EditorsMay 02, 2023
At the Met Gala, Dua Lipa’s 200+ Carats of Diamonds Stole the Show TrendsMay 03, 2023
See 9 of the Met Gala 2023’s Most Memorable Jewelry Moments
Lots of layers, pearls, and even lab-grown diamonds made an appearance at the annual fundraising bash.
Stars turned out in elaborate jewelry for the 2023 Met Gala. From left to right: Emily Ratajkowski in Ana Khouri, Rihanna in Bulgari and other jewels, and Lily Collins in Cartier.
New York—The stars wore pearls, diamonds, and more pearls to celebrate Karl Lagerfeld at the 2023 Met Gala.
The annual fundraising bash and coveted see-and-be-seen event is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The night’s theme matches the Institute’s annual spring exhibition, and this year it is “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.”
One of fashion’s most significant voices, throughout his career Lagerfeld designed for houses like Chloe and Fendi, and eventually his eponymous line. His most influential role, however, was that of Chanel creative director, a position he held from 1983 to his death in 2019.
Accordingly, pearls were the gala’s jewel of choice, being synonymous with the French fashion house.
In addition to loads of white pearls, there were also some exquisite diamond pieces (click here for our senior editor’s favorite look of the night, Dua Lipa in Tiffany & Co.).
In no particular order, here are nine jewelry moments from the Met Gala not to be missed.
Embed from Getty Images
Cardi B’s Bhansali Cross
An oversized cross necklace comprised of diamond slices, each surrounded by diamond pavé borders, was an unexpected addition to rapper Cardi B’s pearl layers that served as the evening’s de facto dress code.
Strung on a simple black cord, the Bhansali design seemed to effortlessly coordinate with her pink and black tweed Chanel dress, the third of four looks she wore throughout the night.
Embed from Getty Images
Rihanna’s Mix and Match
Reportedly, Rihanna and boyfriend A$AP Rocky were the very last guests to arrive to the Met Museum, not that anyone would mind a late entrance from the fashion darlings.
Complementing the pregnant signer’s trailing white gown with floral appliques was a Bulgari high jewelry necklace in platinum with alternating rows of Akoya pearls and white diamonds.
Being the jewelry maximalist she is, Rihanna piled on another diamond and pearl double-strand necklace atop the Bulgari and wore a mix of floral and pearl earrings.
Embed from Getty Images
Michelle Yeoh’s Glamorous Cartier
Alongside a watch from her go-to Richard Mille, Michelle Yeoh donned a mix of jewels from Cartier that were befitting the newly minted Best Actress Oscar winner.
Most impressive was the high jewelry transformable necklace Yeoh wore with matching earrings, both in platinum and diamonds.
She also wore a Cartier high jewelry ring in 18-karat white gold with diamonds and onyx.
Embed from Getty Images
Amanda Seyfried’s Flapper-Meets-Disco Look
It was impossible to tell where Amanda Seyfried’s jewelry ended and her dress began.
The actress’ beaded Oscar de la Renta dress looked made to resemble her Cartier “Agrafe” jewelry suite.
At center stage was the multi-layer necklace, which she paired with earrings and a single ring. All were in 18-karat rose gold with diamonds.
Embed from Getty Images
Anne Hathaway’s Bulgari Choker
Anne Hathaway’s tweed Versace cut-out gown held together with gold and pearl safety pins was a sexy take on the Karl Lagerfeld-for-Chanel aesthetic.
Continuing the Italian interpretation, Hathaway opted to forgo classic strands of pearls or diamonds in favor of an unexpected Bulgari high jewelry “Monete” choker with a silver coin circa 400-350 B.C. and 34.85 total carats of pavé-set diamonds in yellow gold.
Hathaway wore the matching “Monete” bracelet with silver coin from the Macedonia Kingdom, circa 336-323 B.C. and depicting Alexander III, set in yellow gold with 44 fancy step-cut diamonds weighing a total 3.79 carats and pavé-set diamonds weighing a total 3.77 carats.
Finishing the look was a pair of 18-karat rose gold and diamond “Divas’ Dream” earrings; high jewelry ring in platinum 3.15-carat yellow diamond and white diamonds; a high jewelry “Serpenti” ring, “Monete” ring,” and two “Serpenti Viper” rings.
The Oscar-winning actress joined Bulgari as a brand ambassador last May.
Embed from Getty Images
Ana Khouri’s Time to Shine, Part 1
It’s not easy to rival the likes of Bulgari, Tiffany, and Cartier as an independent designer.
Ana Khouri is one of the few to consistently play among the heavyweights on the world’s most-watched red carpets.
Model Irina Shayk represented the design talent in a custom necklace comprised of two chains set with custom-cut baguette diamonds, followed by a diamond riviere-style necklace, and culminating in five pear-shaped diamond drops.
Embed from Getty Images
Ana Khouri’s Time to Shine, Part 2
Several celebs wore Khouri’s designs to the Met Gala. Sporting a rendition of the Brazilian designer’s iconic asymmetric earrings was Emily Ratajkowski.
She wore a “Philippa” diamond ear piece, “Philippa” diamond ear cuff, and a custom diamond drop earring.
Embed from Getty Images
Gigi Hadid’s Lab-Grown Diamonds
A romantic sheer Givenchy gown called for equally romantic jewels for Gigi Hadid.
The model sported the look of the night—pearl and diamond layers. The pearls were from Lagos and the diamonds were from lab-grown diamond company Smiling Rocks.
Embed from Getty Images
Lily Collins’ Old-School Glamour
Lily Collins seemed of another era with her Midcentury-inspired hair and makeup, but the real transporting factor was a suite of white diamond and platinum jewelry from Cartier.
The actress wore the “Claustra Voyage Claustra Voyage Recommencé” high jewelry necklace and earrings in platinum with onyx and diamonds.
She also wore a “Reflection de Cartier” ring in 18-karat white gold with diamonds and a “Cartier Les Oiseaux Libérés” ring in 18-karat white gold with sapphire, emerald, onyx, black ceramic, and diamonds.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Trends
The Latest
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
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.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
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.
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.
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.
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.
