News Briefing
NEWS BRIEFING: 15 March 2026
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A curated edit of the week's global jewellery news - national and international - compiled for industry insight and trend monitoring.
💰 Gold retreats to $5,114 after record surge, but year-on-year gain tops $2,130
Fortune, 13 March 2026, Fortune
After reaching successive all-time highs driven by geopolitical risk and central bank demand, gold pulled back by $67 intraday on 13 March to trade at approximately $5,114 per troy ounce. Despite the near-term correction — attributed to a stronger US dollar and rising Treasury yields — the metal has still delivered a gain of more than $2,130 over the previous twelve months. Analysts note that institutional buying and de-dollarisation strategies among central banks continue to provide a structural floor for prices, even as short-term headwinds from dollar strength and equity stabilisation cap further gains.
💰 Silver's $200 debate: analysts weigh further upside after 150% surge
CBS News, March 2026, CBS News
Silver, having surged more than 150% year-on-year and briefly breaching $100 per ounce, has since pulled back to approximately $84 — but the debate over whether it can reach $200 is intensifying. The piece canvasses expert opinion on the drivers: persistent industrial demand from solar panel and semiconductor manufacturing, supply constraints from primary silver mining, and its role as a more affordable alternative to gold for retail and institutional investors. Those sceptical of the $200 target point to silver's historic volatility and its sensitivity to any slowdown in manufacturing output as counterweights.
💰 Platinum falls from January record to $2,042 as WPIC flags supply deficit through 2029
LiteFinance, March 2026, LiteFinance
Platinum has retreated sharply from its January record high of $2,920 per ounce to trade around $2,042, with near-term price pressure coming from reduced automotive demand and a stronger dollar. However, the World Platinum Investment Council's latest forecast maintains that platinum will face a structural supply deficit through at least 2029, driven by declining South African mine output and growing industrial uptake in hydrogen fuel cell technology and green energy applications. Jewellers are watching the price trajectory closely, given the metal's increasing prominence as a fine jewellery alternative to white gold.
💰 Dollar index hits 3.5-month high, creating near-term headwind for metals rally
Barchart, 11 March 2026, Barchart
The US dollar index climbed to a 3.5-month high this week, acting as a significant near-term brake on the precious metals rally. The piece examines the structural tension between dollar strength — driven by resilient US economic data and the Federal Reserve's 'higher for longer' posture — and the enduring bullish case for both gold and silver, which rests on central bank accumulation, geopolitical risk premium, and inflationary pressures. Analysts quoted argue that while dollar strength will cap short-term upside, the underlying demand dynamics remain firmly intact and any Fed policy pivot would likely trigger a rapid resumption of the rally.
💰 Midas Funds' Thomas Winmill forecasts gold above $5,500 within months on de-dollarisation
CBS News, March 2026, CBS News
Thomas Winmill, portfolio manager at Midas Funds and a long-standing precious metals specialist, is among the more bullish voices on gold's near-term trajectory. He argues that the structural shift away from dollar-denominated reserves by central banks in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America — combined with ongoing geopolitical instability — creates a self-reinforcing demand cycle that will push gold above $5,500 per ounce within months. The article surveys a range of expert forecasts, with Goldman Sachs' year-end target of $5,400 and UBS projecting $6,200 framing the outer edges of institutional consensus.
💰 DREST x Cartier: luxury styling platform launches first fine jewellery activation
PR Newswire, 10 March 2026, PR Newswire
DREST, the luxury fashion styling platform founded by former Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Lucy Yeomans and now counting over 500,000 monthly active users, has announced a partnership with Cartier marking its first foray into fine jewellery. The collaboration centres on the new season Clash de Cartier collection — rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces featuring coloured agate, pink chalcedony and onyx in XL volumes — which players can discover and style through guided editorial challenges, with prizes presented in Cartier's iconic red jewellery box. The tie-up signals a growing appetite among heritage houses for interactive digital formats that reach younger luxury consumers through cultural and creative engagement rather than conventional advertising.
