Colored gemstones shine in INSTORE awards, led by Trésor Collection's sapphires
Trésor Collection’s $4,950 multicolor sapphire earrings topped INSTORE’s colored-stone category, proving vivid design can still feel attainable.
Trésor Collection’s Mosaico Florentine earrings took first place in INSTORE’s Colored Stone Under 5K category, and the winning formula was as clear as the stones themselves: 18K yellow gold set with 15.23 carats total weight of multicolor sapphires, priced at $4,950. The piece landed because it looked considered, not merely colorful. Judges singled out its “beautiful use of color and pattern,” praised it as “colorful and bold, yet delicate and wearable,” and said it “channel Florentine artistry in yellow gold.”
That visual balance is the point. The earrings sit within Trésor’s Mosaico line, which was inspired by the beauty of light when seen through colored gemstones, and the design translates that idea into a compact, high-impact silhouette. Yellow gold gives the sapphires warmth and structure, while the mix of hues keeps the surface lively without tipping into excess. Puja Bordia, Trésor’s founder, has long rooted the brand in Jaipur’s tradition of saturated color and ornate stonework, and that heritage reads plainly in the earrings’ layered, mosaic-like finish.
The broader field made the win feel even more telling. INSTORE said entries to the 2026 Design Awards totaled 229, matching last year’s count, but colored gemstones were hotter than ever, with the category drawing a sharp increase in submissions. The awards also added a new Small Batch Colored category, a sign that jewelers see real momentum in stone-driven design that is distinctive without crossing into high-jewelry pricing.
Trésor did not stand alone in that lane. Shula NY and Amáli Jewelry also surfaced with pieces that pair emeralds, opal and black onyx with approachable price points, underscoring how much the market now rewards character over carat weight alone. Amáli’s approach is especially revealing: the brand says its opals come from Ethiopia, Australia and Mexico, then are set in 18K gold by artisan jewelers in New York. Founded by Sara Freedenfeld and named for her grandmother, the label leans on personal narrative as much as material sourcing, but the appeal remains concrete. These are pieces built from visible choices, not vague sentiment.
What emerged from the awards is a sharper definition of accessible standout design. At under $5,000, buyers are not settling for less; they are buying stronger color, clearer craftsmanship and a more individual point of view.
Know something we missed? Have a correction or additional information?
Submit a Tip
