When it comes to style and skill, one of the world’s class footballers David Beckham is probably the envy of most men. No other man has put mens’ jewellery firmly on the style map like Beckham has. Let’s face it most men wouldn’t turn a blind eye if Beckham was all style and no skill on the pitch. But Beckham is blessed with style, substance and most importantly he ranks high because of his skill with the ball on the pitch.

You’ve probably seen all the pictures. First, there were the winning haircuts; floppy blonde, shaved head and the mohican. Then the tabloids captured him appearing at a nightclub in a sarong to reveal both body and the legs.

But it was when Beckham started wearing expensive diamond watches, jewellery and diamond earrings? Not just one diamond stud piercing an earlobe but two diamond earrings. It’s a head-turning remarkable style triumph by Beckham who effortlessly gave men permission to wear mens’ jewellery. Had another man tried to pull off wearing earrings he may have not been as successful.

At the Beckhams’ pre-World Cup party, again mens jewellery was on dazzling display. England’s full-back Ashley Cole arrived in his version of “Full length and Fabulous”. Naked from the waist up, Ashley Cole’s dinner jacket was replaced with mens’ jewellery.

And an exquisite diamond encrusted watch was the costliest item at the Beckhams’ charity auction created by Jacob Arabo, the sparklingly talented young jewellery designer whose name has fast become well-known in celebrity circles.

Arabo’s exquisite mens’ jewellery is much-loved by his clients not simply for being expensive but for transcending the classic designs. He takes credit for changing male attitudes to wearing jewellery. Pop stars and celebrities alike wear some of his creations like diamond-covered dice or mobile phones to stand out in photo shoots and pop videos.

Men’s jewellery has been reported to have risen by twenty percent. And the demand for diamonds has risen too, not surprising given the number of celebrities keen to flash a bit of bling for the cameras.

So there you have it. It’s official. Jewellery is not just for women anymore. For the trend conscious, urban, metrosexual man, wearing a piece of mens’ jewellery is the ultimate to looking cool. You only have to look at the growing array of mens’ jewellery; bracelets, earrings, chains and pendants being paraded in this year‘s catwalks. Men may even have their very own jewellery boxes soon to keep their prized pieces.

Gone are the days of the medallion man: all gold chains embedded in chest hair, a sore sight for any woman’s eyes. Numbered are the days when a young man will expose matted chest hair, allow his toned stomach to turn into a paunch, sprout nose hair and leave his nails uncut. Slowly yet surely grooming and mens’ jewellery are causing ripples in the male universe.

So whether it’s platinum or a combination of metals, diamond encrusted rings earrings or trinkets, jewellery designers are getting in on the act. Manufacturers in fine jewellery are expanding their lines for men’s jewellery too. So it looks as if the trend for mens’ jewellery is set to stay - diamonds or no diamonds.