Quick answer: Medallion jewelry — circular pendants and charms with personal or symbolic detail — is one of 2026's breakout trends, propelled onto the red carpet when Zoë Kravitz wore Medallion Cry Baby Earrings to the Met Gala and Rihanna kept her circular-disc medallion necklaces in rotation all year. Mixed metal is the other defining move of the season, gold against silver rather than a matched set. VarVar's Pulse collection combines both ideas: silver circle-medallion drop earrings finished with warm gold accents and soft blue stones, small enough for daily wear and detailed enough to still feel intentional.
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Why medallion earrings are having a moment
Medallion jewelry's appeal is part nostalgia, part meaning. The circular medallion format has centuries of history as a personal or symbolic object — a coin, a seal, a keepsake — and its 2026 resurgence leans directly into that: pieces that carry a story rather than just following a trend cycle. The format also works well both worn alone and layered, which is part of why it's shown up across red carpets and runway collections at once, from statement single pieces to medallions stacked or mixed with other earring styles on the same ear.
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What makes a medallion earring read as "2026," not just "circular"
- Mixed metal, not matched metal. A silver medallion with gold detailing reads as considered rather than mismatched — this is the single biggest shift from previous years' single-tone rule.
- A small point of color or symbolic detail. A soft stone or sculpted accent at the center of the medallion keeps it from reading as generic, giving it a reason to be more than decoration.
- Wearable scale. The strongest 2026 medallion pieces are compact enough for daily wear on a leverback or hook, rather than only saved for evening — the format carries presence without needing to be oversized.
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VarVar's Pulse Collection: Silver Medallion Drops with Gold Details
Pulse is built entirely around this idea — 925 sterling silver as the base, with warm gold accents and soft blue stones layered into a circular medallion drop, at a scale meant to be worn daily rather than saved for occasions. As the collection describes it: the pieces are small enough to feel intimate, "jewelry not meant to impress, but to be felt."
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925 sterling silver, $128. A leverback earring with a sculptural wreath-shaped medallion drop, gold accents, and scattered blue stones — the boldest piece in the group while still reading as wearable daily.
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A cleaner circular medallion silhouette with a small gold heart accent at the center — the most versatile everyday option in the collection.
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The most understated piece here, a small, pared-back medallion drop — built for wearing without thinking about it.
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Adds the soft blue stone accent that defines the Pulse aesthetic, in a compact, everyday medallion drop.
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Browse the full Pulse Collection for the complete range of matching rings and earrings, or see the wider Earrings collection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is medallion jewelry?
Medallion jewelry refers to pieces built around a circular pendant or charm — historically tied to coins, seals, and keepsakes — worn for its symbolic or personal weight as much as its shape. In 2026, the format has resurfaced on red carpets and runways alike, worn both as statement solo pieces and layered together.
Is mixing gold and silver still considered a styling mistake?
No — mixed metals are one of the defining trends of 2026, appearing across major runway collections. Pairing a silver medallion with gold detailing, like VarVar's Pulse pieces, reads as intentional rather than mismatched.
Can medallion drop earrings be worn every day?
Yes, particularly smaller, compact medallion styles in solid 925 sterling silver, which is hypoallergenic and gentle for daily wear compared to base-metal or heavily plated pieces.
What does the Pulse collection represent?
Pulse is built around the idea of quiet, personal value rather than loud statement pieces — small-scale silver jewelry with gold accents and soft blue stones, meant to be felt rather than to impress.
Are gold-accented silver earrings durable for daily wear?
Yes. Solid 925 sterling silver with genuine gold detailing holds up well to daily wear when cared for properly — avoid prolonged contact with water, perfume, and harsh chemicals to keep both metals looking their best.
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