The Unlikely Love Story of Boho Jewelry and Diamonds
Bohemian jewelry was never meant to be neat. Natural diamonds prove raw, messy layerings doesn’t have to sacrifice luxury.
Behati Prinsloo for Jacquie Aiche (Courtesy of Jacquie Aiche)
Swinging pendants, layered necklaces, belly chains, anklets, hand chains, big bangles, arm cuffs, and shoulder-scraping earrings have always found a home in a bohemian jewelry lover’s daily rotation.
Jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche tells Only Natural Diamonds, “To me, bohemian jewelry is free-spirited, sensual…” She says, “It’s the glow of layers of diamonds and gold, endless body jewels, and wrapping up in minerals and motifs that are reverent to Mother Nature’s magic.”
The modern trick is all in the collision. Natural diamonds don’t clean up the boho aesthetic—they amplify it, sitting effortlessly alongside rough-cut turquoise, lapis, jade, and unpolished wood. Even Nicole Richie—the blueprint for 2000s bohemian style—is pairing natural diamonds with spiritual intention for House of Harlow’s latest Nova collection.
Meet the Expert
Jacquie Aiche is the founder of her eponymous jewelry brand, based in Los Angeles, California. She began her career designing and selling her jewelry anonymously out of a boutique in Beverly Hills. Her jewelry has been worn and adored by celebrities like Salma Hayek, Hailey Bieber, Behati Prinsloo, and more.
“To me, bohemian is about freedom, and spirituality is about intention. Natural diamonds align with both. They bring refinement, yes, but they also hold energy, symbolism, and a sense of grounding. They elevate the mysticism that has always been at the heart of the brand,” Richie told Only Natural Diamonds.
Below, the essential bohemian staples getting a high-jewelry upgrade.
Long Chains and Low-Key Talismans
The pendulum of style always swings back, and the statement-making long necklace is swiftly swaying into the zeitgeist. Dangling diamond-riddled chains, pendants, sautoirs, medallions, lariats, or Y-necklaces reaching mid-torso all cultivate the laissez-faire look for summer.
From 38 to 52 inches, extended diamond bolo ties, lengthy cords, and more iterations of the long necklace evoke a carefree, bohemian flair. Whether hovering at the waistline or below the belt, extra-long necklaces are made all the more versatile, making them the heroes of low-key luxury with the added touch of natural diamonds.
The Diamond Arm Cuff Comeback
There’s no better way to elevate bare arms than with a sparkling natural diamond arm cuff that feels equal parts free-spirited and refined. Whether worn just below the elbow or high on the upper arm, the accessory offers a fresh, sartorial way to reinvent a look with a rich cultural history.
Call it a bicep bangle, an armlet, or an arm cuff—wearing a striking diamond bracelet high above the wrist is a bold jewelry choice that has maintained its relevance for thousands of years. A timeless staple for fashion devotees, upper arm jewelry has appeared on the biceps of our favorite boho-chic style icons from Zoë Kravitz to Alexa Chung.
Body Jewelry, Reimagined
“When I think of Bohemian jewelry, body jewels are first to come to mind,” says Aiche, who has always been a champion of the diamond body chain, including the jewelry staple in her collections since the earliest days of the brand. “Finger bracelets, bras, and body chains will forever be the essentials that connect me to that energy and that I never take off. The most beautiful thing about Bohemian style is that it’s about embracing what makes you feel wild and free, so when it comes to curating your own staples, follow your heart.”
From Rihanna to Miley Cyrus, Emily Ratajkowski, and more, gangs of A-listers have flocked to Aiche’s dainty diamond creations, draping diamonds across their body and around their waists. “Everything I design is based on intuition and feeling, so when such inspiring women adorn themselves in our body chains, it means the world to me,” she says. “These women embody the freedom, confidence, and sensuality that the JA tribe is all about. It’s not just about wearing something beautiful; it’s about feeling something powerful. Highlighting their shine is the magic.”
Finger-to-Wrist Draping
Today’s hottest trends are proof that fine jewelry is breaking away from tradition in favor of unique pieces that blend timeless luxury with the most carefree and distinctly bohemian flair. A ring connected to a bracelet through a delicate chain that drapes across the back of the hand, the diamond hand chain is often associated with festival fashion, with a fluid and elegant touch.
Worn in India for centuries, hand jewelry originated as the hathphool – a hand harness that means ‘flower of the hand’ – is part of the Solah Shringar, a set of 16 traditional Hindu bridal adornments. Jewelry traditions featuring elaborate hand adornments can be found across several other cultures, including the Amazigh, the Indigenous peoples who have inhabited North Africa for thousands of years, and Bedouin communities, who historically lived a nomadic lifestyle in Middle Eastern deserts.
The adoption of hand chains in the Western world gained traction during the 2000s and 2010s, when bohemian and festival fashion entered the mainstream, a trend that celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, who is known for her boho-chic aesthetic, helped popularize.
The Diamond Anklet Revival
A natural diamond anklet is the perfect finishing touch to any outfit, no matter the occasion. Heading to the beach for the day? Want to show off your jewels by the pool? Anklets and diamond foot chains are the finishing touch to any bohemian jewelry look, completing a diamond-decorated vibe from head to toe.
Shop Diamond Bohemian Jewelry
From torso-grazing sautoirs to low-key ankle carats, natural diamonds are giving bohemian jewelry the ultimate unstudied upgrade.
Jacquie Aiche Pave Blue Opal Triangle Feather Dangle Earrings, $7,965, jacquieaiche.com
GURHAN Crown One-of-a-Kind 24K Gold Turquoise Pendant Necklace, $13,100, gurhan.com
Sydney Evan GOLD & DIAMOND MARQUISE EYE BODY CHAIN, $7,890, sydneyevan.com
Jacquie Aiche 5 Tourmaline + 2 Opal Front Back Pave Feather Drip Earring, $8,325, jacquieaiche.com
coomi DIAMOND SMALL ETERNITY BRACELET, $56,000, marissacollections.com
silvia furmanovich RAINBOW DIAMOND DROP MARQUETRY EARRINGS, $7,040, marissacollections.com
dezso by sara beltran DIAMOND BROWN PETITE CONUS SHELL BRACELET, $1,400, marissacollections.com
GURHAN Muse One-of-a-Kind 24K Gold Opal Pendant Necklace, $33,820, gurhan.com
Silvia Furmanovich DIAMOND TWISTED BRAUNA WOOD RING, $8,400, marissacollections.com
Jacquie Aiche PAVE + AMMONITE FOSSIL HOOPS, $4,250, jacquieaiche.com
Lionheart MOON TO MY STARS LAPIS LAZULI CELESTIAL CHARM, $5,850, lionheartjewelry.com
David Webb DIAMOND ROYAL BLUE SCROLL CUFF BRACELET, $72,000, davidwebb.com
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti® Diamonds by the Yard® Sprinkle Necklace in Platinum $53,000, tiffany.com
Esqueleto RISING SUN DIAMOND NECKLACE, $2,700, shopesqueleto.com
Elhanati DECO DIAMOND 0.15 CT GOLD BANGLE, $6,690, elhanati.com
Silvia Furmanovich DIAMOND GREEN LACQUERED MARQUETRY SPIRAL EARRINGS, $8,510, marissacollections.com
