Fashion
The Platinum Shift in Fine Jewelry: What Olertis Is Seeing for 2026 and Beyond
Jewelers have long associated platinum with American weddings – whether it’s an engagement ring, a wedding band, or an heirloom passed down through generations. This perception is evolving. Today, platinum is appearing more often in statement rings, sculptural necklaces, brooches, men’s jewelry, and custom jewelry designed to reflect an individual’s unique tastes instead of their wedding day. In fact, this change in how we view fine jewelry represents a larger trend: jewelry is becoming more about expressing who you are and your own sense of style.
From Bridal Classic to Jewelry That Says Something About Its Owner
The numbers suggest that platinum’s appeal is extending well beyond traditional wedding jewelry, making platinum jewelry trends in 2026 worth watching. According to PGI USA’s Retail Barometer (a study of 300 U.S. Jewelry retailers), sales of platinum jewelry outside of bridal rose by more than 24 percent in 2025. That figure applies specifically to non-bridal platinum jewelry, not to platinum sales overall. Olertis has recently reported seeing a similar shift among its own customers.
Clearly there are many reasons for this phenomenon. Consumers are increasingly looking for jewelry that feels personal rather than interchangeable. A statement ring does not have to be tied to a particular occasion. A necklace can be purely sculptural, while a brooch can feel like a work of art. For men, platinum offers a distinctive sense of weight and presence that other metals may not provide. Lastly, custom jewelry offers the opportunity to combine all of these elements together in one-of-a-kind pieces made for just one person.
In these custom pieces, platinum is no longer merely the base metal upon which a diamond sits. Instead platinum’s weight, scale, form, and naturally white color are incorporated into the bold design.
This matters because today’s luxury buyer is often looking for pieces with personal meaning. Once a piece of jewelry becomes part of someone’s signature style, then the material used in that piece becomes part of the statement.
What Makes Platinum Special for Design
Using the exact same design and making each version using platinum, 14K gold, and 18K gold will yield three products that are visually very different. The primary difference lies in density. Platinum is heavier than gold-based alloys. As stated by Jewelers of America, a ring or pendant containing 90% platinum can be approximately 60% heavier than a comparable 14K gold piece.
Because of platinum’s higher density, its mass can be felt in both statement and sculptural jewelry where size and scale matter. Without additional ornamentation, a substantial ring or necklace can feel more solid and weighty without needing more decoration.
Platinum is also inherently white in color and presents an ideal background for diamonds and colored gemstones. White gold can look similar when new, but it is commonly rhodium-plated to achieve its bright white finish. Unlike white gold, platinum does not require this process.
When rhodium plating begins to wear off, white gold may need to be replated to maintain its brightness and original appearance. However, unlike white gold, platinum develops a beautiful patina after prolonged wear. The finish of platinum can be polished to reveal a fresh surface. Many owners appreciate the softer appearance and unique character that develop naturally over time.
There is also a connection to the idea of individuality. Like its wearer, platinum jewelry can develop character over time rather than remaining permanently “brand-new.”
Compared to some 14K and 18K gold alloys, platinum is relatively soft, which means that it scratches differently and displaces metal at the surface as opposed to removing it entirely. As a result of this property, platinum retains much of its metal over many years of wear — an essential trait for fine jewelry that is expected to be passed down as an heirloom.
Why Platinum Can Cost More Even When It Costs Less per Gram
Platinum has historically traded at a premium to gold. Today, however, that relationship has reversed. Platinum currently trades well below pure gold – around $58 per gram versus roughly $142 for gold, based on September 2026 market quotes. However, this does not mean that finished platinum jewelry will be cheaper.
Platinum’s higher density means that the same physical design generally requires more metal by weight. A platinum ring would generally contain more grams than an equivalent gold ring.
While purity is relevant, it is not the reason platinum jewelry tends to cost more than similar 14k gold jewelry. Most platinum jewelry consists of 95% platinum whereas 14k gold consists of 58.3% gold. Doing simple math regarding a single gram shows clearly that the pure gold within a gram of 14k gold is worth more than the platinum contained in a gram of platinum jewelry.
Ultimately, the difference in the price of a finished piece comes from the work required to turn the metal into jewelry. Working with platinum involves specialized tooling and techniques and finishing processes are often more time-consuming. Custom jewelry presents an example where each aspect including contours, settings, and surfaces must be individually crafted and completed for the specific design.
The final price of a platinum piece reflects far more than its weight: design, gemstones, construction, craftsmanship and finishing all play a role. That is why a piece of platinum jewelry may have equal or greater value than an equivalent piece created in 14k gold regardless of whether platinum costs less per gram.
