Dazzling Gems: Unforgettable Jewelry Moments from the 2024 Oscars Red Carpet

The 96th Academy Awards red carpet in 2024 was, as always, a sight to behold, bringing the awards season to a spectacular close. As the premier film awards ceremony in the United States, this red carpet has consistently championed traditional elegance in formal wear.

Consequently, celebrities needed to put extra thought into their jewelry choices to stand out and be remembered among the sea of floor-length, backless gowns. Indeed, making a lasting impression within the confines of red carpet rules is no easy feat.

This year’s Oscars continued the overall tone of the awards season, emphasizing strength – what we previously referred to as the “Warrior Woman Style.” However, on this red carpet, the looks were more streamlined, possibly influenced by the current “Clean Fit” trend.

Actresses opted for dresses with more defined silhouettes, featuring crisp lines and volumetric shapes. The jewelry, in many cases, embraced minimalist designs with straightforward brilliance, embodying the “Less is More” philosophy and emphasizing a powerful presence.

If Emma Stone’s Best Actress win for “La La Land” seven years ago was criticized for lacking gravitas, her performance in the feminist absurdist comedy “Poor Things” has silenced all doubters. At just 35 years old, Stone has clinched her second Oscar for Best Actress, solidifying her status as a top-tier talent among her generation of actresses globally.

Her red carpet ensemble was personally crafted by Nicolas Ghesquiere, Louis Vuitton’s Women’s Creative Director. The minimalist, mint green gown with its dramatic peplum waist and corset-like bodice paid homage to the fictional Victorian era in which her character Bella lives in “Poor Things.”

For such an unadorned, soft-colored dress, choosing an eye-catching piece of jewelry was crucial. It couldn’t be too intricate, as that would clash with the gown’s minimalist style, nor could it be too ornate, as that wouldn’t suit Stone’s artistic persona.

Fortunately, Louis Vuitton’s Jewelry Artistic Director Francesca Amfitheatrof excels at creating strong statement pieces. A choker necklace featuring a large yellow sapphire as its centerpiece became the perfect accent to the entire look. The diamond-set chain incorporates Louis Vuitton’s signature “V” motif, a classic hallmark of their high jewelry collection’s chain designs.

Yes, chokers are back! They’ve become one of the hottest jewelry trends this year. Gabrielle Union made a similar choice to Stone, wearing a gown that echoed Stone’s minimalist silhouette with a peplum waist and corset-style strapless bodice.

onsequently, she also opted for a similar style of choker necklace. However, as Union’s dress was adorned with silver embellishments, her necklace required larger gemstones to balance the overall look.

Union chose a piece from Tiffany’s Blue Book high jewelry collection. The diamond-paved chain hugged her neckline, complementing the dress’s brilliance, while a 33-carat aquamarine pendant took center stage – coincidentally, the birthstone for March.

America Ferrera wore a ruby and diamond choker from Pomellato, specifically the Castello necklace from last year’s Ode to Milan high jewelry collection.

Brittany Snow also chose a Pomellato choker, boldly pairing contrasting colors with her yellow gown and blue-purple tanzanite necklace. The Catene necklace features five tanzanites totaling 70 carats, set in the brand’s signature modern large chain design.

Eva Longoria appeared in a glamorous off-the-shoulder black gown, accessorized with a choker from Carl F. Bucherer’s high jewelry collection. Two diamond-set orbits converge on a 13-carat natural diamond centerpiece.

Julianne Hough wore a gold and diamond choker by Vhernier, an Italian brand known for its abstract sculptural designs in metal. Hough’s choice is a signature piece from the brand, contrasting smooth metal with pavé-set diamonds, which complemented the gold Bohemian fringe decorations on her Alexandre Vauthier gown.

Many stars at this year’s Oscars red carpet chose to wear just one piece of jewelry, proving that a single, impactful, and extraordinary piece can easily steal the show.

For instance, Margot Robbie once again opted for Fred Leighton vintage jewelry, boldly selecting a yellow gold and diamond bracelet by René Boivin. This choice echoed Carey Mulligan’s look at the SAG Awards, where she wore a choker from the same collection.

At the Oscars, Carey Mulligan also chose Fred Leighton vintage jewelry but limited her selection to a pair of dazzling diamond earrings. Paired with a black low-cut gown and long gloves, her look exuded the elegance of Hollywood’s golden era.

Veteran actress Jamie Lee Curtis donned a black gown accessorized with a single gold cuff bracelet designed by jeweler Cathy Waterman. The cuff featured a diamond-encrusted Winged Victory of Samothrace motif, perfectly exemplifying the power of a single statement piece.

Greta Lee’s dress featured a halter neckline, prompting her to choose a pair of brilliant and unique earrings as the focal point. These diamond earrings from Tiffany’s Blue Book high jewelry collection resembled paperclips at first glance but were actually chain earrings composed of diamonds. Their clean, decisive lines perfectly complemented her classic black and white gown.

Red carpet icon Zendaya graced the Oscars wearing a gown that intertwined rose and silver hues. She paired this with Bulgari earrings in shades of pink, featuring morganite, imperial topaz, and diamonds. This marked the most delicate and tender jewelry choice since Zendaya became a Bulgari brand ambassador.

Also opting for a romantic pink palette was Ariana Grande. To complement her dramatic pink bubble dress by Giambattista Valli, she chose a morganite set from Tiffany’s high jewelry collection. The ensemble evoked a distinctly springtime feel, suggesting that morganite might become the first “it” gemstone of the season.

Another pair of earrings that caught attention at the Oscars were the elegant and romantic pink jewelry worn by last year’s Best Actress winner, Michelle Yeoh. Designed by Cindy Chao, these coral earrings created a dreamy underwater scene with delicate conch pearls and sparkling diamonds.

