When K-pop icon G-Dragon took the stage in late December 2025 for the finale of his Übermensch World Tour and the Melon Music Awards, he wore something that transcended typical stage jewelry: The Bandana Royale necklace, a spectacular one-of-a-kind high-jewelry collar created exclusively for him by Jacob & Co. This extraordinary piece transforms the artist’s signature street-level accessory (the bandana) into a sculptural work of art rendered in 18-karat yellow gold and an astonishing 209.71 carats of precious gemstones.
From Street Symbol to High Jewelry
The bandana has long been one of G-Dragon’s most recognizable visual signatures. The Korean fashion icon, who became Chanel’s first Asian global ambassador in 2016, is known for draping designer silk scarves, particularly Chanel bandanas, around his neck as a signature styling element. These simple fabric accessories carry deep cultural history, associated with rebellion, music, identity, and the democratization of style across economic boundaries.
The Bandana Royale necklace takes this familiar motif and elevates it to the realm of haute joaillerie. Measuring 16.5 inches in circumference and weighing a substantial 559.3 grams of 18-karat yellow gold, the collar maintains the flowing, sculptural silhouette of a silk bandana while being fully realized in precious materials. According to Jacob & Co. CEO Benjamin Arabov, “G-Dragon has always embodied fearless creativity. This one-of-one creation reflects his world, which is bold, expressive, and constantly evolving.”
The transformation from fabric to jewelry required translating the soft, organic drape of textile into a structured yet flowing form that could support hundreds of gemstones while maintaining wearability and balance. From the initial sketches, the piece was shaped through direct collaboration between Jacob & Co.’s master jewelers and G-Dragon himself, with every aspect of form, scale, and symbolism refined together. The challenge was not merely technical but philosophical: how to preserve the bandana’s casual, rebellious spirit while creating an object of extraordinary luxury.
A Gemstone Spectacular
The Bandana Royale necklace is a masterclass in pavé setting, featuring 209.71 carats of carefully selected gemstones covering virtually every visible surface. The piece showcases 94.3 carats of white diamonds comprising 2,061 individual stones, creating a brilliant base that catches and throws light from every angle. Adding warmth and visual richness, 44.8 carats of canary yellow diamonds are interspersed throughout the composition.
But the true visual drama comes from the vibrant array of colored gemstones that punctuate the design. The collar features 54.6 carats of large colored gems, including rubies, emeralds, sapphires in various hues, and tourmalines, complemented by an additional 10.6 carats of smaller colored accents. These stones weren’t randomly selected; thousands of gems were individually sorted and evaluated to ensure proper color distribution, size gradation, and tonal harmony across the collar’s flowing curves.
The G-Daisy: Symbol and Centerpiece
At the heart of The Bandana Royale necklace lies the jeweled interpretation of G-Dragon’s most personal symbol: the G-Daisy, or simply “daisy.” This floral motif has been a recurring element throughout the artist’s career, associated with themes of innocence, rebellion, imperfection, and renewal. G-Dragon founded his fashion line PEACEMINUSONE in 2016 with his stylist Gee Eun, and the daisy, always with one missing petal to symbolize the beauty of imperfection, became its signature emblem.
The daisy in The Bandana Royale necklace features a 5.40-carat Fancy Yellow round brilliant-cut diamond at its center, surrounded by diamond-encrusted “petals” that create a dimensional, sculptural flower. Crafted with the same precision and care as the surrounding pavé, the daisy serves as both a visual anchor and a conceptual pivot for the entire piece. It prevents the collar from becoming purely ornamental or ostentatious, grounding it instead in personal meaning and artistic identity.
The decision to place the daisy at the composition’s heart transforms the necklace from an impressive display of wealth into a wearable narrative. The missing petal philosophy, celebrating imperfection and incompleteness as essential to beauty, adds layers of meaning to an object that might otherwise be read as simply extravagant. It’s a reminder that even in the realm of ultra-luxury, there’s room for vulnerability, philosophy, and authentic self-expression.
Featured images: Jacob & Co.
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