Choosing platinum can be about more than the material itself – it can be about exclusivity, durability, presence and the experience of owning something created specifically for the wearer.
Thus, the story behind platinum’s current pricing trends becomes compelling. Customers are still selecting it even when commodity pricing no longer presents it as the obvious option.
Why Platinum Could Become More Than a 2026 Fine Jewelry Trend
Customization creates a separate landscape within the fine jewelry market.
Although broadening consumer awareness and growth in customization remain positive developments within fine jewelry markets globally, the overall outlook is gloomier. According to data released by the World Platinum Investment Council in their May Platinum Quarterly publication, global demand for platinum jewelry is forecast to decline by 12% in 2026 while demand is expected to decline by 7% in North America alone. The decline is largely tied to the sharp rise in platinum prices, which had roughly doubled from a year earlier; even strong customers tend to reduce consumption of platinum once costs increase enough. These figures describe the broader platinum jewelry market rather than the custom segment.
However, Olertis reports a contrasting trend.
Demand for Olertis’s customized platinum jewelry has grown by 8 percent during the first half of 2026 when compared to the first half of 2025.
This is not an industry-wide statistic; it reflects what one company is seeing. It is significant nonetheless because it contrasts with the broader North American forecast rather than simply tracking alongside the category.
The company’s experts expect demand for customized platinum fine jewelry to continue increasing in 2027, even if demand decreases across other segments of the fine platinum jewelry market in North America.
The practical differences are most evident in what customers request for their custom pieces.
They typically request statement rings with unexpected proportions, necklaces built around distinctive shapes, large men’s pieces with platinum’s substantial heft, or designs featuring the properties inherent to the metal itself as part of its aesthetic appeal. Additionally, customers are drawn to platinum’s naturally white color, its heft, durability, or the patina it develops on its surface over time.
These requests differ from customer inquiries related to viewing options available at retail stores. They represent requests to design something that is personal.
And that may be platinum’s next chapter: moving from America’s iconic bridal metal to a more versatile luxury material for personal jewelry — chosen for its design, character, and presence rather than simply because tradition says so.
Introduction
Ever taken a great night-out photo, only to find it looks like a grainy mess? Same story. Dim lighting, blinding streetlights, and wobbly hands can ruin an even-good photo.
That does not mean you should automatically scrap the pic!
Here’s how the editors do street-style night shoots and salvage dull night images. From easily adjusting the lighting to sharpening a grainy pic, getting ready to make all those night photos look a lot better, naturally. Let’s start with the guide!
Why Night-Out Photos Come Out Grainy in the First Place
Low light forces high ISO
Taken a photo at night and zoomed in only to notice a whole lot of grain?
Normally, it happens because of low light, where your phone ramps up the ISO to make the photograph appear brighter, which unfortunately results in more grain.
Mixed, chaotic lighting sources
When there are neon signs, streetlights, and camera flashes, all in one photo, it looks fun in real life, doesn’t it? However, it can really make skin colors look blue or orange or create unnatural colored surroundings.
Motion blur
If you’re dancing, walking, or just have slightly unsteady hands… it can really spoil your night shot.
It just takes longer for your phone to snap the picture in dark places, so even a little wobble can make everything from faces to features go fuzzy and lose their definition.
Compression on top of it all
Your photo might look totally fine. But as soon as you screenshot it, send it in a DM, or download it to repost, you’re going to lose a tiny bit of quality. The grain gets amplified, and the details become a little less crisp.
What Street-Style Editors Actually Look For in a “Salvageable” Shot
Before editing, editors check one thing: Is the photo still worth saving?
- The outfit is clear, even if the background is dark.
- The face and main details aren’t too blurry. Grain can be fixed. Heavy blur usually can’t be fixed.
- There’s still enough quality to edit. A screenshot of a screenshot is much harder to save than the original photo.
The Fix —How To Enhance Night-Out Phone Photos
So, how do editors clean up a rough night-out photo? They fix the biggest problems first. Wink puts several of these fixes in one image enhancer.
Noise and grain — Not enough grain or too much grain?
Wink has Noise reduction that will fix those grain issues for you, making sure that the details of the outfit remain crisp. That means details of fabrics, hair and more will remain in the photograph without appearing that it has been smoothed out.
Uneven lighting — Certain neon lights do strange things to an image.
For example, some areas will seem pure blue… while others would glow an intense orange. Wink’s color enhancement fixes these abnormal colors in your picture while bringing natural skin tones back in.
