Choosing Your Gemstone - and Your Intention - for 2026

Every January, I find myself taking a quiet moment to think about the year ahead. I’m not someone who sets rigid resolutions, but I do believe in small, intentional shifts - choosing what I want to invite more of into my life.

Over time, it’s become clear to me that color and meaning play a bigger role in jewelry than most people realize. I’m not “woo woo” about gemstones, but I do see them as visual symbols of our inner landscape. The interplay of color, light, texture, and history shapes our connection to a stone - and often the one we choose quietly mirrors what we’re hoping to invite into our lives.

I see this reflected again and again when clients come into the studio. They’ll pick up a stone “just because,” and by the time we finish the conversation, it’s clear that the gem resonated with something they were already carrying.

So as we step into 2026, I’ve been thinking a lot about five gemstones that feel especially connected to this idea of intention - stones I reach for often in my designs, not just because they’re beautiful, but because they each bring their own tone, presence, and quiet meaning.

Sapphire: Clarity

Most people think of sapphires as traditional, but I find them endlessly expressive. They come in so many hues - deep ocean blues, velvety greens, soft pastels - and yes, some of the most jaw-dropping shades: pink, purple, and yellow. People truly lose their minds when I show them sapphires in these colors, because they’re so unexpected, and so alive.

One of my favorite things in my studio right now is a small tray of natural-color, baguette-shaped sapphires arranged in a spectrum. I found it in Tucson last year, and I already know those stones are going into something special in 2026. That’s the magic of sapphire - it can be classic, but it can also feel completely fresh.

There’s a reason sapphire has long been associated with wisdom and focus. It has a grounded quality that naturally invites intention.

One of my favorite custom projects from this past year centered around an extraordinary teal sapphire. My client, Lori, had been dreaming of treating herself to a sapphire ring for a long time. Her love of jewelry comes from her mom, who passed away several years ago. One day, while running errands, she suddenly felt pulled to stop by a jewelry store her mom used to love. She told me later, “Okay, Mom, let’s go in,” almost like they were walking in together.

Inside was the sapphire - the one. Natural color, unheated, incredibly rare, and exactly the vivid teal she’d been hoping to find. She had a moment of sticker shock, but ultimately she trusted that feeling and bought it. She already knew she wanted me to make her dream ring.

Designing that piece with her was pure joy. We sourced trapezoid diamonds for the sides, set the stones low so she could wear it every day, and incorporated a European shank to keep everything balanced. The finished ring is bold, architectural, and unmistakably hers. It’s one of those pieces where the stone and the intention aligned perfectly: clarity meeting confidence, memory meeting momentum.

I think that’s why sapphire resonates so strongly for a new year. It isn’t loud or showy; it simply brings you back to yourself. If 2026 is a year where you’re seeking focus, direction, or a steadier foundation, sapphire has a way of reflecting that inner resolve.

There’s something reassuring about wearing a stone that has been valued for thousands of years. Sapphire holds its own place in history, but it also meets you exactly where you are.

Pearl: Renewal

My love for pearls goes far beyond their classic reputation. To me, they represent softness, resilience, and the beauty of beginning again. Pearls form slowly, layer by layer, and that natural process of transformation feels especially fitting at the start of a new year.

When clients pick up a pearl, the reaction is often the same: a small pause, a breath, a feeling of calm. They have this grounding presence - a reminder that growth doesn’t always require force. Sometimes it’s gentle and unfolding.

In my designs, I use pearls to create a sense of elegance without pretense. They’re timeless, but never outdated. And for anyone entering 2026 with a desire for renewal, healing, or a fresh start, pearls offer a quiet kind of encouragement.

Coral: Vitality

Coral is one of the most distinctive materials I work with, not just for its rich, warm color but for the long history it carries. There’s a vibrancy to coral that instantly energizes a piece: it feels alive, almost sunlit. Throughout different cultures, coral has often symbolized protection, strength, and the life force itself.

I’m particularly drawn to its organic nature. Unlike faceted stones, coral doesn’t rely on sparkle or precision-cut facets to make an impact. Its beauty is intrinsic. It reminds me of the power of natural form - the curves, the textures, the pure saturation of color.

Clients who choose coral often want something that feels bold and life-affirming. If your intention for 2026 is vitality, connection, or simply embracing more joy, coral is a spirited and vibrant choice.

Tourmaline: Balance

Tourmaline might be the most versatile gemstone in my assortment. Its range of color is extraordinary - greens, pinks, blues, and even multicolored stones that shift from one hue to another. Because of that range, it naturally represents harmony and adaptability.

What I love most about working with tourmaline is its complexity. Even stones that appear simple at first have subtle gradients and depth. And that mirrors what many people seek when they choose it: a sense of equilibrium, but not one-dimensional. Balance that allows for nuance.

In custom projects, clients who choose tourmaline usually appreciate its individuality. No two pieces are ever quite the same, which makes it an ideal stone for someone who wants their jewelry to reflect their own layered inner world.

Garnet: Courage

Garnet feels like a stone you reach for when you’re ready to commit - to yourself, to your growth, to what comes next. It’s often associated with protection and strength, but what I love most about garnet is its depth. The color can be lush and wine-dark, bright and fiery, or even unexpected depending on the variety, and it always carries a sense of warmth and conviction.

I find garnet especially fitting for the beginning of a year because it doesn’t feel tentative. It has a grounded presence - like a quiet reminder to move forward with purpose, even if you’re still figuring it all out.

In 2026, I know I’ll be working with garnets more, and I’m excited about it. They bring richness to a piece without needing to shout, and they pair beautifully with so many design directions - from bold, sculptural settings to more refined, everyday-wear silhouettes.

If your intention for the year ahead is courage, momentum, or reclaiming your own inner fire, garnet is a powerful companion.

How Clients Choose Their Stone - Even When They Don’t Realize It Yet

One of my favorite parts of being a jewelry designer is watching someone discover their stone. A client will sit down convinced they want one thing, but the moment they see the full palette - sapphire steady and blue, pearl luminous, coral bold, tourmaline shifting - they sometimes reach for something entirely unexpected.

And when I ask, “What made you pick that one?” the answer is rarely technical. It’s always something like: “I don’t know… it just feels right.”

I’ve learned to trust that instinct. Gems have a way of reflecting what we’re hoping to embrace, even if we haven’t spoken it out loud yet.

Creating a Custom Piece for 2026

Whether you feel drawn to confidence, clarity, renewal, vitality, or balance, choosing a gemstone for the new year can be a deeply personal ritual. It’s less about symbolism and more about connection - finding the piece that feels like a true extension of who you are becoming.

If you’re imagining something uniquely yours for 2026, I’d love to help bring it to life. Custom design allows you to choose your stone, your scale, and the feeling you want the piece to hold. Together, we can create something that not only marks the year ahead but stays meaningful long after it’s over.

Here’s to choosing with intention and embracing whatever this next chapter brings.