While the world knows Erica Diggs as the bold “Bling Queen” of the NFL and Hip-Hop, a 2021 feature in W Magazine revealed a softer, more intimate layer of the celebrity jeweler’s life. In an interview focused on the work of acclaimed photographer Mayan Toledano, Diggs was highlighted not just for the ice she crafts, but for the profound humanity and resilience she carries as a mother and entrepreneur.
The profile, created in partnership with Google’s Creator Labs, captured Diggs during a pivotal moment of transition—navigating the challenges of the pandemic while leveling up her professional expertise. It offered a rare glimpse into the woman behind the “persona,” showing that her greatest masterpiece isn’t made of 14-karat gold, but of the strength she instills in her daughter and the technical mastery she brings to her trade.
The Deli Encounter: A Five-Year Connection
The story of how Diggs ended up in the pages of W is as organic and authentic as her rise in the jewelry world. Photographer Mayan Toledano first encountered Erica and her daughter, Laila, in a Brooklyn deli five years prior. In a city where thousands of people pass one another without a second glance, Toledano was struck by the “kindness exchanged” between the mother and daughter.
Toledano, an immigrant seeking to build a home and a sense of belonging in New York City, saw something in Diggs that resonated deeply—a sense of anchored strength. She asked to take a photo of Laila on the spot, and that chance meeting blossomed into a long-term artistic collaboration and a genuine friendship. “I admire Erica for her confidence and her ability to pass strength onto her daughter,” Toledano remarked. For Diggs, the project became a visual testament to her role as a “breadwinner, teacher, and daycare” during a global crisis that forced many mothers to wear every hat at once. It moved the narrative away from the transactional nature of the “ice” business and into the emotional heart of why Diggs hustles so hard.
The Evolution of a Craft: Becoming a Gemologist
Beyond the poignant family portraits, the 2021 feature shared a major professional milestone for Diggs: the completion of her formal studies in gemology. While Diggs had already established herself as a master of “hip-hop style” jewelry and high-quality grills, she understood that longevity in the Diamond District required more than just a good eye and a celebrity network—it required the scientific authority of a specialist.
Her pursuit of gemology was a strategic move to “upgrade her practice” at a time when many businesses were retracting due to the pandemic. By mastering the scientific study of gemstones—understanding the chemical properties, light refraction, and internal inclusions that define a stone’s value—Diggs moved beyond the aesthetic. She gained the technical authority to navigate high-stakes negotiations with dealers and the knowledge to protect her clients from the “boogers” and “dookie” stones often found in the lower tiers of the market. This commitment to education underscored her mission to provide only the best for her family and her elite clientele. It transformed her from a “designer-for-hire” into a verified expert in the field.
Leading in a Male-Dominated Field
The W Magazine piece also emphasized the social significance of Diggs’ success. In an industry often dominated by white men—where the “old guard” of the Diamond District can be notoriously insular—Diggs stands out as a woman of color who has not only survived but led.
Toledano’s photography captured Diggs in vibrant, soft pinks and glitters—a stark contrast to the gritty “Guns, Guts, and Grills” image often projected in the jewelry trade. The visual direction of the feature stripped away the “fake voice” Diggs often mentions having to navigate in professional settings, showing an entrepreneur who finds herself through her jewelry practice. It proved that strength and “sparkle” are not mutually exclusive; you can be a field medic who survived the Iraq War and still find beauty in the delicate massaging of your daughter’s shoulders. Diggs’ presence in these high-fashion spaces serves as a beacon for other women of color entering trades where they have historically been excluded from the bench.
The Pandemic Pivot: Motherhood as the Ultimate Motivation
Throughout the feature, the recurring theme remained Diggs’ relationship with her daughter, Laila. The pandemic had redefined motherhood for Erica, turning her into the primary educator and provider in a way she hadn’t anticipated. The “Ways of Seeing” series by W highlighted how mothers became the silent backbone of the global recovery, and Diggs was the perfect embodiment of that resilience.
As Toledano noted, Diggs has a rare ability to pass her confidence onto the next generation. The photos weren’t just about fashion; they were about the transmission of energy. Seeing Erica and Laila together, the viewer sees the legacy of a woman who is building a business not just for the “now,” but for the “next.” For the woman who outfits the NFL’s brightest stars and Hip-Hop’s biggest legends, her most important “collaboration” remains the one at home. She is teaching her daughter that an entrepreneur can be both a warrior and a nurturer.
Transparency as a Brand Pillar
What makes Diggs unique—and what the W profile captured so effectively—is her refusal to hide the work that goes into the “drip.” She doesn’t just show the finished pendant; she talks about the CAD design, the gemological certification, and the late-night studies. This transparency has become her brand pillar.
In a world where many celebrity jewelers rely on mystery to justify high markups, Diggs uses her platform to educate. Whether she’s discussing the “I-quality” boogers in diamonds or the rising cost of gold, her goal is to demystify the industry. This honesty is what has kept her relevant for over a decade. Her clients don’t just trust her eye; they trust her ethics. She is the jeweler who will tell you if a stone isn’t worth the price, and she is the mother who will show you the reality of balancing a million-dollar business with the demands of a growing child.
Conclusion: The Legacy of the Alchemist
Erica Diggs remains a rare gem in an industry of replicas. From her early days delivering grills via the PATH train to her 2021 recognition in W Magazine, she has remained 100% authentic. The 2021 interview serves as a reminder that behind the custom gold grills and the VVS diamonds is a woman dedicated to the craft of gemology and the art of raising a strong daughter.
She is no longer just the “Bling Queen”; she is a scholar of stones and a pillar of her community. As she moves forward with her new digital show, Drip With Diggs, and her restructuring of the grills business to keep quality affordable, the lessons from the pandemic—patience, education, and family—remain at the core of everything she does. As she famously says, “Everything about me has to sparkle,” and in 2026, that sparkle is more than just jewelry—it’s the legacy she’s building for Laila and the industry at large.
