Editors

10 On-Theme Looks from the 2024 Met Gala

EditorsMay 07, 2024

10 On-Theme Looks from the 2024 Met Gala

Stars adorned themselves in emeralds, platinum, and myriad bird motifs, writes Associate Editor Natalie Francisco.

Cynthia Erivo, Zendaya, Lewis Hamilton at the Met Gala
This year’s Met Gala theme was “The Garden of Time,” celebrating the Costume Institute’s new exhibition titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” From left to right are three 2024 Met Gala attendees, Cynthia Erivo in Roberto Coin, Zendaya in Bulgari, and Formula One race car driver Lewis Hamilton in Briony Raymond.
Every year stars adorn themselves with diamonds and elaborate outfits to walk the red carpet at the Met Gala in New York, but not everyone manages to stay on theme.

The annual event is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, marking the opening of its spring exhibition. This year, it is “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”

Longtime Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, the chair of the gala, named the coordinating theme “The Garden of Time,” finding inspiration in the J.G. Ballard short story of the same name.

While floral patterns were prevalent on the red carpet Monday night, when it came to jewelry, emeralds, platinum, and bird motifs were everywhere.

Here are 10 on-theme looks from the 2024 Met Gala, in no particular order. 


Zendaya’s First Look
 
20240508_Zendaya Met_1.jpg


The “Challengers” actress and Bulgari ambassador embraced the garden theme, pairing her outfit with high jewelry from the brand.

Zendaya wore earrings with two oval-shaped emeralds and pear-shaped diamonds set in pink gold and a pair of cushion-cut emerald studs set in yellow gold.

On her hand, she wore a ring featuring a 9.29-carat cabochon-cut emerald surrounded by 24 buff-top emeralds and pavé diamonds. 


Zendaya Closing Out the Show
 
20240508_Zendaya Met_2.jpg


As one of the co-chairs of the event, it only makes sense that Zendaya had more than one outfit. Her second look embodied the darkness of sleeping beauties.

She wore it with a pair of Bulgari earrings set with two pear-shaped diamonds and a ring with an emerald-shaped diamond set in platinum. 

Cardi B
Cardi B stole the show with the largest gemstone worn at this year’s Met Gala.

The “Garden of Time” necklace by Kamyen featured a 141-carat Colombian emerald set in the center of 127 carats of fancy-shaped diamonds.

She also wore A. Jaffe rings with emeralds and diamonds.


Ayo Edebiri
Embed from Getty Images
Emmy Award-winner Ayo Edebiri, one of the stars of Hulu’s “The Bear,” wore pieces from Boucheron to her first Met Gala.

The actress wore the “Bleu Infini” pendant earrings with pearl-shaped aquamarines and pavé diamonds set in white gold.

On her hand she wore the “Hopi, the Hummingbird” ring with an aquamarine, diamonds and sapphires set in white gold.


Jeff Goldblum 
Embed from Getty Images
Following along with the bird theme, Jeff Goldblum wore Tiffany & Co.’s “Bird on a Rock” brooch on his lapel.

Designed by Jean Schlumberger, this particular “Bird on a Rock” uses a more than 52-carat green beryl as the perch for a platinum and 18-karat yellow gold bird with a pink sapphire eye and diamond accents.

Goldblum completed his look with Jean Schlumberger’s Tiffany “Ribbons Drop” brooch with an over 16-carat saltwater cream pearl set in platinum and 18-karat yellow gold and the “Vrille” brooch with purple sapphires.

He also wore the Tiffany & Co. “Cocktail” watch in 18-karat rose gold with pavé diamonds.


Demi Moore 
Easily one of the best dressed and most on-theme celebrities in attendance, Demi Moore complemented her Harris Reed dress crafted of vintage archival wallpaper with Cartier’s “Nature Sauvage Chloris” necklace featuring emeralds and diamonds and the matching “Nature Sauvage Chloris” earrings.


Cynthia Erivo

20240508_Cynthia Hamilton.jpg


“Wicked” star and this year’s Gem Award for Jewelry Style winner Cynthia Erivo adorned herself with a multitude of pieces from Roberto Coin.

Her ears were dazzling, with a pair of blue sapphire and pair-shaped diamond earrings set in 18-karat gold, 17-carat diamond hoops set in white gold, and 10-carat diamond hoops set in white gold.

She also wore the “Cento” three-row diamond band, the “Cento Dolce” diamond ring, and the “Cento Rosette” diamond band in white gold, as well as the “Cento” eternity band in platinum.


Lewis Hamilton
 
20240508_Lewis Hamilton.jpg


Formula One race car driver Lewis Hamilton paired his black ensemble with yellow diamond jewelry from Briony Raymond.

He wore fancy yellow diamond cluster earrings, the “Étoile” triple wrap ring with diamonds set in yellow gold, and a vintage 1960s ring with a 45-carat yellow sapphire and diamonds.


Usher 
Usher wore the magnificent “Ruby Billionaire III” timepiece by Jacob & Co.

Just the case of this watch contains 76 emerald-cut rubies in the frame, with an additional 76 rubies set on the inner ring, and a 1.14 carat rose-cut ruby set in the crown.

The band contains 504 emerald-cut rubies totaling 103.01 carats, all set in 18-karat white gold.

In total, there are 714 rubies adding up to 147.65 carats. The timepiece is priced at $5 million.


Amanda Seyfried
Embed from Getty Images
Amanda Seyfried complemented her metallic garden look with pieces by Chaumet.

She wore the brand’s “Mélodie Nacrée” tiara, which blended in with the curls of her silver hair, which she had dyed silver for the gala.

The “Mean Girls” star also wore Chaumet’s “Joséphine Duo Eternel” diamond earrings, and the “Laurier” and “Joséphine Aigrette Impériale” rings.

 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

Matching pair of Type IIa, D-color diamonds
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not Sell

A matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.

DeBeeers_Bridal_Display_Dune_1872x1052.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal Reinvigorated

Sponsored by A Diamond Is Forever

Faceting Apprentice gem cutting school
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone Cutters

The next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.

1872x1052-NextGem-2026-National-Jeweler-Advertorial.jpg
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry Retailers

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

Ocean Dream diamond
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17M

It was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.

Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting

Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.

Stock image of crime scene with police cars and crime scene tape
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in Violence

While the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.

Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las Vegas

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Jack Sutton Jewelers
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place Store

Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.

Winston Red Diamond painting by Reena Ahluwalia
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond Painting

Reena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.

Anna Maccieri Rossi Ora Wood Sunrise Cuff, Marie Lichtenberg High Jewelry Bandana, Anna Maccieri Rossi Carpe Diem Pendant
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will Survive

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.

The Retail Smiths founder and National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos

Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.

Jessica McCormack Medallion Capsule Collection Campaign
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for Summer

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

People shopping in a jewelry store
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers Today

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is Back

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.

Merle, Juanita, and Brent Staats of Staats Jewelers
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 Years

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Former Macy’s CEO Jeffrey Gennette
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers Board

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

Buddha Mama gold earrings hexagon emerald
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

Clientbook Logo
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store Events

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

Pandora lab grown diamond necklace
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond Claims

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

Ronnie VanderLinden and Feriel Zerouki
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

Glenn Spiro Old Moghul Golconda Earrings
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met Gala

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

Kennedy’s Jewelers tourmaline necklace
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award Winners

Two pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.

Brilliant Earth Jane Goodall olive branch necklace and earrings
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

Kashmir sapphire ring
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry Sale

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

Billy Welshoff
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account Executive

In his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.

José Gaztelu
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEO

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

×

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