CollectionsFeb 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jade Ruzzo’s ‘Tennessee’ Oval Drop EarringsHeidi Gardner, an SNL cast member, wore the smoky quartz earrings on the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” red carpet on Sunday.
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingFeb 21, 2025
Zambia Lifts 15% Export Duty on Gemstones, Metals The reversal comes less than two months after the Zambian government reinstated the tax in an effort to bring in more money.
MajorsFeb 21, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Names New PresidentThe organization also announced its newly elected officers and directors.
Brought to you by
Get Ready for the JA New York Spring ShowThis year will feature a new MJSA Showcase and partnership with Piazza Italia.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Anglo Writes Down Value of De Beers by $2.9B As anticipated, Anglo took another impairment charge on the diamond miner and marketer, which saw revenue sink 23 percent in 2024.
Weekly QuizFeb 21, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Harry Winston’s Son Donates Fancy Red Diamond to the SmithsonianRonald Winston is giving the 2.33-carat “Winston Red” to the Smithsonian, 67 years after his father donated the Hope Diamond.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
GJEPC Names New Chairman, Vice ChairmanKirit Bhansali, a partner in Smital Gems and chairman of India Jewellery Park, will take on the role of chairman.
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored GemsColored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?
IndependentsFeb 20, 2025
IJO Elects 4 New Board MembersAlisha Cornett, Nic Faini, Eric Stevens, and Seth Shipley have joined the organization’s board of directors for a three-year term.
CrimeFeb 19, 2025
Brink’s to Pay $42M After Admitting to Illegally Transporting MoneyThe company has to pay the Justice Department and FinCEN for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, the U.S.’s main anti-money laundering law.
SourcingFeb 19, 2025
Diamond Mining Company CEO Steps Down Amid Sales Slump, LayoffsPetra Diamonds Ltd. CEO Richard Duffy resigned as the diamond miner reported a 30 percent drop in sales to start its fiscal year.
ColumnistsFeb 19, 2025
The Smart Lab: Maximizing Your Jewelry Brand on PinterestPinterest is a potential gold mine for jewelry brands, Emmanuel Raheb writes, provided they follow these five tips.
MajorsFeb 19, 2025
Cartier Opens New Store Inside LAXThe boutique is the French luxury brand’s first airport store on the West Coast.
CollectionsFeb 19, 2025
Swarovski’s NYC Flagship Celebrates Ariana Grande CollabThe store’s facade now features the iconic swan logo and campaign images of the “Wicked” star.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2025
New Customs Requirements for Diamond Imports: What We KnowBeginning in April, companies importing diamonds into the United States will have to list the country in which the diamonds were mined.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2025
A Menagerie of Fabergé Coming to Sotheby’sAround 30 whimsical Fabergé animal carvings will go up for auction at Sotheby’s Geneva in May.
SourcingFeb 18, 2025
Celine Assimon Stepping Down as CEO of De Beers JewellersAssimon will be leaving at the end of February after nearly five years with De Beers.
CollectionsFeb 18, 2025
Tabayer Debuts Its First Men’s Jewelry SelectionsDesigns from the brand’s “Oera” collection have been reimagined with modern masculinity in mind.
SourcingFeb 14, 2025
Navneet Gems Now Offering Unheated Montana SapphiresThe wholesale collection features material from the Rock Creek mine in a variety of colors.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Carolyn Rafaelian Partners with ‘Long Island Medium’ StarThe “Divinely Guided” collection, created in collaboration with Theresa Caputo, features symbols that celebrate the power of connection.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lorraine West’s Diamond ‘Open Heart’ RingShow some love on Valentine’s Day with this 14-karat yellow gold ring that features pavé diamonds.
CrimeFeb 13, 2025
Macy’s Employee Foils $1.5M Jewelry Theft The employee confronted the thief, causing the suspect to flee and leave behind the suitcases full of jewelry.
SourcingFeb 13, 2025
Namibian Diamond Co. Suspends CEO, COO After Deadly Heist Namib Desert Diamonds also put its security manager on leave following last month’s robbery that left one employee dead.
Events & AwardsFeb 13, 2025
AGTA Announces Buyer’s Choice Award Winners for Spectrum, Cutting EdgeAGTA recently concluded its 2025 GemFair event in Tucson and is already gearing up for next year’s show, set for Feb. 2-6, 2026.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2025
Royal Chain Releases Its Spring 2025 CatalogMore than 400 new pieces are featured in the supplier’s latest catalog.
TrendsFeb 13, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Hearts for Valentine’s DayThis curation celebrates love with heart-shaped jewelry of all shapes and sizes.
Policies & IssuesFeb 13, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires The fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
