The Role of Jewellery in Pop Culture and Fashion History

Jewellery and Fashion: A Constant Conversation

Some would say that fashion dictates jewellery trends, but in reality, the two evolve together, each influencing the other.

When 1920s flappers embraced dropped waists and bobbed hair, long pearl strands mirrored the moment. In the 1990s, slip dresses and minimalist fashion paired perfectly with chokers and delicate chains. Recently, oversized hoops have graced both streetwear and couture, showing how jewellery moves between subculture and high fashion with ease.

Some jewellery styles have anchored fashion movements, while others have disrupted them entirely. Consider the punk safety pin earrings of the 1970s or the stacked bangles of 2010s maximalism—they weren't just decorative; they were declarations.

Jewellery often punctuates an outfit. Whether it's a single, deliberate full stop or a dramatic exclamation, it always adds emphasis.

And just like language evolves, so does jewellery. From catwalks to casualwear, its role isn't to match; it's to make the look memorable.

Building a Look Around a Piece

Most outfits begin with clothing. But sometimes, it's the jewellery that leads the way.

Think of Schiaparelli's surrealist face earrings or body-hugging gold breastplates—designed to define the entire look. On the runway, these pieces command attention, and the clothes follow.

On red carpets, stylists often work backwards from the jewellery. When Lady Gaga wore the Tiffany Yellow Diamond, her black Alexander McQueen gown was selected to honour, not compete with, the necklace.

Bulgari, known for its bold gemstone combinations, has had entire couture looks styled around its jewellery. Their Serpenti necklace alone has inspired full editorials—where fashion magazines style an entire story around one hypnotic coil of gold and enamel.

Examples:

• Zendaya in Bulgari Serpenti at Venice Film Festival 2021

• Rihanna at the Met Gala 2018 in Cartier and a crystal crown

• Schiaparelli haute couture 2023 with gilded body armour and cosmic jewellery

In these looks, the jewellery sets the tone of the whole outfit.

Stylists and Designers Who Shaped Jewellery Trends

Behind every unforgettable jewellery moment is someone who had a vision and intention to make jewellery the standout piece. Sometimes, it's a visionary designer. Other times, it's a stylist with an instinct for impact.

Iris Apfel famously ignored traditional style rules. Her trademark mix of layered bangles, bold colours, and eclectic beads turned costume jewellery into art. "More is more and less is a bore," she once said—a philosophy that made her a fashion icon in her 90s and inspired generations to embrace maximalism without apology.

Coco Chanel revolutionised how women wore jewellery. She paired faux pearls with tweed jackets and made bold costume pieces feel just as luxurious as fine diamonds. By doing so, she challenged the idea that elegance came with a high price tag—and gave women permission to wear jewellery on their own terms.

Elizabeth Taylor blurred the line between glamour and legacy. Her personal collection—from the 33-carat Elizabeth Taylor Diamond to the historic La Peregrina Pearl was both show-stopping and deeply personal.

And today? Jewellery is still being redefined on red carpets by stylists like Law Roach, the mastermind behind many of Zendaya's most iconic fashion moments. Roach often pulls vintage pieces from archives and pairs them with futuristic silhouettes, creating looks that feel both rooted in history and entirely of the moment.

Celebrity stylist Jason Bolden, who's worked with the likes of Alicia Keys and Taraji P. Henson, notes: "Jewellery plays a crucial role in completing and complementing an outfit by adding personality and depth." - ET Online, 2024

Insider Insight: Stylists are the masterminds behind just about all your favourite trends. Designers craft the pieces, but stylists turn them into moments. And it's those moments—on stages, in films, at fashion weeks—that shift how the public thinks about and wears jewellery.

The Evolution of Jewellery Trends Through the Decades

Jewellery has the power to reflect the mood of a generation. Each decade brings its own perspective on status, beauty, rebellion, and self-expression, all of which are mirrored in the jewellery that defined the time.

1920s: Art Deco Opulence

The Roaring Twenties brought geometric shapes, platinum finishes, and what we now know as Gatsby-level glamour. Long pearl strands, sapphire brooches, and cocktail rings weren't just accessories—they were liberation in sparkle form. Women cut their hair, raised their hemlines, and layered on jewellery that caught the light as they danced.

1950s: Post-War Glamour

After years of rationing, the 1950s leaned hard into polished femininity. Think: diamond studs, pearl chokers, and brooches that complemented nipped-in waists and hourglass silhouettes. Marilyn Monroe famously sang, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend," and the world wholeheartedly agreed.

1970s: Boho Meets Gold Chains

The '70s were a blend of peace signs and power dressing. Long, layered necklaces with natural stones coexisted with bold gold chains and oversized earrings. Jewellery was worn as both armour and expression, sometimes earthy and handmade, other times attention-grabbing and disco-ready.

2000s–Now: Personalisation and Maximalism

The 21st century has been all about breaking rules. Mixed metals, stackable rings, coloured gemstones, and personalisation dominate. Whether it's Meghan Markle's delicate gold layers or Rihanna's bold high-low mix, today's jewellery is about telling your story, your way.

Jewellery often records the cultural mood. Look closely, and you’ll see every era wears its values. From prohibition to punk to Pinterest boards, jewellery has tracked the evolution of not just fashion, but society itself. As personal style becomes more fluid and inclusive, so does how we wear, gift, and collect jewellery.

