The Best Diamond Looks at the Ambani Pre-Wedding Celebrations

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding festivities have captured the attention of the entire world. We watched as Jamnagar airport was declared an international airport for 10 days just for the Ambani wedding. We drooled as Rihanna performed live after seven years after which she thumka’d to Zingaat with Jahnvi Kapoor (what in the multiverse?!). Our hearts rejoiced as Diljit Dosanjh serenaded Kareena Kapoor Khan on stage while singing his smash hit song Proper Patola. But most of all, we collectively gasped when we saw the bride—Radhika Merchant shone bright for more reasons than one. Her natural diamond jewellery was sparkly enough to be seen from outer space. Beau Anant Ambani wasn’t far behind, pairing each of his looks with opulent diamond brooches and ultra luxurious watches. It’s no wonder then that Rihanna belted ‘shine bright like a diamond’ as the finale to her act.

The three-day extravaganza boasted a star-studded guest list—all dressed to the nines. But the biggest star of the night was the natural diamond as attendees chose the biggest and brightest gems to adorn themselves with. Since our invite got lost in the mail, we scanned the internet and combed through hundreds of paparazzi shots to show you our favourite diamond looks from the Ambani bash.

Anant Ambani takes centrestage

Take a seat everyone, for we’re presenting the Ambani brooch—3X the size of any brooch you’ve ever seen, covered with natural diamonds and turning all heads in the room. The ganpati motif makes it particularly special given its religious significance, while also highlighting the commendable craftsmanship that goes into creating the brooch.

Styled by her sister Diya Mehta Jatia, Shloka Ambani looked positively gilded in her gold Manish Malhotra lehenga. Maximalism took centre stage as she opted to accessorise this statement look with an almost poetic looking cluster of natural diamonds. Set to look like interlocking twines with bursts of floral diamonds, we audibly gasped on seeing the ear cuffs.

Having stunned us with her diamonds in the past, especially from her own wedding, we were expecting a spectacular jewellery turnout from Isha Ambani and boy, she did not disappoint. This SS2018 black floor-length Chanel gown with silver embroidered details was screaming for diamonds and Isha delivered with a fat stack—think giant diamond earrings and a modern take on the classic hathphool. Her other hand features a stack of diamond bangles with a variety of delightful cuts—radiant, oval and baguette.

Just when we thought we had seen it all, Nita Ambani wore this ornate white and yellow diamond set on the last day of the celebrations. The maang tikka especially stands out given its juxtaposition of varied diamond cuts. Please give us a moment (or many) because we’re still processing the carats on each of those diamonds.  

The iconic Kareena Kapoor Khan

Aside from being serenaded on stage by Diljit Dosanjh, Bebo was one of the best dressed guests at the event. Nothing can beat a good ol’ Kareena & Manish Malhotra pairing, especially when it is accentuated with brilliantly cut cascading diamond earrings. Brb, bookmarking this for every cocktail event we have to attend ever!

Sonam Kapoor is a class apart

Known for her extraordinary style, Sonam Kapoor brought her A-game with this Anamika Khanna ensemble. Playing on the classic silver & white pairing, she accessorised the otherwise simple look with a stack of jewels so grand, we couldn’t stop staring—a seven layered diamond and emerald neckpiece, chandelier earrings and a pearl choker to top it all off.

In one of the most standout looks of the night, Natasha Poonawalla styled her sparkly silver Manish Malhotra skirt with a structural metallic top from Bloni studio. A look this unconventional calls for standout jewellery and Natasha delivered with a statement, fanned out diamond ear cuff set in white gold. Interestingly, her other ear featured only a solitaire and the mismatch worked beautifully for the look. Not to be missed was Natasha’s diamond embellished, spiky, contemporary hathphool.

Mira Kapoor knows how to make a statement!

We love when an outfit takes the backseat, and the diamonds do all the talking. Tonight, we’re going to dream about Mira Kapoor’s geometric earrings with delicate, dangly diamonds that shimmer with every movement.

Bollywood royalty Shah Rukh Khan is aptly adorned in diamonds

It’s difficult to take your eyes off Shah Rukh Khan, both on and off screen. The task becomes even more formidable when he adorns the diamond tennis necklace of our dreams. The fangirl inside us is screaming as this is the first time in a decade that SRK has been spotted in diamonds and we couldn’t think of a more apt occasion!

Janhvi Kapoor is an advocate for sparkle

The actor and close friend of the Ambani’s wore a classic Manish Malhotra sequin sari paired with an intricately designed diamond choker along with classic solitaires. Our key takeaway from the Ambani pre-wedding? A sequined cocktail sari is incomplete without dazzling white natural diamonds.

Ivanka Trump’s enviable jewels

The daughter of former US president Donald Trump pulled off Indian attire effortlessly. Her elegant white Manish Malhotra lehenga was decked up with a diamond and emerald set so iconic, it’s burned into our brain.

A veritable fashion icon: Deepika Padukone

Sabysachi Mukherjee, Deepika Padukone and uncut diamonds are a match made in heaven. The actor’s polki earrings, set in gold and featuring pearl embellishments, have our heart.

Rihanna shines bright like a diamond

For her first live performance in India, the pop star made a statement in a body-hugging fluorescent green and pink outfit by the Attico, accessorised with two layered polki diamond necklaces—dotted with precious stones. Her ears were adorned with natural diamond and ruby earrings to complete the look.