Editors

See the Best Jewelry from the Met Gala

EditorsMay 03, 2022

See the Best Jewelry from the Met Gala

Kacey Musgraves, Blake Lively, and Emma Chamberlain had some of the evening’s most beguiling looks.

20220503_Met.jpg
Country music singer Kacey Musgraves wore De Beers jewelry at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2022 Costume Institute Gala.
The dress code for fashion’s annual escapist fantasy—a.k.a the Met Gala—was the Gilded Age New York, roughly spanning the 1870s to the early 1900s. 
 
For ladies, the Gilded Age meant corsets and lots of elaborate wardrobe details like ruffles, beading, lace, feathers, and fur. 
 
For the celebs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala, the sartorial assignment that emphasized luxurious details lent itself well to elaborate jewelry. 
 
A few attendees at Monday night’s gala earned an A+ in this editor’s view; see their looks below.

Embed from Getty Images
 
Kacey Musgraves had work to do at the gala. Hot off the success of her 2021 album “Star-Crossed,” the country music singer gave a surprise performance of the 1961 Elvis Presley ballad “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” in front of attendees like Priscilla Presley and the cast of director Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis biopic. (No pressure.)
 
In that context, we’ll consider Musgraves’ fabulous red carpet look extra credit. She topped off her bejeweled Prada gown with a full diamond suite from De Beers.
 
She wore the “Reflections of Nature Motlatse Marvel” necklace featuring 66 carats of white, pink, orange, and yellow diamonds set in 18-karat white, yellow, and rose, gold. 
 
Atop long black gloves she donned the “Volute” ring with 6.8 carats of diamonds including a stunning pear-shaped center stone set in platinum, and the 12.28-carat “Phenomena Glacier” diamond bracelet in 18-karat white gold.
 
She topped off the look with 4.04-carat diamond studs. 

Embed from Getty Images
 
Met Gala co-chair Blake Lively is a celeb who qualifies as a real jewelry girl. She has a longstanding relationship with Lorraine Schwartz and is frequently pictured sporting purchases from independent contemporary designers like Retrouvai, Marla Aaron, and Brent Neale. 
 
Her love for jewelry was fully on display at The Met. 
 
In this editor’s vote for best look of the night, Lively sported a Versace blush and blue gown with elaborate crystal bodice and an enormous bow that, untied, revealed a long train, inspired by New York architectural feats from the Gilded Age like Grand Central Terminal and the Empire State Building. The gown’s color scheme was a nod to the Statue of Liberty. 
 
Her custom Lorraine Schwartz jewels matched the Versace drama.  
 
She wore a crown with seven tiers, she explained to reporters, in line with the Statue of Liberty’s seven rays that represent the seven continents, sending a message of “inclusivity, welcomeness, and freedom.” The statue has 25 windows, so Schwartz set the tiara with 25 gems.  
 
Her Lorraine Schwartz earrings made the biggest splash, featuring giant emeralds and rose gold.  
 
Embed from Getty Images

Speaking of “jewelry girls,” Cynthia Erivo belongs to the same club. 
 
The actress and singer has a maximalist approach to jewelry and could give a master class in layering, often sporting multiple earrings and rings. 
 
It was a pleasure to see her embrace a different jewelry look for the Met Gala, as she donned an elaborate Roberto Coin necklace crafted just for her for the occasion. 
 
The choker featured 327 carats of fire opal and 40 carats of diamonds, and is valued at $140,000.
 
Erivo supplemented the look with a diamond and emerald “Snake Bangle,” the “Dahlia Cento” diamond bracelet, “Marquese” diamond bracelet, “Fiore Couture Cento” diamond ring, “Pink Sapphire and Cento diamond band,” “Rosette Cento” diamond ring, “Dolce 3-Stone Cento” pear-shaped diamond ring, and “Diamond Princess” tassel ring.
 
All in all, her full Roberto Coin look is valued at $436,000.  

Embed from Getty Images

YouTube star Emma Chamberlain had one of the night’s most alluring looks. The YouTuber’s Louis Vuitton outfit lent a modern freshness to Gilded Age glamour.
 
