2026: The Year of Enough

2026: The Year of Enough — Redefining Balance, Jewelry, and What Truly Matters

I started this Word of the Year thing by accident in 2023 when I found I had to make some major changes in my life. Personal challenges showed me that I had to pivot if I wanted to keep moving forward. Next came 2024 when I tried to find a way to equal out the parts of my life that felt like they would tip any moment… I found balance. This last year was my year to stop and not only embrace the small moments in front of me, but to also assess a situation before making the next move. 2025 was my time to pause.

The word enough came up in a guided meditation a few weeks ago. I rolled the word around and found that “enough” can be used in an empowering moment of confidence-wavering, when you can remind yourself “I am enough”. It can also be the sticky word that sits in the front of your brain when you’re weighing the idea of saying “yes” to something when you really want to say “no.” Sort of a parental, authoritative “ENOUGH!”

I think we need the confidence to feel that we are enough. We don’t need to keep adding on to something if our full body isn’t 100% into it. Society has set such high standards and it’s simply ok to just be where you are.

2025 was an overwhelming year to say the least. From a business perspective, Porterfi grew more than I had even hoped for. I continue to shift my focus based on demands, as I’m really trying to home in on the experience and not be your typical fine jewelry boutique in Cleveland.

To quickly recap (after a lengthy introduction), here’s some new things we did together this year…

• We learned about the rise in gold and how to maneuver that together! High gold prices means I started offering to buy your old gold, and in turn you purchased new pieces that excited you.
• We focused more on styling! I started offering personal jewelry styling sessions, where you brought in your entire collection, and we found new ways to wear your existing pieces, while finding your ‘jewelry holes’.
• We brought life to your old jewelry! Through our jewelry redesign services, we kept updating heirlooms while preserving their meaning. Our custom design services increased by over 1000%!
• We pierced our ears together… again! Our semi-annual ear-piercing event is so much fun, and I love watching you curate your beautiful ears.

(Side note, if any of these are on your 2026 bucket list, let's book that appointment NOW before the year swallows up our mental capacity.)

Although nursing a cold is NOT what I envisioned the start of 2026 to hold, it has forced me to sit and take even more breaths through the end of winter break. The kids go back to school Monday, and life starts its regularly scheduled programming.

For me, that means doing some inventory analysis and scheduling appointments with designers in NYC for the end of the month. Twice a year I get to immerse myself deep into the jewelry world, connecting with independent jewelry designers and spotting what’s next in modern fine jewelry. As we navigate this high gold market, our beloved designers must make some pivots on their ideas to move seamlessly with the flow.

My current predictions for 2026 jewelry trends that I'll see in NYC are as follows:

1. Chain Alternatives. I think there will be a continuation of playing with things like leather cords, paracords, and beaded necklaces.
2. Mixed Metals Jewelry. With the rising price of gold, I think silver will start creeping into more current designs, possibly incorporating silver and gold together on one piece.
3. Material Play. I think designers will continue to experiment with different materials other than gold and silver. I think there could be a rise in enamel, resin, and possibly natural elements like rough stones.
4. Chunky, Colorful Stones. Another thing I can envision is an emphasis on large colorful stones with less gold. Not only will this help with price points, but color makes people happy. I can see chunky gemstone and statement rings making a move.

 Be sure to follow along on Instagram as I share insights from NYC and highlight what’s next for everyday fine jewelry at Porterfi.

With that, I want to say thank you for the most incredible year Porterfi has had yet! Your continued support of this little small business of mine continues to humble me.