For many celebrities, a glittering diamond ring or dazzling necklace can add a touch of Hollywood glamour to their outfits.
And now experts have revealed that it’s not just female stars who are partial to a bit of bling – with more men snapped wearing their favourite jewellery, expensive watches and statement piercings.
Sportsman Cristiano Ronaldo can often be seen wearing his favourite dazzling jewels on Instagram.
Meanwhile heartthrobs like Paul Mescal, Harry Styles and Rege-Jean Page have all worn glittering pieces over the last few months.
New-York based gem expert, Julia Hackman Chafe, told Femail that while male jewellery is nothing new, it is becoming more visible across society.
Gem expert Julia Hackman Chafe (pictured) shared her thoughts on the growing popularity of men’s jewellery in the mainstream, and how it has been impacted by celebs like Ronaldo
She explained: ‘Men have worn jewelry since the beginning of time. In fact, men NOT wearing jewellery is only a fairly recent trend.
‘Male jewellery has definitely been on the rise in the high end market for some time now. I think this trend is finally bleeding into the lower end of the jewellery market,’ she said.
‘I think men like Ronaldo, Timothee Chalamet, Drake and even Brad Pitt have pushed the trend into the mainstream’.
‘All of society’s heartthrobs are covered in gems!’
Cristiano Ronaldo, the most followed man on Instagram, has also shown off his expensive bling, wearing a women’s engagement ring which is believed to be worth £200,000.
And the trend has even trickled down to this season of Love Island…when almost every man wore a pearl necklace or silver chain.
Here FEMAIL reveals the stars who have opted to adopt a feminine jewellery box – and what their dazzling diamonds mean about them…
RINGS: PERSONALISED JEWELS AND WOMEN’S ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Julia said that Harry Styles, who often wears personalised jewels including large H and S rings, has made men’s jewellery ‘hot’
Harry, often credited with helping to bring some flair to the all-to-often drab menswear at galas and awards ceremonies, wore chunky statement rings to match his glitzy rainbow one piece at the GRAMMYs
Experts previously predicted the footballer’s extravagent ring could be worth £200,000 (pictured, in December 2020)
He was first spotted wearing the extravagant bling in 2019, when expert Dovi Fehler at London Jeweller valued the ring, which is likely to be custom-made
A number of stars have been spotted wearing glittering jewels across their fingers in recent years.
And while celebrities like Meghan Markle may be best known for their personalised jewellery, a number of male A-listers have also taken to wearing the gems.
Harry Styles has become known for his unique style and his various looks at this year’s award shows did not disappoint.
Among the statement pieces he paired with the looks were H and S initial gold rings and a large clear gemstone on one hand.
On the other he styled miniature painting, pearl and a plated gold pinky ring. He also layered up a gold crucifix necklace and fine gold chain with pearls.
Julia told FEMAIL: ‘Harry Styles made men’s jewellery truly HOT!
‘I can’t believe it’s taken this long, but the world needed a heartthrob like Harry Styles to show everyone that men’s jewellery and men in pearls is not only a bad*** statement, it’s also super hot!
‘I want you to name me one woman you know who didn’t think Harry looked great – not possible!
Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo, who is known for his ostentatious diamond studs, recently shared a snap with a huge yellow gemstone on his finger.
It’s an enormous cushion cut yellow canary engagement ring on his middle finger, surrounded by dozens of sparkling diamonds.
He was first spotted wearing the extravagant bling in 2019, when expert Dovi Fehler at London Jeweller valued the ring, which is likely to be custom-made, at an astonishing £200,000.
He wore the jewel again for the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards in December 2020.
Julia posted a TikTok highlighting a huge gem on Ronaldo’s finger, and while the footballer isn’t known to be engaged, she says ‘I don’t care’ and that ‘I now think engagement rings on men are hot!’.
Julia said that from her experience working with jewellers as a gem wholesaler, she has seen first-hand the impact men like Ronaldo have had on the market.
