From salt & pepper intrigue to rose-cut elegance and rare fancy-colors, natural diamonds with character are shaping global demand.
Retailers: here’s what to focus on in 2026;
- Salt & Pepper diamonds; the beauty of imperfection
- Salt & pepper diamonds are moving from niche to mainstream. Their visible inclusions tell a story and appeal to younger buyers seeking individuality.
- Trend signal: Featured heavily at JCK Las Vegas 2025 and Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair
- Market insight: Collectors and designers increasingly favor these stones for both engagement rings and fashion jewelry.
- Retail takeaway: Offer curated salt & pepper collections – emphasize uniqueness over traditional 4C’s.
- Salt & pepper diamonds are moving from niche to mainstream. Their visible inclusions tell a story and appeal to younger buyers seeking individuality.
- Rose cuts & Antique Revival; Vintage cuts, modern demand
- Rose cuts and antique-inspired diamonds are experiencing a revival, prized for their soft glow, larger face-up appearance and old-world charm.
- Trend signal: Seen in bridal collections from top designers in 2025
- Retail takeaway: Highlight history, glow, and craftsmanship to appeal to consumers seeking romantic, timeless pieces.
- Rose cuts and antique-inspired diamonds are experiencing a revival, prized for their soft glow, larger face-up appearance and old-world charm.
- Fancy-Color Diamonds; Color is the new currency
- Natural Fancy-color diamonds (pink, blue, vivid yellow) remain the ultimate investment-grade gems.
- Fact: Less then 0.01% of mined diamonds qualify as fancy vivid.
- Market insight: Prices have appreciated consistently over the past 2 decades.
- Retail takeaway: Curate a small high-quality color assortment for collectors and ultra-luxury buyers
- Natural Fancy-color diamonds (pink, blue, vivid yellow) remain the ultimate investment-grade gems.
- Rough & Raw diamonds; Raw Appeal, premium potential
- Rough and slice diamonds are gaining luxury credibility for their natural, unprocessed look.
- Trend signal: Featured in high-jewelry collections and bespoke pieces globally.
- Retail takeaway: Perfect for limited-edition collections; emphasize rarity and story.
- Source: Melissa Tyson Designs
- Rough and slice diamonds are gaining luxury credibility for their natural, unprocessed look.
Actionable insights for retailers; Your 2026 playbook
- Diversity stock; Include 10-15% unconventional natural diamonds (salt & pepper, rose cuts, rough, fancy colors)
- Emphasize Storytelling; Highlight rarity, natural inclusions and historical value.
- Curate Smartly; Offer capsule collections or limited editions to create exclusivity.
- Educate Sale Teams; Ensure staff can articulate why each stone is unique – emotional connection drives sales.
READY TO REDEFINE YOUR DIAMOND OFFERINGS ???
let 2026 be the year of the unconventional natural diamond !!!
BRON: Instagram @diamond_world_magazine 7-10-2025
