1800 Tequila’s drive to push taste boundaries aligned with Janelle Monáe’s Afrofuturism mindset and hopeful visions of what lies ahead’s to produce a stunning, ethically-produced diamond she donned close to her heart.
It was a fitting positioning for the Grammy-nominated artist whose “Dirty Computer” album celebrates challenging societal norms and the concept rooted in using science and technology in a socially just manner.
“To shine, and to create something truly iconic, you have to think differently,” said Janelle Monáe of the tequila diamond she wore earlier this month to the Met Gala. “It’s all poetic when you think about it – just like diamonds form under pressure, reimagining how diamonds are made takes a future-focused vision and dedication. And to wear an ethical diamond from 1800 Tequila on the red carpet … felt like a fitting tribute to that.”
While dozens opted for bold, and often big, million-dollar gems, Monáe’s prominently-placed jewel featured a diamond fragment enlarged with agave vapors to produce a luxurious look.
Wondering how the award-winning tequila brand pulled off that feat of science? Arts & Antiques made it plain. The beverage company’s 1800 Cristalino was vaporized, then sealed in a chamber with a seed diamond. A seed diamond, sometimes only as thick as a human hair, lends structure to atoms that attach and expand into a larger, lab-grown jewel.
Jewelry designer, Jonathan Raksha of Maison Raksha, crafted the final piece with inspirations from agave’s spiky plant leaves. Upside down diamonds created a pointy perimeter to surround the larger center stone.
The 1800 Tequila brooch also incorporated elements of the Cristalino’s iconic bottle and reflected the liquor’s clarity.
“Every detail of the 1800 Tequila diamond brooch was crafted to embody the spirit of liquid in solid form,” said Raksha. “…Iit was exciting to translate my design language into something more than just a jewel, but a bold statement that introduced the brand’s first tequila diamond.”
