Zendaya has solidified her status as a global fashion icon, not only through her daring sartorial choices but also through her impeccable taste in jewelry. From her role as a Bulgari ambassador to her headline-making engagement ring at the 2025 Golden Globes, Zendaya’s jewelry choices consistently captivate audiences and set trends. With the help of her stylist, Law Roach, she has transformed red carpets into showcases of elegance, individuality, and modernity. This article explores Zendaya’s most memorable jewelry moments, delving into the craftsmanship, cultural significance, and personal stories behind her iconic pieces.
The 2025 Golden Globes: A Sparkling Engagement and Bulgari Brilliance
At the 2025 Golden Globes, Zendaya turned heads in a custom Louis Vuitton orange silk strapless gown, but it was her jewelry that stole the spotlight. She wore a Bulgari high jewelry necklace featuring a 31-carat oval paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique, complemented by 12 pear-shaped diamonds, 21 round diamonds, and 72 step-cut diamonds. The paraiba tourmaline, known for its vivid “Windex blue” hue, is a rare gem discovered in the late 1980s in Brazil and later in Mozambique. Its scarcity and striking color make it a coveted choice for high jewelry, and Zendaya’s necklace exemplified Bulgari’s legacy of pairing exceptional gems with masterful craftsmanship.
Accompanying the necklace were matching Bulgari earrings and a ring, but it was a smaller diamond ring on her left ring finger that sparked global speculation. Reports confirmed that Zendaya was engaged to her longtime partner, Tom Holland, with the proposal occurring over the holidays in an intimate setting. The ring, designed by London-based jeweler Jessica McCormack, featured a bezel-set east-west diamond, estimated at around five carats. Unlike traditional north-south settings, which elongate the finger, the east-west orientation positions the diamond horizontally, offering a modern and unconventional aesthetic.
“The east-west setting is a hallmark of Jessica McCormack’s designs,” says Daisy Shaw-Ellis, Vogue’s jewelry director. “It’s a style that was popular in the Art Deco era and has seen a resurgence in recent years, thanks in part to celebrities like Zendaya.” Gemologist Olivia Landau of The Clear Cut predicts that Zendaya’s ring will reignite the east-west trend, noting its ability to showcase larger carat stones in a fresh, less formal way. The ring’s Georgian-style cut-down setting in 18k white and yellow gold adds a vintage-inspired elegance, perfectly aligning with Zendaya’s fashion-forward persona.
Bulgari: Zendaya’s Signature Jewelry House
Since becoming a Bulgari ambassador in 2020, Zendaya has consistently chosen the Italian luxury house’s pieces for her most significant red carpet moments. Bulgari’s history with Hollywood, from Elizabeth Taylor to Sophia Loren, makes it a fitting partner for Zendaya, whose style blends old-school glamour with contemporary edge. Her Bulgari looks are a testament to her ability to make bold jewelry feel effortless.
2024: Challengers Press Tour
Zendaya’s press tour for Challengers in 2024 was a masterclass in thematic dressing and jewelry. At the Australian premiere, she wore a custom gown with a tennis racket print, paired with Bulgari natural diamond drop earrings that added a touch of sparkle to the sporty ensemble. In Rome, she opted for a Bulgari Serpenti lariat necklace, worn against an open white blazer, showcasing the brand’s iconic snake motif. The London premiere saw her in Bulgari natural diamond earrings, a bracelet, and a ring, complementing a white dress that leaned into the “tenniscore” aesthetic.
2024: Dune: Part 2 Premiere
For the Dune: Part 2 world premiere in London, Zendaya made waves in Thierry Mugler’s 1995 robot suit, styled by Law Roach. She paired the futuristic look with a Bulgari collar featuring 381 natural diamonds and 22 sapphires, anchored by an 11-carat sapphire at the center. Later, she switched to a slinky black dress, accessorized with vintage Bulgari natural diamond earrings and a diamond and emerald ring. The contrast between the avant-garde outfit and classic jewelry highlighted her versatility.
2023: Bulgari Mediterranea High Jewelry Event
At Bulgari’s Mediterranea High Jewelry event in Venice, Zendaya wore an off-the-shoulder gown paired with a Serpenti statement necklace encrusted with natural diamonds and yellow diamonds at the center. The piece, described as a “jewelry legend” by Stellene Volandes of Town & Country, exemplified Bulgari’s ability to blend bold design with timeless elegance. Zendaya’s choice to let the necklace take center stage underscored her confidence in wearing statement pieces.
2022: Oscars and Emmy Awards
At the 2022 Oscars, Zendaya stacked 12 Bulgari Serpenti Viper bracelets and wore a white gold and pavé diamond Serpenti Viper collar, creating a look that remains one of her most iconic. The flexible bracelets, inspired by the fluidity of a snake, added a dynamic element to her ensemble. At the 2022 Emmy Awards, celebrating her historic win for Euphoria, she wore a Bulgari diamond collar and stud earrings, paired with a strapless black Valentino ballgown, evoking classic Hollywood glamour.
