Trends

See the Best 2020 Oscars Jewels

TrendsFeb 10, 2020

See the Best 2020 Oscars Jewels

Hair jewels and killer necklaces stole the show.

20200210_Oscars.jpg
Charlize Theron wore a platinum and diamond Y-necklace from Tiffany & Co. to the 92nd annual Academy Awards held Sunday night in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles—The 2020 awards show season has provided a glittering, jewel-filled array of red carpet looks, but it’s all really just an elaborate series of appetizers leading up to the main course—the Oscars.

We’ll let you be the judge if the 92nd Academy Awards, held Sunday night in Los Angeles, were worth the wait, or if earlier awards shows outshone the Oscars. 

Without further ado, here were the best jewels of the night.

Embed from Getty Images

There was nothing little about the Oscar jewelry style of the “Little Women” cast.
Best Supporting Actress nominee Florence Pugh wowed in Louis Vuitton jewelry designed by Francesca Amfitheatrof; her necklace was this editor’s favorite jewel of 2020 awards season.
The modern, asymmetric design was inspired by Joan of Arc, the designer said in an Instagram post.
Embed from Getty Images
Gucci debuted its first high jewelry collection at last summer’s haute couture/haute joaillerie week in Paris, and what better endorsement than on Best Actress nominee Saoirse Ronan?
Ronan sported colorful Gucci chandelier earrings, plus a charming hair clip.
Embed from Getty Images
Was it just me or was men’s jewelry style less prominent at the Oscars than at previous awards shows?
Leave it to tastemaker Timothée Chalamet to represent fashionable gentlemen everywhere, with a Cartier “Tradition brooch” circa 1955, featuring rubies and diamonds set in 18-karat white gold and platinum.
Embed from Getty Images
Why should actresses have all the fun?
Director Greta Gerwig rounded out the “Little Women” fashion parade with a Bulgari platinum, diamond and emerald high jewelry suite.
The emerald beads weighed more than 56 carats.
Embed from Getty Images
Charlize Theron has dared to be different this awards season, and though she might not have walked away with a Best Actress award, her jewels were absolutely winning.
She sported a 165-diamond Y-necklace from Tiffany & Co., valued at $5 million, featuring an incredible marquise-shaped diamond drop weighing more than 21 carats.
Embed from Getty Images
Gal Gadot might have to battle it out with Theron for the award for “Best Tiffany & Co. Oscars Moment” of the year.
Gadot lived up to her “Wonder Woman” alter-ego at the Oscars, though she traded in the superhero’s signature cuff bracelets for a to-die-for Tiffany & Co. “Clara” diamond necklace valued at $2 million.
Embed from Getty Images
Leave it to multi-hyphenate powerhouse Janelle Monáe to bring the drama to red carpet dressing.
You likely either hate or love her bold, hooded and crystal-covered Ralph Lauren number, but she gets the thumbs up from National Jeweler for remembering the cardinal rule—major fashion is no excuse for minimal jewels.
Monáe’s hooded look was that much more beguiling because it partially shrouded a mega-watt 18-karat white gold and diamond “Lace of Light” choker from Forevermark.  


Embed from Getty Images
Julia Louis-Dreyfus took a different approach, pairing a simple sheath with a statement jewel, letting the latter do all the talking.
The actress’ exquisite platinum and diamond “Wave” necklace was from Harry Winston.
Embed from Getty Images
Yes to independent designer representation on the biggest red carpet of the year.
Kristen Wiig’s outfit likely divided popular opinion, but her Nikos Koulis 18-karat gold fringe earrings were pure perfection.
Embed from Getty Images
Going for the gold, Rebel Wilson was nothing if not on-theme for the awards show. And she was far more glam than an Oscars statuette in her draping gold gown and bold vintage Pomellato collar and barrette.
Hair jewelry has been a red carpet trend this season, with nominee Scarlett Johansson sporting a silver-accented Oscars hairdo and Theron’s SAG Awards diamond hair part. (Lucy Boynton copied the look at the Oscars with pearls in her part to match her Chanel ensemble, but to less-successful effect.)
Wilson’s was the most classic take on the hair jewelry trend, a nod to old Hollywood glamour.
Embed from Getty Images
It is Salma Hayek’s tiara that easily owns best hair jewel of the entire 2020 awards season, however.
Bringing to life a mythical Greek goddess, the actress wore a Boucheron high jewelry headpiece, earrings and bracelet.
If only more actresses had taken the opportunity of a night filled with such pomp and circumstance to wear something truly memorable.
Embed from Getty Images
The impeccable Zazie Beetz has become one of this publication’s red-carpet favorites since her debut a few years ago.
For her most recent awards outing, the “Joker” actress sported a combination we can’t get enough of—demure attire with over-the-top jewels. In this case, a Bulgari diamond and emerald high jewelry suite that featured not one necklace, but two.
Beetz wore an 18-karat white gold, diamond and emerald choker atop an extravagant 18-karat white gold and diamond necklace.
Embed from Getty Images
“Harriet” Best Actress nominee Cynthia Erivo has been a breath of fresh air all red-carpet season long, in particular—from a jewelry lover’s perspective, naturally—because of her flaunting of her many ear piercings.
Her Golden Globes jewelry look was her strongest of the season, but it was delightful to see that she didn’t hold back from piling on the jewels (courtesy of Piaget) on her lobes and fingers at the Oscars, bringing a fashion-forward jewelry moment to the most iconic of red carpets.
Embed from Getty Images
Mindy Kaling went full drama for her Oscars night attire, sporting a Chopard diamond suite that she told reporters was inspired by the jewels featured in “Ocean’s 8.”
Embed from Getty Images
Why should necklaces have all the fun at the 2020 Oscars?
Regina King flaunted a perfect bracelet and ring moment in a slew of diamond Harry Winston jewels.
Her “Draperie Bracelet” boasted close to 50 carats of diamonds set in platinum.



Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th Anniversary

Cohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.

Peter Smith Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales

“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.

Lionheart Cassandane Collection Campaign
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’

The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.

GIA iD100®
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Instappraise NAJA
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New Scholarship

It’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.

Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
CASE Awards Graphic
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE Awards

The deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.

Industry journalist Rob Bates
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director

After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.

TopImageCrop.jpg
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

AMNH Beryl
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals Database

Wiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.

Boochier Flower Puff Campaign
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine Jewelry

The “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.

Community for Ethical Jewelry logo
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage Webinar

Set for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.

Lisa Bayer
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64

Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”

Tiffany & co diamond ring
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online Sale

The highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.

AGTA GemFair Tucson
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029

The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.

Tom Heap
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, Watches

Former Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.

NYPD robbery media
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery Suspects

The group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.

Georgia May Jagger in Tommy Hilfiger campaign
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, Women

Movado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.

Couture Time to Watches logo
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This Year

Couture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.

Macy’s New York City Herald Square flagship
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’s

Plus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.

Jwaneng Diamond
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ Diamond

The flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.

Women wearing Zales jewelry
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen Banner

The jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.

Hand holding shopping bags
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026

From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.

26.36 carat round brilliant cut white diamond
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at Auction

The historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.

JCK Rocks Nelly Graphic
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With Nelly

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.

Lady Wardington and diamond-clip brooch
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161K

The model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.

My Next Question Episode 3 guest Johnny Nelson
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny Nelson

Fresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.

Lucara blue diamond
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue Diamond

The “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.

×

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