It’s worth noting that Michelle Yeoh is a master at carrying statement jewelry. At the Vanity Fair after-party, she stunned everyone with a Cindy Chao-designed “Feather of Light” brooch.

Unlike the previous “Indian extravagance” trend, layered jewelry at the Oscars red carpet now exhibits a distinct structural sense. You won’t feel transported to the 20th century’s opulent style. Today’s actresses have mastered the art of layering, perfectly balancing mixing, stacking, and gradual progression. Each star demonstrates mastery in controlling the rhythm of their jewelry ensemble.

For instance, Emily Blunt’s combination featured a three-tiered diamond necklace from Tiffany & Co. layered with a Victoria collection choker. The choker comprises delicate, intricate leaves, while the lower necklace consists of square diamonds with carefully spaced intervals. This creates a balance between density and sparseness, achieving a brilliant yet not overwhelmingly heavy look.

Charlize Theron opted for multiple pieces from Boucheron, with both necklaces and bracelets from the Quatre collection. This reveals a jewelry styling secret: layering everyday jewelry can achieve the dazzling effect of high jewelry, with a result greater than the sum of its parts.

Need proof? Look at Theron’s appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar party, where her layered Cartier Clash de Cartier jewelry was equally impressive.

Robert Downey Jr.’s wife, Susan Downey, paired her black gown with two Tiffany Elsa Peretti collection gold bracelets. This combination was both cool and understated, yet commanded attention.

Of course, a single piece of high jewelry can achieve the same effect. Florence Pugh wore a Bulgari Serpenti full diamond necklace that appeared to wrap around multiple times before gracefully draping down. It avoided any sense of bulkiness or excess, instead exuding an air of dominance.

This year’s Oscars also featured notable men’s jewelry. “Oppenheimer,” nominated for 13 awards, emerged as the biggest winner. Director Christopher Nolan finally won an Oscar after years of near-misses, while Robert Downey Jr. regained critical acclaim and won his first Oscar. Most impressively, lead actor Cillian Murphy won Best Actor on his first nomination.

For men at the Oscars red carpet, brooches are typically the most noticeable jewelry, as this isn’t the Grammys or Met Gala where diamond chains are commonplace. With strict Black Tie requirements, brooches are men’s primary opportunity to showcase their jewelry taste. Their interpretations demonstrate the versatility of a single brooch.

Robert Downey Jr. wore a distinctive Tiffany brooch designed by Elsa Peretti. It features a minimalist flower stem in yellow gold covered in diamonds, with petals made of black silk. The soft petals, which can flutter in the wind, create a striking contrast with the gold and diamonds.

Oscar Best Actor winner Cillian Murphy wore a fascinating brooch specially designed for the ceremony by Swiss watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. Called the HS14 Gem, the brooch features eight concentric trapezoids mimicking “the shape of internal components in Oppenheimer’s history-changing invention.” The sunburst guilloche pattern was handcrafted in 18K yellow gold by the watchmaker.

The most ingenious brooch wearer of the night was Simu Liu, who used a De Beers diamond brooch as a button for his suit at the waist. The diamond against the black suit was a perfect match, rivaling the effect of actresses adorning their black gowns with diamond brooches.

Matthew McConaughey’s brooch was also distinctive. He chose a bow-shaped brooch designed by Cindy Chao, known for her lively and flowing designs. In her hands, rubies and diamonds become soft ribbons with an inherent floating effect. McConaughey wore it on his suit lapel, adding a touch of liveliness to the dark tones.

Last year’s Best Supporting Actor, Ke Huy Quan, wore a burgundy suit ensemble but chose a brooch with cool-toned sapphires and diamonds. He selected one of Cartier’s 1938 Art Deco style Clips brooches, typically worn in pairs, but he wore just one, pinned diagonally on the upper part of his suit lapel, creating a unique style.

Colman Domingo may have missed out on the Best Actor award, but he still shone brightly. He pinned a David Yurman diamond starburst brooch in the middle of his bow tie, echoing the diamond flower buttons on his suit.

Hollywood power couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski attended the Oscars red carpet together. To complement Emily’s white look, John also chose a white suit. He wore a Tiffany brooch featuring Jean Schlumberger’s signature “lively tentacles,” with a rare purple sapphire at the center, adding a touch of mystery.

Ncuti Gatwa wore perhaps the most eye-catching brooch of the evening: a Jean Schlumberger-designed Tiffany four-leaf brooch set with a tanzanite of over 41 carats. The deep, transparent blue color showcased its unique charm.

Sterling K. Brown’s choice was equally unique. Believing that a brooch’s charm lies in its clever placement rather than size, he wore a 1919 Boucheron Barette brooch horizontally at the opening of his suit’s chest pocket, effectively outlining the pocket with jewelry. This brooch is reportedly from his personal collection, demonstrating his refined taste in jewelry.

This year’s Oscars red carpet was undoubtedly spectacular. Whether opting for a Clean Fit or embracing the Less is More philosophy, the jewelry choices aimed to create a powerful presence. This reflects the inner strength of today’s “female warriors.”

While “Barbie” may not have won big at the awards, “Poor Things,” which won Best Actress, is also a feminist film. As more women become increasingly independent and courageous, daring to pursue their own styles and personalities, their jewelry choices naturally exude more confidence.

For this reason, our poll takes on a new theme: vote for the actress you believe wore her jewelry with the strongest presence. Who do you consider the jewelry icon embodying the “leading lady” aura?

Dazzling Gems: Unforgettable Jewelry Moments from the 2024 Oscars Red Carpet

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