Dim, chaotic night shots specifically — Night shots can be tricky.
Wink’s Night Scene Enhancement is designed for night shots, helping to clarify dark regions in your photos and balancing shadows and highlights, so the whole photo looks sharper without sacrificing any of its nocturnal splendor.
Low resolution after reposting — Photo looks soft after sharing? Upscale it
Shared the photo a couple of times already? Resharing and taking screenshots will make it dull and soft. Let Wink enhance resolution for a higher quality image suitable for a lookbook and/or a social post.
The Other Problem No One Talks About — Watermarks from Reposting
And then there’s the watermark problem.
Most night out pics we save come from Instagram Stories, via repost apps or by screen recording and … of course, there’s a username or logo to deal with.
While it’s tiny, it instantly ruins an otherwise perfectly good street style shot. Cropping out is usually an option, but it disrupts the composition, and blurring it will leave a big white patch on the photograph.
The Wink AI Image Watermark Remover is here to rescue us all.
It will automatically recognize and remove any text, logos, or other watermarks and will also perfectly refill the void space.
Quick Tips for Better Night-Out Shots Before You Even Edit
- Utilize available light. Instead of the flash on your phone, consider moving closer to a shop window, a neon sign or any source of ambient light.
- Higher quality is better. Make sure you save images in your phone’s highest photo quality. This will be helpful when you edit.
- Lighten up on zoom. Too much digital zoom will emphasize any grain and blurring.
- Multiple shots. Don’t take just one. Shoot two or three similar versions, and you’ll be likely to have at least one successful one to work with later.
- Keep your hands steady. Even a small tremble can produce soft images, particularly in darker images, so ensure you are holding your phone as still as possible when taking a shot.
Why Fast Photo Fixes Matter for Street-Style Content
Street style photography is fast!
There isn’t much opportunity to set up lighting or camera correctly… You just take photographs while walking; it is what it is. Editors also tend to have deadlines and so cannot spend two hours trying to clear grain in Photoshop; this AI workaround allows more rough night-out pictures to become something useful without requiring a professional photographer there all the time.
Conclusion
That blurry photo from last night doesn’t have to be lost forever. Yes… You heard it!
If the graininess in your night-out snaps is killing your vibes, not all is lost! It’s all in the software. There are tools to restore some detail, boost the colors, de-grain the image and clean it up-just about all without completely wiping the overall nighttime vibe.
Wink is one such software that has built-in noise reduction, color boosters, night mode editing tools and image upscaling capability. So, before you give up on that rough-looking photo, give it a quick edit. It might be more usable than you think.
Blazers have been a huge part of our workwear discussions since Corporette began in 2008 — and over the years, we’ve covered just about every question you can have about them. Which blazers are worth buying? How should a blazer fit, particularly if you’re busty or plus-size? Does it actually need to button? What should you wear underneath one? When can you wear a blazer instead of a suit — and when might a blazer be too much?
This guide brings together some of our longtime favorite blazers for women, as well as our best advice on blazer fit, styling, tailoring, and more. We’ve also included answers to some of the surprisingly complicated questions readers have debated over the years, from whether women should unbutton their blazers when they sit down to how to make a blazer look intentionally separate from the rest of your outfit.
This page was last updated by Kat Griffin, September 2026.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Our Roundups of Great Blazers for Women
We’ve also rounded up the best affordable blazers, the best splurge blazers, the best lightweight blazers for summer, and the best warm blazers for winter. We’ve also done trendier blazer roundups such as for cutaway blazers, Chanel-style jackets, boyfriend blazers, tweed blazers, velvet blazers, white blazers, three-quarter sleeve blazers, and washable blazers.
How Should a Blazer Fit?
Blazer fit can be really important for comfort as well as versatility — but it can also be surprisingly tricky, particularly if you’re curvy or busty. Over the years we’ve talked about when tailoring can help, how a blazer should fit, and whether you should worry if your blazer doesn’t button.
Does a blazer have to button to fit? We’ve debated this one for years, particularly for women who are busty or plus-sized. Our general feeling is that a blazer should ideally fit across the bust, even if you usually plan to wear it open… but fit through the shoulders, back, and arms matters too, and tailoring may be the best way to get all of those things at once.
(Our verdict for expecting mothers: there are so few maternity blazers and suits that if your regular blazers fit in your arms and look ok, it’s perfectly fine to keep wearing those!)
How can you find a blazer if you’re busty? If blazers that fit your bust tend to swamp the rest of you, start by looking for curve-friendly brands and cuts, then consider tailoring to bring in the waist or adjust other areas.