Pop Culture Moments That Shifted Jewellery Tastes

Some jewellery trends rise slowly. Others explode after a single, unforgettable moment. Pop culture has the power to take a style from niche to mainstream in seconds, and jewellery is often the visual catalyst.

Hollywood’s Golden Age

Few images are as iconic as Audrey Hepburn gazing into the Tiffany window in Breakfast at Tiffany's. The 1961 film cemented the brand's global identity and turned simple strands of pearls and diamond accessories into household aspirations. When a character in a movie wears jewellery that becomes part of their identity, the audience takes notice—and takes inspiration.

Streaming and TV

From Carrie Bradshaw's signature nameplate necklace in Sex and the City to Daphne Bridgerton's pearl drop earrings and Rue's layered chains in Euphoria, television has long dictated what ends up in our jewellery boxes. The props team didn't choose these pieces—they were consciously styled and quickly became part of the cultural conversation.

Costume dramas don't just entertain—they spark trends. Bridgerton, with its decadent Regency styling, has done more than revive empire waistlines and opera gloves. It's driven a modern obsession with jewellery from another era.

Since the show's second season aired, interest in regal accessories has surged across the board. According to London jeweller Susannah Lovis, search interest in tiaras rose by 300%. Online Jewellers saw sales of Bridgerton-style earrings jump 49%, and hair clips rose 28%. Even vintage saltwater pearl necklaces from the 1800s—once a collector's niche—have climbed in value, with some now selling for up to £4,000!

What a character wears in binge-worthy shows ripples across fashion weeks, social media feeds, and shopping carts worldwide. When streaming drives style, the jewellery box becomes the newest stage.

Musicians

In the '80s and '90s, artists like Madonna and Prince made jewellery part of their signature looks in music videos and on stage. Madonna's rosaries weren't just props—they provoked conversation.
Today, musicians often influence jewellery trends by forging emotional connections with their audiences—on stage, online, and in public appearances. Taylor Swift's coordinated ruby stacks and personalised "T" charm have drawn fresh attention to tonal gemstone styling after the 2025 Grammys and Super Bowl.

Billie Eilish, meanwhile, catapulted indie label Rat Betty into the mainstream after fans spotted her wearing their anatomical heart necklace—no tag needed. Eilish is known for mixing high-end brands like Cartier with indie designers. Whether it's statement pieces worn mid-tour or layered stacks shared on socials, jewellery worn by musicians reflects personal style and shapes what millions want to wear next.

Jewellery as a Cultural Symbol and Investment Piece

Jewellery is a language that speaks to identity, heritage, and in many cases, significant value. Royal family heirlooms are among the clearest examples of jewellery as a legacy. Pieces like Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara, now famously worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales, are genuine artefacts. These jewels tell generational stories, passed through coronations, weddings, and global headlines.

In hip-hop culture, jewellery became a visual declaration of independence and success. From Slick Rick's chains in the '80s to Pharrell's custom Jacob & Co. pieces, "iced-out" jewellery redefined what wealth and status could look like—on your own terms. Today, artists continue investing in one-of-a-kind pieces as self-expression and valuable assets.

Fashion houses have noticed. Collaborations like Gucci x Boucheron and Balenciaga x Jacob & Co. merge streetwear influence with fine jewellery heritage, tapping into the appetite for collectible, culture-blending pieces.

Then there's the growing celebrity auction circuit. When Elizabeth Taylor's jewellery collection went under the hammer at Christie's in 2011, it fetched over US$137 million—breaking world records and proving that provenance can drive price as much as material. Her 33.19-carat diamond ring alone sold for over US$8.8 million.

Even on the red carpet, value isn't just in the sparkle. The 128.54-carat Tiffany Yellow Diamond worn by Lady Gaga at the 2019 Oscars is estimated to be worth over US$30 million—and it's loaned, insured, and guarded accordingly.

Whether it's for sentimental, cultural, or financial reasons, one thing is clear: iconic jewellery carries weight far beyond its carat count.

When Iconic Means Irreplaceable: The Importance of Safeguarding Jewellery That Matters

Whether worn for a red carpet or a personal milestone, jewellery often carries significance. These pieces travel. They get worn. And they face risk.

It's standard for jewellery houses to insure loaned pieces for high-profile events. The same consideration may apply if you wear pieces of high sentimental or financial value.
Home and contents insurance may include some jewellery cover, but always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to check limits and exclusions.

Specialist jewellery insurance providers like JewelCover may offer features tailored to fine or custom pieces, including the option to return to your preferred jeweller for repairs or replacement. JewelCover policies also include worldwide cover and annual revaluations.

Jewellery trends may shift, but some pieces deserve lasting care. If your jewellery carries personal or financial significance, it might be worth considering how it fits into your broader approach to insurance.

Comparing jewellery insurance? Read our blog on what to look for here.

From Cultural Statement to Cover Considerations

Jewellery defines eras and expresses identity. It shapes style and tells stories, from red carpets to royal ceremonies, music videos to streaming hits.

When a piece matters—emotionally, financially, or both—it's worth understanding how your insurance supports it. Reviewing your current policy and understanding what's included (and what's not) is a practical first step.

If you're exploring cover for valuable jewellery, a specialist policy may offer options that align with how you wear, travel with, or maintain your collection.

Get a personalised, indicative quote from JewelCover now for your iconic jewellery collection.