Shimmering Shades: Diamond Sunglasses Have Made Eyes Shine Since Antiquity
Shining diamond spectacles have been favored by the chic elite, from Roman Emperors and princes of the Mughal empire to A$AP Rocky, Beyoncé, and Pharrell Williams.
(L-R) Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio and A$AP Rocky attend the A$AP Rocky Met Gala After Party at Jean’s on May 05, 2025. (Getty Images)
Forget about rose colored glasses – diamond sunglasses have given the beholder the gift of seeing the world through sparkling lenses since the age of the Mughal Empire.
Now, fashion-forward A-listers like A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Beyoncé have driven the trend forward. At the Met Gala, A$AP Rocky debuted not one, but two pairs of shimmering shades from his collaboration with Ray-Ban, while Pharrell Williams and Beyoncé have worked with Tiffany & Co. on diamond-embellished sunnies.
Meet the Expert
Edward Gibbs is the Chairman of Sotheby’s Middle East & India. Joining Sotheby’s in 2003, Gibbs advises private, corporate, and institutional collectors across Europe, North America, North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and throughout the Muslim world. He oversees three major auction categories: Arts of the Islamic World, Art of Imperial India, and Contemporary Arab, Iranian, and Turkish Art.
The future’s so bright, you’ve got to wear shades – natural diamond shades, to be exact. Here, learn all about the rich history behind diamond sunglasses, and the latest collaboration that will have us seeing stars.
The History of Diamond Sunglasses
In 2021, two pairs of previously unseen, unique diamond sunglasses went up for auction at Sotheby’s, with roots stretching back to 17th-century Mughal India – crafted during a rich period when imperial wealth, scientific advancements, and artistic efforts were greatly valued.
The diamond pair has been dubbed the ‘Halo of Light,’ while the pair featuring emerald lenses is named the ‘Gate of Paradise.’ Believed to have originally been commissioned by an unknown prince, the enduring duo has remained in the same collection for nearly half a century.
A testament to the unrivaled technical skill involved, there are no comparable examples to match these two masterpieces. Only a true artist could have cleaved these jewels from a single 200-carat rough natural diamond from the Golconda region of India. Sotheby’s estimates that the original stone could be “possibly the largest ever found.” The tear-drop shaped emerald ‘Gate of Paradise’ glasses are believed to have been cut from a Colombian emerald of over 300 carats. Around 1890, the gemstone lenses were placed in new frames, bedazzled with rose-cut diamonds.
“These extraordinary curiosities bring together myriad threads – from the technical mastery of the cutter and the genius of craftsmanship to the vision of a patron who chose to fashion two pairs of eyeglasses quite unlike anything ever seen before,” says Edward Gibbs, Chairman of Sotheby’s Middle East & India. “They are undoubtedly a marvel for gemologists and historians alike, and it is a real thrill to be able to bring these treasures to light and to offer the world the opportunity to wonder at their brilliance and the mystery behind their creation.”
The precious spectacles were designed to ward off evil and help the wearer achieve spiritual enlightenment – not simply to guard the eyes from the sun or improve vision. While diamonds were thought to illuminate, emeralds were believed to hold healing powers and protective elements.
Not the first time gemstone glasses have been referenced throughout history, Roman naturalist and philosopher Pliny the Elder discussed the long-adored accessory in his first-century AD work, Naturalis Historia (Natural History). Commenting on the traditions of the Roman people of the time, Pliny indicated that the ancient Emperor Nero observed gladiatorial contests through the surface of a precious green stone. Emperor Nero’s tutor, Seneca, was said to be an expert in mirrors, light refraction, and optics. Many have thought these to be some of the first-ever spectacles.
Centuries later, an inventory of the treasury of Charles V of France reveals a case of beryls (a family of gemstones including emerald and aquamarine) framed as glasses. Another tale of historical bedazzled sunglasses takes place in India. After the tragic death of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s beloved wife (for whom the Taj Mahal was made in honor of), it’s been reported that he cried so irrevocably, he needed to cure his tearful eyes with emerald stones.
A$AP Rocky’s Collaboration With Ray-Ban Sparkled With Diamond Sunglasses
Sunglasses juggernaut Ray-Ban named A$AP Rocky the brand’s first creative director in February 2025. Inspired by Rocky’s unique creative direction, the crystal collection pushes boundaries with cutting-edge design, reimagining the signature Wayfarer Puffer motif, encrusted with crystal or diamond embellishments. The Diamond edition is available made-to-order.