2021: Venice Film Festival and CFDA Awards
In 2021, Zendaya attended the Venice Film Festival in a wet-look Balmain gown, accessorized with a Bulgari Serpenti necklace. She was also spotted wearing a yellow natural diamond ring from Bulgari, a self-gifted “splurge” to celebrate her accomplishments. “It feels like it’s gonna be an heirloom, like one day I can give it to my grandchildren,” she told British Vogue. At the CFDA Awards, where she received the Fashion Icon Award, she wore a red Vera Wang two-piece set with Bulgari’s Diva’s Dream necklace, a high jewelry bracelet, dainty rings, and diamond stud earrings.
Beyond Bulgari: Zendaya’s Diverse Jewelry Portfolio
While Bulgari dominates Zendaya’s red carpet looks, she has also worn pieces from other prestigious houses, showcasing her versatility and appreciation for craftsmanship.
2019: Emmy Awards and Lancôme Idôle Launch
At the 2019 Emmy Awards, Zendaya paired a green Vera Wang corset gown with Panthère de Cartier drop earrings featuring diamonds, emeralds, and onyx, and a Cartier Agrafe cuff bracelet with 1,300 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling nearly 30 carats. The bracelet, retailing for approximately $236,000, was a bold choice that complemented her dramatic gown. At the Lancôme Idôle fragrance launch, she wore spiral-shaped diamond earrings from Chopard’s Haute Joaillerie Collection and two diamond statement rings from the Magical Setting Collection, each featuring concentric circles of diamonds surrounding a larger center stone.
2018: Oscars
Two years before her Bulgari ambassadorship, Zendaya wore vintage Bulgari diamond jewels from the brand’s archive collection at the 2018 Oscars, foreshadowing her future partnership. The archival pieces, rich with history, added a layer of sophistication to her look.
The Zendaya Necklace: Boutique Minimaliste’s Tribute
Zendaya’s influence extends beyond high jewelry to accessible fashion. Boutique Minimaliste’s “Zendaya Necklace,” part of Nicole Ballardini’s ‘Z Collection,’ is a testament to her impact on jewelry trends. Priced at €59, the necklace features a gold-plated stainless steel chain and a 12mm four-leaf clover pendant encrusted with a cubic zirconia stone. At 15.7 inches with a 5cm extender, it’s designed to be waterproof, non-tarnish, and perfect for gifting. Handmade in Lisbon, the piece reflects Zendaya’s elegant yet approachable style, making her aesthetic attainable for fans.
Why Zendaya’s Jewelry Resonates
Zendaya’s jewelry choices are more than just accessories; they’re extensions of her personality and values. Her preference for bold, statement-making pieces aligns with her fearless approach to fashion, while her appreciation for craftsmanship reflects her respect for artistry. The east-west engagement ring, for instance, is a perfect encapsulation of her individuality—modern, unconventional, and reflective of her unique style.
“Zendaya’s jewelry is always reflective of her personality,” says Beverly Hills-based jeweler Martin Katz. “By orienting stones east-west or choosing rare gems like paraiba tourmaline, she gives classic designs a fresh perspective.” Her collaboration with Law Roach ensures that each piece is thoughtfully curated to complement her outfits, creating cohesive looks that resonate with audiences.
Her role as a Bulgari ambassador also underscores her commitment to sustainability and ethics, as the brand emphasizes responsible sourcing. The Natural Diamond Council highlights the importance of natural diamonds, like those in Zendaya’s Bulgari pieces, for their rarity and responsible values, aligning with her advocacy for meaningful fashion choices.
Setting Trends: The East-West Engagement Ring and Beyond
Zendaya’s east-west engagement ring has already sparked a trend, with jewelers predicting a surge in demand for the style. “For those seeking less traditional styles, east-west settings offer a fresh and modern approach to showcasing larger carat stones,” says Sarah Narici of Dyne. The setting’s ability to support larger stones, like Zendaya’s rumored five-carat diamond or Kate Hudson’s six-to-eight-carat ring, makes it a “flex” for those who want to stand out.
Beyond engagement rings, Zendaya’s influence is evident in the resurgence of statement necklaces, diamond collars, and serpentine motifs. Her Bulgari Serpenti pieces, in particular, have popularized the snake as a symbol of elegance and power, inspiring designers to incorporate similar motifs into their collections.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Sparkle
Zendaya’s jewelry journey is a testament to her evolution from a Disney star to a global fashion and cultural icon. Her ability to seamlessly blend high jewelry with personal meaning—whether through a self-gifted Bulgari ring or an engagement ring that redefines trends—sets her apart. As she continues to grace red carpets and inspire designers, Zendaya’s jewelry will remain a beacon of creativity, individuality, and timeless elegance.
From the 31-carat paraiba tourmaline at the 2025 Golden Globes to the vintage Bulgari pieces at the 2018 Oscars, each piece tells a story of craftsmanship, innovation, and personal significance. Whether she’s wearing a $6 million Bulgari Magnifica set or a €59 Zendaya Necklace from Boutique Minimaliste, Zendaya proves that true style transcends price tags—it’s about confidence, vision, and the courage to shine.