House of the Dragon-Inspired Jewelry Fit for the Iron Throne
Are you Team Black or Team Green? Explore natural diamond jewelry inspired by House of the Dragon’s standout characters.
Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in Season 3 of House of the Dragon. (Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO)
It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years since the Game of Thrones grand finale aired. Thanks to the runaway success of House of the Dragon, audiences still can’t get enough of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy world of Westeros.
If anyone can transport us to the A Song of Ice and Fire universe through the power of dress and jewelry, it’s award-winning costume designers Jany Temime and Caroline McCall, whose otherworldly creations in seasons one and two, and season three, respectively, suspend our disbelief.
Set 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, the HBO series is based on George R.R. Martin’s 2018 book Fire & Blood, beginning at the height of the Targaryen dynasty’s reign.
Meet the Author
- Hannah Militano covers diamond jewelry trends, the fashion industry, pop culture, and celebrity news.
- She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
- As a journalist, her work has been featured in publications such as Editorialist, Carine Roitfeld’s CR Fashion Book, L’Officiel USA, Grazia USA, Coveteur, and more.
Dealing with complicated family dynamics, political alliances, court scheming, fealty, and war, House of the Dragon‘s costumes reveal hidden truths about where each character’s loyalties lie, crafting a unique visual identity through intricately embroidered gowns and fantasy jewelry, including chains of office, livery collars, and heraldic pendants and brooches.
Statement-making colors take on a whole new meaning when it comes to pledging your allegiance to Team Green (the Hightowers) or Team Black (supporters of the rightful heir, Rhaenyra Targaryen). Whether you’re drawn to Rhaenyra’s dragon-inspired jewels or Alicent’s regal emeralds, these looks prove that jewelry can be just as powerful a storytelling device as the costumes themselves.
Here, shop the best natural diamond jewelry inspired by your favorite House of the Dragon character.
Team Black: Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Jewelry in House of the Dragon
Rhaenyra Targaryen was named heir to the Iron Throne by her father, King Viserys. As a young princess played by Milly Alcock, Rhaenyra wore a gold herringbone-link collar, similar to the Tubogas natural diamond and gold necklaces offered by Italian jewelry house Bulgari. Collars like torques have an ancient link with warriors wearing them into battle. As a young princess, Rhaenyra is filled with ferocity and chutzpah, while the necklace’s delicate flexibility hints at her innocence and naivety.
Jewelry carries much of the visual narrative throughout the story. In season one, Rhaenyra’s uncle (and future husband), Daemon, presents her with a Valyrian steel and red ruby necklace; the gift shares the same material as his beloved sword, Dark Sister. Symbolizing their bond and shared Targaryen heritage, the necklace speaks to their evolving relationship and commitment to the legacy of their House.
As the adult Rhaenyra (played by Emma D’Arcy) comes into her own as a mother and heir to the throne, her wardrobe fully embraces the Targaryen colors of black, red, and gold. Triangular-cut gemstone earrings, ruby and gold statement pieces, and spiraling pendants reinforce her identity as a future queen, while her jewelry grows increasingly bold and regal alongside her claim to the Iron Throne. Paying homage to her identity as a dragon rider, Rhaenyra consistently wears a silver dragon scale pendant necklace, as well as a heart-shaped necklace that matches the collar of her dragon, Syrax.
Following the loss of her two sons in her plight to take back the throne from her half-brother, Aegon the Usurper, Rhaenyra adopts a nearly all-black wardrobe, with intimidating, large silver dragon brooches to support her chains of office.
Team Green: Alicent Hightower’s Jewelry in House of the Dragon
Alicent Hightower grew up as Rhaenyra’s closest confidant before her father married her off to Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys, in his constant grasp for power. After realizing that becoming your bestie’s stepmother is not a great dynamic for the friendship, tensions grow between the former friends, leading Alicent to cling to her own heritage as a Hightower and her roots in Oldtown.
In season one, when she makes a grand entrance to Rhaenyra’s wedding festivities in a bright emerald green gown, lookers make note of the color’s deeper meaning. Larys Strong asks his brother, “The beacon on the Hightower…do you know what color it glows when Oldtown calls its banners to war?” Green. From then on, Alicent covers herself in gold, emerald, and diamond jewels, owning her place as Queen.
Staunch in her religious beliefs in the Faith of the Seven, Alicent Hightower proudly wears a Seven-Pointed Star around her neck. But this season, as her faith wavers, Rhaenyra takes her rightful place on the Iron Throne and overthrows Alicent’s son, the size of Alicent’s choice in pendant grows smaller and smaller, until eventually, she removes the jewel altogether.
House of the Dragon Hero of the Week: Black Aly’s Arrow Jewelry
One of last week’s biggest bombshells came with the unceremonious—and deeply satisfying—death of turncoat Ser Criston Cole, who was leading troops against Rhaenyra’s claim on the ground as the Targaryen battled on dragon-back in the skies. We’re introduced to his assailant, Alysanne Blackwood (known as Black Aly), when she shoots him with multiple arrows during an ambush in the Riverlands. In honor of Alysanne, find the best diamond arrow jewelry to bask in this epic win.
Boucheron Flèche Single Stud Earring, $21,350, boucheron.com
David Webb Arrow Necklace, White Enamel, Price Upon Request, davidwebb.com
Anita Ko Single Diamond Arrow Earring, $1,700, anitako.com
