Stuller has designated Signature Red as its 2026 color and paired the announcement with five design trends that point to stronger demand for colored gemstones and larger, metal-forward pieces—an outcome that could lift average selling prices and margins for U.S. jewelers this year.
- Price: N/A (trend guidance)
- Carat weight: N/A
- Origin: Stuller (Lafayette, LA)
- Date: January 2026
The trends, in texture and tone
Stuller’s color pick follows analysis by its internal color experts of global cultural signals and buying behavior. The company says Signature Red will thread through its 2026 assortments, content and training. In gemstone terms, red signals rarity and depth of hue—think vitreous luster in rubies and the dense saturation that reads as value on the sales floor.
Vintage vibes
Engraving, decorative metalwork and antique cuts are resurging. Beyond Edwardian lines, Stuller highlights retro-era glamour—1980s proportions translated into pieces with a tangible, engraved surface and a substantial heft that reads premium to buyers.
Flow and form
Expect soft, fluid silhouettes and sculptural motifs to replace strictly geometric shapes. The manufacturers’ shift toward curving, organic profiles favors cast-forward production but rewards retailers with versatile showpieces that photograph richly and wear with sculptural presence.
Storyteller
Personalization continues to steer purchases. Jewelry that carries dates, symbols or custom motifs turns a commodity sale into an emotional purchase — a higher-conversion interaction for trained staff and an opportunity to command premium markups.
Max appeal
Stuller recommends larger proportions: bolder settings, increased carat weights and metal-forward silhouettes. The return of scale favors inventory that trades on presence and tactile impact—pieces with weight and profile that signal value before a customer says a word.
High-impact hues
Color-led looks—monochromatic, multi-stone arrangements—are emphasized. Stuller projects ruby, sapphire and emerald dominance in 2026, with tourmaline also highlighted for its broad palette. These stones’ depth of color and vitreous finish amplify perceived value and support stronger price points.
Context: How this fits 2025–26 market currents
After a period when minimalism and entry-level diamonds held sway, the market is tilting toward sculptural aesthetics, meaningful pieces and gemstone-led merchandising. Sustainability and traceability remain underwriting themes: consumers prize provenance, and retailers who can demonstrate origin or responsible sourcing will extract a pricing premium.
Impact for U.S. retailers and investors
For brick-and-mortar and e-commerce sellers the implications are tactical and financial. Stocking deeper color and larger-stone SKUs can lift average selling price and gross margin, but it requires calibrated buying to avoid inventory drag. Marketing should foreground color depth, substantial heft and narrative — not just specs — to convert higher-ticket sales.
- Merchandising action: Prioritize ruby, sapphire and emerald assortments and curated monochrome sets.
- Sourcing note: Seek documented origins and lab reports to justify premiums and support resale value.
- Sales training: Teach staff to sell story and sensation — color saturation, weight, and personal meaning.
- Inventory risk: Balance statement pieces with accessible personalization options to maintain turnover.
“In the world of precious stones, red represents one of the rarest colors found in nature,” said Alissa Talbot, Stuller’s executive director of diamonds and gemstones. Stuller’s chief merchandising, marketing and sales officer Taylor Burgess added that identifying traction allows suppliers to provide the products and insight jewelers need to curate standout collections.
(Photo courtesy of Stuller)
Image Referance: https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/stuller-red-top-trends/