Tucson Gem Show 2026: The Top 3 Gemstone Trends Every Jewelry Lover Needs to Know

Tucson Gem Show 2026: The Top 3 Gemstone Trends Every Jewelry Lover Needs to Know

I’ve just touched down at the Tucson Gem Show, and let me tell you what has caught my eye. As a jewelry designer and gemologist, I always have my technical hat on, but 2026 is officially the year of vibes-based gemstone selection.

We are moving away from the perfect and leaning into the intriguing. 2026 is the year of the unique gemstone fingerprint. Here are the top three trends I saw on the floor that I think are going to define fine jewelry design this year.

1. The Allure of Visual Texture

Forget eye-clean being the only standard. This year, we are obsessing over stones that have a soul you can actually see. In the trade, we call this milkiness, opalescence, velvetiness, or silkiness and these stones have a soft, inviting glow that makes you want to reach out and touch them.

These internal textures create a dreamy, ethereal look that feels modern yet ancient. It’s less about a sharp flash and more about a soft, romantic hum.

2. Multi-Color Magic: Bi-Color & Trichroic Gems

We are craving complexity. The show was dominated by stones that refuse to be just one thing.

• Unheated Tanzanite: These are a gemologist's dream. Because they haven't been heat-treated, they retain their natural trichroism, showing flashes of blue, violet, and burgundy all in one stone.

• Bi-Color Gemstones: Think lush greens with a sudden patch of Mediterranean blue. These multi-colored gemstones offer a completely unique, one-of-a-kind look that can never be replicated.

3. The Return of Big, Romantic Facets 

For a long time, the jewelry industry tried to make coloured

stones mimic diamonds. We wanted maximum sparkle. But in 2026, coloured gemstones aren't trying to be diamonds, they’re playing an entirely different game.

We’re seeing a shift toward expertly cut, wide facets. These big, bold cuts prioritise colour saturation and show off the body of the stone without creating a window (that distracting clear spot in the middle). It’s a sophisticated, confident way to wear colour.

My Personal Favourites (The "Must-Haves")

While I loved the trends, a few specific stones stole my heart. If you’re looking to commission a bespoke jewelry piece this year, keep these on your radar:

• Peachy Zircon: A total surprise! This isn't your average blue zircon; it’s warm, glowing, and incredibly flattering on the skin.

• Mint & Seafoam Tones: My obsession with cool greens only grew. This trend is here to stay, especially for alternative engagement rings.

• Chrome Tourmaline: Coloured by vanadium and chromium (the same elements that give emeralds their punch), these are vivid, electric, and breathtaking.

  

• Mali Garnet: I can never say no to their brilliance and lemon-lime zest. 

• Steel Grey Spinel: The denim of the gemstone world. These are the prizes everyone was hunting for, moody, chic, and perfectly understated.

Gemologist’s Tip: When shopping for these trends, look for stones that speak to you. 2026 is less about the lab report and more about how the stone makes you feel when it catches the light.

Ready to find your own vibe-based gemstone? I’d love to help you source a unique stone from my Tucson finds for your next project.

Get in touch at info@thepiecelondon.com to start your design journey with us.