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

Bulgari’s expanded factory in Valenza, Italy
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in Italy

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Jason McNary accepting FGI Fine Jewelry Rising Star award for Paola Sasplugas
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ Award

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

1999 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref.16516
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to Auction

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

gia1d100 btyb.jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

Carmelo Anthony and Jaylen Brown David Yurman campaign
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen Brown

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Woman wearing Zales jewelry
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine Jewelry

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

JAR Apricot Blossom bracelet
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry Collection

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

gia-topimage 0325.jpg
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Get online education from GIA experts.

National Jeweler columnist Lilian Raji
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of Mouth

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

Avi Levy
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth Officer

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

Scottsdale Fine Jewelers store exterior
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow Independent

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Cartier Exhibition Installation at Victoria & Albert Museum
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Bill and Birdie Levine of Van Cott Jewelers
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 Years

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

IJO Director Samantha Larson
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise Strategy

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.

Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host Convention

The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

Daymond John
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Dukachi Easter Bread Pendant
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ Pendant

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

Bremer Jewelry
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated Store

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

Tiffany & Co. Strong Like Mom campaign
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day Campaign

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Athena Calderone x John Hardy Collection
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired Collection

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs Impact

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

Natural Diamond Council Diamond Learning Center Graphic
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning Center

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from Members

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.

Technology Therapy Group logo
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry Retailers

The online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.

Catbird Chicago
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to Chicago

The opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.

Foundrae United in Love Campaign
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through Love

The “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Robert and Rose-Marie Goodman outside Robert Goodman Jewelers
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-Up

Robert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.

×

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