Editors

See 10 Show-Stopping Jewelry Looks from the Met Gala

EditorsSep 15, 2021

See 10 Show-Stopping Jewelry Looks from the Met Gala

Lots of Lorraine Schwartz, mega diamonds, and a timepiece were among the most impactful baubles.

20210915_MetGala-header-NEW.jpg
The 2021 Met Gala’s most compelling jewelry and watch looks ranged from demure to bold. From left to right: Kate Hudson in Lorraine Schwartz diamond and pink sapphire jewels; Normani in Lorraine Schwartz diamond, black opal and Paraiba tourmaline jewels; and Kaia Gerber in an Omega watch.
After a pandemic hiatus last year, the annual Met Gala benefitting the Metropolitan Museum of New York’s Costume Institute reconvened in person Monday night to celebrate its new exhibition, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.”
 
As in most years, the theme was widely interpreted, with some celebrities scantily clad (Zoe Kravitz, Julia Gardner, Nia Dennis, Anja Rubik, and Kendall Jenner, to name a few) others showing not an inch of skin (Kim Kardashian West), and everything in between. 
 
Across the board, the fashion was bold, and so were plenty of the jewels. 
Embed from Getty Images
 One of the evening’s biggest stars was Rihanna who, along with boyfriend A$AP Rocky, sported Balenciaga Couture. 
 
The pop and fashion star wore lots of jewelry to balance her gown’s yards and yards of fabric, more than 267 carats of diamonds from Bulgari alone.
 
The no-last-name-needed icon wore a platinum and diamond high jewelry necklace weighing 56.93 carats, a Bulgari convertible heritage necklace circa 1959 in platinum with 81.9 carats of diamonds, two Bulgari heritage platinum and diamond bracelets circa 1955 (weighing 59.5 and 60 carats), and a single high jewelry earring in platinum with approximately 9.23 carats of diamonds.
 
Though not visible in these red carpet shots, a special ring Rihanna wore was particularly timely.
 
 
At the opposite end of the sartorial spectrum was model Kaia Gerber.
Embed from Getty Images
She also wore a voluminous black gown, this one from Oscar de la Renta and inspired by a Dior gown Bianca Jagger wore to the Met Gala in 1981, but stayed deliberately minimal with her accessories.
 
The Omega ambassador wore an Omega De Ville Prestige Dewdrop timepiece with in steel with diamonds on the bezel and marking the hours on the black dial, with a black leather strap ($8,500).
 
The dainty timepiece was all the more noticeable for Gerber’s bare neckline and absence of necklaces or bracelets. She paired the timepiece with an Omega “Dewdrop” ring featuring a pear-shaped diamond solitaire ($14,700), and diamond Omega “Aqua Swing” earrings ($2,810).
Embed from Getty Images
All hail Normani. 
 
My favorite jewelry look of the night was this pop star’s abundance of Lorraine Schwartz. 
 
One could be forgiven for neglecting to notice Normani’s Valentino gown, eyes beelining for Schwartz’s exquisite black 25-carat Australian opal and 10-carat diamond drop necklace with an additional 45 carats of diamonds, plus Paraiba tourmaline, on the settings and chain. 

The blinding bling was topped off with pear-shaped diamond studs, and Paraiba tourmaline and diamond rings. 
 
Of all the celebs in Tiffany & Co.—and there were lots, such as Hailey Bieber, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laura Harrier, and Emma Raducanu fresh off her U.S. Open win—one was by far the most colorful and the most eye-catching.
Embed from Getty Images
“Gossip Girl” actress Jordan Alexander amplified her colorful Christopher John Rogers gown with Tiffany colored gemstones.
 
The centerpiece was a Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger “Daisy” necklace in platinum and 18-karat yellow gold with sapphire, peridot, tourmaline, and diamonds, and matching peridot and diamond earrings.
 
Alexander also wore a bracelet in platinum and 18-karat yellow gold with an orange sapphire and diamonds, and a Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger “Ailsa” ring in 18-karat yellow gold and platinum with diamonds. 
 
Tiffany’s diamonds made an impact as well, especially on Eileen Gu.  
 Embed from Getty Images
The freestyle skier, model and Tiffany & Co. ambassador accessorized with a jaw-dropping diamond pendant. Set in platinum, the center stone weighed more than 12 carats. 
 
Gu also wore platinum and 18-karat white gold rings with diamonds to top off her look. 
Embed from Getty Images
Speaking of long, glamorous pendants, in Lorraine Schwartz’s world, two are better than one.
 
