Trends

Tiaras and Yellow Gold: Here Are the Oscars’ Best Jewels

TrendsFeb 27, 2017

Tiaras and Yellow Gold: Here Are the Oscars’ Best Jewels

And our awards for best jewelry go to … Oh, sorry, wrong envelope.

20170227_Oscars-header.jpg
Ruth Negga donned an Irene Neuwirth x Gemfields head piece fit for a princess.

Los Angeles--The 89th annual Academy Awards might have ended in a major gaffe last night when the wrong film was announced as the winner of Best Picture, but there is no question as to who was sporting the most impressive jewelry.

For National Jeweler, Best Actress nominee Ruth Negga (“Loving”) comes in first. She wore an exquisite Irene Neuwirth head piece, earrings and ring featuring Gemfields’ Mozambican rubies.



Neuwirth is arguably the independent designer most likely to show up at major awards shows alongside the larger brands that dominate the world of celebrity placements.

But even for Neuwirth, Sunday’s appearance was a spectacular once-in-a-career moment, facilitated by Negga’s partnership with Gemfields this awards season.

Neuwirth’s head piece alone utilized 146 carats of Mozambican rubies and was the perfect topper for Negga’s red Valentino gown.

The entire suite was set in blackened white gold, and the earrings and ring were adorned with white diamonds.



Jessica Biel was technically off-duty on Sunday night attending the Oscars on the arm of husband (and one of the evening’s performers) Justin Timberlake, but she played a leading role in the jewelry department.



Tiffany & Co. was responsible for Biel’s 18-karat gold and baguette diamond spiked bib necklace from the Blue Book 2017 collection, a design that is reminiscent of tribal jewelry. Worn atop a long-sleeve gold sequin dress by Kaufmanfranco, Biel proved that there’s no such thing as too much gold.


Speaking of gold, “La Land’s” Emma Stone was channeling the Oscar statuette in her Tiffany & Co. gold and diamond earrings and gold beaded fringe Givenchy dress.



The actress was clearly on to something, as she took home her first Oscar, winning Best Actress.



It was an Armani and Repossi repeat for French actress Isabelle Huppert, nominated for Best Actress for her role in “Elle.” This time around, Huppert’s Repossi ear cuff was a custom piece. Leave it to the French to deliver the most fashion-forward jewel moment of the night.



If there’s been one breakout jewelry star of the 2017 awards season, it’s Nirav Modi.

After gracing the neckline of Viola Davis at the SAG Awards (where Davis won for her role in “Fences”), Modi showed up at last night’s awards ceremony on “Hidden Figures” star Taraji P. Henson.

She sported Modi’s Luminance white diamond necklace and Evergreen Emerald ring.



Designer
Lorraine Schwartz is apparently a fan of the pastel gemstone trend. She adorned model Chrissy Teigen, who accompanied husband John Legend to the Oscars, in multicolor pastel diamond mesh-back earrings.

It was a fitting final awards season moment for Teigen, who made impressive sartorial and jewelry moves throughout, courtesy of stylist Monica Rose.



Actress Kirsten Dunst took a vintage Hollywood glamour approach to her Oscar night look, donning a classic black Dior dress that would have been just as appropriate in the 1940s as it is today.



Dunst’s Niwaka jewels were equally timeless. She wore an off-center, scroll motif diamond choker and paired it with simple diamond earrings.



A recipient of an Oscar last year, no one is able to combine glamour and effortlessness quite like actress Alicia Vikander.

Case in point: Vikander rocked a mega-watt diamond bib necklace from Bulgari with a black Louis Vuitton dress, but the actress still looked every inch herself, young and fresh, with her easy messy bun and natural makeup.

While awards shows are traditionally about playing dress-up and enacting fantasies, Vikander is the rare actress who can wear serious bling without the jewels wearing her.



Gold dresses at the Oscars were a trend and Best Actress nominee Nicole Kidman (“Lion”) chose to add a pop of color to her metallic Armani frock with Harry Winston diamond and spinel drop earrings.

It’s not too often that one sees a colored gemstone outside of the “big three” at the Academy Awards, but with spinel’s popularity on the rise, perhaps the stone will make a repeat appearance next year.



In addition to Negga’s Neuwirth moment, there were a few fine jewelry head pieces on the red carpet.

Presenter Salma Hayek was one of the ones who got it right. She wore a 19th century laurel leaf diamond headband and chandelier earrings from Fred Leighton.



Charlize Theron shined in major diamond Chopard earrings, from the brand’s Garden of Kalahari collection.

The jewels could be seen from a mile away but, upon closer inspection, they were slightly mismatched: one featured a massive 25-carat pear diamond drop while its mate was a 26-carat heart-shaped diamond.



Nominated for her role in “Moonlight,” actress Naomie Harris took a sartorial risk in her high-low Calvin Klein by Appointment dress. It’s the first red carpet look from the brand since designer Raf Simons took the reins.

Harris kept her jewels much more classic by comparison, with a diamond cuff and earrings by Bulgari.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

The entrance to The Plumb Club pavilion at JCK Las Vegas
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures Mount

The supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.

Woman wearing Blue Nile Royal Asscher jewelry
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond Beauty

Blue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.

Audemars Piguet Risoud Eclipse Necklace
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection

“Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

Juan Morales and Joseph Nicosia
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEO

As part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.

Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
American Gem Trade Association logo
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards Entries

Participants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.

Stock image a police car
Policies & IssuesOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-Grabs

The alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.

Cover.jpg
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk About

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The Retail Smiths Principal Partner Sherry Smith
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?

Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.

Molly Stillman @fashionveggie, Beth Jones @bjonesstyle, Helene Cortez @cortezhelene, and Haley Jordan @haleyjordan12 
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ Campaign

In the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.

Bryan Cowan and Tom Schwartz
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMO

FGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.

JIS Miami fall
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to Miami

The 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.

Gahcho Kue rough diamonds
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho Kué

It is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.

Tiffany gold cat pin Sandy Lerner
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner Auction

These jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.

Sorellina Postscript Collection Campaign Imagery of Paper Plane Pendant
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ Collection

The fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.

Bruce Bridges CIBJO
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO Board

The AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.

Aerial image of the Lungwebungu River
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership

The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.

Pandora facility Vietnam front view
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in Vietnam

The new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.

Surveillance images of robbery suspects
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab Robbery

Dubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 in 18-karat Jubilee gold with aventurine dial
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says

YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.

Peoples Training & Research Centre Gujarat India
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ Fundraiser

Proceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.

Meredith Young Nebula ring
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range

This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.

Time CEO Jessica Sibley, Botswana President Duma Boko, and Botswana Minster of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Joy Kenewendo in New York
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is Recovering

President Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”

Oscar Heyman A Living Archive Holiday Book
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’

The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.

Gemfields rubies
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby Mine

Its Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.

Hand holding a gas pump
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in September

Those surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.

JA New York sign
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking Event

The event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.

×

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