Blingbling

Bling-bling, often written as bling or bling-bling, is a slang term that refers to conspicuous display of wealth through jewelry and other flashy accessories. The word is an onomatopoeia, intended to evoke the clinking, glinting sound of metal and gemstones. It entered mainstream English in the late 1990s and early 2000s, gaining prominence through hip hop and urban culture, and has since become a broader descriptor for ostentatious fashion.

Typical manifestations include gold chains, diamond-encrusted watches, grills, oversized rings, designer sunglasses, and other luxury items worn or carried to signal financial success, status, or street credibility. While rooted in African American and Latino communities in the United States, the bling aesthetic has spread worldwide through music videos, fashion, advertising, and entertainment, influencing jewelry design and consumer expectations around luxury. The appeal is partly cultural identity, partly aspirational, and partly a visual shorthand for achievement.

Variants of the term include 'bling' and 'bling-bling'; some use it more broadly to describe a flashy aesthetic beyond jewelry or to describe things that glint conspicuously. The concept has faced criticism for materialism, stereotype reinforcement, and crystallized wealth imagery. Proponents note its role in self-expression and economic empowerment for some artists and communities. In media, the bling concept remains a recognizable shorthand for wealth, success, and glamor across multiple genres and markets.