How do you find the perfect plus-size blazer? Pay attention to fit throughout the jacket rather than focusing on the size on the tag… and don’t underestimate relatively simple alterations (or overestimate the ease of other alterations, like fixing the shoulders!). Also keep an eye on pulling seams, which can be a sign that the blazer doesn’t fit properly or has simply reached the end of its useful life.
How to Style a Blazer
We’ve talked a TON over the years about how to wear blazers for work — including how to break up your suits, what to wear underneath your blazer, and when a blazer and dress can substitute for a suit. Here are some of our best tips for getting more wear out of the blazers already in your closet.
How can you wear a blazer as a separate? One easy way to make a blazer look deliberately separate from the rest of your outfit is to choose one with a distinctive color or texture — think tweed, bouclé, a nubby fabric, or a color that works with your neutral basics. (This blazer is a solid option!) On the flip side, please do not try to “make a suit” by matching different black fabrics together.
Can you wear a non-matching dress and blazer instead of a suit? Sometimes — but know your office (or interview situation!). In particularly conservative environments, including some courtrooms, a nonmatching dress and blazer may not be formal enough. If you do pair them, make the mismatch look intentional and choose a structured, work-appropriate dress that can stand on its own when the blazer comes off.
Should a shirt collar go inside or outside your blazer? There’s no universally accepted women’s rule here. Our preference with suits has generally been to tuck the collar inside for a cleaner look, but readers have reported getting conflicting advice from career counselors and others over the years.
What should you wear beneath a blazer? Almost anything office-appropriate can work, from T-shirts and blouses to lightweight sweaters. We generally prefer something with sleeves — both so you can comfortably remove your blazer and because it can help extend the time between dry cleanings. (Although they do make “underarm guards” you can add to your blazer!) Be wary of tops that fight with the blazer’s neckline or lapels, such as cowl necks, and make sure you’d be comfortable wearing the bottom layer by itself.
Should I wear a blazer AND a winter coat? Actually, yes. When you buy a winter coat you can consider sizing up to accommodate a blazer. Another good hack: wearing a thick cashmere ruana on top of your blazer instead of a coat.
Common Blazer Problems
Even after you’ve found a blazer that fits and figured out what to wear with it, there are some surprisingly persistent questions about how you’re actually supposed to wear the thing. Women’s blazers don’t have quite the same set of traditional rules as men’s suits, so we’ve debated a few of these questions over the years.
Should women unbutton their blazers to sit? Men are traditionally told to unbutton a single-breasted suit jacket when they sit, but there isn’t an equally clear rule for women. When we polled readers, a third hadn’t heard of the sit/stand rule at all, while 44% thought it depended on the particular jacket.
When should a woman button her blazer? It depends partly on the blazer. Double-breasted jackets in particular can look very different buttoned and unbuttoned, and some are clearly designed to look best closed. That said, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be comfortable to sit in that way. There doesn’t seem to be a universal women’s equivalent to the traditional menswear buttoning rules.
When Is a Blazer Appropriate?
Depending on your industry and office, the answer may be wildly obvious… or surprisingly confusing. Over the years we’ve talked about when a blazer can help you look more polished or authoritative, when you really need a full suit, and when a blazer might actually make you look overdressed.
What’s the best thing to wear to a workday holiday party? I’m a big fan of the festive blazer, such as in velvet, jacquard, or other fabrics. Weekend holiday parties are a different story entirely, of course.
How can I show authority without wearing a suit? The blazer comes in handy here… but even that might be questionable depending on your job. A friend used to be in-house counsel for NBC and she said she always left her blazer in her office when it was time to talk to the SNL folks.
I have a lot of personality, and blazers are so… not me. We’ve also rounded up dramatic blazers you can get at Etsy; you may also want to check out our roundup of the best women’s suits for creative industries.
Stock photos via Pexels / Pavel Danilyuk.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
I have been a fan of M.M.LaFleur since the brand’s earliest days, so I was thrilled when they reached out and asked if I would be interested in receiving a piece of clothing from their fall collection. My blazer collection is in need of an upgrade, so I selected the Yiyan one-button blazer in the “toasted coconut” color for maximum autumnal enjoyment.
The fabric is fantastic — it’s substantial without being bulky and has just a hint of stretch — and the fit is perfect. MMLF’s customer service is top-notch, so when I reached out with questions about sizing, they were able to help me quickly select the best option. (For what it’s worth, I’m between two sizes and the smaller size was the perfect fit.)
