Sparkly Is the Head: Diamond Tiaras and More

By Brittany Siminitz | May 25, 2022

If one were to be searching for more body surface on which to decorate with diamonds (maybe the obvious categories are already adorned), might we suggest the head?

Jewelry items such as tiaras and headbands have been easy to spot as of late, with some high-profile appearances at noteworthy events.

Most notably, the recent Met Gala held in New York City was full of sparkly headpieces. Event organizer and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour wore a glittering family heirloom. Blake Lively, dressed as an ode to the Statue of Liberty, wore a seven-spike crown designed by Lorraine Schwartz. Vogue editor at large Hamish Bowles wore a gold feather tiara designed by Italian duke jeweler Fulco di Verdura in the 1950s. YouTuber Emma Chamberlain wore a vintage Cartier crown from 1911. Tommy Dorfman wore a tiara that she said was over 200 years old.

Lydia Courteille tiara — *White Topkapi tiara in 18k white gold with moonstones and diamonds, price on request; Lydia Courteille*

Fred Leighton diamond tiara — *Antique star tiara in silver-topped gold with diamonds, price on request; Fred Leighton*

Cicada pearl and diamond tiara — *Tiara in platinum with natural pearls and 18.09 cts. t.w. diamonds, $424,200; Cicada*

Bibi van der Velden tiara — *Kryptonite collection tiara in sterling silver with diamonds, $4,550; Bibi van der Velden*

It’s true that the Met Gala is like a costume party for the superrich—it’s wondrous to see, but it doesn’t necessarily translate to the everyday consumer. Countless articles describing the evening’s headwear confirms people do have a taste for tiaras, though, and shoppers reading about these might take notice and search for a piece to adorn their own crowns of hair.

JCK summer 2022 front cover — *Aamito Lagum, winner of* Africa’s Next Top Model, graced the summer 2022 cover of JCK magazine (photograph by Jason Kim; styling by Daniel Edley).

Facet Barcelona 5 row velvet necklace — *Velvet five-row necklace in 18k white gold with 12.5 cts. t.w. diamonds, $34,899; Facet Barcelona*

Most won’t land an antique diamond tiara—or even a new one. But there are cost-effective ways for some consumers to sport the look while ensuring versatility, hence more bang for their (hefty) buck.

On the most recent cover of JCK magazine, diamonds adorned the head of model Aamito Lagum: Draped in three rows of diamond necklaces, the sparkling headband could easily be relocated to the neck. It’s a styling trick that has been practiced many times to great success, even at the aforementioned Met Gala, where it was worn by actress Danai Gurira, stunning in jewelry from Fred Leighton.

Thelma West diamond brooch — *Antique Mandala brooch in 18k white gold with 1.1 ct. old-cut diamond center and 6 cts. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Thelma West*

Rahaminov dragonfly brooch — *Dragonfly brooch in 18k white gold with 4.7 cts. t.w. shield-cut, 0.35 ct. t.w. oval, and 0.39 ct. t.w. round diamonds, $60,000; Rahaminov*

Andreoli diamond brooch — *Brooch with 8.79 cts. t.w. diamonds, $38,000; Andreoli*

Perhaps one of the most versatile—and relatively budget-conscious—ways to achieve a crowned look is with a brooch: When pinned atop a headband, it catches attention in a variety of shapes and styles. Customers might be surprised to find how much they love pinning one on, whether it’s worn in their hair or their lapel, atop a scarf or strung along a necklace. While one can certainly spend as much on a diamond brooch as on a tennis necklace, the category is most likely to offer a variety of more affordable options to play with this in-demand style trend.

Top: Star crown in 18k white gold with diamonds, $39,800; Colette