💰 Jewellery named luxury's 'clear standout category' as Bain forecasts 4–6% growth
Business of Fashion, March 2026, Business of Fashion
A major Bain & Company analysis, reported in depth by Business of Fashion, identifies jewellery as the single most resilient category in the luxury sector for 2026, projecting 4–6% growth against a backdrop of broader luxury market contraction.
🛍️ Record gold prices force designers to rethink materials: silver, lab-grown stones and silk cords gain ground
Business of Fashion, March 2026, Business of Fashion
With gold at historic highs, Business of Fashion reports on a wave of adaptation among independent designers and mid-market brands who are pivoting their collections toward sterling silver, lab-grown coloured stones, and unconventional materials such as silk cord and resin.
🛍️ Jessica McCormack quadruples revenue in four years ahead of Madison Avenue and Harrods expansion
GEM Awards / Jewelers of America, 2026, jewelers.org
London-based jeweller Jessica McCormack — known for her distinctive gypset aesthetic and celebrity following — has grown revenues from £9 million to £30 million over the past four years, a trajectory that has been rewarded with a GEM Award nomination and is underpinning ambitious retail expansion plans. New outposts on Madison Avenue in New York and a Harrods concession are both in development, reflecting a broader trend of independent fine jewellers moving beyond their home-market flagships to target high-net-worth international clientele. The brand's growth has been driven largely by bespoke commissions and a loyal repeat-purchase base.
🛍️ Place Vendôme houses reassert haute joaillerie dominance as branded segment leads global market
Business of Fashion, March 2026, Business of Fashion
As the broader luxury sector navigates a period of volatility, the great Paris houses — Boucheron, Chaumet, Graff, Dior, and De Beers among them — are doubling down on haute joaillerie as a strategic differentiator.
💎 Inside the Oscars jewellery vault: stylists on the sweat and science behind red carpet diamonds
Yahoo Entertainment, 15 March 2026, Yahoo Entertainment
A behind-the-scenes piece for the 98th Academy Awards lifts the lid on the logistics of high jewellery dressing: the multiple fittings, the overnight security protocols, the double-sided tape, and the 6am returns to maison vaults the morning after the ceremony. Several senior jewellery stylists describe a process that has become considerably more complex as the stones have grown bigger — with multi-million-pound suites now requiring dedicated couriers and insurance riders. Wunmi Mosaku, nominated for Sinners, is highlighted as one of the most jewellery-confident nominees of the season, having worn Messika consistently throughout awards season.
💎 Oscars pre-parties: the jewellery moments from Dior Club J'adore, Time Women of the Year and beyond
Variety, March 2026, Variety
In the week preceding the 98th Academy Awards, a circuit of prestige pre-parties generated their own significant jewellery moments. Variety's gallery documents the Dior Club J'adore event, the Time Women of the Year dinner, and a series of more intimate studio gatherings, capturing the jewellery choices that nominees and presenters made ahead of the main event. The images reveal a preference for maximal stacking and oversized single-stone statements — with coloured gemstones and sculptural gold forms appearing repeatedly, suggesting a deliberate departure from the restrained diamond sets that dominated previous awards cycles.
💎 Kate Hudson's bespoke Desert Diamonds suite at the Actor Awards reportedly first of its scale
Who Wore What Jewels, March 2026, whoworewhatjewels.com
Kate Hudson's appearance at the rebranded Actor Awards generated considerable industry attention for her custom Desert Diamonds jewellery suite, which specialists described as one of the most technically ambitious bespoke commissions seen on a major red carpet in recent years. The piece examines the growing trend of actresses commissioning purpose-built jewellery for specific ceremonies rather than borrowing directly from a maison's existing high jewellery inventory, and the creative and commercial implications for the jewellers involved — including negotiated press access, exclusivity windows, and the visibility premium attached to a globally televised moment.
