Set your sights on the mind-blowing diamond jewels from Drake, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and the Notorious B.I.G at the American Museum of Natural History’s new exhibition, Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry.

The American Museum of Natural History was transformed into a vibrant homage to hip-hop culture with the Ice Cold opening party, celebrating the launch of Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry. The new and architecturally stunning Gilder Center and the renowned Gem Hall hosted the event. The atmosphere was electric as Hip-hop icons, including FERG and Slick Rick, as well as designers of some of the famed pieces, including Ashna Mehta, Jules Kim, and Alex Moss mingled with guests. The room buzzed with excitement as DJ Clark Kent spun tracks that set the perfect backdrop for a night filled with sparkling jewels and hip-hop flair.

“Jewelry is a cornerstone of hip-hop culture, and you can see the evolution of jewelry alongside the rise of hip-hop itself,” said Ice Cold guest curator Vikki Tobak. “From being a culture formed in communities and neighborhoods, and then stepping into its power and starting to impact global pop culture, hip-hop and its jewelry tell a bigger story. This exhibition explores that world of hip-hop’s culture of adornment and celebrates the pioneering artists and jewelers who made it all come together.”

Attendees dressed to impress in their best hip-hop-inspired looks, many decked out in their own dazzling natural diamonds. The exhibit is a treasure trove featuring a curated selection of over 80 pieces of hip-hop jewelry. From Slick Rick’s iconic gem-encrusted crown to the Notorious B.I.G.’s legendary gold ‘Jesus piece,’ The exhibit showcases the diversity and creativity of hip-hop jewelry. The Roc-A-Fella diamond medallion for Jay-Z’s record label, T-Pain’s Big Ass Chain, Nicki Minaj’s diamond set ‘Barbie’ pendant, Beyonce’s diamond nails, multiple diamond grills, and pieces from Erykah Badu, A$AP Rocky, Bad Bunny, Joey Bada$$, Tyler, the Creator, and more were all on display, representing a cross-section of hip-hop’s most iconic stars. In a conversation with FERG at the party, he told me he misses his jewels and sometimes looks for them before remembering ‘they’re in a museum!”

Curated by Vikki Tobak, journalist and author of Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History, alongside guest co-curators Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Karam Gill, the exhibition traces hip-hop jewelry’s evolution over five decades. It is an opportunity to appreciate how hip-hop has influenced mainstream fashion and jewelry design, transforming what was once niche into a globally embraced aesthetic. The exhibition, set in the Museum’s Meister Gallery, not only celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop but also traces its evolution through jewelry, beginning with the oversized gold chains of the 1980s, moving through the record label pendants set with diamonds in the 1990s, and continues into the 2000s, where avant-garde jewelry styles draw inspiration from high fashion, pop culture, and rap history.

A sea of dazzling jewelry surrounded guests, not just on display but also adorning the crowd itself. The packed audience marveled at the gem-encrusted pieces and how they tell Hip-Hop’s story over time. The energy in the room was contagious, and it was clear that perhaps no other jewelry exhibit had sparked so much public interest, which is a testament to the influence of Hip-Hop culture in the last 50 years.

“Ice Cold will truly spark a sense of excitement and curiosity into our world of jewelry and baubles as an extended form of hip-hop culture which has inspired the global stage as an extension of our art,” said hip-hop icon and Ice Cold senior advisor Ricky “Slick Rick” Waters. “This collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History is a harmonious blend of creativity and cultural significance. I’m very honored to be a part of creating a unique and immersive experience for the Museum’s visitors in such a renowned space in the mecca of New York City.”