MajorsMar 08, 2023
David Yurman’s New Brand Ambassadors Are All Under 30EditorsMar 13, 2023
Diamonds Were the 2023 Oscars’ Big Jewelry Winner
White gold and white diamonds proved their classic impact equates to high glamour.
The 2023 Oscars was all about white metals and white diamonds. Here, the star of the forthcoming “The Little Mermaid” live-action film, Halle Bailey, wears De Beers “Midnight Aura” necklace featuring more than 74.63 carats of diamonds.
Fashion trends come and go, and the red carpet may have been nixed in favor of a champagne-colored one, but diamonds are an Oscars constant, as was seen at Sunday night.
Actors brought the bling at the 95th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Hardly a one was without an impressive diamond necklace, bracelet, earrings, or brooch.
From Michelle Yeoh’s diamond headband to Michael B. Jordan’s Schlumberger “Bird on a Rock” brooches, scroll for the most memorable diamond looks of the bunch.
Embed from Getty Images
Florence Pugh gravitates toward the slightly daring and different when it comes to her major event style, as epitomized by the actress’ oft-present septum ring.
The Oscars were no different, and the risk paid off. Rather than a diamond collar or riviere necklace, Pugh wore a dramatic twisting Tiffany & Co. necklace from the “Botanica” collection in platinum with custom-cut diamonds.
She also donned platinum drop earrings with pink tourmaline and diamonds, a “Soleste” ring in platinum with a pink tourmaline weighing more than 6 carats and diamonds, and a “Soleste” ring in platinum with a morganite weighing more than 8 carats and diamonds, all by Tiffany.
Embed from Getty Images
Lady Gaga brought drama to the Oscars with her sheer plunging gown and eye-catching diamonds from Tiffany & Co.
She opted for a platinum and diamond collar from the house’s archives, circa 1955-1956, diamond stud earrings, a mixed cluster bracelet in platinum with diamonds from the “Victoria” collection, and an etoile five-row band ring in platinum with pave diamonds.
Embed from Getty Images
One can imagine a battle of the stylists over whose client gets to wear the most impressive Bulgari Serpenti jewel of the night (or at least fantasize about the drama).
The winner at this year’s Oscars was clearly the ethereal Angela Bassett, who shined in a high jewelry version of the house’s most iconic piece. Her Serpenti necklace in white gold featured more than 70 carats of diamonds.
She topped it off with a Serpenti bangle, diamond studs, and three rings, all in white gold with diamonds.
Embed from Getty Images
Michelle Williams’ delicate and detailed cape was anchored by rows of diamonds thanks to Tiffany’s “Victoria” necklace in platinum with diamonds.
The always fashionable actress also wore a “Victoria” tennis bracelet in platinum with diamonds and a “Schlumberger” ring in diamonds and platinum.
Embed from Getty Images
Rosettes and floral fashion embellishments were a big Oscars trend, worn by starlets like Nicole Kidman and Halle Berry.
Paul Mescal made a classic flower-in-the-lapel look his own when he combined a “Faune et Flore de Cartier” high jewelry brooch in platinum with diamonds. He also wore a Cartier “Just un Clou” earring in 18-karat yellow gold and a Cartier Prive “Tank Chinoise” watch with platinum case and leather strap.
Embed from Getty Images
Speaking of florals, actor and newly-minted Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan showed his excellent taste in jewelry this awards season was no fluke with his delightful pansy brooch.
From Fred Leighton, the platinum piece circa 1900 features diamonds and black velvet. Even better, Quan layered the brooch with another pin from Fred Leighton featuring a 2.5-carat lozenge-shaped diamond in platinum.
Embed from Getty Images
Like his famous-name counterpart, Michael B. Jordan scored all the points on Sunday among jewelry lovers when he wore two Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger “Bird on a Rock” brooches.
Arguably Schlumberger’s most iconic design during his Tiffany tenure, both brooches were crafted in platinum, 18-karat yellow gold, diamonds, and a pink sapphire for the bird’s eye.
One brooch featured a morganite weighing more than 32 carats, and the other a green tourmaline weighing more than 58 carats.
Men’s jewelry has certainly come in a long way in the time I’ve been covering red carpet jewelry and is now far more enjoyable to watch.
Embed from Getty Images
Call it a star turn for Halle Bailey, who will appear in the forthcoming “The Little Mermaid” remake.
The singer and actress’ De Beers “Midnight Aura” necklace alone from “The Alchemist of Light” collection featured more than 74.63 carats of diamonds.
Bailey also whore platinum and Asscher-cut diamond studs weighing a total 9.13 carats, an “Adonis” ring in platinum with 5.39 carats of diamonds and another “Adonis” ring in 18-karat white gold with 2.77 carats of diamonds.
Embed from Getty Images
Something about a bare neckline and a couple of layered diamond bracelets feels so intentional and fresh, as proved by Ana de Armas in Louis Vuitton.
