Nita Ambani’s TIME100 Gala Look Pairs Pearls, Kundan, and Diamond Glamour

Pearls looked anything but timid at the TIME100 Gala in New York, where Nita Ambani wore a multi-strand choker that made the case for statement pearls as serious high jewelry. Set against a handwoven floral saree, the necklace brought weight and polish at the throat, then sharpened the whole look with kundan work at the center, pearl-drop earrings set with diamonds, stacked diamond bracelets, and a statement ring.

The effect was not softness for softness’ sake. Multiple strands gave the choker the presence of a collar piece, while the kundan element anchored it in Indian craftsmanship rather than generic evening jewelry. The diamonds mattered too. They caught the light and prevented the pearls from reading old-fashioned, which is exactly why this kind of piece feels current: it combines tradition with the crisp flash expected on a global red carpet. At a gala where TIME described the evening as its annual celebration of the world’s 100 Most Influential People, Ambani’s jewelry read as both personal and diplomatic.

That diplomatic note was not incidental. TIME and Reliance announced TIME100 Next India onstage during the gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center, a project that will spotlight 100 emerging Indian leaders from India and the diaspora across arts, science, business, sports, advocacy, and more. The first TIME100 Next India gala is scheduled for December 2026 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai, extending the evening’s message beyond jewelry into cultural positioning. Ambani also used the moment to emphasize that Reliance’s vision has always been to bring the best of the world to India and the best of India to the world.

For anyone considering a similar pearl statement piece, the lesson is in proportion and purpose. A single strand can be elegant; a multi-strand choker signals occasion. Kundan or diamond detailing at the center gives the necklace a focal point and keeps it from feeling flat across the neckline. The best setting for this kind of jewel is one that sits high and clean, especially with a saree, a strapless gown, or any neckline that leaves room for the piece to frame the face.

Ambani’s choice also came after her April 22 TIME100 Summit appearance, when she wore a handwoven Jamdani sari from West Bengal by Biren Kumar Basak, woven over 24 months. Taken together, the two looks show a clear strategy: Indian handcraft, whether textile or jewelry, can carry the full authority of a global stage when it is styled with precision, scale, and conviction.