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Billy Porter Made a Statement in Diamonds at the 2021 Emmys … But Will Men Dripping in Diamonds Become a Trend?

He wore earrings, bracelets, rings and a huge diamond necklace.

Published

2 years ago

September 22, 2021

Beth Bernstein

Style-setting actresses had some major competition in the bling department during the 73rd Prime Time Emmy Awards: The men turned up shimmering in diamonds from neck to hands. For numerous seasons, we have witnessed the “man brooch” become the jewel to watch for guys on the red carpet. But during the Emmys, everyone from Jon Batiste in Cartier to Billy Porter in Lorraine Schwartz was draped in diamonds. Billy Porter piled on more jewels than any of the women at the awards (and just might have worn more jewels than some serious collectors have amassed over many years). He wore all of the major trends in diamonds—from multiple earrings to wide bracelets to an emerald and diamond statement necklace to fingers full of rings. Coco Chanel’s advice, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off,” didn’t seem to have an effect on Porter’s jewel styling or the black wings that he wore as part of his fashion statement. Porter has worn jewels before, but he outdid himself at the 2021 Emmys. Porter speaks about the importance of diverse representation, and we love that about him. But we think you should go slowly on when suggesting diamonds to men visiting your stores. Many men still think a watch, a bracelet and a wedding band is being overdressed when it comes to jewelry, so we think you can introduce one diamond piece and slowly teach men how to incorporate them into their daily looks. We suggest you start with a diamond accented signet ring, a bracelet or a diamond tie clip or “man brooch” for starters. But we thank Billy for being an original!

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When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”