How to Wear Colored Gemstones in a Contemporary Way

Colored gemstones have been used in fine jewelry since ancient times and precious gems (rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds) were once the prerogative of royalty alone. In the contemporary world, fine jewelers of all types, all around the world use colored gemstones in jewelry designs, and at PICCHIOTTI, we have built our reputation around selecting the very finest of gems for our beloved jewels. Despite the long history and allure of these stones, the ways that we wear and style them have not really changed much over the centuries. Rubies are often worn with red dresses, suits, or outfits, sapphires with blue fabrics, and emeralds with green or earth tones. Complementary color styling is very popular, especially with all of the monochrome looks in designer fashion in recent seasons. But for a fresh and contemporary way to wear colored gemstones, try mixing things up a bit and having some fun with it.

“I have always been a gemstone lover,” says Giuseppe Picchiotti, founder and lead designer at PICCHIOTTI. “Color brings a jolt of emotion to the eye and the heart, and Nature has given us such unique treasures in the form of gemstones. Nothing gets my blood racing more than a woman wearing our superlative gems in fresh and exciting ways. Our gemstone jewelry is purposely designed and crafted to be timeless, and when women wear them in modern ways, it just gives them greater joy and more opportunities to wear the pieces they love most.”

Stacking & Layering

Clockwise from upper left – PICCHIOTTI Essentially Color Xpandable blue and pink sapphire bracelet, stack of PICCHIOTTI Xpandable “For the Love of Color” bracelets, model wearing PICCHIOTTI “For the Love of Color” rings, mini stack of PICCHIOTTI Fashion Gems Xpandable rings in mother of pearl, dark mother of pearl, and coral, model wearing a series of PICCHIOTTI Xpandable cocktail rings – bottom to top – oval ruby, yellow heart diamond, emerald three stone, and yellow diamond with heart rubies, wrist with PICCHIOTTI Xpandable Gem Ceramic ruby, pink sapphire, and blue sapphire bracelets

One way to wear colored gemstones in a fresh and contemporary way is to stack and layer them. The trend of stacking and layering has become quite popular, seen on the runways in recent designer collections for 2026. The hashtag #neckmess was trending a couple of years ago. More recently, Celine featured rings on every finger for their Spring/Summer 2026 show, as well as jumbled and layered necklaces. The power wrapped wrist look has been trending for several years, since Saint Laurent stacked up the entire forearm for the Fall/Winter 2022-23 season. The layered look is sophisticated and personal as no two people would ever have the exact same stack. Vogue even created a “Guide to Layering Jewelry” in 2025, given the prevalence of the trend.

PICCHIOTTI’s Xpandable™️ collection has proven an incredibly comfortable way to achieve the desired aesthetic. The Xpandable rings expand up to 2.5 sizes, so they can be worn on different fingers on different days. The eternity band style of ruby, emerald, and sapphire rings also pair well with classic white diamond bridal bands. Be sure to make your stack personal. For example, if you like emerald cuts, start collecting rings with emerald cut gems and create your ring-on-every-finger look with only emerald cut options. If you are a diamond fan at heart, consider the styles with colored gemstone accents that surround the center diamonds. Add some cocktail rings into the mix, as well. Instead of just one statement cocktail ring, contemporary styling allows for more creative wear, with cocktail rings on every finger or a mix of bands and cocktail rings, as you prefer. Here again, you can personalize by your favorite color or your favorite styles. Midi rings, worn between the second and third knuckle (as opposed to nearer the palm, against the first knuckle) have also been trending and they help create a well curated ring stack, too.

As per the fashion runways of New York, Paris, London, and Milan, with bracelets, more is more. Stack them up and curate your own stack over a lifetime of collecting. Xpandable bracelets make the bracelets easy to put on and take off on a daily basis, given the lack of a cumbersome clasp. Here again, your stack is all yours. If you like chunkier wider bracelets (a la the runways at Saint Laurent, Carolina Herrera, and Michael Kors), experiment with colorful options in ruby, emerald, and sapphire or add some opaque stones like turquoise, coral, or lapis lazuli. If emerald is your favorite stone, opt for various versions of emerald bracelets and stack them with diamond and/or gold options. If blue is your favorite color, start collecting various shades of blue that work well together such as sapphire, lapis, or multicolor options that also feature sapphire. Feel free to mix colors to your own liking, as shown above. And two-tone jewelry is also trending, giving you permission to mix and match yellow gold with white gold or platinum styles, as well as stacking your bracelets with your favorite luxury watch, a pro styling tip being actively promoted by watch influencers.

