Queen Letizia of Spain unveiled a new pair of Tous diamond earrings at Madrid’s Pascua Militar on January 6, 2026 — an 18‑carat white‑gold study in restrained brilliance (0.46 total carats) that trades size for provenance and immediate commercial visibility.
- Price: Retail listing on Tous Spain (see product page)
- Carat weight: 0.46 ct (brilliant cut diamonds)
- Metal/Origin: 18k white gold — Tous (Spain)
- Date worn: 6 January 2026 (Pascua Militar, Royal Palace, Madrid)
Design and details
The earrings are compact and modern: 18k white gold settings that emphasize the diamonds’ polished facets and vitreous luster rather than overt scale. Tous lists them as a 0.46‑carat total weight of brilliant‑cut stones — a configuration that favours eye‑clean brilliance and a discreet, wearable silhouette. Letizia paired the studs with daytime tailoring and a fur‑trimmed wrap for the parade, underscoring how modest gemstone weight can be amplified by royal provenance.
Context: 2025 trends they map onto
Two currents define why this small pair has outsized resonance in 2025. First, sustainability and responsible consumption continue to shift purchase decisions toward lower‑carat pieces with strong brand narratives: consumers value traceability and brand ethics as much as millimetre counts. Second, the move toward sculptural, pared‑back jewellery means demand for pieces that read as architectural rather than ostentatious — a compact stud with a precise cut meets that brief.
Finally, lab‑grown diamonds have recalibrated perceptions of carat value across the market. Even when natural stones are used, a sub‑one‑carat configuration can command strong sell‑through when combined with a recognisable brand and a high‑profile appearance on a royal wrist or lobe.
Why this matters to US retailers and investors
For US luxury retailers, the lesson is tactical: royal endorsements still move category perception. Tous’s visibility at a state ceremony translates into marketing currency that can be leveraged in-store and online — particularly for entry‑level diamond lines aimed at aspirational buyers. Merchandise buyers should consider expanding minimalist, architectural diamond offerings in the $X–$Y entry bracket (price bands vary by market) and ensure clear provenance and metal specs on product pages.
For investors, the appearance underscores growing bifurcation in the jewellery market: collectors and high‑net‑worth buyers continue to chase unique high‑carat pieces, while a broader luxury consumer base drives steady volume through smaller, design‑led diamonds. Brands that marry accessible carat weights with strong storytelling and ethical sourcing are likely to show more resilient demand into 2026.
Practical takeaways
- Stock architectural, small‑carat diamond studs that emphasise cut and finish over weight.
- Highlight provenance, metal purity and sustainability credentials in product descriptions.
- Use editorial moments—royal appearances, red carpet placements—to amplify lower‑carat jewellery as aspirational buys.
Full product details are available on Tous’s website; the pair Letizia wore is listed as an 18k white‑gold earring set with 0.46 ct of brilliant diamonds (Tous product page).
Image Referance: https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/01/queen-letizias-new-diamond-earrings-for-pascua-militar.html