Explore the evolution of men's diamond jewelry, from dandyism and hip-hop to today's bold brooches, layered diamonds, and modern style rebels.
A$AP Rocky attends the “Highest 2 Lowest” red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025, in Cannes, France. (Getty Images)
Hip-Hop Made Diamond Grillz a Cultural Statement
Diamond grillz are at the intersection between individuality and hip-hop culture.
Diamond grillz don’t do subtle. They flash when you smile, transform the face, and turn diamonds into something so personal, they literally become part of you. Custom-made in gold or platinum and set with diamonds, every grill is its own composition—shaped to the wearer and designed to be seen.
Their story is inseparable fom hip-hop culture, where jewelry has always meant more than mere decoration. In 1980s New York, gold caps became a new way to signal style, success, and identity. As hip-hop grew, so did the grillz: more diamonds, more carats, more imagination. What began in gold evolved into elaborate, iced-out designs that became signatures for some of the biggest names in music.
Decades later, grillz are still changing with the people who wear them. Rappers, athletes, and style icons have made the form their own, but the original energy remains.
It Started With Gold Caps
At the center of this revolution was Eddie Plein. Born in Suriname, Plein is widely recognized as the inventor of the modern, removable hip-hop grill. In the 1980s, he launched Famous Eddie’s Gold Teeth in New York, creating custom gold caps that attracted hip-hop royalty. Artists like Flava Flav and members of the Juice Crew turned to Plein for serious sparkle.
As the movement spread, New York and Atlanta rappers such as Raheem the Dream and Kilo Ali helped push grillz into new territories. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, designs grew bolder.
Jessenia Landrum, jewelry designer of the brand Jevela, is bringing fun and individuality to modern natural diamond grillz. Inspired by the early 2000s, Landrum first learned about grillz while listening to Grillz by Nelly on the radio and the rest is history.
To Landrum, “diamond grillz represent opulence, freedom, and wealth. I learned that it became a status symbol for freed slaves who were able to create their own wealth. So that makes me especially proud to be a part of the legacy.”
Landrum met Plein at a book signing for Vikki Tobak’s book Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry, and he became her mentor, “gradually he has become like family to me and offered to teach me. For a month, I followed him around, learning the process from start to finish. From creating a teeth impression, to waxing up the mold, casting, and creating a finished piece.” Who better to learn from than “the originator of the removable grill.”
The Grillz Hall of Fame
Today, diamond grillz remain a powerful form of self-expression and a symbol of success. They are worn by not only artists and athletes, but also style icons, like Kim Kardashian. More than jewelry, they are wearable expressions of culture, confidence, and creativity.
Quavo Never Skimps on the Carats
As the frontman of Migos, Quavo has made diamond grillz a signature part of his look. Working closely with celebrity jeweler Johnny Dang, he has built an extensive collection over the years. One of his most talked-about pieces debuted in 2018, a 17.5-carat baguette-cut diamond grill set using the “invisible set” technique and valued at $250,000. Other notable designs include a 16-piece emerald-cut set that resembles church windows and an open-face grill featuring baguette diamonds.
Nelly Put Grillz on the Radio
Nelly didn’t just wear grillz—he helped put them in the cultural lexicon. By the early 2000s, diamond-encrusted fangs and fully iced-out bottom sets were already signatures of his look. Then came 2005’s Grillz, an ode to smiles worth a small fortune that made the jewelry impossible to ignore. As Nelly put it, you could call him George Foreman—because he was selling everybody grillz.
A$AP Rocky Took Grillz to the Met
A$AP Rocky has blurred the line between fashion and hip-hop, often incorporating grillz into his personal style. As co-chair of the 2025 Met Gala, he appeared on the red carpet wearing diamond-encrusted grillz alongside a Rihanna statue ring and a 90-carat diamond umbrella by Briony Raymond.
Jordan Chiles Goes for Gold—and Diamonds
Jordan Chiles brought extra shine to the 2024 Olympics Women’s Gymnastics Team Finals in Paris. Along with her gold medal, the U.S. gymnast showed off grillz featuring four pavé natural diamond-coated fronts and two solid gold fronts, custom-made by jeweler Jimmy Phan.
Travis Scott Is Always Iced Out
Travis Scott has consistently incorporated grillz into his performance looks. During Rihanna’s 2016 Anti-World tour, he wore a set featuring around 10 carats of multi-colored diamonds designed by Johnny Dang. Another design associated with the rapper is his “La Flame” grill, made with a baguette and round-cut natural diamonds set in 18K gold.
Shaboozey Does Grillz in Full Color
At the 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” Shaboozey arrived wearing grillz that complemented his custom Robert Wun ensemble. The piece, created by jeweler Alligator Jesus, featured natural turquoise and diamonds.
Ja Morant’s Off Court Flex
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is known for his “Grizzlies” grillz, which have become part of his off-court style. The custom pieces are made from natural VS+ brilliant-cut diamonds, designed for maximum shine.
Katy Perry’s Million-Dollar Smile
Katy Perry wore grillz in her Dark Horse music video, where she debuted a million-dollar set designed by celebrity dentist Dr. Bill Dorfman. She appeared at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, where she performed her song Roar while wearing a custom grill that spelled out the song’s title.
Bad Bunny’s Grillz Are Museum-Worthy
In 2023, jewelry designer Alligator Jesus created a set of grillz for Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny. The set, which was displayed at the American Museum of Natural History’s exhibition, Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry, features 14-karat white gold with sparkling diamonds and rhodium plating.
Lil Nas X Does Grillz His Way
Lil Nas X, the singer of country-rap hit Old Town Road, is known for elaborate custom grillz. One of his most notable pieces is a $28,000 diamond and opal set created by Alligator Jesus, as well as some fully iced-out designs.
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