Forever Flirty: Natural Diamond Jewels for Your Coquette Era

If bows, blush, and vintage charm are your vibe, these 18 pieces belong in your jewelry box.

Updated August 7, 2025
Written by: Anna McFillin

Forever Flirty: Natural Diamond Jewelry for Your Coquette-Core Era — Kirsten Dunst wore vintage diamonds from Fred Leighton in the film *Marie Antoinette*, 2006. (Alamy)

I remember first listening to Lana Del Rey when I was 11 years old. I had no idea what her lyrics meant until I was much older, but I loved her melancholy voice and her ethereal aesthetic. Unbeknownst to my 11-year-old self, this aesthetic–best known today as “coquette”–is something that has been around for years. Coquette is Gen-Z’s interpretation of the hyper-feminine, flirty style of the Victorian Regency era. Think Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, Bridgerton, and anything by fashion designer Sandy Liang.

Below, uncover the rich history behind this soft, whimsical style—and explore the dreamiest diamond jewelry that brings coquette-core to life.

Meet the Expert

Anna McFillin is an editor and jewelry lover who found her niche in the industry after working at Elle, InStyle, Grazia USA, and Only Natural Diamonds.
Her favorite way to style natural diamonds is through her 13 (!) unique ear piercings.
She writes feature stories, Q&A interviews, sustainability features, shopping guides, and red carpet coverage.

The Modern Coquette Aesthetic

The coquette aesthetic draws inspiration from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, when frills, lace, pastel colors, and bows were particularly en vogue. However, Gen Z’s interpretation is decidedly more playful, bringing the style into the 21st century. Bows aren’t just tied into one’s hair or added to the waist of a dress; they’re seen in diamond earrings, and as accents on flouncy tops.

How to Style Natural Diamonds for a Coquette Look

When it comes to coquette jewelry, an easy way to tap into the aesthetic is through vintage jewelry from the Victorian or Edwardian eras. These periods embraced ornate, feminine details—think intricate metalwork, floral motifs, heart-shaped lockets, and delicate gemstone settings—all of which align beautifully with today’s coquette aesthetic. One of the most iconic modern nods to this look appears in Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, where costume designer Milena Canonero sourced antique jewelry from vintage jeweler Fred Leighton to adorn Kirsten Dunst’s lavishly styled queen. The pearls, cameos, and dainty diamond tiaras helped bring a historically inspired, hyper-feminine fantasy to life on screen.

More recently, the Bridgerton series has offered a treasure trove of coquette jewelry inspiration. The show’s heroines are often seen dripping in soft pastel gems, floral brooches, and diamond-dusted hairpins. Heart-shaped pendants, ribbon motifs, and cluster earrings also make frequent appearances, reinforcing the whimsical, flirty allure that defines coquette-core. And while a tiara isn’t necessary for coquette style, it certainly helps!

heart shaped natural diamond jewelry valentine's day — Anthony Lent Adorned Hands Diamond Heart Engagement Ring, $19,000, anthonylent.com

To infuse your jewelry collection with coquette charm, look for delicate pieces that feature soft, romantic hues. Pastel accents like blush pink, lavender, and baby blue instantly evoke the dreamy aesthetic, especially when paired with rose gold settings that add a warm, feminine glow. Enamel detailing in these gentle shades offers a playful, vintage-inspired touch that feels both fresh and nostalgic.

Coquette jewelry: bow ring — Jemma Wynne Anniversary Diamond Bow Ring, $5,460, jemmywynne.com

Coquette jewelry: bow earrings — Colette Medium Bow Earrings, $1,995, colettejewelry.com

Heart-shaped diamonds are quintessential to the coquette look, striking the perfect balance between whimsy and romance. Fancy shapes such as pear, marquise, and oval cuts also complement the aesthetic beautifully, adding a sense of individuality and flair. Whether worn alone as a statement piece or layered with more traditional cuts like round or emerald, these unique silhouettes bring just the right amount of flirtation and personality to your jewelry styling.

The History of Coquette Style

Coquette jewelry: Marie Antoinette — Portrait of Marie-Antoinette, Queen of France, 1775, Versailles, by Jean-Baptiste André Gautier-Dagoty

The word coquette originates from French and loosely translates to “flirt” or “flirtatious woman.” In its earliest usage during the 17th century, it described a woman who playfully sought admiration—often through charm, beauty, and cleverness—without necessarily desiring commitment. The term later appeared in English literature, most notably in works by authors like Alexander Pope and Jane Austen, where the “coquette” often embodied both allure and cunning, a woman admired and envied in equal measure.

Rather than seeking male attention, the modern coquette aesthetic is a self-aware celebration of femininity, romanticism, and softness. It finds inspiration in iconic women across centuries—from the opulent excess of Marie Antoinette’s Versailles, with her pastel gowns and pearl-encrusted hairstyles, to the dreamy melancholy of Lana Del Rey’s Americana glamour. In each case, the “coquette” plays with the codes of femininity—lace, bows, heart motifs, flushed cheeks—but on her terms.

Lana Del Rey wears vintage-inspired lace and a bold cat-eye at the CFDA Fashion Awards. (Getty Images)

The aesthetic began to take root online in the early 2010s through Tumblr subcultures that romanticized vintage fashion, poetic melancholy, and hyper-feminine visuals. It truly surged into mainstream popularity in 2021 thanks to TikTok, where the #coquette trend brought together fashion, beauty, and lifestyle influences into a distinct Gen Z expression: flirty but not overtly sexy, delicate yet confident, nostalgic and subversive all at once.

Shop Diamond Jewelry That Channels Coquette Core

Looking to dip your toes into the coquette style? As a jewelry lover, I do believe that no outfit is complete without a little bit of sparkle from a natural diamond. If you are feeling particularly inspired or curious about the coquette aesthetic, we have the perfect natural diamonds to complete your look.