How Celebrities Utilise Jewellery to Convey Personal Narratives

An In-Depth Exploration of the Evolution of Celebrity Jewellery

Rihanna wears Anabela Chan

At any significant red-carpet event, there exists a moment of expectation regarding the attire of the celebrities. Jewellery enthusiasts find excitement in historically significant gemstones and designs that are remarkably opulent, marking pivotal moments in fashion history, exemplified by the 2019 Oscars, where Lady Gaga became only the third individual to don the Tiffany Diamond, a stunning 128.54-carat yellow gem, since its discovery in 1877. While that specific necklace, along with a black Alexander McQueen outfit and an elegant chignon in homage to its former owner, Audrey Hepburn, was undoubtedly historic, it was likely a result of a business collaboration, akin to many high-profile event jewels.

Although no one would decline the opportunity to don such a seldom-displayed and immensely valuable gemstone (valued at approximately $30 million), it is noteworthy that Lady Gaga has served as a brand ambassador for Tiffany & Co. Furthermore, The New York Times reported that this could represent the most significant red carpet jewellery agreement ever established.

Collaborations among celebrities, stylists, and jewellers including financial transactions to secure placements have become prevalent. The outcome is a limited selection of recurring names: prominent jewellery houses with substantial financial resources. Occasionally, stars defy convention and opt for emotional fulfilment over financial gain.

Jewels Conveying Significance

Notting Hill jeweller Sophie Lis boasts a remarkable array of celebrity admirers, who have discovered her through recommendations rather than expensive promotions. The Delevingne sisters, Princess Eugenie, Millie Bobby Brown, and Sienna Miller are among her clientele, with the Fallen Star hoop earrings in gold vermeil and diamonds (priced at a comparatively reasonable £460) being the most favoured selection: a combination of talisman and lucky charm. “For the elite with access to all, significance is paramount,” states Lis. These superstars do not require status symbols or displays of money; rather, it is an endeavour to unveil their authentic selves beyond the facade of celebrity. Individuals select jewellery to convey a narrative to the public while simultaneously fostering a robust feeling of identity and stability during challenging times.

Lis has attracted numerous celebrities due to her presence in the same social circles. It is more about friends recommending friends than celebs pursuing a hot jeweller.

Jeweller Benjamin Hawkins similarly discovered one of his most prominent clients, dramatist Jeremy O. Harris. During the Covid pandemic, Harris and his companion Arvand Khosravi resided across from Hawkins in London, fostering a connection that Hawkins affectionately characterises as familial. In 2022, Khosravi commissioned Hawkins to create a ring for Harris, with an Edwardian diamond, onyx, and sapphires, with an inscription on the reverse conveying a message about happiness from writer Adrienne Kennedy. Harris stated, "This ring contains the DNA of some of the most significant individuals to my soul, and I have the privilege of carrying it eternally." He and Hawkins collaborated to design a ring for the 2025 Met Gala. Hawkins states, "The objective was to create the inaugural Black Fabergé[-style] egg." The item featured a small portrait of Harris in 19th-century attire, crafted by the acclaimed enamel artist Penny Davis. The opposite side had a 2.2-carat peach-brown pear-shaped diamond with an engraving honouring Frederick Douglass, the 19th-century abolitionist. Hawkins characterises the encounter as 'magical,' acknowledging the uniqueness of the occasion. “Brands invest significantly to be featured on the red carpet; thus, for an individual to insist on having a friend create their jewellery is quite uncommon.”

Occasionally, a celebrity's own taste in jewellery influences their red-carpet appearances; television presenter Amanda Holden is an aficionado of the Italian jewellery brand FOPE and frequently adorns herself with its pieces while filming. Occasionally, the treasures they pursue during their leisure time are markedly distinct. Julia Roberts, a brand ambassador for Swiss jeweller Chopard, borrowed two Anabela Chan brooches during her summer visit to London and was so enamoured that she purchased them. Chan's vibrantly hued jewels are distinguished by unconventional materials such as recycled beverage cans, lab-grown coloured gemstones, and food waste, which is utilised to produce bio-resin in her Fruit Gems™ collection. Her red-carpet attendance is notable, featuring regulars such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. “I believe the creativity, aesthetics, and our ethos are in harmony,” states Chan. “Over the past ten years, we have not engaged in any paid partnerships, yet we have attended every significant red-carpet event, including the Oscars and the Grammys.”

Jewellery as Activism

Jewellery can serve as a medium for expressing sentiments that transcend mere aesthetics. Pamela Anderson has transformed herself in recent years into a bold style icon, accompanied by her commitment to environmental advocacy, transitioning from glamorous appearances to makeup-free red-carpet events.

Almost twenty years ago, she established a bond with Vivienne Westwood based on common values, which resulted in the actress representing the designer's advertisements. Today, she collaborates with Pandora as the ambassador for its lab-created diamond range. Anderson states, "My agent elucidated that Pandora offers lab-grown diamonds, which exert a diminished impact on the planet and the environment, and are available to all." Many individuals in my field prefer to associate with luxury brands; nevertheless, I prioritise accessibility.

Last summer, while captivating the public with her compelling on-screen chemistry with fellow The Naked Gun actor Liam Neeson at the film’s New York premiere, she adorned a custom Pandora lab-grown diamond brooch that had previously been worn on the red carpet by her son, Brandon Thomas Lee. The discussion regarding the superiority of lab-grown diamonds for individuals and the environment is vibrant and complex; yet, it is encouraging to witness celebrities utilising their platforms to raise awareness. Recently, actress Michaela Coel enlisted the assistance of jeweller Emefa Cole. At last year's Met Gala, Coel desired to be adorned in gold that reflected her Ghanaian ancestry shared with Cole. “Gold is integral to our culture [in Ghana],” states the London-based goldsmith. “As a child, it is commonly understood that one is surrounded by gold in every direction.”

Cole addressed the brief by collaborating with Single Mine Origin, a company that supplies traceable gold and reinvests in the mining areas from which it sources. She selected gold from the City mine in Côte d'Ivoire. Cole states, "Before the Berlin Conference in 1884, these territories were not delineated by rigid borders, and I perceive them as a unified land, as I do not acknowledge the partitioning of Africa by the European authorities of that era." The Ity mine served as an ideal means for me to commemorate our past, culture, and natural resources. Adorned with the elegantly sculpted earrings, rings, and headpiece, together with a lustrous, embroidered Schiaparelli gown, Coel was utterly brilliant - a compelling testament to the selection of jewellery imbued with intention and sentiment.