Editors

See the 5 Best Met Gala ‘Camp’ Jewelry Looks

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.

20190509_Met-header.jpg
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.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Hogback diamond ring
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home

A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.

Kris Averi Rainbow Prism Thorn Ring
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ Ring

The rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.

A tray of Rembrandt charms
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’

The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.

Brought-To-By-Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center Stage

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

Bernard James Knickerbockers Special Edition Aura Band
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with Ring

The Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.

Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Brandee Dallow
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEO

Dallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.

Mejuri Steel Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With Steel

Its new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.

DCA-NJ-article-1872x1052-060826.jpg
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce Solutions

DCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.

Watches and Wonders 2027
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 Dates

The week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.

New Gem Legacy board members Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy Board

The three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.

Smart Age CEO and National Jeweler columnist Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online Cart

Jewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Hyacinth Charm on Hackmanite Bead Strand, Peach Opal Bead Strand, Hydrangea Charm on Aquamarine Bead Strand
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-Trend

The fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.

“Elements” bracelet best of show AGTA Spectrum 2025
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026

This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.

Columbia Gem House alexandrite
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee Online

The collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.

Dhaval Raja
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales Officer

Dhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.

Francesca Villa On the Road Collection Race On Brooch and Long Road Necklace
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’

The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.

A group of Paraiba tourmalines, two of which are possibly from Ethiopia
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in Ethiopia

SSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.

Etsy Shop Other Jeffs campaign on a truck
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime Day

As Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.

Cole Winward
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship Winner

Cole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.

Picture from press conference in Basel for new trade show, Basilia
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in Basel

Scheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.

Gem Awards 2027 Logo
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination Period

Submissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.

Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace Ball watch
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball Watch

The beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.

Sotheby’s Paraiba tourmaline 7.70 carats
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby's

The recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”

Almasika Le Cauri Endiamanté Drop Earrings
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine Power

She wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.

Graphic for Episode 6 of My Next Question featuring Michelle Orman
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken Bathrooms

Couture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.

SSEF emerald with filler
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled Emeralds

The lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.

Former Patek Philippe President Philippe Stern
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88

The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.

×

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