💎 Men's statement jewellery expected at the Oscars: beyond the brooch, necklaces gain momentum
Angara, March 2026, angara.com
Following a awards season in which decorative brooches dominated the male red carpet, stylists and commentators are anticipating that the 98th Academy Awards will see men's statement jewellery evolve further — with significant pendant necklaces tipped to emerge alongside traditional lapel pieces. The piece surveys the jewellery choices of male nominees including Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan, reading them as indicators of a broader cultural shift in which fine jewellery is becoming a genuine expressive tool for male performers rather than a subsidiary styling note. The trend mirrors what has been happening on the menswear catwalk for several seasons.
💎 Ana Khouri receives GEM Award for High Jewelry Excellence at Cipriani gala
Jewelers of America, 13 March 2026, jewelers.org
The 2026 GEM Awards gala, held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York on 13 March, saw Brazilian-born jeweller Ana Khouri recognised with the award for High Jewelry Excellence. Known for her sculptural, body-conscious approach — pieces that reference architecture and anatomy in equal measure — Khouri has developed a devoted following among collectors and cultural institutions since establishing her New York studio. The GEM Awards, presented annually by Jewelers of America, also recognised excellence in design, retail, and journalism across the jewellery and gemstone industry.
👗 Coloured gemstones reclaim the runway: juicy greens, blues and sorbets lead SS26 palette
Woman & Home, March 2026, Woman & Home
An extensive trend analysis identifies the resurgence of coloured gemstones as the defining jewellery story of SS26, with emerald green, sapphire blue, and fruit-sorbet tones — coral, peach, lemon — appearing across the collections of Etro, Versace, and Armani among others. The piece argues that the shift represents a meaningful reaction against the monochromatic neutrals and quiet luxury aesthetic that dominated recent seasons, with designers and buyers gravitating toward jewellery that offers both chromatic vitality and legibility in an era of image-first marketing. Investment-grade coloured stones, the article notes, are also benefiting from renewed collector interest.
👗 The statement pendant as daily armour: Michael Kors, Tory Burch and Hermès lead the charge
JCK, March 2026, JCK Online
A trend feature traces the elevation of the statement pendant from occasional evening wear to a cornerstone of the SS26 daytime wardrobe. Designers including Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and Hermès have been central to repositioning oversized pendant necklaces — worn on leather cords, silk ribbons, or heavy chains — as styling anchors rather than finishing flourishes. The analysis suggests that as consumers have adopted a 'fewer, better' approach to dressing, a single confident pendant has become a form of personal shorthand: a piece worn over basics that carries the full expressive weight of an outfit.
👗 High-fashion beads: Chanel, Balmain and Saint Laurent elevate a summer staple
Marie Claire, March 2026, Marie Claire
Beaded jewellery — long consigned to holiday markets and craft fairs — has undergone a decisive runway rehabilitation, with Chanel, Balmain, Saint Laurent, and Susan Fang at London Fashion Week presenting multi-strand necklaces, chandelier earrings, and sculptural bracelets in glass, semi-precious stone, and natural materials. The piece profiles the brands most responsible for the upgrade, interviews buyers on how they are positioning beaded pieces at retail, and explores the tension between the trend's accessible, artisanal associations and the premium price points at which luxury houses are choosing to enter the category. Colour saturation and material honesty are identified as the key differentiators.
👗 The pinky ring as 2026's subtle luxury flex: Lacoste, Simone Rocha and the return of the signet
Marie Claire, March 2026, Marie Claire
Marie Claire profiles the pinky ring as one of the most quietly persistent trends of the season, tracing its appearance at Lacoste and Simone Rocha and its adoption by a new generation of consumers seeking understated signals of taste and status. The piece examines why the pinky ring — historically associated with both aristocratic tradition and street culture — has found renewed traction at precisely the moment when maximalist stacking is at its peak, arguing that it functions as a compositional anchor amid layered rings on multiple fingers. Monogrammed signet variants and delicate gemstone styles are identified as the two primary commercial expressions.
