all the hard work for us with ready-made double-loop styles. The trend includes:

• Mixed chain lengths and textures
• Combination of delicate and chunky pieces
• Charm necklaces for personalization

5. Bold Gold Jewelry

Bold gold jewelry is making a powerful statement in 2025. These statement-making, high-karat pieces exude timeless luxury while adding a modern edge, making them versatile investments that are truly unforgettable. Think chunky cuffs, oversized rings, and substantial chain necklaces that command attention.

6. Colorful Gemstones Take the Spotlight

Bright gemstones in shades of aqua, cobalt, and garnet are infusing eye-catching colors into some of the latest spring and summer jewelry designs. This trend reflects a move away from traditional diamond-centric pieces toward vibrant, personality-driven choices.

7. Hand Chains and Unconventional Pieces

Hand chains decorate an often-overlooked part of the body — the back of the hand — creating an elegant silhouette that works well with both minimalist and maximalist styles. These pieces represent the consumer shift toward more unconventional jewelry forms.

8. Celestial Motifs Continue to Shine

Astrology continues to hold its place in pop culture—and 2025's jewelry trends reflect that. Anything sun, moon, and stars is in. From constellation-inspired diamond settings to planetary gemstone representations, celestial jewelry appeals to those seeking pieces with deeper meaning and cosmic connection.

9. Sustainable and Ethical Jewelry

Consumers are prioritizing sustainability, driving demand for lab-grown diamonds, recycled metals, and ethically sourced gems. Eco-conscious jewelry brands are thriving in 2025. This trend reflects a fundamental shift in consumer values, where the story behind the jewelry matters as much as its aesthetic appeal.

10. Mixed Metals and Two-Tone Designs

Platinum and silver are regaining popularity, and can be styled alongside yellow gold for a chic two-tone look. This trend allows for greater versatility in jewelry wardrobes and reflects the move away from rigid matching sets.

What's Not Working in 2025: Trends on the Decline

1. Perfectly Matched Jewelry Sets

Perfectly coordinated sets of jewelry had been the epitome of formality. Now, in 2025, they are inflexible and unimaginative. The image of matching earrings, necklaces, and bracelets seems too polished to fit the more playful mix-and-match look of today.

2. Overly Branded Pieces

Flashy branding is now perceived as dated and less relatable... It's not about flaunting logos. The focus has shifted to quality, craftsmanship, and personal meaning rather than brand recognition.

3. Ultra-Minimalist Jewelry

While delicate pieces still have their place, the extreme minimalism of recent years is giving way to more expressive, statement-making jewelry. Forget being understated in 2025. It is the time of the year when people speak out through fashion.

4. Traditional Pearl Styles

Classic, perfectly round pearl strands are losing ground to more contemporary, irregular baroque pearls that offer organic appeal and modern versatility.

How to Embrace 2025 Jewelry Trends

Building Your Trend-Forward Collection

1. Start with one statement piece - Whether it's bold earrings or a chunky chain necklace, invest in one standout item that can transform multiple outfits.
2. Mix high and low - Combine investment pieces with trend-driven costume jewelry for an accessible approach to the maximalist aesthetic.
3. Embrace imperfection - Look for pieces with organic shapes, irregular textures, and handcrafted details that reflect the move away from machine-perfect uniformity.
4. Layer thoughtfully - While more is more, successful layering requires consideration of proportion, texture, and color harmony.

Styling Tips for 2025 Trends

• Balance statement pieces - If wearing bold earrings, keep necklaces simple, and vice versa
• Mix metals confidently - Don't be afraid to combine gold, silver, and rose gold in one look
• Consider your lifestyle - Choose pieces that reflect your personality and daily activities
• Invest in versatile chains - Quality chain necklaces can be layered, worn alone, or used as a base for pendant swapping

The Cultural Shift Behind 2025 Jewelry Trends

The jewelry trends of 2025 reflect broader cultural movements toward authenticity, sustainability, and self-expression. In 2025, jewelry trends go beyond aesthetics, emphasizing meaning, sustainability, and personalization. This year, the focus is on intentionality.

This shift represents a rebellion against the constraints of previous years, where quiet luxury and understated elegance dominated. Today's jewelry wearer wants pieces that tell a story, spark conversation, and reflect their unique personality.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Second Half of 2025

As we move into the latter half of 2025, expect these trends to evolve and intensify. The maximalist movement will likely continue gaining momentum, with designers pushing boundaries even further. Sustainability will become not just a trend but a requirement, and personalization will drive innovation in both design and manufacturing.

The jewelry industry is responding to a generation that values authenticity over perfection, meaning over status, and individual expression over conformity. This cultural shift is reshaping not just what we wear, but how we think about jewelry as an extension of our identity.

The 2025 mid-year jewelry landscape reveals a market in transition—one that's embracing boldness, sustainability, and individual expression like never before. Whether you're drawn to statement earrings, baroque pearls, or colorful gemstones, this year offers endless opportunities to express your unique style.

The key to successfully navigating 2025's jewelry trends is to choose pieces that resonate with your personal aesthetic while embracing the broader cultural shift toward maximalism and meaning. Remember, the best jewelry trend is the one that makes you feel confident, authentic, and uniquely you.

As we continue through 2025, keep an eye on emerging designers who are pushing boundaries, established brands adapting to new consumer values, and the ongoing conversation between tradition and innovation that's defining this exciting moment in jewelry history.