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.
More on Trends
The Latest
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ CollectionAfter experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For AuctionIt is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate JobsThe retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond JewelryFrom sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry ShowHill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives ReplacedLondon-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
AuctionsOct 23, 2025
Freeman’s | Hindman Names New VP, Senior Specialist for Jewelry & WatchesAlexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.
AuctionsOct 22, 2025
Pink Diamond, Vanderbilt Jewels to Headline Phillips’ Geneva AuctionThe nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.
SourcingOct 22, 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.
CollectionsOct 22, 2025
Tiffany & Co.’s ‘Bird on a Rock’ Finds New PerchChief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
JFC Kicks Off Halloween Costume ChallengeFive dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
Hillsborough Antique Show Gets New OwnerRecently acquired by KIL Promotions, the November edition of the public show in San Mateo, California, will be held Nov. 7-9.
GradingOct 21, 2025
GIA Examines Rare Bicolor Pink DiamondThe stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.
MajorsOct 21, 2025
Pomellato Brings ‘Global Attitude’ to Rodeo Drive FlagshipHollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.
Lab-GrownOct 21, 2025
Grown Brilliance Opens First FlagshipThe New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.
Events & AwardsOct 21, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
AuctionsOct 20, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 10-Carat Vivid Pink DiamondMaking its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.