👗 The case for the hero jewel: Vogue UK's argument for one perfect, transformative piece
RAW Copenhagen (citing Vogue UK), March 2026, rawcopenhagen.co.uk
Responding to seasons of maximalist layering, Vogue UK has published a considered defence of restraint — specifically, the argument for investing in a single, exceptional piece of jewellery rather than accumulating multiple items. The editorial singles out sculptural silver from Bottega Veneta, architectural gold from Prada, and statement Dior pieces as exemplars of the 'hero jewel' philosophy: garments-worth of visual impact from a single object. The piece resonates with a broader conversation in the industry about the environmental and economic costs of fast jewellery, and positions the hero jewel as both an aesthetic and an ethical choice.
👗 Art Deco versus Gothic Revival: two competing moods define the SS26 jewellery conversation
Who What Wear, March 2026, Who What Wear
Who What Wear identifies a productive tension running through SS26 jewellery: the polished, geometric optimism of Art Deco revival — sunburst earrings, stepped rings, champagne and gold tones — sitting in direct contrast to a Gothic Revival current characterised by dark gemstones, ornate silverwork, crosses, and imagery drawn from Art Nouveau and Victorian mourning jewellery. Rather than declaring a winner, the piece argues that the coexistence of these two moods reflects a broader fragmentation of the luxury consumer: those seeking aspirational polish alongside those drawn to jewellery with historical weight and counter-cultural associations.
💍 Bulgari names Jake Gyllenhaal global brand ambassador ahead of Eclettica high jewellery launch in Milan
The Hollywood Reporter, 5 March 2026, The Hollywood Reporter
Bulgari has appointed Jake Gyllenhaal as its latest global brand ambassador for jewellery and watches, the second major name signed by the maison in as many months following Dua Lipa. The announcement coincided with the release of Gyllenhaal's new film The Bride! and arrives ahead of the Eclettica high jewellery collection unveil, scheduled for a show and gala dinner in Milan on 23 March. Laura Burdese, Bulgari's incoming CEO — who will succeed Jean-Christophe Babin on 1 July — cited Gyllenhaal's artistic sensitivity and his capacity to forge sincere connections as embodying the house's values of openness and enduring relationships.
💍 Messika names Julianne Moore as global brand ambassador, formalising a six-year relationship
WWD via Yahoo News, 6 March 2026, WWD
Messika has appointed Academy Award-winning actress Julianne Moore as its global brand ambassador, describing the move as formalising a bond stretching back to 2018, when Moore wore the maison's signature Move necklace in the film Gloria Bell. More recently Moore attended the opening of Messika's Madison Avenue boutique and the brand's 20th anniversary dinner at the Frick Collection. Founder and artistic director Valérie Messika cited Moore's rare combination of timeless presence and contemporary energy as the defining quality of the appointment. First campaign visuals are due in April.
💍 Elmwood's to auction UK's largest white diamond in over a decade on 17 March — estimate £800,000–£1 million
Heera Zhaveraat, March 2026, heerazhaveraat.com
A 26.36-carat round brilliant-cut white diamond — the largest to come to market in the United Kingdom for more than a decade — will headline Elmwood's Fine Jewellery auction in London on 17 March. The stone, set in a platinum ring, carries GIA certification confirming VVS1 clarity, I colour, and triple excellent grades for cut, polish and symmetry with no fluorescence; pre-sale estimate is £800,000 to £1 million. The last comparable UK sale was a 26.5-carat stone offered by Sotheby's in 2017, originally purchased for £10 at a car boot sale before selling for over £650,000.
💍 Richemont's jewellery houses post 14% growth in Q4 2025; Cartier's Love Unlimited collection a key driver
Business of Fashion, January 2026, Business of Fashion
Richemont's jewellery division — led by Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels — recorded 14% sales growth in the final quarter of 2025, outpacing rivals and driven in part by the runaway commercial success of Cartier's Love Unlimited collection and recovery across Asian markets.
