ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
EditorsMay 04, 2016
11 Jewels That Captured the Met Gala Theme
The pieces our associate editor thinks really embodied the idea of Man vs. Machine at the annual benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
The theme of this year’s Met Gala proved to be one that was interpreted widely by the celebrities who walked the red carpet at the annual benefit, held Monday evening in New York.
“Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” was meant to point out the differences between clothes made by man and those made by machine, haute couture versus ready-to-wear and mass produced versus handmade.
The outfits and jewelry chosen by those who walked the red carpet seemed to bring a wide range of reactions on the Internet, as social media channels and live updates allowed the masses to instantly review and divide themselves along the lines of like or dislike.
For clothes--and even in some cases, eye makeup--this meant a lot of metallic from celebrities and their stylists.
(And if you missed it, be sure to check out actress Claire Danes’ light-up dress; it was a hands-down hit. The Zac Posen design was created with custom fiber optic-woven organza.)
In jewelry, there were a lot of long earrings and bold, large metal pieces, as well as vintage-inspired pieces and the white diamond jewels that have ruled the red carpet for a while now.
Though I couldn’t get credit info in time, I thought that this hand piece on entrepreneur and businesswoman Julie Macklowe really nailed the Man vs. Machine theme. Model Gigi Hadid also had on some pretty amazing rings, topped off with a $2,000 chrome nail manicure.
Here are a few more jewels that really captured the essence of the night.
Actress Emily Blunt donned a number of Forevermark pieces, including the modern, stylish Forevermark by H.J. Namdar diamond ear cuff in white gold pictured here.
Actress Jessica Chastain wore a stunning pair of long drop earrings in white gold with diamonds from the Piaget Couture Precieuse collection.
Lily Collins, actress and daughter of musician Phil Collins, dazzled on the red carpet in a Tiffany & Co. chain link choker.
Both Blake Lively and Kim Kardashian chose to up their style ante at the Met Gala with Lorraine Schwartz jewels, with the former selecting a pair of ear dusters and the latter also sporting a modern ear cuff. (Photo credit: Lorraine Schwartz Instagram)
Tennis pro Maria Sharapova went for a bold look with jewelry from Juan Carlos Obando (who also made her dress), donning a long earring on one side and a stud on the other.
Miss USA 2012 and Miss Universe 2012 pageant winner Olivia Culpo wore Bavna earrings and rings to the Met Gala.
Though I wasn’t fond of the whole outfit choice, I thought Taylor Swift’s Mattia Cielo earrings were a great look for the evening.
Actress Uma Thurman’s amazing vintage Cartier brooch had more than 83 total carats of diamonds.
More on Editors
The Latest
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
