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Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met Gala
She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Rihanna has been a highlight of the Met Gala for years, showcasing artful looks on the red carpet as she arrives fashionably late, and this year was no different.
Tasked with the dress code “Fashion Is Art,” she wore a Maison Margiela gown by Glenn Martens which was inspired by medieval architecture and the paintings of Flemish Primitives in Flanders, northern Belgium.
While her gown was constructed with recycled computer wire as threads, the corseted bodice used more than 115,000 crystal beads, antique jewels, and chains.
However, the standout feature of Rihanna’s look was her Glenn Spiro earrings.
Tasked with the dress code “Fashion Is Art,” she wore a Maison Margiela gown by Glenn Martens which was inspired by medieval architecture and the paintings of Flemish Primitives in Flanders, northern Belgium.
While her gown was constructed with recycled computer wire as threads, the corseted bodice used more than 115,000 crystal beads, antique jewels, and chains.
However, the standout feature of Rihanna’s look was her Glenn Spiro earrings.
Embed from Getty Images
The “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature two fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Set in 18-karat rose gold and titanium, each pear-cut diamond is surrounded by reverse-set white diamonds totaling 29.32 carats.
“Our focus has always been on discovering the gems first, and then creating designs that follow their lead,” said Glenn Spiro, founder and master jeweler of his eponymous brand.
“The ultimate goal is to find the perfect woman to bring these creations to life. Seeing the two stunning old mine cognac diamonds worn by Rihanna at the Met Gala was a truly perfect match.”
The selection of a piece using “Desert Diamonds” has been trending since De Beers launched its “beacon” program last fall. It expanded it into the bridal category last month with a campaign and industry-wide umbrella program.
Bad Bunny also wore a Desert Diamond for his Super Bowl Halftime performance in February and Rose Byrne selected a Desert Diamond suite by Taffin for her look at the Oscars in March.
While the largest diamonds worn by Rihanna were the Desert Diamonds, she also wore pieces centering white diamonds.
She completed her ear story with a collection of ear cuffs from Briony Raymond and Dyne.
Rihanna also wore (from left to right) Briony Raymond’s “Sloan” 14-karat white gold ear cuff in pavé, a slim 14-karat white gold version in pavé, and a version in 18-karat yellow gold as well as Dyne’s “Elixia” ear cuff in 18-karat yellow gold
On her right ear, she wore a stack of three Briony Raymond ear cuffs—the “Sloane” ear cuff in 18-karat white gold with pavé diamonds, the slim version of the “Sloane” ear cuff in 18-karat white gold and pavé, and a simpler version in 18-karat yellow gold.
Her left ear showcased Dyne’s “Elixia” ear cuff that wraps twice over the ear in 18-karat white gold with reverse-set diamonds.
Rihanna also wore a handful of rings and multiple bangles that perfectly matched her antique-adorned gown.
Rihanna’s bracelets included (top row, left to right) Munnu Gem Palace’s torque bangle and Joseph Saidian and Sons’ Victorian bangle as well as a “Flower” bangle (bottom row) from Munnu Gem Palace on each wrist.
The Victorian bangle, circa 1900, was sourced from Joseph Saidian and Sons. It’s seen on her left wrist and showcases rose-cut diamonds in silver and 14-karat yellow gold, while the other bracelets were from Munnu Gem Palace.
She wore a “Flower” bangle featuring rose- and round-cut diamonds in 14-karat yellow gold and silver on each wrist as well as a rose-cut diamond torque bangle totaling 13 carats in 18-karat white gold and silver on her right wrist.
Rihanna also styled three rings with her Met Gala look, two of which are from Munnu Gem Palace—a “Munnu” ring (left) and an “Indo-Russian” ring (right)
Munnu Gem Palace also provided two of her three rings.
Continuing the rose-cut diamond theme was a “Munnu” ring in 14-karat gold and silver that totaled 28.52 carats of diamonds on Rihanna’s left hand. On her right hand, she wore an “Indo-Russian” ring in 14-karat yellow gold with a 3.20 carat diamond at its center.
On her right ring finger was a ring designed by Suzanne Belperron in the 1930s, sourced by Fred Leighton.
Of course, we can’t forget to mention the vintage-inspired nail appliqué that dripped with shimmering crystals like a piece of Victorian jewelry.
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