The Best Natural Diamond Looks from the MTV VMAs
We’re looking back on the most memorable jewels from most memorable moments of the MTV VMAs .
The MTV Video Music Awards have consistently given us pop culture moments that stand the test of time. From iconic performances like Britney Spears’s “Slave 4 U” in 2001 and Miley Cyrus’s “We Can’t Stop” 2013, to jaw-dropping moments like Britney & Madonna’s kiss in 2003 and Kanye stealing the mic from Taylor Swift in 2009, the VMAs always beat the trope of the boring award show and viewers have always loved every minute of it.
Of course, the award ceremony gives us memorable moments but the red carpet isn’t to be missed either, specifically the natural diamond jewels worn by music’s biggest stars. Beyoncé has worn some incredible pieces on the red carpet and on stage, most of them designed by her friend and long-time collaborator Lorraine Schwartz. Jennifer Lopez, too, has walked the red carpet in some major natural diamond earrings, rings and more.
Ahead feast your eyes on the best natural diamond moments in the history of the MTV VMAs.
2023: Megan
Thee Stallion
“Hot girl Meg” stole the show in the Waterfall Collection Diamond Choker from Jacob & Co. Jewelry – gleaming with magnificent princess cut diamonds. The rapper amped up the glamor with a matching cuff, a sparkling statement ring, and blinding diamond studs. Styled by Eric Archibald, Megan Thee Stallion paired her jewels with a black corseted custom Brandon Blackwood gown at the 2023 MTV VMAs.
2023: Doja Cat
Doja Cat’s longtime stylist Brett Alan Nelson decked her out in a Diamond Snake Wrap Cuff and dangling diamond earrings from Nicole Rose jewelry plus a dazzling assortment of rings and diamond-encrusted Yeprem spider ear cuffs to match her spider web-inspired dress by Monse.
2022: Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift was certainly bejeweled in Lorraine Schwartz’s pear drop natural diamond earrings as she collected two awards for her long-form music video for “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).”
2022: Nicki Minaj
At the show in 2022, Barbs everywhere were floored by Minaj’s incredible medley performance of her greatest hits from ‘Superbase’ to her latest ‘ Super Freaky Girl.’ The icon accepted her Video Vanguard Award in her signature color, Barbie pink, and decked out in natural diamonds by Cicada and REZA.
2022: Anitta
Brazilian superstar Anitta looked stunning in a red Schiaparelli down and Tiffany & Co natural diamond earrings.
2022: Lil Nas X
The ‘Montero’ singer turned heads when he arrived at the 2022 MTV VMAs in just a tulle skirt, flowing headdress and plenty of natural diamonds from DeBeers.
2022: LL Cool J
Dripping in head-to-toe Pristine diamond jewelry, LL Cool J made an iconic appearance on the VMAs red carpet and performance on stage.
2022: Lizzo
Back in 2019, Lizzo was nominated for Best New Artist, Push Artist of the Year, Best Power Anthem for “Tempo” and Song of the Summer for “Truth Hurts.” The singer stunned in a red dress from Moschino and an 85-carat natural diamond necklace and a natural diamond bracelet from Gismondi 1754’s Nuvole Bianche Collection.
2019: Missy Elliott
Picking up the Video Vanguard Award, Missy Elliott was dripping in natural diamonds, wearing her signature ‘ICONIC’ pendant along with plenty of sparkling rings.
2017: Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj’s natural diamond jewels from the 2017 VMAs were worth over $2M, featuring a collar-style necklace—worth $1M alone—bangle stacks, rings, pendants and hoop earrings all from Harry Kotlar.
2016: Beyonce
While accepting her award for Video of the Year for “Formation,” Beyoncé wore a pair of double-drop earrings from Lorraine Schwartz featuring horizontally-set emerald cut natural diamonds weighing almost 40 carats each with two pear-shaped natural diamonds weighing around 8 carats each hanging from the larger stone. Plus, she wore diamond rings weighing around 50-carat.
2016: Rihanna
It was most appropriate that Rihanna wore dazzling natural diamond earrings from Yeprem while performing a mash up of “Stay,” “Diamonds,” and “Love on the Brain” at the 2016 VMAs where she accepted the Video Vanguard Award from Drake during his very memorable speech.
2014: Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez accessorized her sparkling silver Charbel Zoe dress with matching natural diamond jewelry from Norman Silverman.
2013: Miley Cyrus
As host of the 2013 VMAs, Miley Cyrus had many outfit changes, but her blingiest look featured a large tennis necklace multiple natural diamond stud earrings and her natural diamond engagement ring from then-fiancé Liam Hemsworth.
2011: Beyoncé
Beyoncé infamously revealed her baby bump after performing “Love On Top” at the 2011 VMAs while wearing a pair of stunning black diamond hoop earrings.
2006: Christina Aguilera
The singer channeled old Hollywood on the 2006 VMAs red carpet wearing a sparkling Versace gown and a major natural diamond necklace featuring three thick strands of diamonds connected to a flowery center brooch. The look feels Gatsby-inspired thanks to her finger-wave hairstyle and dark red lip.
2003: Madonna and Britney Spears
The pop superstars had everyone talking after their infamous kiss at the 2003 VMAs following their performance of “Like A Virgin” alongside Christina Aguilera. The duo wore matching diamond initial necklaces with diamond earrings—Britney’s a fun pave star shape and Madonna’s a more demure diamond drop.
2000: Jennifer Lopez
J. Lo walked the 2000 VMAs red carpet with then-boyfriend Sean “P. Diddy” Combs wearing a Sean John white crop top and jeans paired with a white bandana, diamond hoops and a diamond name-plate necklace.