Make Mine a Combo

Clockwise from upper left – PICCHIOTTI Xpandable emerald and sapphire cocktail ring, model wearing PICCHIOTTI Masterpieces emerald and sapphire necklace with removable sapphire drop worn as a ring, PICCHIOTTI two-sided Xpandable ring, model wearing PICCHIOTTI Xpandable three stone emerald cocktail ring, emerald and sapphire Xpandable bracelet, diamond Xpandable ring with sapphire accents, Xpandable diamond and sapphire tennis bracelets, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable bracelet featuring emeralds and sapphires

Another contemporary way to wear colored gemstone jewelry is to mix colors – choosing either combinations of colors within the same piece or within the same outfit. Maria Carola Picchiotti, daughter of Giuseppe and marketing director at PICCHIOTTI, agrees. “I enjoy wearing designs that combine different colored gemstones. In particular, I favor combinations of green and blue. It is such an elegant and chic pairing, each color enhancing the other. It is also perceived as generally more elegant than combinations of red and green or blue and red.”

PICCHIOTTI has a variety of designs incorporating both sapphires and emeralds, a blue and green combo that feels fresh and exciting. Masterpieces earrings in a sleek stiletto style feature emeralds above a line of round diamonds with emerald-cut emeralds and round sapphires beneath. Perfect for those with green, blue, or hazel eyes and a welcome addition to any sapphire or emerald jewelry lover’s wardrobe. PICCHIOTTI’s Xpandable collection also features a few blue-green combos with emeralds and sapphires in between diamonds in a charming two-tone bracelet or sapphires framing emeralds in a cocktail ring or gold framed band. For those who love unique shapes of gemstones, click here to see the PICCHIOTTI hexagon cocktail ring where blue and green unite in a truly distinctive ring. Another equally enchanting ring style is the Essentially Color statement ring featuring a large deeply blue-ish tanzanite with stripes of green agate and white diamonds.

Mixing colors when styling is another way to keep your look modern. Wear emeralds with the cobalt blue fabrics trending on the runways or sport an emerald cocktail ring or band on the same hand with a sapphire Xpandable bracelet. Better yet, wear green on one arm and blue on the other. Mixing gems can also be the perfect complement to some of the more colorful print fabrics in today’s fashions.

Another fun combination that PICCHIOTTI likes to create is blue and pink sapphires. The new Essentially Color Xpandable bracelet features alternating sapphires in pink and blue shades, set in 18K yellow gold, with white gem ceramic and white diamonds set in 18K white gold. The design is pleasing to the eye and has a charming feminine feel to it. Wear it with the fuchsia looks or pink and red combos seen on the runways for Fall/Winter 2026 at Roberto Cavalli, Prada, and Celine, or the paler pinks or deep purple looks seen at Chanel, Chloè, Gucci, Ferragamo, and Mugler. Another great option for pink and blue lovers is PICCHIOTTI’s Essentially Color drop earrings featuring deep blue sapphire on the lobe and bright pink sapphires at the bottom of the diamond dangle. For the bolder pink fans, opt for the newer PICCHIOTTI cocktail rings with pink sapphire or tourmaline paired with black onyx in a striped dome ring or a wider statement ring with pink tourmaline and black gem ceramic.

Consider mixing different gemstones in your stack of bracelets also. Or for a very modern look, choose designs that have a vintage vibe, like Art Deco inspired jewelry. These types of new jewelry can be worn with your heirloom favorites or those from mom or grandma’s jewelry box. Put a pearl bracelet into your wrist stack or take a classic strand of pearls and clip a gemstone brooch (or earring) in the front. Have fun with trying on and pairing up. Express yourself by wearing more of what you love.

Beyond the Big Three

Clockwise from upper left – PICCHIOTTI Xpandable purple sapphire ring, Roberto Cavalli F/W 2026-27 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), Givenchy F/W 2026-27 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), PICCHIOTTI Xpandable cocktail ring with pink sapphire and onyx, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable green sapphire cocktail ring, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable pink sapphire cocktail ring, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable oval pink sapphire cocktail ring

Another option for wearing gemstones in a contemporary way is to choose rarer colors of gemstones. Beyond ruby, emerald, and blue sapphires, less commonly known or infrequently worn gems can become conversation pieces and help you stand out from the crowd. According to Maria Carola Picchiotti, “Sapphires are generally thought of as blue. But there are many shades that are fun, spirited, and, yes, more exclusive. At PICCHIOTTI this year, we just recently presented a large selection of these sapphires, and they are literally flying out the door. Sophisticated green, purple, and pink sapphires, both in cocktail rings and bands, and even some bracelets, created a buzz at the recent Couture Show in Las Vegas.”

