The new heirloom flex? Diamonds from dad

Inside every steel almirah lies a piece of legacy that has been passed down from one generation to another. Natural diamonds have long carried emotion and meaning, especially in women’s wardrobes: the engagement solitaire, the first-salary studs, a tennis bracelet to mark an important achievement, or that one heirloom piece from a mother or grandmother’s collection. But diamonds have also been an intrinsic part of men’s wardrobes, carrying the same sense of sentimental value and depth. Biren Vaidya, managing director at House of Rose, fondly recalls, “On my wedding, I gifted my father diamond buttons, which he wore for the occasion. It was elegant and personal, just like him.”

Historically, there has always been an appetite for diamonds among men. Time-travel a few centuries back, and Indian maharajas were among the biggest patrons of diamond jewellery, long before men’s jewellery became a red-carpet talking point. The largest necklace ever made by Cartier was commissioned by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala in 1928 and featured five strands of 2,930 natural diamonds. Maharaja Duleep Singh of Lahore wore a marvellous diamond in his sarpech, while the Maharaja of Ratlam donned a turban with a sarpatti of diamonds and other precious stones for his nuptials.

Today, diamonds, of course, remain an integral part in men’s ceremonial jewellery, but there is also a larger shift underway as men start to experiment more freely with their personal style. Jewellery houses have long customised diamond jewellery for male clients: cufflinks, sherwani buttons, or a pair of classic solitaire studs for special occasions. But what’s changing is that these pieces are not just reserved for weddings, black-tie events, or the one day a year they decide to wear a bandhgala. While diamond-studded brooches are a go-to for their ability to elevate even the sharpest of suits, more and more men are also sporting styles like tennis necklaces, rings, and stud earrings as part of their daily wardrobes, signalling personality rather than occasion.

“Men are no longer only shopping for women. They are shopping for themselves. Earlier, men’s jewellery was mostly limited to cufflinks, solitaire rings, or religious pendants,” explains Vaidya. “Today, it is far more expressive. They are much more open to wearing diamonds, not just as something ceremonial, but as an expression of personality, power, and style every day.”

For legacy jewellers, though, the appeal of diamonds isn’t just that they look good on a lapel. They have a symbolic meaning and represent a unique journey—right from the way they are formed to how they are acquired to how they’re eventually cherished. “Having grown up around some of the rarest gemstones, I have always been fascinated by them, and it has laid the foundation of my work today,” shares Alok Lodha, a third-generation gemologist at the House of Lodha. “One of my most prized possessions is a selection of old mine cut natural diamonds that has been passed down through generations of our family.”

Perhaps it is this sense of permanence that makes natural diamonds so well suited for legacy. When asked what kind of diamond piece Vaidya would gift to his father today, Vaidya imagines “something he could wear close to him—maybe a classic kurta button or a refined lapel pin”. Lodha’s pick is equally emotional. “A rare old mine cut diamond set in a handcrafted signet ring would be my pick—something that is timeless and deeply personal,” he says, adding, “For a gift intended to endure across generations, I will always choose a natural diamond. They are among nature’s rarest creations, with a unique journey and provenance that cannot be replicated.”

Fathers aren’t usually the kind who express their feelings out loud. It is always in the small actions—knowing your flight time, fixing something before you ask, or building something for your future you may understand only years later. In today’s world, the definition of heirlooms hasn’t changed, but it has evolved. It no longer needs to belong to your nani, it can also come from your father’s or grandfather’s collection: a set of buttons, a brooch, or a signet ring. They’re not just gifts, they’re a reminder of a legacy of love, craftsmanship, and heritage.