For most of history, diamonds have been serious. They’ve lived in velvet boxes, locked away in safes, waiting for rare occasions like weddings, galas or awkward family portraits to shine. Gorgeous, yes. Fun? Not exactly. But lately, a new wave of designers is treating the rigid gemstone in ways that feel more playful than precious, turning them into miniature toys, inside jokes, and conversation-starters. A gluten-free veggie burger rendered in rubies and princess cuts? A bat encrusted with black diamonds, with rubies for eyes? A saltshaker filled with shakeable stones? This is fine jewellery for people who want sparkle with a bit of humour.
No one leans harder into this shift than London-based Nadine Ghosn, whose eponymous label turns everyday objects like crayons and cutlery into precious cargo. “I love to awaken people’s inner children. That kind of playfulness and joy and levity,” the designer told the Financial Times. Her diamond-studded Veggie Burger ring—a stack of six rings where each can be worn separately—can sit on your finger while you eat the real thing. Remember Tamagotchis, those pocket-sized digital pets that you accidentally let starve to death in 2002? LA-based jewellery designer Kimberly Doyle has resurrected the toy, except now in 14- and 18-carat gold with candy-coloured gemstones for screens and diamonds for buttons.
In Paris, Marie Lichtenberg has built a cult following for her Love lockets strung on chunky silk cords. Her new box lockets flip open to reveal a tiny precious surprise inside. They’re sentimental, almost toy-like, but in solid gold and diamonds. Meanwhile in India, brands like Tara Fine Jewellery and Moi are finding their own whimsical notes, making diamond rings and medallions un-stuffy enough to wear with a white T-shirt and denim.
These designs don’t sit quietly in safes waiting for “someday”. They’re in the daily mix—stacked, layered, and styled with other pieces, reflecting young consumers’ want for diamonds that reflect personality, not just permanence. They’re bold, expressive, and pop when posted on social media.
The old pitch was simple: diamonds are forever and forever is serious. But these pieces show that diamonds can also be cheeky, ironic, and playful. If diamonds are forever, they might as well be fun too.
See our edit of quirky diamond jewellery below:
