About five minutes after Brad Pitt appeared in the blockbuster movie “Ocean’s Twelve”, wearing a silver-colored ring studded with diamonds, men were calling Tiffany’s to order their copies. Diamonds aren’t only a girl’s or a rapper’s best friend nowadays, as mainstream manly men are looking to add a little flash and luxury to their lives, too.Hollywood stars and sports icons heavily influence the movement toward men wearing diamond jewelry. Fashion-forward men are putting some thought into how this jewelry compliments their carefully chosen wardrobes, and regular guys are looking for affordable designer watches, rings, and even earrings in record numbers. Men tend to prefer the look of round cut diamonds because of the way the light shines through a round cut stone, but beyond that, the sky is the limit.

Men are getting more comfortable showing their wealth and status through their jewelry. Diamond rings are often set with other precious or semi-precious stones, watches have room for a couple of really spectacular diamonds, and necklaces for mainstream men are appearing with the flash and sparkle of diamonds in the pendant or along the whole length of the chain. There could be a rock star or Hollywood movie star in any man just waiting to strut his stuff.

A watch with a couple of big diamonds set into the face has always been a sophisticated sign that a man has really “arrived.” Watches in white or yellow metal with a couple of carats surrounding the face aren’t that expensive, and add a classic look to a man’s business attire. You can spend almost any amount of money you like on a diamond watch, from $200 to $20,000 or more. These pieces are quite beautiful and often feature chronographs, multiple time zones, and of course, 20 carats of fine diamonds.

When it comes to diamond jewelry for men, designers are coming up with lines of understated, masculine styles in silver and titanium studded with diamonds. Most regular guys aren’t looking for “bling-bling”, or diamond jewelry that shouts “I’m a rap star!” There’s even a line of men’s diamond rings that put the stones on the inside of the ring, with the outside being plain and simple metal.

While the ladies go for hearts in their diamond pendant shapes, men’s pendant fashions are a little more subdued. A classic cross or Star of David always looks lovely without going over the top. Animals such as tigers, lions, sharks and bears are available, and sports symbols such as diamond baseball gloves, boxing gloves, or footballs can add a little understated “bling” to a regular man’s wardrobe. A man can’t go wrong with his initials on a pendant in diamonds. For the man who hasn’t given up his pirate ways entirely, a long line of skulls or skulls and crossbones are available in diamond medallions.

And let’s not forget the diamond earrings. Diamond earrings aren’t just for pirates anymore! Men are less shy about having a pierced ear nowadays, and though even men’s earrings are always sold in pairs, most guys typically wear only one at a time. The classic and sophisticated stud can decorate a man’s ear in any situation. Some studs are more than just one single solitaire diamond. They usually have the diamonds set in a square pattern, sometimes with other colored precious stones or black diamonds for interest.

Black diamonds are becoming popular with men. The flash and sparkle of a large white diamond is considered too feminine by some men, so jewelers substitute black diamonds. Black diamonds haven’t caught on completely yet, but they are an alternative for an understated, but still expensive look, and add interest when patterned with white diamonds.

For the man who’s not afraid of looking flashy, there’s the hip-hop “bling” diamond jewelry. Here, bigger is better, because if you’re going to wear a status symbol, there’s no reason to keep it on the down-low! For this diamond jewelry, it’s not only about the total carat weight of the diamonds. Bigger stones set in big settings are sought after, with gold being the metal of choice for that extra flash. Chains are usually heavier, and pendants come in sharp and large shapes. Money bags, anyone? The hip-hop look doesn’t mind wearing earrings as a pair, so no need to leave one earring at the bottom of the jewelry box.

The diamond wasn’t always just given as an engagement ring gift to a true love. Men have been wearing diamonds since ancient times. In the Roman era, diamonds were believed to fill their wearers with courage and make them victorious over their enemies. A diamond set in gold and worn on the left side of the body was said to have the power to drive away nightmares. Modern men may be after a little “bling”, but diamonds themselves are an enduring symbol of strength and permanence.