This year’s Met Gala set the tone for more than just red-carpet style… it was a tribute to the power of cultural expression through fashion. With a theme centered on refined tailoring and the deep, nuanced evolution of Black sartorial heritage, the evening challenged traditional definitions of elegance and personal style. The dress code encouraged individuality within structure, honoring a legacy of craftsmanship, pride, and self-representation that has long shaped global fashion.
It’s within this sophisticated framework that jewelry took on a heightened role. No longer a mere companion to couture, jewelry at the 2025 Met Gala was intentional, crafted not just to match an outfit, but to tell a story. From sculptural brooches and reimagined pearls to heritage-inspired gemstones and timeless diamonds, the red carpet became a study in how adornment reflects identity, culture, and evolving taste.
This is not just a moment in fashion; it’s a signal for the industry. Around the world, we’re seeing jewelry pushed to the forefront, becoming louder, braver, and more narrative-driven. The Met Gala is simply the most glamorous mirror of that shift.
What stood out immediately was how jewelry became a bridge across cultures. Jewelry at this year’s Met Gala was not merely ornamental; it was geopolitical, personal, and historical. We saw a symphony of global craftsmanship on display… From Isha Ambani’s intricately styled Indian-inspired diamond necklace to Zendaya’s modern spin on the classic brooch, placed unexpectedly at her back, every piece felt rooted in something personal and intentional.
We saw craftsmanship inspired by different parts of the world and references that spanned history and geography. Some were bold homages to heritage, others futuristic forms of expression. But there was a unifying thread; each one told a story of identity.
Colored gemstones; especially emeralds were a reigning force. Long revered for their association with regality and rebirth, emeralds carry more than May’s seasonal bloom. They carry history, from Cleopatra’s mines to the maharajas of India. Anne Hathaway and Priyanka Chopra Jonas channelled this legacy with modern resonance, revealing how heritage stones can be reborn on contemporary canvases.
That’s what makes jewelry so compelling right now. It’s not about what matches the dress; it’s about what matches the wearer’s voice.
Diamonds, of course, remain front and center but they’re showing up in unexpected ways. Draped on gloves, layered in chokers, positioned like sculpture. We’re moving away from the singular solitaire moment and toward something more architectural and expressive.
At IIG, we often talk to our students about how diamonds are evolving not just in how they’re cut or set, but in how their value is understood. Today, it’s about more than 4Cs. It’s about origin, ethics, craftsmanship, design philosophy… how a piece makes someone feel.
And it’s encouraging to see that this reimagining is being embraced not just by designers, but by consumers across age groups and markets.
Another powerful shift that’s impossible to ignore is the rise of men’s jewelry, not as an accessory, but as a central part of self-expression.
Once subtle, now sovereign; Celebrities like Diljit Dosanjh showed up with confidence, wearing multiple strands of jewelry that echoed royal aesthetics without feeling out of place. These choices don’t feel performative; they feel like a rediscovery of roots; rediscovering the jewelry codes of their ancestors: kings, warriors, poets. Historically, men across cultures wore jewelry to signify power, artistry, and belonging. Today, we’re seeing a return to that; with modern twists. The brooch, the chain, the signet; they’re back, but redefined for a fluid, global era.
The industry is seeing a steady growth in interest around men’s jewelry, and not just for special occasions. It’s becoming part of daily wear, part of identity. It’s exciting to think about where this category can go next.
Something I found particularly interesting was the way two seemingly opposite trends are coexisting so gracefully. On one hand, you had maximalist pieces; oversized gemstone collars, elaborate multi-strand designs, sculptural earrings. On the other, quiet, minimalist designs; slim chokers, single-thread diamonds, barely-there elegance.
And somehow, both felt equally relevant.
This shows us something important: people are looking to express themselves authentically, whether that’s with subtlety or with drama. Jewelry is becoming less about following trends and more about aligning with personal style and emotion.
As an industry, this duality challenges us to be more agile. We need to offer both; the bold and the understated, and ensure both are crafted with equal intention and care.
If there’s one overarching takeaway from this year’s red carpet, it’s that jewelry is no longer seen as just a finishing touch. It’s becoming the core of the ensemble… the part that says who you are, what you stand for, and sometimes, where you come from.
We saw gemstones that nodded to history, heirlooms reinterpreted for new generations, and even lab-grown diamonds that brought conversations around sustainability and innovation to the table.
Jewelry is telling stories now. Stories of fluid identity, of resilience, of tradition, and of transformation. That’s what makes it feel so timely, and so timeless.
We design for distinction. And we educate for evolution. We all can see a shift in how jewelry is being valued, not just by weight, but by worth. A worth defined by emotion, story, and relevance. The Met Gala doesn’t just forecast fashion; it reflects our cultural priorities. And this year, the message is unmistakable: jewelry has never mattered more.
As stakeholders in the world of gemology, let’s meet this moment. Not with convention, but with courage.
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