< Culture & Style / Jewelry Trends
Sparkle in Motion: The Timeless Elegance of Diamond Tassels
Diamond tassels come back time and time again, adding movement and shine to any look.
Published: April 3, 2026
Written by: Sarah Cassuto
Not all natural diamonds are meant to sit still. Diamond tassels, with their loose strands and shifting lines, are built to move. They are not fixed in the same way as traditional settings, introducing a sense of unpredictability that feels intentional.
This style is not new to jewelry. Tassels have reappeared throughout jewelry history, each time reflecting a different interpretation of glamour. In the early 20th century, they emerged as long, deliberate lines. By the 1970s, the silhouette softened, evolving into more fluid, swaying forms. What has remained constant is their emphasis on movement, not just as a visual effect, but also on how they behave when worn.
Meet the Expert
- Briony Raymond founded her namesake New York jewelry atelier in 2015, building a house defined by exceptional craftsmanship, exclusive curation, and a deeply personalized approach.
- With nearly a decade at Van Cleef & Arpels, she developed a discerning eye for rare gemstones and masterful design.
- Drawing on a background in gemology and fine art, Raymond creates bespoke pieces and curates important vintage and estate jewelry from storied houses such as Cartier and Bulgari.
“The tassel endures because it brings something few elements do – it introduces movement without overly complicating the design. It can be adapted across eras, from more structured, graphic interpretations to softer, more fluid ones, without losing its identity. It also works at different scales and in a range of materials, which makes it versatile,” says fine jeweler and gemologist Briony Raymond.
That flexibility is part of why diamond tassels continue to resonate today. On the red carpet, A-listers like Zendaya and Kate Hudson have worn them in ways that feel intentional yet effortless. The strands shift subtly as they move, briefly catching the light — never fixed in one position.
The History of Diamond Tassels in Jewelry
Before diamond tassels appeared, tassels themselves had already been used in jewelry and adornment. Early versions appeared in ancient cultures, with strands of gold and beads used as decorative fringe. They represented status and introduced movement to jewelry.
Diamond tassels were seen as early as the 18th century, tracing back to Marie Antoinette. In November 2024, a Georgian necklace, known as the Anglesey necklace, sold for $4.8 million at Sotheby’s. Scholars have suggested that some diamonds in the Anglesey necklace could be from the infamous “Affair of the Necklace,” which deeply damaged the reputation of Marie Antoinette and accelerated public unrest before the Revolution.
By the 19th century, tassel-like elements appeared in sentimental jewelry, often through texture rather than fully formed fringe. These weren’t quite tassels yet, but they pointed toward a softer, less rigid approach to setting jewelry.
In the early 20th century, tassels took on a more defined role. Under the influence of Art Deco, silhouettes became longer and more linear, and diamond tassels began appearing in sautoirs and earrings created by houses such as Cartier and Bulgari. Their elongated forms echoed the fashion of the time — dropped waists, fluid fabrics, and garments designed to move. Jewelry followed that same philosophy. Flexible settings allowed diamond tassels to sway with the body, rather than remain in place.
The 1970s brought a different approach. Tassels became looser, often made of fine gold chains rather than tightly set stones. The look was less formal, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward ease and self-expression.
Today, diamond tassels draw from both histories. They combine the control and detail of earlier diamond-set designs with the softness that came later. Advances in craftsmanship have made them lighter and more fluid, allowing for longer, more intricate strands that move freely without feeling heavy or rigid. “The focus is on construction and proportion – how a tassel sits, moves, and integrates into the piece, rather than acting as an added detail,” says Raymond.
Diamond tassels continue to appear in high jewelry collections, with houses like Boucheron and Van Cleef & Arpels reinterpreting the form in more modern ways. What stays consistent is the intention: jewelry that isn’t static, but meant to shift and catch light as it moves.
Celebrity Style: Diamond Tassels on the Red Carpet
Kate Hudson’s Ongoing Love of Diamond Tassels
Kate Hudson has returned to diamond tassels at various points in her red carpet history, wearing them in ways that feel consistent without becoming repetitive. At the 2010 SAG Awards, she wore more than $1.75 million in jewels from Cartier, including a white-and-gold diamond sautoir draped down her back. Paired with drop earrings and diamond rings, the look felt cohesive and not overly constructed.
