Diamond Duet: A Look Back at the Lorraine Schwartz Jewels Beyoncé Has Worn to the Grammys

Beyoncé has attended the Grammy Awards nearly every year for well over a decade. After a rare two-year hiatus, the superstar will be back for the show on March 14 with her multi-nominated album Black Is King. It is certain she will take home some awards on Music’s Biggest Night and it is highly likely she will do so wearing diamond jewelry from her dear friend Lorraine Schwartz. 

After all, the enduring collaboration between the star and jewelry designer is remarkable and unprecedented; Queen Bey has sparkled in diamond jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz at every Grammys since 2004.. And while Beyoncé has worn Schwartz’s jewels on many other occasions, her appearances at the Grammy Awards have proven so consistent that they present a microcosm of her style evolution. 

It is worth noting, last month Beyoncé and Lorraine took their love of gems, that’s been on display for so long at the Grammys, to the next level with the announcement of The Beyoncé Knowles-Carter x Lorraine Schwartz GIA Scholarship. The initiative will sponsor tuition and expenses for two black students at the Gemological Institute of America. 

“It is an honor to have this scholarship in my name, but the best part is teaming up with my friend Lorraine Schwartz to give two people an opportunity to learn,” said Beyoncé.

Lorraine added, “This scholarship is a homage to Beyoncé for the inspiration she’s given me throughout my career.” 

See highlights of the Lorraine Schwartz diamond jewels Beyoncé has worn to the Grammys below. 

2018

“Bey wanted something oversized and avant garde for the 2018 Grammys,” remembers Schwartz. “I worked extensively with her stylist Marni Senofonte and made paper cut-outs of the earrings for shape and scale before manufacturing them. They were big but lightweight because we used titanium. They are covered in 70 carats of diamonds. Large diamonds totaling around 35 carats formed the centerpiece on the designs.”

Beyoncé paired the jewels with a velvet Nicolas Jebran gown and hat. The entire look was a tribute to the 1960s Black Panther Party, a movement that has inspired several of Bey’s ensembles over the years. 

2017

At the 2017 Grammys, Beyoncé was at the end of her wildly successful Lemonade album tour and pregnant with twins. After an ethereal medley of Love Drought and Sandcastles, she, alongside Jay-Z and Blue Ivy, took her seat wearing a dazzling Peter Dundas red sequined gown. The dress had a plunging neckline that framed her $12 million, 400 carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond necklace. Among all the jewels Lorraine has created for Beyoncé to wear at events, this was far and away the most impressive. It was a crown jewel for Queen Bey.

2016

“When Beyoncé looks at my jewels, sometimes she will like something and say ‘let’s remember this’,” explains Schwartz. “I often see the selection of dresses she is considering before an event. When I saw this—the Inbal Dror white dress she ended up wearing at the 2016 Grammys—I remembered how she liked my cognac diamond, white and blackened gold earrings. The shape of the design echoes the motif on her collar and looks like it was made to go with the dress, but they were already in my collection.”

2014

At the 2014 Grammys, Beyoncé paired Schwartz’s signature statement waterfall mesh diamond earrings with a white lace Michael Costello gown. She also ignited a luxurious red carpet trend the way she piled on several rings by Lorraine Schwartz. “Bey wanted a ring on every finger,” says the jewelry designer. “Each one was huge, like 10 to 25 carats. She repeated that idea with different rings at several events after the Grammys.” 

2013

Beyoncé was relatively minimalist at the 2013 Grammys. She coordinated rock crystal, black onyx and diamond Lorraine Schwartz bracelets and a 14 carat portrait cut diamond ring with a graphic black and white Osman Yousefzada pantsuit. “She liked the simplicity of two bracelets, one on each wrist, rather than stacked,” remembers Schwartz. “And the portrait cut diamond looked cool almost like a big piece of glass. It’s there without being there.” 

2011

Beyoncé went as casual as she gets—which is still pretty dazzling—at the 2011 Grammys. She wore a sequined blazer and shorts accessorized with a 100 carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond chain necklace. 

2008

At the 2008 Grammys, Queen Bey’s look was pure glamour. Her blue tulle and silver sequin Elie Saab gown were perfectly coordinated with a Lorraine Schwartz Zig-Zag Caviar Diamond Cuff and long wide diamond pendant earrings. “Beyoncé is my muse,” says Schwartz. “The way she wears the jewelry with such confidence, style and grace is forever inspirational.”