Header image courtesy of CNN.
When celebrities step onto the red carpet, we’re often too distracted by their stunning outfits to notice their jewelry, but sometimes, their dazzling jewelry steals the show. With thousands of photos being shot and an internet full of fashion critics, necklines, skin tones, color palettes, and outfit concepts must be considered before sending a client out. The decision on whether that means a 10 million dollar Tiffany & Co. necklace or turquoise jewelry mailed in from Navajo artists, it all lies in the stylist’s hands. If they choose right, the resulting look can break the internet and join a long list of iconic red carpet looks like those on this list. We’ve compiled 10 red-carpet jewelry looks that the internet hasn’t, and will never, forget.
Rihanna - The 2021 Met Gala “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”
Demna Gvasalia for Balenciaga and Bulgari
Image courtesy of Vogue.
When talking about iconic red carpet jewelry looks it’s impossible not to think of Rihanna’s from the 2021 Met Gala. Her stacked necklaces, singular earring, and bracelet totaled over 267 carats. Two of the pieces were over 60 years old with one necklace from 1959 and her bracelet from 1955. The glittering diamond-encrusted jewelry paired perfectly with her matching headpiece allowing for elegant pops of contrast to her all-black Balenciaga overcoat and gown. The look was topped off with a dark red lip and light pink eyeshadow look furthering the contrasts between dark and light in the ensemble.
Quannah Chasinghorse - The 2021 Met Gala “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”
Peter Dundas and Navajo Artists
Image courtesy of Vogue.
Quannah Chasinghorse, broke headlines with her Met Gala debut back in 2021. The then 19-year-old model felt it was important to represent her indigenous roots with the look through her jewelry. The dress's goddess-like design and deep V-neck perfectly framed the stacked necklaces and long dangling earrings creating a balanced ratio for the finished look. She told Vogue, “The turquoise jewelry represents protection, guidance, and love in the Navajo culture.” The turquoise jewelry, flown in from Phoenix, featured works from Southwest Navajo artists sourced from her aunt’s collection.
Dua Lipa - The 2023 Met Gala “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”
Chanel and Tiffany and Co.
Image courtesy of People.
When wearing a 1992 white tweed Chanel ball gown there’s really only one right way to accessorize—with a (reportedly) 10 million dollar Tiffany & Co. necklace. With so many beautiful looks at every Met Gala, it can be hard to stand out, but as a fashion icon, singer Dua Lipa never seems to have this problem. She was the first person ever to wear this 100-carat Tiffany necklace that we’ll admit looks awfully heavy but super chic! It secured her spot on every best-dressed list for the 2023 Met Gala.
Nicole Kidman - The 2008 Academy Awards
Balenciaga and L’Wren Scott
Images courtesy of Only Natural Diamonds.
With one of the most unique pieces of jewelry on this list, Nicole Kidman’s 2008 Oscars look covered both her chest and back in a waterfall of diamonds. With 7,645 individual diamonds, the 1,399-carat L’Wren Scott diamond was one for the history books. Her simple black Balenciaga gown allowed for this statement piece to shine in more ways than one!
Celine Dione - The 1997 Academy Awards
Chanel
Image courtesy of Celine Dion Web.
Celine Dion showed her superstar status at the 1997 Academy Awards with a Chanel shooting star necklace inspired by a diamond jewelry collection designed by Coco Chanel herself. Her glittering Chanel gown allowed her to shine in the flash of the hundreds of photographers lining the red carpet. Her short brown blowout hair and tanned skin provided the perfect balance for this timeless look.
Zendaya - The 78th Venice International Film Festival
Balmain and Bulgari
Image courtesy of L’Officiel Singapore.
As a woman known for her show-stopping red-carpet looks, it should be no surprise to find Zendaya on this list. Promoting her then-soon-to-premiere film Dune, she drew all eyes to her in a perfectly fitted nude wet-look Balmain gown and 93.83-carat emerald serpentine Bulgari necklace, matching diamond earrings, and an emerald ring. This was only one of three beautiful looks that weekend, though this one was definitely the fan favorite.
Emma Chamberlain - The 2024 Met Gala “Garden of Time”
Jean Paul Gaultier and Cartier
Image courtesy of Vogue.
In 2024 Emma Chamberlain attended her fourth Met Gala as Vogue’s “special correspondent.” Known for her witty and relatable personality, this YouTube star shocked netizens with this earth-toned gothic look. They weren’t only obsessed with the beautiful gown complimented by a brown smokey eye look and slicked back bun, but also by the beautiful Cartier diamond choker and sparkling earrings. This wasn’t her first time wearing an eye-catching diamond choker to the Met Gala, back in 2022 she wore another Cartier necklace reportedly worth 30 million dollars.
Madonna - The 1991 Academy Awards
Bob Mackie and Harry Winston Jewelry
Image courtesy of ABC News.
The “Queen of Pop” has always known how to own a red carpet with her fashion, something that rang true for her 1991 Oscars look. Madonna’s Bob Mackie gown was designed especially for her and inspired by Marylin Monroe’s film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” As per Monroe’s iconic look from that film, Madonna was decked out in diamonds provided by Harry Winston. The diamond necklace, stacked bracelets, and earrings are the 2nd most expensive jewelry set on this list totaling 20 million dollars.
Billie Eilish - The 2021 Met “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”
Oscar De La Renta and Cartier
Image courtesy of W Magazine.
Billie Eilish’s debut appearance at the 2021 Met Gala is a core memory for any fan, and for good reason. After a year and a half of black hair with green roots, Billie debuted her platinum blonde hair, swapping her usual baggy black clothes for a blush-colored floor-length Oscar De La Renta gown with a flowing train, and 30 pieces of Cartier jewelry. Those thirty diamond and 18-carat white gold pieces were made up of four bracelets, a pair of earrings, and a whopping 25 rings. As with Madonna’s 1991 Oscars look, there’s no better way to accessorize a Marilyn Monroe-inspired look than with lots and lots of diamonds.
Hilary Swank - The 2000 Academy Awards
Randolph Duke and Asprey & Garrard
Image courtesy of Town & Country.
Going back into the archives a bit, Hilary Swank’s $250,000 Asprey & Garrard diamond necklace from the 2000 Academy Awards was a piece of history. The over-100-year-old necklace was originally made for one of Queen Victoria’s daughters in 1890. Paired with her short hair, and newly won Best Actress Oscar, its intricate design and large size worked in perfect contrast with the simplicity of her bronze Randolph Duke gown.
We hope you enjoyed this list of the most iconic jewelry looks on the red carpet. Comment down below with your favorites!
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