She paired her Louis Vuitton outfit with jewelry from Cartier. The tiara was antique circa 1911 Paris, an authentic nod to the time period, rendered in platinum with diamonds.
 
The choker was vintage too, circa 1928 Paris, also featuring diamonds set in platinum. 
 
Chamberlain also wore Cartier high jewelry earrings, Cartier 1895 earrings, Broderie de Cartier wedding bands, and several Étincelle de Cartier wedding bands, all in platinum and diamonds or 18-karat white gold and diamonds.

Embed from Getty Images

“Euphoria” actress Maude Apatow traded her fictional high school persona for Old Hollywood glamour.
 
Her off-the-shoulder Miu Miu gown provided the perfect neckline to showcase a killer necklace, and her parted hair the perfect canvas for a jewel, as well. 
 
Cartier rose to the occasion on both counts. Apatow wore the Cartier “Essential Lines” high jewelry necklace in platinum with diamonds, and a vintage Cartier “Flower” brooch circa 1939 Paris in her hair in platinum, 18-karat white gold and diamonds. 
 
She also wore Cartier high jewelry earrings in platinum and diamonds, an Étincelle de Cartier ring in 18-karat white gold with diamonds, and a Broderie de Cartier wedding band in 18-karat white gold with diamonds.
 
Embed from Getty Images

Singer Billie Eilish was transformed into a punk version of a Gilded Age lady thanks to vintage and antique jewelry mecca Fred Leighton.
 
All in all, she wore well over a dozen Fred Leighton pieces, proving that more is indeed more when it comes to fine jewelry.
 
Most notable was an early 20th century diamond swag brooch in platinum, worn pinned to a velvet choker. It was layered with an Old European-cut diamond riviere in platinum and gold circa 1900 and a diamond fringe necklace in platinum, circa 1900.
 
Eilish wore round diamond pendant earrings set in platinum and gold circa the 1910s, and too many rings to count, featuring diamonds and sapphires, all dating to the early 20th century.

Embed from Getty Images
 
Finally, what would a Gilded Age party be without some pearls? 
 
Actress Laura Harrier donned multiple pearl varieties in a bold David Yurman necklace. She paired them with pearl earrings from the brand. 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

Jeffrey Zimmer Reeds Jewelers
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer

Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.

Sothebys salon new bond street
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry Service

The new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.

Oscar Heyman 2025 Holiday Catalog Cover
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s Spectacular

The holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

LIM-401 2024 National Jeweler Supplier Bulletin- iD100 Web and Eblast FINAL (2) (1).jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Foundrae United in Love Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ Collection

The brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Kathy Corey
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy Corey

Corey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.

Colorado jeweler Peter Damian Arguello
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado Jeweler

Charles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.

ja_fall_2024_by_headshot_stories_6824.jpg
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the Corner

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Douriean Fletcher Messenger Collection
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MAD

The Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.

Logo for Timepieces at Luxury
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next Year

Timepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.

Max Fawcett Claibourne Poindexter
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department Leadership

The auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom Dixon

As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher of Shimmer LLC
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

Cooper Flagg family at Day’s Jewelers
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper Flagg

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

Pragnell Kitulo Garnet collection
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry

The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.

Astrid & Miyu 2025 12-Day, 24-Day, Solid Gold Advent Calendars
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent Calendars

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Front of Marla Aaron porcelain Nymphenburg Lock
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

Alisa Bunger Frederick Goldman
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of Sales

Jewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.

Feriel Zerouki, De Beers Chief Trade and Industry Officer
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.

Fabergé Imperial Winter Egg
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction

“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.

Kessler watch battery recycling program
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High

The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.

Katkim Men’s Collection Shadow Pendant Necklace and Anerise Signet Band
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s Collection

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.

Gemfields Rough Rubies
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11M

The rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.

“Storied Diamond Desert Sands of Eternity” engagement ring and wedding band
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

Emily P. Wheeler Ombré Collection Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ Collection

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

MRK x MFA Tsuba Charm Necklace Collection Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New Charms

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.

Stock image of a gavel and law books
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s Murder

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.

×

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