Diljit Dosanjh wanted to wear world’s most expensive necklace to Met Gala but Cartier said ‘No’
Diljit Dosanjh made a majestic splash at the Met Gala 2025 – and no, we’re not being dramatic. The Punjabi superstar turned up in full regal glory, effortlessly blending his cultural roots with the evening’s “Black Dandyism” theme.Dressed by Prabal Gurung, Diljit delivered a look that was both personal and political, steeped in heritage while nodding to contemporary fashion ideals. But if things had gone exactly to plan, his Met Gala moment would have included one very famous (and very expensive) piece of jewellery: the legendary Patiala Necklace.
Yes, that necklace.
Before we dive into the bling saga, let’s talk about the fit. Diljit showed up in a custom ivory ensemble inspired by royal Sikh attire – a long kurta and draped tehmat, paired with a richly embroidered cape inscribed with Gurmukhi script. His signature turban and a traditional sword completed the look, cementing his status as both a cultural ambassador and a fashion risk-taker. It was bold, unapologetically desi, and deeply meaningful.
Diljit Dosanjh at Met Gala 2025
“It’s what I’ve been doing all this time,” he told The New York Times. “It’s about carrying your identity with pride, right?”
Now back to the necklace.
Diljit’s team had their hearts set on borrowing one of the most iconic pieces of jewellery in Indian and global history: the Patiala Necklace. Commissioned by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala in 1928 and crafted by Cartier, the original necklace was nothing short of jaw-dropping. At its centre was a massive 234-carat De Beers yellow diamond, surrounded by nearly 3,000 other diamonds. At the time, it cost around ₹10 crore, but today its estimated worth soars to $2.5 billion (₹21,000+ crore).
Naturally, stylist Abhilasha Devnani reached out to Cartier to see if the brand would lend the historical necklace for the big night. The request was declined. The necklace or what remains of it, is now sealed away in a museum, too fragile and valuable to be lent out, even for the Met Gala.
Channelling his cultural roots through style and breaking Western fashion stereotypes, Diljit’s couture screamed of dramatic silhouette, rich colour, and iconic detailing. In true showman style, the singer-actor stepped out of New York’s Carlyle Hotel in an impeccably tailored white sherwani suit with a structured mid-slit and layered it with a traditional Indian cape, exuding royal finesse.(Image Credits: Instagram)
Here’s the twist, though: Cartier has previously lent out pieces of this very necklace. In 2022, influencer Emma Chamberlain wore a choker crafted from a segment of the Patiala Necklace to the Met Gala. Though not the entire original piece, the choker was part of the larger necklace that Bhupinder Singh had commissioned. This caused quite a stir at the time, especially since Chamberlain’s necklace was initially (and incorrectly) linked by some to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, causing controversy online.
The Patiala Necklace itself has a rather cinematic backstory. After India’s independence, the necklace mysteriously disappeared from the royal treasury. Decades later, fragments of it – minus many of the original stones, resurfaced at a Sotheby’s auction in 1982. Cartier acquired and partially restored what it could, but the original grandeur has never been fully recovered. Hence the nickname: “The Lost Diamond.”
So while Emma Chamberlain got to wear a slice of history in 2022, Diljit had to find another way to pay tribute. Not one to be defeated, his team commissioned Indian jewellers Golecha to craft bespoke jewellery inspired by the Maharaja’s collection, including a standout turban brooch. The result? A look that still turned heads and sparked conversation, without relying on museum pieces.
Diljit Dosanjh, left, and Prabal Gurung attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York.AP/PTI
In a year where Indian representation was stronger than ever at the Met Gala with Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Kiara Advani, and designers like Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra all in attendance Diljit carved out his own moment. His outfit was more than fashion; it was a statement of cultural continuity and pride.
And honestly? He didn’t need the $2.5 billion necklace to make it unforgettable. He was the moment.