Kate Hudson was the beneficiary of this high jewelry fairy godmother’s guidance, in a layered look comprising a 20-carat pear-shaped diamond pendant with 20 additional carats of diamonds on the chain and 49-carat natural pink sapphire pendant with 20 carats of diamonds on the chain. 

She also wore diamond drop earrings totaling 23 carats.
 
Oscars 2022, take note. This is how you do glamour. 
Embed from Getty Images 
Dramatic pendants are one way to don diamonds for maximum impact. Another is a high-wattage choker.
 
Brazilian singer Anitta chose the latter. Her simple black Dundas gown was the perfect backdrop for a showstopping Lorraine Schwartz multi-row diamond choker with a large pear-shaped diamond drop. 
 
She also sported an unexpected and super-sexy diamond hand chain that perfectly pulled together her night-out vibe. 
Embed from Getty Images
Gigi Hadid had some diamonds of her own to get excited about, which were on full display with the model’s Mid-century-esque Prada Barbie look. 
 
She wore a platinum and diamond necklace by Jaocb & Co. featuring multiple round diamonds in collet-style settings, with a 54-carat round diamond drop. 
 
The one-of-a-kind masterpiece is valued at $12 million. Hadid wore matching stud earrings. 
Embed from Getty Images
Sartorial gender standards have relaxed in recent years, and men seemed to enjoy pushing the fashion envelope at this year’s Met Gala.
 
One would be hard pressed to find a man or woman better dressed than Met Gala Co-Chair and red carpet darling Timothée Chalamet, who more a mix of designers to achieve his dapper suiting-meets-streetwear look, replete with a pair of tried-and-true Converse.
 
His jewels weren’t the flashiest, but they were the coolest. 
 
On his trousers he pinned a vintage Cartier “New York Cliquet” pin in platinum with diamonds, and a vintage Cartier “New York Star” brooch in platinum with diamonds, both circa 1929. 
Embed from Getty Images
Poet Amanda Gorman catapulted into the national spotlight after performing her original work at the presidential inauguration last January. 

Nine months later she was a Met Gala co-host. A tiara was the perfect accessory to top off a whirlwind fairy tale of a year. Gorman's was from Chaumet. 
 
“In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” opens to the public Sept. 17. 
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Stock image of gavel
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.

Eduard Stefanescu, left, and Sara Yood, right
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards Committee

Yood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.

MS Rau Aspen rendering
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in Aspen

The New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.

Recipients Collage 2025 - NJ (1872 x 1050 px) (1872 x 1052 px).png
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow Today

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Tiffany & Co. Paraíba tourmaline jewelry
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’s

Set in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.

Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
David Webb holiday window
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window Display

The jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.

Oscar Heyman Yellow Green Sphene and Diamond Ring
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene Ring

Take luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.

roseco-catalog.png
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line Catalog

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

IGI Design Contest Graphic
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting Submissions

This year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”

Jacquie Aiche Alien Heart Eye Inlay Necklace, Cicada Dragonfly Brooch, Harkness After the Rain Earrings
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool Blue

In its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.

GIA new colored stone report
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More Gemstones

Starting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.

Day’s Jewelers Salem New Hampshire store exterior
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth Store

The 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.

Americas Gold Chain Catalog Volume 3
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain Catalog

The new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.

F.P. Journe FFC prototype
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8M

The filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.

Rolex Miami store
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in Miami

The new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.

Stock image of consumers shopping in the winter
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November

Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.

National Association of Jewelry Appraisers logo
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference

“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.

Silas Smith and his Responsible Design Challenge Winning Pendant
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge Winner

Silas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.

Sothebys orangy pink The Desert Rose diamond
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu Dhabi

The sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.

National Jeweler columnist and Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’t

Most customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Guzema Once Upon a Time Collection Campaign
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday Collection

The collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.

Gemvision by Stuller MatrixGold 3.11
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGold

MatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.

Sign at the JA New York jewelry trade show
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York

The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.

Juell Kadet, former executive vice president of Rogers & Hollands
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96

Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.

Lumia 2 smart earrings
TechnologyDec 08, 2025
You’ve Heard of Smart Watches and Rings; Meet Smart Earrings

Billed as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.

Lionheart Wildflower Double Cocktail Ring
TrendsDec 08, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Celebrating December’s Birthstones

Don’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.

Robinson Pelham Tsar Star Earrings in Blaze
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ Earrings

The new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy