From Diljit Dosanjh to Isha Ambani, Indian royal jewellery that inspired Met Gala 2025 looks

Hearts stopped at the Met Gala 2025 when Shah Rukh Khan walked down red carpet with custom Sabyasachi jewellery which, as per Sabyasachi's Instagram caption, was "crafted in 18K gold with sapphires, tourmalines, old mine cut and brilliant cut diamonds." Across his torso sat a custom stack of talisman-esque chains with a crystal-studded 'K' pendant, with the layered jewellery over the open shirt acting as an ode to historic portraits of maharajas, using ornamentation as status symbol. His look set the tone for this year's Met Gala fashion. Many Indian celebrities attended the event, from billionaire heiress Isha Ambani to Punjabi performer Diljit Dosanjh.

While their bespoke outfits were difficult to get our eyes off of, it was their jewellery that really stole the show at the Met Gala 2025. Kiara Advani wore ear cuffs and gold rings from Outhouse jewellery and Wrap Game India; consisting of a 17-carat pear-shaped diamond piece on her dress, which was by Kantilal Chhotalal. Indian diamond heiress and Shloka Mehta's sister, Diya Mehta, was spotted at the Met Gala wearing silver-gold ear cuffs from Tribe Amrapali. While Priyanka Chopra opted for Bvlgari jewellery, which was the natural choice as she is the luxury house's brand ambassador.  

The best jewellery looks can be easily handed over to Isha Ambani and Diljit Dosanjh, all thanks to the royal inspiration behind the making and design of their jewellery. Many were in awe of Isha Ambani's diamond necklace which looked like the one Sandra Bullock and her team tried to steal off Anne Hathaway's neck in Ocean's 8. But the origins of the necklace have more history than just a Hollywood movie to it. In 1931, the necklace was originally designed by Jacques Cartier for the Maharaja of Nawanagar. In 1960, Cartier bought the necklace from the royal family of Nawangar. Since then, the necklace went through multiple hands and no longer exists in its original form.

While filming Ocean's 8, the necklace in the movie was created with inspiration by the archival piece once made for the Indian royals. Isha Ambani revealed that the necklace at the Met Gala 2025 belongs to her mother, Nita Ambani and it's assumed that the Maharaja's necklace served as inspiration when creating her family collection. Other jewels worn by her included rings from Tiffany & Co. and a hair brooch from Moi Jewellery India. 

Diljit Dosanjh, on the other hand, made his Met Gala debut most regally, wearing stacks of jewellery. One of his stand-out pieces happened to be a multi-layered jewel-studded necklace with an emerald centrepiece. The inspiration behind the necklace was the one worn by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, the erstwhile ruler of the princely state of Patiala. The legendary Patiala necklace was crafted by Cartier in 1928 exclusively for him, one of the most expensive pieces ever crafted, with diamonds from the maharaja himself. 

Unlike the Maharaja of Nawangar's necklace, this necklace survived the post-colonial era and is currently on display in the V&A Museum in London. In 2022, Emma Chamberlain wore a partial section of the same necklace. However, for the Met Gala 2025, Diljit attempted to wear the same piece from Cartier on a loan-able basis but was politely declined. This led to the Indian label Golecha Jewels recreating the necklace and turban jewels. It used the original piece as inspiration, which was made by using 50 carats of tourmaline and gave the necklace a vintage charm. Diljit also wore a Cartier watch to complete the look, bringing a true Indian majestic aura to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.