I’ve already worn this to a Big Meeting with an ivory blouse and black trousers, and I’m considering buying the coordinating dress to make a full suit.
The blazer is $519 at M.M.LaFleur and comes in sizes 00-20. It also comes in six other colorways, some at reduced prices.
Sales of note for 9/25:
- Boden – Up to 50% off sale + extra 15% off (I’m trying to figure out which color(s) of this sweater I should order…)
- Ann Taylor – 25% off the weekend collection and extra 50% off sale section
- Anthropologie – Extra 50% off sale!
- Athleta – Lots marked down to 40% off; with an Athleta card you get an extra 20% off.
- AYR – Archive sale, up to 60% off
- CVS – Epic beauty sale
- J.Crew – Fall styles start at $39
- J.Crew Factory – 40% off new arrivals, extra 20% off orders $125+
- Nordstrom – over 9800 new markdowns
- M.M.LaFleur – Labor Day Sale Event, save sitewide! (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
- Nordstrom Rack – Extra 40% off select clearance
- Talbots – 40% off one item, 30% off everything else
- Theory – End of season sale is on!
Fashion
Best Dressed at the 2026 MTV VMA’s : Olandria in Man Made Skins, Chloe Bailey in Idan Cohen, Teyana Taylor in Zuhair Murad, and More!
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet delivered a night of sculptural couture, sheer lace, and high-shine metallics.
Here are the stars who dressed best.
Olandria takes the top spot in an Man Made Skins Spring/Summer 2026 gown, styled by the Resimans. Fresh from Milan Fashion Week, she arrived in a lace-up corseted mermaid silhouette in rich brown, finished with red beaded trim and ruffle detailing. It was a precise, fashion-forward look and the standout of the carpet.
Chloe Bailey shimmered in a nude Idan Cohen gown covered in mirror and crystal embellishment, styled by Jason Rembert. The long-sleeved, sheer silhouette featured a dramatic keyhole cutout at the bust and a sculpted beaded bra. Geometric mirrored panels traced the waist and skirt. She wore her locs in a sculpted updo with blonde face-framing pieces and completed the look with a diamond cross pendant.
Aniya Harvey sparkled in a silver embellished halter mini dress from Maria Harper Designs. Crystal fringe swung from the hem, and another strand draped from a sculpted shoulder appliqué. Silver ankle-strap sandals and a high updo kept the focus on the beadwork.
Teyana Taylor went full drama in Zuhair Murad Fall/Winter 2026 Couture. The black sheer lace gown was beaded throughout and cut with a plunging neckline and a velvet belt. Ostrich feather trim lined the cuffs and the hem.
Normani wore Robert Wun Fall/Winter 2025 Couture. The gown paired a metallic gold-bronze bodice and matching gloves with a sculptural leaf appliqué at the shoulder. A black pleated mermaid skirt fanned out into a dramatic train.
Tyla wore Mowalola Summer 2027, a snake-print bra top and matching pencil skirt in shades of blue. She added a coordinating snake-print choker and pointed pumps.
What waist? Jojo showed off her svelte figure wearing a Nue Studio bejeweled bra and an embellished skirt.
Bebe Rexha channeled gothic romance in Dreaming Elie Fall/Winter 2026 ready-to-wear. The black lace corset gown had a tulle overlay and lace-up thigh-high boots. She accessorized with Loree Rodkin jewelry, including a diamond cross pendant, and Jimmy Choo heels. Timothy Luke styled the look.
Raye sparkled in Georges Hobeika Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2026. The sheer gown was covered in champagne and silver beading, with a cowl bodice trimmed in pearl fringe and a halter neckline. Sculpted burgundy waves and a red lip gave it old Hollywood glamour.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Outfit Details: Kallmeyer Top (sold out, similar here), Adam Lippes Skirt, Dior Heels, Chanel Bag, Sherman Field Earrings (similar here), Dior Sunglasses
I’ve decided that animal print counts as a neutral. At least, that’s what my closet is telling me. Leopard has been in rotation for years, but lately new patterns like tiger stripes have been catching my eye. The trick is pairing a louder print with deeper shades like purple, olive, or a rich red, which gives it an instant touch of elegance. Tiger works with an aubergine top and a bright sandal for a little flair, leopard looks especially good beside mustard yellow or cobalt blue, and a zebra shoe can break up black and white in exactly the right place.
Beyond that, all the look asks for is accessories that don’t take themselves too seriously, whether it’s a brooch or a stone necklace with a bit of whimsy. Once you land on a fall formula that works, animal print becomes as easy to mix into your wardrobe as any other neutral.
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