The sighting: Rapper Lil Nas X didn’t win any awards at the 2022 Grammy’s, but his blinged-out red carpet outfit was delightful and that’s almost more important, in this writer’s humble opinion. But what jewelry did the Montero singer pair with his pearl-encrusted couture? Let’s take a look.

The jewels: Lil Nas X wore a structured Balmain suit encrusted in crystals and pearls (with matching shoes!!) and a beaded butterfly embellishment on the chest and back. It is whimsical, striking, and reflects the trademark blend of traditionally masculine and feminine aesthetics that the artist is known for rocking. Yes, it’s clothes, but I’m counting it alllllll as jewelry.

This wonderfully dramatic ensemble was accentuated with a pair of diamond line earrings and several diamond rings.

Photo from Instagram.

The trends: Pearls!! Pearls are in: especially unexpected, high-volume, non-traditional pearls. This outfit feels very of-the-moment, despite the fact that it’s not a brand new line and, in fact, Kim Kardashian wore a dress with a very similar look for her bachelorette party in 2012.

What do we think? I think this ensemble is perfect for Lil Nas X – it fits his performance persona magnificently. But I also think the strength of the look peters out when it gets to the actual jewelry. Can you imagine how fantastic this would have been paired with asymmetrical pearl earrings? Or jewels with a butterfly motif? Or colored gems to pick up the shades of the butterfly embellishment?

There’s nothing objectionable about the jewelry here. It just feels lackluster compared to the exuberance of the overall outfit.

Judgement: 7/10 for a delightfully extravagant look…which could have been even better if the jewelry had been different.