Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
EditorsSep 21, 2021
The Emmys Demonstrated 5 Jewelry Rules
There were important lessons to be learned on the red carpet.
Would it be a major awards show without a backless-dress-with-long-necklace moment? Arguably not. Ingenue Anya Taylor-Joy (left) took a go at the dramatic red-carpet jewelry look in Tiffany & Co. at the 73rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards held on Sunday in Los Angeles. Star-on-the-rise Cynthia Erivo (right), meanwhile, demonstrated how to inject a little of one’s own personality into a serious jewelry look, mixing her own pieces like Maria Tash earrings with Roberto Coin earrings and choker.
Held every September, the Primetime Emmy Awards don’t typically endure any type of award show competition, with the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and Oscars happening in the winter.
However, to echo a phrase I write too often to count, due to the pandemic, the Met Gala took place not on the first Monday of May as is customary, but less than a week before the 2021 Emmys.
That meant it was difficult not to compare the two, what with the Met Gala being so fresh in our collective cultural mind.
Since that event is all about Fashion with a capital F, the Emmys red carpet jewelry looks felt a little staid and a little too boring in comparison.
Since that event is all about Fashion with a capital F, the Emmys red carpet jewelry looks felt a little staid and a little too boring in comparison.
However, actors’ stylists demonstrated a few classic jewelry styling tips and tricks, some more basic than others, that serve as a good refresher on how to let statement gowns and major bling co-exist in harmony, because one doesn’t have to sacrifice the other.
So, in the spirit of back-to-school season, here are some educational takeaways from the awards show.
1. Black is carte blanche to go for all-out glamour.
Count on Billy Porter to deliver drama on any red carpet.
His outfit was hardly subtle, but a monochrome look really allows stylists like Ty Hunter to go crazy with the jewelry.
All of Porter’s jewels were by Lorraine Schwartz, the undisputable queen of red carpets, fresh off of her latest endeavor crafting the most elaborate Met Gala jewelry looks.
An extra credit styling trick here: Brooches turned into ear cuffs.
2. A strapless neckline is dying for a necklace … and earrings.
My jewelry preference runs to the “more is more” inclination.
A strapless neckline is perfectly complemented with a necklace, but pairing it with large earrings, too, is even better.
Embed from Getty Images
Michaela Coel, winner of an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, perfectly demonstrated this.
Her Anne Sisteron 14-karat gold and diamond necklace is extra impactful because of the neckline of her electric yellow Christopher John Rogers top.
Baroque pearl earrings from Alighieri Jewellery made the most of all that empty real estate, though gold-plated jewelry on a red carpet of this stature does make my stomach turn slightly. Costume jewelry should be reserved for the myriad press events leading up to the main show, or the Grammys.
If Coel had worn a pair of fabulous baroque pearl and diamond earrings, her look would go from an A- to an A+.
All shade aside, lots of stylists took advantage of the jewelry potential inherent to strapless gowns.
Embed from Getty Images
Catherine Zeta Jones wore a Lorraine Schwartz diamond necklace with huge diamond drop earrings from the designer.
Embed from Getty Images
Actress Yara Shahidi proved an off-the-shoulder neckline follows the same strapless neckline logic.
She was a vision in emerald and yellow gold “Cactus de Cartier” necklace and earrings.
3. Every awards show must have at least one backless gown/jewelry moment.
See rule 2. A bare back is just another opportunity for a killer necklace.
Embed from Getty Images
This awards show’s volunteer for the edict was Anya Taylor-Joy, nominated for her star turn in Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit,” who is loyal to her Tiffany & Co. deal.
The jewelry house ambassador wore two Elsa Peretti “Diamonds by the Yard” necklaces in platinum with diamonds down her back.
She also wore platinum and diamond cluster earrings; an unenhanced yellow sapphire bracelet with diamonds in platinum and 18-karat yellow gold; an unenhanced sapphire ring weighing more than 17 carats in platinum with diamonds; and a Tiffany “Victoria” diamond vine bypass ring in platinum.
She also wore platinum and diamond cluster earrings; an unenhanced yellow sapphire bracelet with diamonds in platinum and 18-karat yellow gold; an unenhanced sapphire ring weighing more than 17 carats in platinum with diamonds; and a Tiffany “Victoria” diamond vine bypass ring in platinum.
4. Combine major jewels with a dose of your own personality.
Cynthia Erivo is the poster child for this. She first popped up on my radar at the 2020 Golden Globes, wearing Bulgari high jewelry and a ton of diamond studs and hoops in her multiple piercings.
With that many piercings, this look clearly wasn’t for the benefit of an awards show and seemed to speak more to her personal style. She rocked the look again at the subsequent Critics Choice Awards, and Oscars.
Erivo doubled down on this original mixture of her own jewels with red carpet heavyweights in 2021, this time wearing jewelry in her septum piercing.
At the Primetime Emmys on Sunday she did it again, showcasing her fabulous ear array, septum piercing, and a to-die-for Roberto Coin diamond choker.
Erivo was the real-life equivalent of a Kira Kira filter, and takes home the Jewelry Girl award in my book.
Erivo was the real-life equivalent of a Kira Kira filter, and takes home the Jewelry Girl award in my book.
Embed from Getty Images
Erivo wore Roberto Coin’s “Pharaoh Cento” choker featuring more than 58 carats of baguette diamonds and retailing for $580,000. She also sported the “Cento” baguette diamond earrings in her first piercing, which sell for $8,880.
5. Be unique, if you dare.
Red carpet watching as a sport just wouldn’t be fun, or worth pursuing, if someone didn’t surprise us. Sometimes, my favorite dresses make the “Worst Dressed List.” (Case in point from the 2021 Emmys: Gillian Anderson in custom Chloe from new creative director Gabriela Hearst, which is gorgeous and has been generally panned.)
Actresses certainly don’t want to make that list, but it’s often where a lot of the best fashion lives, just as “Best Dressed” is often synonymous with “boring and least creative.”
So, while a custom grill might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I live for this unexpected dose of cool, as seen on Issa Rae of “Insecure” fame, and so do plenty of other red carpet watchers.
Rae collaborated with Grillz by Scotty on her special piece, and it’s not her first from the grill master.
On his personal Instagram, the jeweler tells a story of flying to Nice, France to deliver a grill for the actress’ wedding, getting there by the skin of his diamond teeth (get it?) because of an expired passport debacle.
For the Emmys, Rae partook in the naked dress trend so ubiquitous at the Met Gala, accessorized with her 22-karat white gold and diamond grill and 18-karat white gold and diamond Fernando Jorge “Disco” earrings from the “Brilliant” collection, which have graced the red carpet too many times to count because they are indeed the perfect big event earring.
The "Disco" earrings are so popular, I'm honestly considering creating a an Instagram account dedicated to them. Chances are (and fingers crossed) we see them back on the red carpet come January 2022.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