Wayfarer Puffer Diamond Edition rounds out the collection, described as worthy of the title of a collector’s item. Featuring 1.65 carats of ethically sourced, hand-set natural diamonds in place of the classic Ray-Ban rivets. Framed in 14-karat gold, the sunglasses feature the Ray-Ban logo embossed at the temples.
During the 2025 Met Gala, A$AP Rocky debuted his Ray-Ban shades, embellished with natural diamonds and gemstones. At the afterparty, Rocky wore a different pair – this time the AWGE X Ray-Ban Wayfarer Puffer Full Pavésunglasses, customized by jeweler Alessandro Bernini. Completely hand-made in Italy by the finest artisans, the shades featured over 60 carats of G-color, VS-clarity natural round diamonds, set on a reconstructed 18-karat gold frame.
Fendi Brought Diamond Sunglasses to Paris Fashion Week
Roman fashion house Fendi looked to the future for its Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 runway presentation during Paris Fashion Week, punctuating the space-age inspiration for the collection with diamond sunglasses.
With unique, sculpted silhouettes, the futuristic diamond-embellished eyewear swept over cheekbones and the ridges of the nose, dramatically forming around the face. With the help of LVMH eyewear partner Thélios’ craftsmanship, Fendi’s Artistic Director of Jewelry, Delfina Delettrez Fendi, conceptualized the ‘Singular Vision’ fine jewelry eyewear.
Measurements for the distinctive glasses were achieved through facial scans, allowing the structure of the eyewear to be tailored to the individual’s face with bespoke molds. Elevated by 18-karat white gold and encrusted with white diamonds, the flashy, blinged-out shades retail for approximately $30,000.
Artistic director Kim Jones discussed the influences that informed his creative choices with WWD, noting his deep love for the epic sci-fi film franchise, Star Wars. “It’s a little bit spacey,” he said of the collection. In an official release from the brand, the designer paid homage to his late, great predecessor. “I was thinking about Karl Lagerfeld’s futurism with Fendi,” Jones explained.
Delettrez Fendi was named Artistic Director of Jewelry for her family’s fashion house in 2020. Only Natural Diamonds sat down with the jewelry designer to chat about her career evolution.
“I decided to explore the category of jewelry that was almost unknown to Fendi, maybe unconsciously, to find my own path,” she said. “Now, to be here at Fendi as artistic director of jewelry gives me the opportunity to bring in all my know-how learned in many years of founding my own brand and launch new adventures, adding new pictures to the family album.”
Pharrell Williams Collaborated With Tiffany & Co. On Diamond Sunglasses
Musician, producer, and Creative Director of Menswear of Louis Vuitton, Pharrell Williams has been rocking diamond sunnies since his collaboration with LVMH-owned luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co.
Clearly inspired by the Mughal glasses from the Sotheby’s auction block in 2021, he revealed his first bespoke design in 2022. The custom 18-karat gold stunners were made with 61 round brilliant diamonds, totaling over 25 carats. The horizontally aligned pear-shaped lenses were topped off with two glittering green emeralds at the ends. Swiftly becoming a staple in his wardrobe, Pharrell adorned the glasses on several occasions, like the launch of his skincare brand Humanrace at Selfridges, the Kenzo runway show during Paris Fashion Week, and the Grammy Awards.
At his debut Louis Vuitton runway presentation in June of 2023, Pharrell showed off a second pair of Tiffany’s diamond-studded sunglasses. With smaller, egg-shaped lenses, the custom gold shades were embellished with over 80 baguette and round natural diamonds, weighing in at approximately 20 carats.
Beyoncé Sported Diamond Sunglasses Throughout The Renaissance Tour
Trendsetter, tastemaker, and overall cultural icon, Beyoncé incorporated natural diamond sunglasses into her repertoire during her Renaissance World Tour this summer, with Tiffany & Co. as the tour’s official jeweler. As a brand ambassador for the jewelry house, Beyoncé was treated to some of the most exceptional diamond accessories anyone could ask for, including the custom Tiffany Victoria diamond sunglasses.
