Quiet Luxury, Loud Influence: How Celebrity Romance Is Reshaping Jewelry Trends

From the ongoing Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz engagement speculation to the rise of understated heirloom pieces on red carpets and social feeds alike, jewelry trends are entering a new era—one defined less by flashy status symbols and more by meaning, craftsmanship, and emotional permanence. As younger consumers increasingly gravitate toward “quiet luxury” and timeless investment pieces, celebrity style moments are still driving conversation—but in a far subtler way. We caught up with Nishit Mehta, third-generation diamond expert and founder of La Joya Jewelry, to discuss how engagement culture, celebrity influence, and evolving ideas around luxury are changing what people actually want to wear now. —Noa Nichol

What does “quiet luxury” actually look like when translated into fine jewelry?

Quiet luxury means moving away from big brand names and flashy logos. Instead of buying the same ring as everyone else, people want bespoke pieces. Quiet luxury is about wearing a custom design made just for you, not a mass-produced piece that just shows off a logo. It is also about wearing your wealth safely. True luxury is having peace of mind. That is why many clients ask us to make a ‘Travel Double.’ These are perfect copies of their natural diamond jewelry, just made with lab-grown diamonds. They wear these copies on planes and to work. They enjoy the confidence of wearing their diamonds, but without the fear of theft or loss

Why are people so emotionally fascinated by celebrity rings (like Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz)?

Big stars can buy anything they want. So, when they pick a unique ring, people immediately notice. Zoë Kravitz’s ring from Harry Styles is a perfect example. Showing off a huge diamond wrapped in solid gold, this ring looks rich but yet very practical. We also see this with Taylor Swift and her engagement ring which showcases a beautiful, vintage ‘old mine cut’ diamond. These rings tell a storyvand give people an inside glimplse into their favourite celebrities lives. Buyers want pieces that are unique yet cool, have history, and are safe to wear every day.

Are we moving away from flashy diamonds toward subtle/heirloom pieces? What’s driving that?

Yes, there is a definite and noticeable swing away from loud, flashy bling. Instead of big bling that screams for attention, buyers want jewelry that is indiscreet yet whispers wealth and quiet luxury. People want jewelry that is personal and has special meanin. They want designs that feel personal have a story behind them and is safe to wear every day. And of course when they create these new family heirlooms, they want them to be clean and responsibly sourced. By choosing lab-grown diamonds, they pass down a beautiful story, not an ethical debt.

How are Millennials and Gen Z redefining what makes jewelry feel valuable?

Millennials and Gen Z want jewelry that does more than just shine. They are smart with their money and want their jewelry to reflect their values. They do not just buy a famous brand name at a ridiculous price, nor do they want to pay for the artificially created scarcity of natural diamonds. Data now shows that over 70% of younger luxury buyers prefer lab-grown diamonds over mined stones for their engagement rings. Their jewelry must reflect their smarts and values, not just the size of their wallet. Look at how a brand like Allbirds became a massive hit; people fell in love with them because they focused on eco-friendly materials and total honesty. Young people bring that same energy to jewelry. They want tech and function, seen in the boom of health-tracking rings like Oura or Whoop. They want accessories that help them live better, track their health, and—most importantly—do not harm the environment. This same mindset drives them to ‘Smart Luxury.’ They would rather spend 20% on a perfect lab-grown ring and invest the rest of their money. Paying huge markups for mined diamonds is simply a bad financial deal in their view

Why do you think timeless jewelry suddenly feels so appealing again?

Jewelry as a category is truly unlike any other, especially when it comes to buying a gift for someone else or yourself. Flowers wither, clothes go out of style, and tech breaks and becomes obsolete. But a piece of jewelry is a true keepsake. It lasts forever. If the style does change, the components—the gold and the diamonds—can be reused to make something new and trendy. In the past, high-quality diamonds were only for the very rich. Today, lab-grown diamonds make that lasting beauty affordable for everyone. People choose these pieces because they want to mark life milestones in a way that lasts. What better way to show your status in life or your deep love for someone than with a gift that will outlive us all? It is not just jewelry; it is a symbol of a life well-lived.

Has social media changed how people shop for fine jewelry emotionally?

Social media has completely changed how people research jewelry. Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are now our biggest search engines. People come to us with clear visions. We get emails every day with Pinterest boards showing unique, custom ring ideas. This is coupled with the creative freedom that comes from lab-grown diamonds. In the past, when cutting mined diamonds, jewelers had to worry about losing stone weight. They had to cut to maximize the stone’s value, which limited the customer’s choices. Lab-grown stones remove this limitation, so people can finally use their full imagination to create new, unique designs. We also see the power of micro and nano-influencers. It is not about the huge names anymore. We have reaped huge rewards working with real, authentic people who have small but highly engaged communities. Social media has turned the shopping journey from a lucky guess into a highly planned, creative, and personal experience.

What design elements are quietly dominating engagement ring trends right now?

The age of ‘delicate,’ thin engagement rings is over. For years, everyone wanted the thinnest ring possible, but this id now a trend of the past. We are seeing a huge move toward bold, solid metal. Look at Miley Cyrus’s ring or Margot Robbie’s engagement ring—both are substantial, strong, and have real presence. One reason for this is that people are using the savings they get from lab-grown diamonds to invest more into the metal that holds their ring. Another trend we see is the demand for elongated diamond shapes. We see huge interest in emerald cuts, marquise, ovals, and elongated cushion cuts—styles championed by icons like Jennifer Lopez and Ariana Grande. These shapes make the finger look longer and more elegant. People want a ring that feels like a piece of art, not just a thin wire with a stone on top. It is all about strength, length, and presence

Are consumers asking smarter questions about craftsmanship and sourcing?

The change in consumer knowledge is night and day. Today, a person can use AI to research almost anything in seconds—from the origin of a stone to price comparisons between retailers. People now walk into the industry with a level of knowledge that was impossible a decade ago. They aren’t just looking at the stone. They are asking how it was made, who made it, and how well the craftsmanship will stand up to daily wear. This is exactly where our advantage shines. Because we are the actual source that other brands rely on for their jewelry, we have nothing to hide. In an age where AI lets customers fact-check every claim in seconds, we embrace the transparency of being the direct maker. We don’t just sell the diamond; we provide the expert answers that today’s AI-savvy buyers demand.

Are people buying less for status and more for identity?

Absolutely. The new generation cares far more about experiences and meaning than just owning a status symbol. Their jewelry is a way to tell their life story. People today prefer a custom design that honors a trip they took, or a rare diamond shape that reflects their own personal style over a famous iconic desgn. Everything now has a deeper reason behind it. Young buyers want their jewelry to be a chapter in their life story, not just a badge of wealth. When they pick a custom shape or a special setting, they are choosing to wear their own identity. It is not just about what the piece is worth—it is about what the piece represents to them

What is the next major shift in luxury jewelry culture?

We are seeing the end of the ‘once and done’ jewelry. In the past, you bought a piece of jewelry and wore it for decades. Today people want their jewlery to grown and evolve alongwith their social status. The future is the ‘Dynamic Portfolio,’ where people easily grow and change their jewelry over time.