In the 1920’s women were first allowed to vote as equals in the US; in the 1950’s, the sight of a woman in pants was no longer deemed strange; in the 1980’s it was Annie Lennox who wowed the world with her androgynous looks. It seems as though every 30 years or so women “steal” something deemed to be the exclusive domain of men.
And now, 30 years after the ‘80s, the empire has struck back and “brothers are doin’ it for themselves”. Yes, diamond jewelry, and in particular fancy colored diamond jewelry, previously monopolized by the fairer sex, has started to find its way onto the ears, hands, and necks of men.
As is so often the case, this gender-crossing trend emanated from the celebrity sphere. Celebrities from the diverse worlds of music and sport, such as Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs and David Beckham, met in the rarified world of haute joaillerie.
These bon vivants and others like them, with their impeccable style, courage to express themselves with non-traditional fashion, and high disposable incomes, determine what is in vogue for the world at large. And what these purveyors of class and style have decreed to be the ultimate accessory is something that the wiser sex has been aware of for a long time – jewelry enhanced with fancy colored diamonds.
Be it earrings, wedding rings, watch bezels, or necklaces, men in the know have realized that, with the addition of fancy colored diamonds, they not only further distinguish themselves from the crowd but ensure that their jewelry becomes an investment. And let’s be fair here, why should women have all the fun? Who said that only women should bask in the feeling of wearing something of inestimable beauty?
A natural corollary of male celebrities embracing fancy colored diamond jewelry is the trickle-down effect. However, in this instance, the trickle-down effect has only resulted in a broadening of the adoption of this trend rather than a degradation of the trend.
Fancy colored diamonds by their very nature are the crème de la crème of the diamond world. Their unparalleled beauty, rarity, and expense ensure that this is a trend beyond the reach of the average consumer.
The adoption of fancy colored diamonds by the male of the species is a trend still in its infancy. The uniqueness and individuality that fancy colored diamond jewelry bestows on the wearer is something that few experience but many covet. This is a trend that men have borrowed from trend setting women; however, just like the right to vote and the wearing of pants, this is a trend that will remain with us for many years to come.
