Diamond State of Mind

Who makes it to the Dirty Cut? The trailblazers that aren’t afraid of shaking things up, taking chances, and most importantly shining bright. Through the magazine’s first ever list that spotlights the best of the best, we turn the lens on those with unique stories and a shared love for natural diamonds. The diamonds they wear aren’t just adornments, but reflections of their inner fire and individuality.

Ishaan Khatter

If there ever were a new-age disruptor, Khatter would be the poster boy for it, a diamond in the rough, the young actor has been bringing the heat not only to global box offices but also to the red carpet, his edgy androgynous looks move away from templatized dressing as do his roles, straddling cozy Hollywood thrillers and gritty independent films alike. As a prince on the Netflix series Royals (2025), Khatter has added a new layer into his wardrobe. “When you’re wearing real diamonds, you’ve got to let the jewellery do its thing but not let it wear you,” replies Khatter smoothly, when asked about his varying characters and what he takes away from each.

Kiran Rao

An astute storyteller, Rao has the aptitude for bringing heartwarming narratives to light. A bonafide style savant, she’s often outfitted in vibrant ensembles that are joyous and unabashed much like her. Here, we see her sparkling in a pair of floral diamond stud earrings that mirror her infectious energy.When asked about her most memorable accents from her jewellery box – “I cherish a pair of real diamond earrings, gifted by my ex-husband, that I mostly keep tucked away in my locker for safekeeping,” she says with a laugh Much like her cinema, they remain quietly held but deeply treasured.

Gauravi Kumari

Emblematic of a present-day royal, Princess Gauravi Kumari shines with an understated elegance. Dripping in delicate diamonds, she exudes a grunge flair – layering minimal diamond chokers with a lariat necklace and mini chandelier earrings. The young entrepreneur has made strides both philanthropic and sartorial, elevating Jaipur’s soft power, her initiatives like the Palace Atelier offers a wealth of homegrown design through an artistic retail experience while The Princess Diya Kumari Foundation empowers local women to achieve diverse skill sets. Gauravi’s own uniform echoes the unrivaled minimalism of her lineage – with wispy block printed saris and trusted denim at its core, the young royal chooses to wear jewellery pieces that hold sentimental value. “I have a pair of real diamond solitaires that were gifted to me by my mother, which I always wear,” she shares.

Diipa Büller-Khosla

Khosla’s luminous skin is not only testament to the impressive skincare empire she’s built through her brand Inde Wild but also her inherent love for diamonds. The former law student turned content creator has treated Ayurvedic beauty to a redux, marrying style with substance where gleaming glass skin and a wholesome champi are on the platter. On set, she channels Miami mob boss meets ancestral goddess—perched atop a Mumbai taxi swathed in a knitted dress, her ears glimmering with diamond shoulder dusters. Off the set, her personal style leans towards jewellery that holds meaning over flash. “You’ve got to understand the cut, clarity, colour, yes—but also think of the story. Men really need to take notes when buying real diamond rings,” she deadpans.

Kani Kusruti

Diamonds glistening at her collarbones, bedecked in a frothy brocade gown, Kusruti resembles a modern Marie Antoinette. Her compelling work as a protagonist in Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light, along with All That Is Left Unsaid, a Malayalam-Tamil art house feature ushered her into the acclaimed Busan Film festival, The Cannes Film Festival and earned her a Kerala State Film Award. The actor emanates a raw charm, one that radiates authenticity and depth much like her favoured wardrobe replete with handloom and a face devoid of make up. On Dirty’s set, she’s giggling at the logistics of couture. “Fashion people are crazy,” she laughs, but lets the stylists work their magic anyway. —”I don’t usually wear real diamonds,” she admits. “But wearing this today is helping me channel a character that suits the dress.”

Pratibha Ranta

Diamond hoops, vivacious girly energy and chunky diamond rings – Pratibha Ranta proves that she can channel a modern Mod the same way she can get into the skin of her poignant character in Kiran Rao’s Oscar-selected film – Lapataa Ladies. Her riveting performance and inherent versatility at the movies have already earned her accolades on an international scale, and it’s only just the beginning of a seemingly sparkling trajectory. On Dirty’s set Ranta’s playfulness is palpable as she cheekily grabs hold of the rings twinkling on her nimble fingers, ruminating past memories. “I have a beautiful memory of real diamonds—my best friend gifted me a small heart-shaped diamond pendant. It wasn’t anything big, but I absolutely love it,” she confesses.

Anasuya Sengupta

Anasuya is the mythical cool girl – all tattoos and lean muscle, she makes the case for fine diamond jewellery that adapts to personality as she shines in statement diamond earrings and a dazzling diamond bracelet from Estaa paired with a fringed leotard showcasing the allure of flapper girl, with a side of grit. Sengupta made history at Cannes in 2024 by winning Best Actress in the Un Certain Regard section for The Shameless (2024). For the former set designer accustomed to working behind the scenes, main character energy was imbued in her being all along “Wearing these real diamonds I can only think of Daisy Buchanan from Great Gatsby,” she shrugs, tongue slightly in cheek. It’s the kind of slippage she thrives in, moving from spectral to satirical without warning.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

What’s hotter than an athlete wearing natural diamonds? The six-foot-five-and-a-half footballer has many laurels to his name – starting with being 26th footballer in Indian history to receive an Arjuna award from the President of India back in 2019 to taking the national team to the Indian Super League Play-offs. Off the field, the Chandigarh-raised player is a luxury enthusiast, walking onto set with Louis Vuitton’s Damier print hold-all. Much like the glossy medals he’s garnered, Sandhu likes his bling, pushing the case for more men to embrace natural diamond jewellery, “I’d definitely wear real diamonds as a tennis necklace,” he shares as he opens his phone gallery to show the team his recent shopping haul that could rival a girl on an agenda.

Their journeys might be diverse, but what binds these modern-day hustlers is a tenacity that won’t let anyone dull their shine, just like their diamonds.