More recently, at the 2026 Actors Awards, she approached the style from a different angle. This time the focus shifted to a high jewelry suite by Emily P. Wheeler, centered on an open torque necklace finished with diamond tassel fringes at the ends and a 10.15-carat cognac Desert Diamond. She completed the look with bubble fringe earrings set with 2.7 carats of Desert Diamonds, accented with white diamonds along each drop to create the brand’s signature bubble effect.
Teyana Taylor Wore Diamond Tassels Inspired by the French Crown Jewels at Schiaparelli Couture
At the Schiaparelli Couture Show in 2026, Teyana Taylor approached diamond tassels in a more over-the-top manner. Wearing high jewelry from the house, designed by Daniel Roseberry, her look centered on a pearl-and-diamond crown, paired with a chandelier-style bow brooch worn as a necklace and finished with tassel ends.
The reference to the French Crown Jewels—partially stolen from the Louvre in a high-profile 2025 heist—added a layer of storytelling. Long associated with monarchy and power, the jewels brought depth to the look, while the tassels introduced looseness to a highly constructed silhouette.
Rihanna Wore Vintage-Inspired Diamond Tassels to the 2023 Met Gala Afterparty
“Diamonds” singer Rihanna attended the 2021 Met Gala afterparty, decked in diamonds. The focal point was a $273,000 18k white gold, black enamel, and diamond tassel necklace by Nikos Koulis. She paired this necklace with a Polki diamond choker from Munnu Gem Palace, vintage diamond bracelets from Lang Antiques, multiple rings, and an Art Deco navette-shaped onyx and diamond brooch.
Anok Yai Wore a Modern Diamond Tassel Necklace at the 2025 Oscars
Model Anok Yai attended the 2025 Academy Awards in diamonds from De Beers with a custom peach gown from Marni. The jewelry, drawn from the Forces of Nature collection, centered on the Dignity Tassel necklace—its tassel formed by a single hanging diamond—paired with diamond hoops and rings. Although more contained, the necklace added variation and balance to the look.
Margot Robbie Wore a Historic Diamond Necklace with Tassels at the Wuthering Heights Premiere
At the Los Angeles premiere of Wuthering Heights, Margot Robbie wore the historic Taj Mahal Diamond once owned by Elizabeth Taylor. The necklace, designed by Cartier, is often defined by its pendant, but a key element sits at the back: a tassel that creates balance with an ornamental accent. It is a subtle addition, but one that enhances and completes the necklace’s line, emphasizing movement without competing with the center stone.
Margaret Qualley Wore a Diamond Tassel Back Necklace to the 2025 Oscars
For the 2025 Oscars, Margaret Qualley wore high jewelry from Chanel’s Motif Russe collection, featuring a diamond tassel necklace worn down her back. Paired with an open-back black gown, the piece followed the line of her spine rather than traditionally framing the front of the dress. This necklace was worn with Chanel diamond studs, Étoile Filante bracelet, and diamond rings.
Nicole Kidman Wore a 1,399-Carat Diamond Tassel Necklace at the 2008 Oscars
Nicole Kidman attended the 2008 Academy Awards wearing a custom necklace by L’Wren Scott, set with more than 7,500 stones totaling 1,399 carats. Designed in a sautoir style and valued at $7 million, the piece was worn draped down her back over a black Balenciaga gown. The diamond tassels gave the piece a sense of continuity, shifting focus with every step she took.
Jessica Chastain Wore a Harry Winston Diamond Tassel Necklace at the 2013 SAG Awards
At the 2013 SAG Awards, Jessica Chastain’s “Splash” necklace from Harry Winston’s Water collection featured brilliant-cut, round, and pear-shaped diamonds, extending into a tassel that added length and movement. Set against a red gown by Alexander McQueen, the necklace brought Old Hollywood glamour to the look without overwhelming it.
Taylor Swift Wore Diamond Tassel Earrings to the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards
Taylor Swift is no stranger to sparkle, both on and off the stage. At the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, Swift embraced diamond tassels with her Floating Diamond Tassel Hoop earrings by Maria Tash, paired with stacked diamond ear cuffs by Anita Ko. Nominated for 11 awards and taking home a record-breaking nine wins, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year, she matched the night’s energy with layered necklaces, including the Anita Ko Diamond Triangle Eternity necklace, worn with a black Versace dress.
