Last week, Lil Uzi Vert went viral after using Instagram to reveal his multi-year project: a $ 24 million pink diamond he implanted on his forehead. According to the rapper, he has spent the last few years paying the expensive diamond to complete the feat of body modification. While bizarre jewelry is endemic to rap culture – who can forget Gucci Mane’s iconic Bart Simpson? – Uzi seems to have taken things to a new level. He even tweeted the same. “If it is accepted from the start, it is not ICONIC,” he said in response to a wave of online critics and jokes.
The stone is courtesy of New York jewelers Eliantte & Co, who specialize in custom pieces worn by celebrities. Simon Babaev, speaking on behalf of the company owner, Eliott Eliantte, spoke with LOL for explain how this piece went from Uzi’s imagination to the front of his noggin.
When did Uzi approach you about the diamond?
It all started in 2017. As soon as he saw the stone, he really fell in love with it and said he would think about what he would like to do with it.
What was your initial reaction to the idea of putting it on your forehead?
We didn’t think he was serious about it, but when he started making payments on the specific stone, he made it clear that he was very serious.
Has anyone asked you to implant a diamond on your head before?
On the forehead? No, this is a little extreme. But just in the face, we’re done. In 2016, Young Thug had a diamond implanted on his face. It was shaped like a pear, like a teardrop, I think. He had it on his face for a while, but then I think he lost it.
Is there a difference between doing something like that on the face and on the forehead?
It’s just an application difference, actually.
It’s safe?
Yes, it is as safe as any other piercing. As long as you maintain it well and maintain it well, it is perfectly fine. We made sure that, before finishing anything, Uzi would bring someone to consult about everything. We didn’t just do it randomly.
How do you make sure you don’t fall?
In the world of body modification, they generally make everything from stainless steel or surgical grade steel. But in our case, we did everything with precious metals. We designed a specific assembly that can be secured and locked in place. There is a whole mechanism involved, it is not a standard piercing. A specific part and part were both designed with millimeter precision to be placed on it.
You work with many celebrities. Is this the most extravagant order you have ever seen?
Yes, that was definitely very extravagant. That would definitely be the top level by far. People made crazy custom pieces, but something that is done as a modification of the body, to have something cracked on your forehead? This is definitely the first time.
Do you think this will inspire a trend?
People always want something that no one else has. And mainly because we specialize in custom manufacturing, we will link to someone and it will become so popular that other people will request it or try to personalize it to make it yours. Uzi himself is a trend setter, so I wouldn’t be surprised if people out there asked for it. It’s crazy. Uzi is definitely a trend setter.