Recorded WebinarsApr 18, 2022
Watch: The History of Jewelry TrendsEditorsMay 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.
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.
More on Editors
The Latest
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