She opted for two diamond bangles from the house’s high jewelry collection, designed by Francesca Amfitheatrof, as well as a diamond ring.
Embed from Getty Images
Zoe Saldana was the picture of bohemian elegance, giving a master class in how to make a major diamond necklace look easy and unfussy.
Hers was the “Pluie de Cartier Arabesque” necklace in 18-karat white gold and diamonds. She paired it with diamond and 18-karat white gold ear clips from 2007 and an 18-karat white gold, diamond, and cultured pearl ring, all by Cartier.
Embed from Getty Images
A severe beauty look and minimalist styling is key to Rooney Mara’s aesthetic, but the 2023 Oscars showed a sartorial stretch when the actress, who often wears no jewelry at all, wore not one but two statement diamond necklaces from Fred Leighton.
Of all the stars who turned to the red carpet fixture, Mara’s was the most exciting Fred Leighton look of the night.
She layered diamond and platinum choker circa 1910 and a diamond fringe necklace dated to the 19th century. She topped the look with an assortment of Fred Leighton diamond and platinum rings.
Embed from Getty Images
It was a repeat for Michelle Yeoh, in more ways that one. The “Best Actress” winner took home another trophy for her performance in “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and wore another combination of jewelry and timepiece from Moussaieff and Richard Mille, respectively.
Glowing in white, the color of the night, Yeoh wore a spectacular diamond necklace as headband, multi-line diamond earrings, and a pear-shaped diamond ring.
Continuing her relationship with Richard Mille, the actress sported an RM07-02 timepiece for her historic win as the first Asian Best Actress winner. I can’t think of a bigger celebrity moment for watches.
Embed from Getty Images
Brendan Fraser, the evening’s winner for “Best Actor,” capped off his awards season for “The Whale” at the Oscars with an antique diamond and sapphire lapel pin.
It added interest to an otherwise standard tuxedo.
Embed from Getty Images
Remember what I said about Angela Bassett donning the best Bulgari look at the Oscars?
Model and actress Cara Delevingne didn’t make it easy. The two were neck-in-neck in the race for most glamorous and blinged-out Serpenti necklaces.
Delevingne’s high jewelry Serpenti necklace featured nearly 64 carats of diamonds, plus two pear-shaped emeralds for the snake’s eyes.
She also wore a high jewelry Serpenti bracelet in white gold with 13.93 carats of diamonds, Serpenti earrings in yellow and white gold with 36 marquise-cut diamonds (3.87 carats), four pear-cut emeralds, and pave-set diamonds (2.76 carats of diamonds).
She topped it off with a 4.55-carat emerald ring in white gold with turquoise and diamonds.
Embed from Getty Images
A black chainmail dress was perfectly paired with diamond earrings that had a similar sinuous, draped effect.
Elizabeth Olsen wore Cartier ear pendants from 1990 in 18-karat yellow gold with diamonds, one of the few yellow gold moments of the night. She wore a similar in style 18-karat gold and diamond ring from 1995.
Embed from Getty Images
While white diamonds dominated Hollywood’s most glamorous night of the year, colored gemstones made rare but worthwhile appearances.
Jessica Chastain was the picture of classic Hollywood glamour, from her side-swept waves to her plunging strapless gown.
She delivered one of the night’s biggest necklace moments with a Gucci high jewelry lionhead tsavorite and diamond creation.
Embed from Getty Images
Representing Cartier as a brand ambassador, Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone donned a dramatic yellow sapphire drop necklace by the jewelry house.
The Cartier “Magicien” high jewelry necklace is crafted in 18-karat white gold featuring white and yellow diamonds in addition to the sapphire. Padukone also wore a diamond “Pluie de Cartier” bracelet and diamond Cartier rings over her black gloves.
Embed from Getty Images
Estate jewelry dealer and designer Briony Raymond was all over the Oscars, with Rihanna, Julia Louis- Dreyfus, Judith Light, and Marlee Matlin wearing her pieces. It’s safe to say 2023 is her year.
Sandra Oh had arguably the most statement-making look of the bunch thanks to her Briony Raymond Estate 18-karat yellow gold Harry Winston necklace with citrine center, surrounded by 77.7 carats of sapphires and 10.62 carats of diamonds.
Also from Briony Raymond Estate, Oh wore an 18-karat yellow gold, diamond, and sapphire Van Cleef & Arpels ring, circa 1950s, and an 18-karat yellow gold Regent-style ring 18 carats of Asscher- and baguette-cut diamonds.
Oh also donned one of Raymond’s unique designs, her 18-karat yellow gold “Sloasie” earrings with 2.36 carats of diamonds.
Embed from Getty Images
Three rows of dangling pink sapphires showed that a little color can give diamonds a run for their money.
Emily Blunt proved the point in statement Chopard earrings, giving her white gown a pop of color rather than the night’s monochrome white-dress-with-white-diamonds prevailing style.
More on Editors
The Latest
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
