TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
EditorsMay 09, 2019
See the 5 Best Met Gala ‘Camp’ Jewelry Looks
Fashion’s biggest night brought some colorful baubles to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s pink carpet.
Jennifer Lopez isn’t shy when it comes to rocking red carpet jewelry. At the 2019 Met Gala she wore Harry Winston’s “Purple Dragon Necklace.” (Image courtesy of Worldwide PR/Social Media)
The world’s chicest costume party took place this week, when the annual Costume Institute Gala, also known as the Met Gala, returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
This year’s theme was particularly fun. “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” inspired by Susan Sontag’s seminal essay of the same name, brought out all manner of fashion shenanigans (think chandeliers as gowns and light-up dresses).
Statement-making clothing doesn’t always leave much room for fantastic jewels. Luckily, more than a few stylists thought well enough to pile on the bling.
Here are five looks to delight jewelry lovers.
Embed from Getty Images
Lupita Nyong’o sported a colorful array of Bulgari jewels. The centerpiece was a 41-carat emerald and gold necklace with amethysts, rubies and diamonds from the house’s archives, circa 1989.
She wore a bracelet in the same colorful palette, made of gold, emeralds, amethysts, rubies, cultured pearls and diamonds, from 1988.
Other archival pieces were a platinum and gold ring with sapphires, rubies and diamonds; platinum ring with emeralds, sapphires and diamonds; gold earrings with emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds; and a gold ring with emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds; all circa 1960.
Fitting the theme’s maximalist mood, Nyong’o didn’t stop there.
She also wore two high jewelry rings—a 12.85-carat cushion-cut cabochon pink tourmaline set in white gold with emeralds and diamonds, and a 10-carat cushion-cut cabochon sapphire with emeralds and diamonds set in rose gold.
Embed from Getty Images
The Met Gala happens the first Monday in May, and, like Nyong’o, actress Lily Collins gave a nod to the month by complementing her Valley of the Dolls-esque garb and hairstyle with some emerald jewelry.
Collins sported a Cartier emerald, rock crystal, onyx, black lacquer and diamond necklace in platinum, as well as matching emerald, rock crystal, onyx and diamond earrings in platinum. Both were from the house’s “Magnitude” high jewelry collection.
She also wore a “Pluie de Cartier” ring in 18-karat white gold with diamonds.
Embed from Getty Images
Channeling a glamorous flapper, Jennifer Lopez’s Harry Winston “Purple Dragon Necklace” featured a 65.32-carat purple sapphire and 129.48 carats of round brilliant, pear- and marquise-shaped diamonds, all set in platinum.
That wasn’t all. The actress and singer complemented the jaw-dropping, one-of-a-kind piece with an array of platinum and white diamond jewelry: vintage chandelier earrings with 29.59 carats of diamonds from 1972; a 67.22-carat diamond bracelet; a 66.82-carat bracelet; a ring with 15.99-carat cushion-cut diamond; and a ring with 2.4-carat diamond.
Embed from Getty Images
Kendall Jenner is the face of Tiffany & Co.’s spring 2019 campaign, so it was no surprise to see the model decked in the house’s jewels.
To match her orange gown, she rocked a necklace with 19 Imperial topazes weighing over 75 carats and more than 40 radiant-cut white diamonds weighing over 11 carats. She topped off the look with matching earrings with over 23 carats of Imperial topazes, accented with round brilliant white diamonds. Both pieces are from Tiffany’s 2019 Blue Book collection.
Embed from Getty Images
Lady Gaga proved that, even with film awards season over (the actress picked up an Oscar for Best Song for the hit “Shallow” from film “A Star is Born” in February), 2019 is still her year.
The multi-talented star wasn’t set to perform at the gala, but perform she did, changing outfits as she descended the Met steps’ pink carpet.
But her nearly $2 million of Tiffany & Co. jewelry stayed on throughout the act. Gaga wore platinum and diamond stud earrings; a 6-carat pink sapphire and diamond ring in platinum; 5-carat sapphire ring with diamonds set in platinum; 5-carat spinel and diamond ring in platinum; and 13-carat rubellite and diamond ring in platinum.
The show-stopper, though, was a 15-carat diamond and platinum ring, priced at over $1.1 million.
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