💍 Bulgari CEO transition: Laura Burdese confirmed to succeed Jean-Christophe Babin from 1 July 2026
FashionNetwork, March 2026, fashionnetwork.com
Bulgari's deputy CEO Laura Burdese has been confirmed as the LVMH-owned house's next chief executive, taking over from the long-serving Jean-Christophe Babin on 1 July 2026. Burdese has led recent high-profile strategic moves including the Gyllenhaal and Dua Lipa ambassador appointments and the forthcoming Eclettica high jewellery presentation in Milan. The transition arrives at a moment of strong commercial momentum for the Roman house and comes as the broader haute joaillerie category continues to outperform the wider luxury sector.
🏛️ Made in Ancient Egypt at the Fitzwilliam Museum: jewellery loans from the Louvre and Berlin until 12 April
Fitzwilliam Museum, 2026, fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge is currently hosting Made in Ancient Egypt, an exhibition examining craft production in antiquity with a particular focus on jewellery and personal adornment. The show draws on loans from the Louvre and the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin alongside the Fitzwilliam's own Egyptian collection, presenting amulets, collar necklaces, signet rings, and funerary jewellery that demonstrate the sophistication of ancient workshop practice. Running until 12 April 2026, the exhibition offers rich contextual material on gemstone sourcing, gold working, and the symbolic role of jewellery in ancient Egyptian society — all of direct relevance to contemporary practitioners and curators.
🏛️ V&A Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art opens 28 March — pre-opening talks and drop-in events from 16 March
Artlyst, March 2026, artlyst.com
The Victoria & Albert Museum's major spring exhibition, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, opens to the public on 28 March and will present over 200 objects spanning the original house's radical surrealist period alongside the work of the relaunched maison under creative director Daniel Roseberry. Jewellery — both as wearable object and sculptural statement — features prominently throughout, reflecting Schiaparelli's longstanding treatment of adornment as integral to the total artwork. Pre-opening public programming includes drop-in events on 27 March, and curator-led talks on 16 and 23 March. Tickets are priced from £28.
🏛️ British Museum launches Egyptian Jewellery international touring exhibition from April 2026
British Museum, 2026, britishmuseum.org
The British Museum has announced an international touring exhibition centred on Egyptian jewellery from its collection, comprising approximately 100 objects — many rarely or never previously loaned — that trace the history of personal adornment across ancient Egyptian civilisation. The exhibition is planned to travel to partner institutions in Europe, North America, and the Middle East from April 2026, representing a significant commitment by the museum to sharing its jewellery holdings with global audiences. The objects range from predynastic amulets to elaborate New Kingdom funerary collars and Ptolemaic goldsmiths' work.
🏛️ V&A East Museum opens April 2026 at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with inaugural exhibition The Music is Black
Luxury London, 2026, luxurylondon.co.uk
The long-awaited V&A East Museum — part of the broader East Bank cultural development on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford — is confirmed to open in April 2026. Its inaugural exhibition, The Music is Black, examines the relationship between Black British culture, music, fashion and dress, with adornment and jewellery featuring as key expressive elements. The new museum, which occupies a purpose-built building designed by O'Donnell + Tuomey, is intended to house the V&A's research collections and collaborate closely with the neighbouring Sadler's Wells East and London Stadium campus.
🏛️ Catherine Opie: To Be Seen at the National Portrait Gallery explores identity, community and self-presentation
Artlyst, March 2026, artlyst.com
American photographer Catherine Opie's major UK survey, To Be Seen, runs at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 March to 31 May 2026, presenting four decades of portraiture that interrogates how communities construct and communicate identity through appearance, dress, and adornment. Jewellery appears throughout Opie's work as a marker of belonging, subcultural affiliation, and personal history — particularly in her celebrated Portraits series of the 1990s and her ongoing engagement with LGBTQ+ communities in America. The exhibition is the largest presentation of Opie's work in the UK to date and arrives at a moment of renewed critical interest in photography as a site of identity politics.