She said: ‘I’ve definitely noticed an uptick in men’s eternity bands and stud earrings.
‘Just recently, one of our male clients was wearing a sapphire eternity band and diamond studs.
‘Although Ronaldo might help push the trend further, macho men wearing gemstones has been a trend for a while in the jewelry industry. Sometimes men want to have fun too!’
BROOCHES: DESIGNER JEWELS SET TO BECOME A RED CARPET STAPLE
Julia described brooches as the ‘the theme of men’s jewellery at the GRAMMYs’. Pictured: JAY-Z and Trevor Noah at the awards show
Rege-Jean Page wore Giorgio Armani to this year’s BAFTAs, which he styled with a pair of Boucheron lapel pins
Michael B Jordan and Paul Mescal were among the stars who wore designer brooches to various award shows earlier this year (left and right)
While Harry’s style is always standout, he was by no means the only star to go for eye-catching jewellery this awards season.
Julia says that male stars are increasingly opting for brooches for the red carpet, even labelling the item ‘the theme of men’s jewellery at the GRAMMYs’.
She said: ‘It’s time for men’s jewellery to be a red carpet staple.’
Jay Z wore a Tiffany and Co Schlumberger Bird on a Rock Brooch as he supported his wife, Beyonce, as she became the most-awarded artist in GRAMMYs history.
Host Trevor Noah wore a Cartier emerald brooch, while artist Steve Lacey wore a pearl one.
A nominee at the BAFTAs for his role in Aftersun, Paul Mescal wore a huge leaf-shaped vintage Cartier pin on his lapel, with a diamond stud earring elevating his look even further.
The Irish actor is no stranger to pulling off statement jewellery pieces.
The star first shot to fame in the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney novel Normal People – with his character’s silver chain necklace developing its own fanbase.
Paul won a BAFTA for his role in 2021 – and also wore a Cartier brooch then with a black Gucci suit.
Bridgerton actor Rege-Jean Page also opted fora Boucheron lapel pins as he attended this year’s Oscar ceremony.
He also wears a simple stud and silver ring on his index finger.
And he wasn’t the only star who wore a brooch to the Oscars – with Michael B Jordan donning a pair of rare Tiffany bird brooches and Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan also wearing diamond pins.
Jewellery historian Rachel Church, author of Brooches and Badges told The Guardian: ‘Male celebrities wearing brooches on the red carpet, particularly designs which read as more feminine, have a mildly transgressive feel, but they are really rediscovering a lost fashion.’
NECKLACES: FROM MACHINE GUN KELLY TO LOVE ISLAND
Among the stars who appear to indulge in dazzling diamond necklaces is Machine Gun Kelly, whose star is often a little out of the box
With pearl necklace wearers Will Young and Ron Hall seen as favourites to win the show, it is clear that jewellery for men is having its moment among a new generation
Back in 2021, a merchandiser for jewellery company Jared said it had noticed an upward trend in men wearing diamonds, and that she anticipated pearls coming in in a big way.
But since then, stars who have moved on – with many opting to wear glittering diamonds around their necks instead.
Among the stars who appear to indulge in dazzling diamond necklaces is Machine Gun Kelly, whose fashion choices are often a little out of the box.
And while their jewellery is unlikely to be anywhere near as pricey, the Love Island boys this year appear to be wearing a lot more bling than in previous years.
Almost every man to appear on the show this year has accessorised their outfit with a pearl necklace or chain at some point.
And while the ITV show has moved away from its partnerships with cheaper, ‘fast fashion’ companies, it is still a key barometer of trends – with many of its cast aiming to show how stylish they are in the villa and coming out of it with brand deals.
With pearl necklace wearers Will Young and Ron Hall seen as favourites to win the show, it is clear that jewellery for men is having its moment among a new generation.
Julia says social media – in particular TikTok and Instagram – has only reinforced the male jewellery trend.
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