The Grammy Awards are always a night of sonic celebration and, let's be honest, wild fashion. It's the red carpet where stars take the biggest risks, and the jewelry is no exception. While we wait to see who takes home the golden gramophones, let's gaze into our crystal ball to predict the major jewelry moments that will define the 2026 awards.
Based on emerging trends in the fashion world, we’re anticipating a move towards expressive, sculptural designs, a revival of cool tones, and a sophisticated approach to sparkle. The best part? You don’t need a recording contract or a personal stylist to rock these looks.
Here is our forecast for the top Grammy jewelry trends of 2026 and your guide to recreating them without blowing your budget.
1. The New Wave: Fluid & Sculptural Shapes
Forget rigid geometric lines. 2026 is all about organic, flowing forms that feel like wearable art. Think gold that looks like it's melting, asymmetrical earrings that curve around the lobe, and cuffs that undulate like waves. This trend is expressive, sensual, and perfect for a music awards show.
Why It Will Be Huge: It’s a move away from minimalism towards something more emotive and unique. These pieces catch the light beautifully and add a touch of avant-garde drama to any outfit.
How to Recreate It on a Budget:
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Look for "Liquid Metal": Search online retailers for terms like "liquid gold earrings," "molten metal ring," or "sculptural cuff." Many affordable brands are creating stunning pieces in gold-plated brass or polished stainless steel that perfectly mimic this high-end aesthetic.
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Focus on Form Over Gemstones: The power of this trend is in the metalwork itself. By choosing pieces without stones, you can often find larger, more impactful designs at a lower price point. A bold, polished gold-tone sculptural bangle can look incredibly expensive on its own.
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Thrift for Vintage Modernist Pieces: Explore vintage shops or online marketplaces for modernist jewelry from the 60s and 70s. You can often find unique, abstract metal brooches or pendants that fit this trend perfectly and have a history all their own.
2. The Silver Renaissance
Move over, yellow gold. After years of dominance, cool tones are staging a major comeback. We predict seeing a lot of chunky sterling silver chains, oversized silver hoops, and stacked silver bangles on the red carpet. It's edgier, feels fresh, and pairs incredibly well with the bold colors and textures often seen at the Grammys.
Why It Will Be Huge: With the rising price of gold, silver is becoming the go-to metal for designers who want to create large, statement pieces without an astronomical price tag. It has a cool, rock-and-roll vibe that suits the music industry perfectly.
How to Recreate It on a Budget:
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Stainless Steel is Your Best Friend: For the look of chunky silver without the price (or tarnishing) of sterling, opt for polished stainless steel. It’s incredibly durable, hypoallergenic, and has a bright, mirror-like finish that looks fantastic in heavy chain necklaces and thick cuffs.
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Stack 'Em Up: A single silver bangle might feel plain, but a stack of five or seven different silver-toned bracelets creates an instant "arm party" look. Mix textures—combine a smooth cuff with a chain-link bracelet and a twisted bangle for depth.
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Go Big with Hoops: A pair of oversized, thick silver-toned hoop earrings is one of the most affordable and effective ways to nail this trend. They frame the face and add instant attitude to a sleek ponytail or a simple dress.
3. Gemstone Color Pops: Emeralds & Rubies
While diamonds are forever, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of rich, vibrant color. We expect to see deep, saturated gemstones taking center stage. In particular, lush emerald greens and fiery ruby reds are predicted to be the favorites, set in modern, minimal settings that let the color do the talking.
Why It Will Be Huge: These regal colors add a sense of opulence and drama that a clear stone just can't match. They pop beautifully against both black-tie gowns and more adventurous, colorful ensembles.
How to Recreate It on a Budget:
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Embrace Lab-Created and Simulants: You don't need mined gems to get that rich color. High-quality cubic zirconia, lab-grown spinel, or even colored glass crystals can look stunning. The key is the color saturation—look for stones that are deep and vivid, not washed out.
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Modern Bezels: The setting makes all the difference. Instead of old-fashioned halos, look for stones set in sleek bezel settings (a metal rim surrounding the stone). This gives a contemporary, expensive feel even to affordable materials. A simple bezel-set emerald-cut green CZ pendant on a gold chain is a chic and budget-friendly nod to the trend.
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Cocktail Ring Power: A single, oversized cocktail ring with a large, colorful center stone is a fantastic statement piece. Look for costume jewelry brands that specialize in bold designs. No one on the dance floor will know it's not a priceless heirloom.
4. The Curated Ear & Hand Stack
More is more, but with a plan. The "curated stack" trend isn't going anywhere, but for 2026, it's becoming more intentional. It's not just about throwing on every ring you own. It's about artfully mixing metals, textures, and shapes to create a cohesive story on your fingers and ears. Think a mix of dainty bands, a chunky signet ring, and a midi ring, all worn together.
Why It Will Be Huge: It allows for endless personalization and self-expression. Stars can mix their own personal pieces with borrowed high-jewelry to create a look that is uniquely theirs.
How to Recreate It on a Budget:
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Buy in Sets: Many affordable jewelry brands sell pre-curated sets of stacking rings or earrings designed to be worn together. This takes the guesswork out of styling and is often cheaper than buying individual pieces.
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Mix Metals with Confidence: The old rule of not mixing silver and gold is dead. Wearing them together feels modern and cool. Try stacking a thin gold pave band next to a plain silver dome ring.
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Play with Proportions: The key to a good stack is balance. Don't wear five chunky rings on one hand. Balance a bolder statement ring on your middle finger with delicate bands on your index and ring fingers. For ears, mix huggie hoops, tiny studs, and maybe one small dangly element to create interest up the ear.
5. Unexpected Adornment: Brooches & Hair Jewels
Expect the unexpected. We predict jewelry moving beyond the traditional necklace-earring-bracelet trio. Look for dazzling brooches pinned not just to lapels, but to waistbands, shoulders, or even incorporated into hairstyles. Speaking of hair, expect to see bejeweled headbands, gem-encrusted clips, and pearls woven into braids.
Why It Will Be Huge: It’s playful, regal, and offers a fresh way to wear sparkle. A brooch can transform a simple blazer into a red-carpet look, and hair jewelry turns a hairstyle into a major accessory.
How to Recreate It on a Budget:
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Vintage Brooches are Treasures: Thrift stores and flea markets are goldmines for unique, affordable costume brooches. Look for interesting shapes, pearl accents, or sparkling crystal designs. Pin one to the shoulder of a black dress for instant vintage glamour.
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DIY Hair Sparkle: You don't need a diamond tiara. You can buy packs of adhesive flat-back rhinestone crystals or pearls from a craft store and stick them along your hairline or scattered through a sleek updo with eyelash glue for a temporary, dazzling effect.
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Affordable Accessories: Check out fast-fashion retailers for trendy hair accessories. You can often find packs of pearl-adorned bobby pins or velvet headbands with crystal details for under $20 that look great in photos.
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