Sapphires come in almost every color but red. Rare pink, green, and purple sapphires make stunning statements and sparkle just as beautifully as traditional blue sapphires. You also have an instant conversation starter as you can explain your green gem ring is not an emerald, instead it is a sapphire. Or your spectacular cushion cut purple stone is not amethyst, but a much rarer purple sapphire. Purple, in deep royal hues, was a microtrend for the Fall/Winter season, seen at Gucci, Ferragamo, and Mugler. Expect more in the coming seasons. Both pink and purple sapphires would be ideal accessories for these looks.

Another runway trend that kept appearing across the last few seasons was the striking combination of pink and red. Contrast styling, wearing complimentary different colors such as blue and green mentioned above or pink and red worn together as seen at Sandy Liang, Valentino, Carolina Herrera, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, and more designer brands over the last 5 years. Wear a distinctive pink sapphire ring with a bright red blazer or crimson handbag, or deep purple sapphire ring with one of the fuchsia fabrics featured in the Fall/Winter 2026-27 collections. A stunning tanzanite pendant necklace would also be a welcome addition to the jewelry wardrobe, given the growing purple trend mentioned above and/or the current popularity of fuchsia.

Pop of Color with Neutrals

Clockwise from upper left – model wearing PICCHIOTTI Masterpieces sapphire necklace and earrings, model wearing PICCHIOTTI Xpandable For the Love of Color rings, model wearing PICCHIOTTI Ruby Chandelier earrings, necklace, ring, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable For the Love of Color rings and bracelets

Neutrals continue to dominate the runways and have for a few seasons. We began to see black and white fashions trending in F/W 2023-24. Then, monochrome white was practically ubiquitous in Spring/Summer 2024. This year, the classic neutral fabrics are crafted in subtle hues of brown, gray, off-white, beige, and classic black. These styles are the perfect canvas or backdrop for colored gemstones. Add a pop of color to elevate your basic ensembles, start with your favorite gems and then add a similar color handbag and/or pair of shoes.

These muted color tones are meant to go with everything, so they are the perfect foundations of a wardrobe. But they are not very exciting or interesting. This is where colored gemstones can add some distinction to your overall style. The runways have been filled with bold combinations of pink with red in recent seasons. Consider accessorizing your pale pinks fabrics with a bright red ruby. The colors contrast but also compliment each other. The beige, camel, and winter white sweaters, suits, tops, and dresses are like a blank canvas – choose any colored gem you like. A deep blue sapphire earring or pendant necklace conveys a suave sophistication and really gets noticed when worn with such colorless outfits. Likewise, a significant ruby truly shines on a monochrome white or black ensemble.

Sometimes even pale lavenders and blues read almost gray. While they are great additions to the wardrobe as they can be worn with various pants, skirts, and jackets, they need a little oomph. Add some sparkle with gems. Stack some Xpandable ruby bracelets or rings with the lavender and some Xpandable sapphires or emeralds with the pale blues.

Keeping your look contemporary these days is all about breaking the rules – mix your metals, mix your colors, add some pizzazz to your neutrals, curate your own stack, and experiment with gems in naturally fun hues. Don’t be afraid to add pieces from your family jewelry box as combining old and new, high and low, yellow and white metals is all allowed. Make it your own and enjoy the mood lift that the emotion of color offers. Try not to get stuck in a rut – mix up the look as often as you can. Keep surprising your friends and family with your amazing colored gemstone finds. You will feel great and they will smile every time they see you shine.

Feature image at top – clockwise from upper left – PICCHIOTTI Xpandable pink sapphire cocktail ring, Celine S/S 2026 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), PICCHIOTTI Masterpieces stiletto earrings with emeralds and sapphires, model wearing PICCHIOTTI Masterpieces necklace with sapphires and emeralds and stiletto earrings with emeralds and sapphires, PICCHIOTTI Signature Series Xpandable stack top to bottom – emerald, sapphire, ruby, yellow diamond, model wearing a neutral off-white sweater with PICCHIOTTI Xpandable ruby and diamond bracelet, diamond ring with ruby accents, ruby cocktail ring, and ruby and diamond earrings