Two-tone chain link ring

If you want to glimpse the opulence of the early 21st century, look no further than its celebrity engagements, those glittering declarations of love that doubled as cultural signposts. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, in their first iteration, sealed their romance with a 6.1-carat fancy pink diamond, less a ring than a headline. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin ushered in the era of the diamond halo, intensifying the sparkle, while Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt chose an Art Nouveau spiral solitaire, delicate yet deliberate, a nod to romance with a studied edge.

There was no ambiguity. More was more. Scale mattered. Presence mattered. Jewellery wasn’t an accent, it was the point. Platinum and white gold dominated, their cool, reflective surfaces offering modern sheen. Earrings stretched longer, swung wider, catching light in motion, whether paired with denim or couture.

Colour found its voice. Turquoise and coral appeared in bold, unapologetic strokes, like punctuation marks against luminous palettes. And yet, diamonds held their throne. They were the ultimate eye-catching tool, used by the powerful and beautiful for centuries.