Sound and Sparkle: How Every Genre Of Music Wears Its Diamonds
From time immemorial, each genre of music has been associated with its own kind of jewellery. These are sparklers that the icons of these genres have loved to flaunt—and almost made synonymous with the music itself. Here are the diamonds your favourite artists have worn across eras—and why they may just be the pieces for you, too.
IMAGE INSTAGRAM @dualipafanstr • Jewellery Gehna Jewellers
Remember Elvis Presley’s ubiquitous diamond-encrusted Lightning Bolt jewellery? It was from his TCB (Taking Care of Business) collection, that he single-handedly turned into a celebrated symbol for rock and roll around the world. Even Harry Styles’ stack of unmissable rings—in pavé diamonds, solitaires, gold, silver, et al—and signature pearl necklaces. The pop icon has made all fans (gender no bar) embrace their inner jewellery lovers uninhibitedly.
Interestingly, for most of these musicians and artists, these ornaments haven’t just meant adornment. The association is much more profound. To them, their precious diamonds have also been an integral part of self-love and self-celebration. Traditionally, jewellery was an integral part of ‘shringaar’, the classical tradition of dressing up. Today, many artists are also using it as a powerful tool for expression and representation.
If you enjoy listening to these genres, chances are you will also relate to their diamond pieces the most. This Music Day, we take you down the path of your favourite music—the jewellery way. Explore some of the most amazing natural diamond jewellery belonging to the music of your choice—and why it may speak to you louder than any other baubles.
Classical
The penchant for diamonds in this genre is one for the books. From Gauhar Jaan and Begum Akhtar to Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, the maestros of this genre have loved to shine in the finest natural diamonds, especially solitaires! Lata Mangeshkar was so fond of her solitaire earrings that she was rarely ever seen without them—pairing them regularly with her signature saris. The legendary singer had, reportedly, even used her first paycheque to buy herself a diamond ring. Gauhar Jaan is said to have so many rocks, she never repeated her jewellery! Now, young artists like Rishab Rikhiram Sharma carry the same adoration for diamonds. Rishabh has often been spotted in shiny solitaire stud earrings, as well as gorgeous necklaces.
Classical music followers like their diamonds grand and timeless, too. However, this group is usually not a stacker; they’re the big flashers. You’re likely to wear just one diamond bauble, but a jaw-dropping one at that! So you tend towards pieces that can work great as stand-alone marvels. Think, a massive solitaire ring. Or a pair of ethereal solitaire earrings. Or even a zany solitaire pendant. Anything that can single-handedly do all the talking.
DIVINE SOLITAIRES
ARCHANA AGGARWAL TIMELESS JEWELLERY
OM JEWELLERS
JOS ALUKKAS
MEHTA JEWELLERY
PURE FACETS
MALABAR GOLD AND DIAMONDS
Pop
Across generations, pop stars have enjoyed wearing bijoux that is fuss-free, evocative—and statement. Like a pair of natural diamond hoops. With origins dating back to early Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilisations, hoops have dangled fearlessly on pop stars, through centuries. In the Roaring 1920s, they were a crucial gear in the revolutionary ‘flapper’ movement, wherein the youth was freely rooting for more economic, political and sexual freedom for women—embracing all things labeled ‘outrageous’ and using fashion to question it all. In the 1970s and 80s, Cher and Madonna led from the front, often donning unapologetically massive hoops—both as an accessory as well as part of their rebellion as well. In 2026, Taylor Swift wears her diamond stunners everywhere from on-stage at concerts and on the red carpets, to even game night dates with Travis Kelce. Dua Lipa even holidays in hers. Queen Bey is probably also the queen of hoops, with an envious collection that boasts diamonds as big as the records she breaks.
Being a fan of this on-trend and outspoken genre, your diamonds should be au courant, too. And something that can easily be repeated the entire season, just like the songs you can listen to on-loop, endlessly. Hoops are the perfect go-tos for you. Amp them up or pare them down as you want—but always keep them standout, and as sparkly as possible.
GEHNA JEWELLERS
NOTANDAS JEWELLERS
KAJ FINE JEWELLERY
DEVI JEWELS BY RADHIKA C
Hip Hop
For most of its existence, Hip hop has been synonymous with chunky chains and statement pendants. Notorious B.I.G. was among the first artistes who put (loads of!) diamonds in the details in the 1990s. The ubiquitous, diamond-encrusted ‘Jesus Pieces’ you see today—worn by everyone from Jay Z to Kendrick Lamar—are all thanks to him, along with some blinding, all-diamond pendants he flaunted unabashedly and so famously!
Following the footsteps of this spirited, uber-cool bunch, why should your jewellery be any less fearless? There’s no such thing as ‘too much’ for you. Remember Kendrick Lamar’s diamonds-dripping stack at the Super Bowl last year? The highest Grammy-winning rapper of all time showed up in chains-on-chains, with a massive ‘A’ pendant—515 diamonds of all sizes, and reportedly worth $1.2m. So boldly go for big, bright diamonds—worn solo in a quirky necklace, for a casual outing; or in chunky chains heaped together, for a more dramatic stint; or better still, all together, for the right extra.
LA MARQUISE JEWELLERY
PARTH FINE JEWELS
KHURANA JEWELLERY HOUSE
KIRTILALS
Jazz
Jazz singers are all about idiosyncratic, sophisticated displays of opulence. The First Lady of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald was a muse for understated luxury. Keeping her looks clean, classy and minimal, she stood out for her pitch-perfect voice—complemented beautifully by the tiny glimmers of diamonds she’d wear every so often. A dainty bracelet, or a stray necklace, or just a pair of drop earrings—never overpowering, but always unmissable. Currently, Esperanza Spalding is just as renowned for understated luxury. Rarely blinging it out, by her own admission—but when she does, it’s pure class.
Jazz-goers appreciate their jewels exclusive and elegant. You have no intention of blending in, and nor should your jewellery. You will find yourself drawn to sleek, glamorous picks that invariably get all the attention. Like a classic, natural diamond handcuff that catches the light every time you silently raise a toast to your favourite jazz track. Or an encrusted, vintage brooch that sits lightly clasped to your flouncy blouse, crisp button-down shirt, jacket lapel, even your hair—to elevate any outfit.
NADA GHAZAL
C. KRISHNIAH CHETTY & SONS
ARAYA FINE JEWELRY
Rock
Rockstars are all about heavy-duty, OTT jewels. Less is more for this lot—and to match that vibe in jewels, you’ll appreciate a poignant piece that can help you emote and express, but artfully. Something that denotes the intensity, but sans the ‘heaviness’. We’d say pick a ring—a symbol almost synonymous with rock and roll for decades—but make it bling.
Keith Richards made it iconic with his skull version, and in 2026, you can still take inspiration from it, while giving it your own spin, too. Pack in the brilliance of natural diamonds, mix metals, play with colours, designs, shapes, sizes et al to make it reflective of your personality, and see the magic unfold. You can even team the ring—or a few of them—with a catchy manicure (gender no bar) to be even more distinctly you. À la Machine Gun Kelly’s viral rings and the unforgettable 11-carat, gunmetal manicure, comprising 880 real white and black diamonds worth $30,000, at the 2022 Billboard Awards.
So the next time you’re listening to your favourite playlist, don’t forget to bring out some dazzling natural diamonds to keep you company, too.
MOKSH
H.CRAFT FINE JEWELLERY
VARUNA D JANI
ORRA FINE JEWELLERY
MIRARI
