SourcingFeb 14, 2024
‘100 Carats’ Exhibition Opens at LA MuseumEvents & AwardsMar 13, 2024
A Celebration of Hip-Hop Jewelry Is Coming to AMNH
“Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry” will open at the New York City museum on May 9.
On May 9, the American Museum of Natural History will open “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry,” a special exhibition that celebrates hip-hop’s cultural influence through custom-made jewelry worn by some of its most iconic stars, such as Slick Rick, pictured above. (Photo by Janette Beckman, courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery.)
New York—An exhibition exploring the history of hip-hop jewelry is coming to New York City’s American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).
Arriving on the heels of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, celebrated last year, “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry” will feature dozens of jewelry pieces, tracing the history of the genre from the 1980s to today.
Opening May 9 in the museum’s Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, it will delve into hip-hop’s cultural influence through jewelry worn by some of its most iconic stars, beginning with the oversized gold chains embraced by rap’s pioneers in the 1980s.
The exhibition will then explore the 1990s, when emcees-turned-business moguls were sporting diamond and platinum record label pendants, and the 2000s, when artists turned to multi-colored, avant-garde jewels incorporating high fashion, pop culture, and rap history references.
The curation will highlight hip-hop jewelry as “enduring statements of individuality, empowerment, and resilience in the hip-hop community and global culture at large,” the museum said.
Highlights of the exhibition include Slick Rick’s gem-encrusted crown (pictured at the top of the article); the Notorious B.I.G.’s legendary gold “Jesus piece;” a diamond-studded Roc-A-Fella Records medallion for the record label co-founded by Jay-Z; Nicki Minaj’s “Barbie” pendant; and pieces from Erykah Badu, A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, A$AP Ferg, and Tyler the Creator.
“These jewelry pieces are not just magnificent in and of themselves, they’re an important part of hip-hop history and hip-hop culture as artists claimed and transformed traditional symbols of luxury and success,” said Sean M. Decatur, president of AMNH.
“Hip-hop jewelry has had a huge impact on our wider modern culture, and we are excited to provide our visitors the opportunity to see these remarkable pieces, especially in the context of our Mignone Halls dedicated to gems and minerals.”
Related stories will be right here …
Arriving on the heels of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, celebrated last year, “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry” will feature dozens of jewelry pieces, tracing the history of the genre from the 1980s to today.
Opening May 9 in the museum’s Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, it will delve into hip-hop’s cultural influence through jewelry worn by some of its most iconic stars, beginning with the oversized gold chains embraced by rap’s pioneers in the 1980s.
The exhibition will then explore the 1990s, when emcees-turned-business moguls were sporting diamond and platinum record label pendants, and the 2000s, when artists turned to multi-colored, avant-garde jewels incorporating high fashion, pop culture, and rap history references.
The curation will highlight hip-hop jewelry as “enduring statements of individuality, empowerment, and resilience in the hip-hop community and global culture at large,” the museum said.
Highlights of the exhibition include Slick Rick’s gem-encrusted crown (pictured at the top of the article); the Notorious B.I.G.’s legendary gold “Jesus piece;” a diamond-studded Roc-A-Fella Records medallion for the record label co-founded by Jay-Z; Nicki Minaj’s “Barbie” pendant; and pieces from Erykah Badu, A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, A$AP Ferg, and Tyler the Creator.
“These jewelry pieces are not just magnificent in and of themselves, they’re an important part of hip-hop history and hip-hop culture as artists claimed and transformed traditional symbols of luxury and success,” said Sean M. Decatur, president of AMNH.
“Hip-hop jewelry has had a huge impact on our wider modern culture, and we are excited to provide our visitors the opportunity to see these remarkable pieces, especially in the context of our Mignone Halls dedicated to gems and minerals.”
Many of the pieces that will be on display are featured in the book “Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History,” published by Taschen in 2022.
Written by journalist Vikki Tobak, the book also features a foreword from rapper and record producer Ricky “Slick Rick” Waters and essays by A$AP Ferg, LL Cool J, Kevin “Coach K” Lee, and Pierre “P” Thomas.
“Jewelry is a cornerstone of hip-hop culture, and you can see the evolution of jewelry alongside the rise of hip-hop itself,” said Tobak, who is also the guest curator of the “Ice Cold” exhibit.
“From being a culture formed in communities and neighborhoods, and then stepping into its power and starting to impact global pop culture, hip-hop and its jewelry tell a bigger story. This exhibition explores that world of hip-hop’s culture of adornment and celebrates the pioneering artists and jewelers who made it all come together.”
Several of the book’s contributors are also involved with the exhibition, which AMNH said is being developed by a curatorial team and advisory board that includes artists, industry professionals, jewelers, and academics.
Slick Rick serves as the exhibit’s senior advisor while Lee is a guest co-curator.
Karam Gill, creative director and filmmaker behind the 2021 documentary series “Ice Cold,” is also a co-curator.
“‘Ice Cold’ will truly spark a sense of excitement and curiosity into our world of jewelry and baubles as an extended form of hip-hop culture, which has inspired the global stage as an extension of our art,” said Slick Rick.
“This collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History is a harmonious blend of creativity and cultural significance. I’m very honored to be a part of creating a unique and immersive experience for the museum's visitors in such a renowned space in the mecca of New York City.”
“Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry” will be located in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery within the museum’s Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals.
Another jewelry exhibition, “Garden of Green: Exquisite Jewelry from the Collection of Van Cleef & Arpels,” is currently on view in the gallery until Sunday, March 17.
The curator of the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals is Kate Kiseeva, assistant curator in the division of physical sciences. The “Ice Cold” exhibition is designed by the museum’s exhibition department.
Entry will be included with general admission.
More information about the upcoming exhibition is available on the AMNH website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
