Jewelry and Music: The Inseparable Couple

There is no denying the inextricable love affair between the music industry and the jewelry industry. Musicians have had a long-standing affinity for fashion jewelry, constantly seeking out both rare and mainstream luxury pieces. This wonderful synergy, driven by wealth and a deep connection with an artist’s style — and in particular, their fashion tastes — have helped to drive iconic pieces and signature looks throughout the decades. And just like the celebrated musical artists we revere, it has helped to shape and reinforce some of the most recognizable styles as we know them today. From Elvis Presley to Liberace, to Madonna, and the proliferation and success of the Rap and Hip-Hop movements, jewelry has had a profound effect on the music industry. In tandem, this has created a unique symbiosis that will only continue to evolve with time.

“Cardi B for Messika”

If we take a look at some of the most iconic performing artists in history and their relationships with jewelry, Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll” resonates high on the Richter scale. His passion for jewelry was immense and lasted through his entire career, both on and off the stage. Lowell Hays, who developed a seven-year friendship with Presley as his jeweler had countless fascinating and amusing stories from his time spent with the King. His leather bag was a treasure trove of jewelry that he would personally bring to Elvis wherever he was—even a men’s room bathroom stall, at times. Lowell went on to create hundreds of unique custom pieces for Elvis. The “Aloha Horseshoe” created for Elvis’ Honolulu performance was designed with a central 10.5-carat diamond surrounded by 11 full-cut round diamonds which sold at auction in 2017 for $204,800. 

“Elvis Presley: The King”

Presley famously wore gem-encrusted rings and pendants and often generously gifted the jewelry to friends, colleagues, and fans. It wasn’t unusual for him to wear a favorite piece and then present it to a staffer who admired it. During a 1975 show in North Carolina, Presley asked Hays to bring the jewelry suitcase onstage. Presley then started handing out jewelry to the women in the front row. Hays recalled, “He looked at me and he laughed that little Elvis laugh and said, ‘You know what, Lowell? I’m going to have to sing five minutes more tomorrow night to pay for it.”

For Presley, jewelry was just another way to express his personality, fashion sense, and wide range of tastes. From gem-encrusted belt buckles, huge precious stone rings, and opulent necklaces, the King always found a way to showcase his signature style through jewelry, using it to express his sense of music and fashion. 

“Liberace”

Bling is to Hip-Hop what flamboyance is to Liberace. He can go down in music history as one of the biggest influencers of his time who helped shape the Hip-Hop and Rap jewelry styles we see today. Audacity was Liberace’s calling card, and he took no liberties in flaunting the best of the best in both his jewelry and wardrobe. Although he owned amazing showstopping pieces from the likes of Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier, he is most remembered for his iconic custom piano rings, candelabra rings, and piano rings, which were always encrusted with precious stones set in his preferred luxury metal of choice, yellow gold. He was also a fan of Cocktail rings. “The bigger and grander, the better,” was his motto.

“Madonna: Rebel Heart Tour”

Music’s influence on jewelry is never complete without a nod to Ms. “Like a Virgin” herself, Madonna. Her influence on the fashion, jewelry, and music industries were epic. When you think of a Crucifix pendant, what performing artist comes to mind? Madonna, in her irreverent, seductive way, managed to build a household name with the Cross Necklace alone. Every young girl in the 80s just had to have one. Madonna, with her layered necklaces and unique jewelry accessorizing, paved the way for fresh fashion and unique jewelry designers who are continuing to ride her style wave to this day. 

From the 70s into the mid-80s, there is no question that Hip-Hop and Rap have had the most intimate and provocative relationship with the jewelry world. With the arrival of social media, jewelers and influencers have gained such notoriety that they sometimes achieve the same level of popularity and stardom as the musical artists they serve. Imagine a culture so immersed in jewelry that it managed to get the term “Bling” into the dictionary. “Ice” and “Bling-Bling” are terms that are synonymous with the flamboyant world of Hip-Hop and Rap, creating a competitive environment that pits one artist against another to see who has the most dramatic look. Jewelry became a symbolic milestone in the music industry, allowing artists to celebrate and commemorate their popularity through various status symbols. 

“Jay-Z & Beyoncé”

There are multitudes of characters in the world of Rap and Hip-Hop, and we are familiar with most of them. But just below the surface lies a network of jewelers who specifically cater to this crowd, gaining their own level of celebrity status.

“Jacob the Jeweler & Pharrell Williams”

If I mentioned the name “Jacob the Jeweler,” I doubt many could tell me his significance. But to the Hip-Hop community, he was dubbed “the Harry Winston of the Hip-Hop world,” according to a 1999 New York Times interview. He has served such artists as Diddy, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Missy Elliot, and Busta Rhymes, just to name a few. Jacob’s pieces became so popular that artists have mentioned him in over 68 songs. If you have ever seen Pharell’s BBC/Ice-Cream chain, then you are aware of Jacob’s work (at an estimated worth of $100,000). 

“Tupac (2Pac) Shakur & The Notorious B.I.G.”

As the Hip-Hop industry began to flourish in the 90s, by the time the year 2000 came along, artists began to have their own retail collections. Hedge-fund managers started to invest in them, and before you know it, a huge empire transpired. With all of this newfound wealth, gold was replaced by platinum and diamonds became the norm as the new status symbols for this emerging era. It is interesting to see that these artists don’t just stop at a necklace — they usually will accessorize an entire look while adding the ring, earring, bracelet, watch, and potentially “Grillz” for their teeth. It is such a symbiotic relationship that the big Industry jewelry names love it for the PR they get, and the artists love to flaunt the best-of-the-best when it comes to style and looks. The creation of a subculture of Hip-Hop jewelers makes for an even more interesting scenario. From Biggie’s massive Jesus chain by Tito the Jeweler to Chamillionaire’s Chameleon pendant valued at $100K by Johnny Dang, the industry is ripe with opulence and bravado that truly speaks to the music itself. 

Just as Hip-Hop and Rap were an incentive to escape a particular lifestyle that included poor socioeconomic status, it cemented a strong bond with the jewelry world — so much so that jewelry went on to symbolize a “Trophy” that all artists aspired to acquire, and the bigger the better. Just like the labels and gangs they went on to represent, the competition is still fierce amongst these artists as they continue to vie for the most expensive and audacious pieces they can conjure up.

“Steven Tyler”

The synergy between music artists and the jewelry industry remains strong, even as the landscape continues to change. World events have done little to stifle the relationship between the music and jewelry industries, and the future looks bright and shiny.

“Drake”

Within every genre of music, standout icons have emerged, rocking unforgettable styles that become a significant part of popular culture. 

A$AP Rocky can clearly do it all, showing off a pearl chain with a turtleneck. On Instagram, the rapper added something completely new into the mix, posing shirtless in a baroque emerald-and-diamond gold necklace that looks fit for the Edwardian era. 

“A$AP Rocky’s Edwardian Spin on the Iced-Out Rapper Look”

Pop star Harry Styles has singlehandedly resurrected the pearl necklace over the course of the press tour for his new album, Fine Line.

“Harry Styles’ Signature Pearls”

The origins of his relationship with pearls date back to May of 2019 when he stepped out on the red carpet at the Met Gala wearing a universally beloved Gucci ensemble, including a single pearl earring.