The Best Jewelry Looks at the 2026 Oscars

The 2026 Academy Awards proved that jewelry is no longer a supporting accessory—it is the story. Across the red carpet, diamonds, colored gemstones, and archival masterpieces delivered a masterclass in modern glamour, balancing maximalist brilliance with sculptural restraint.

Statement Diamonds & Red Carpet Power

This year’s Oscars leaned heavily into unapologetic diamond statements—bold, cinematic, and impossible to ignore.

• Kylie Jenner embodied high-glam fantasy in approximately 200 carats of Lorraine Schwartz diamonds, paired with a Jessica Rabbit–inspired silhouette.

• Anne Hathaway returned to the Oscars in a Bulgari high jewelry suite anchored by an 8.02-carat Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond, surrounded by nearly 100 diamonds—an elegant nod to Old Hollywood opulence.

• Odessa A’zion layered over 50 carats of lab-grown diamonds in a multi-necklace composition, reflecting a growing embrace of innovation and sustainability in fine jewelry.

The message was clear: scale matters again—but it must feel intentional.

Rare Colored Gemstones Take Center Stage

While diamonds dominated, the most memorable looks introduced color as a narrative device.

• Kate Hudson delivered one of the most talked-about moments of the night in ultra-rare green diamonds valued at $35 million, perfectly matched to her jade-toned gown.

• Rose Byrne embraced a rich palette with a yellow diamond and enamel choker, reinforcing the season’s shift toward expressive, collector-level pieces.

Colored stones weren’t just accents—they were identity statements, aligning with fashion’s broader move toward emotional, individualized luxury.

Chokers, Collars & Sculptural Necklines

One of the defining silhouettes of the night was the return of the choker—reimagined through a high jewelry lens.

• Seen on Rose Byrne, Chase Infiniti, and Ginnifer Goodwin, chokers ranged from diamond rivière styles to avant-garde compositions.
• These pieces framed the face with precision, replacing layered necklaces with a single, commanding gesture.

This shift reflects a broader trend: fewer pieces, greater impact.

Archival & Heritage Jewelry Revival

Vintage and archival pieces carried emotional weight across the carpet.

• Elle Fanning wore a Cartier wisteria-inspired antique creation, reinforcing the enduring allure of heritage maisons.
• Archival references throughout the night echoed a deeper industry movement toward provenance, storytelling, and legacy design.

Jewelry in 2026 isn’t just worn—it’s curated.

The Rise of the Brooch (and Men’s Jewelry)

Men’s jewelry emerged as one of the most compelling narratives of the evening.

• Michael B. Jordan wore a custom diamond brooch with a black diamond centerpiece, redefining red carpet masculinity.

• Brooches also appeared on Pedro Pascal and others, often floral or sculptural, adding dimension to classic tailoring.

This continued evolution signals a more fluid, expressive approach to fine jewelry across all genders.

High Jewelry Meets After-Party Excess

If the red carpet was refined, the after-parties embraced full fantasy.

• Lauren Sánchez Bezos arrived dripping in 85 carats of pink and white diamonds, centered around a dramatic 22-carat stone.

• Hailey Bieber paired her after-party looks with Lorraine Schwartz diamonds, maintaining the night’s overarching theme of high-wattage brilliance.

The shift from ceremony to celebration allowed jewelry to become even more daring, personal, and expressive.

Final Take: Jewelry as Identity

The 2026 Oscars marked a turning point. Jewelry is no longer about coordination—it’s about authorship.

From rare green diamonds and archival Cartier to experimental lab-grown compositions and sculptural chokers, the night revealed a new era of luxury: one defined by individuality, storytelling, and unapologetic presence.

In 2026, the most powerful thing on the red carpet wasn’t the gown—it was what illuminated it.

About The Author

Debbie Azar is the Co-Founder and President of Gemological Science International (GSI), one of the largest gemological organizations in the world, and a distinguished leader in the global diamond and jewelry industry. As an executive with extensive knowledge of the jewelry and gem lab industries, her entrepreneurial skills and vision have helped GSI achieve rapid and continuous growth worldwide, establishing 13 leading-edge gemological facilities on four continents. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Responsible Jewellery Council, and Jewelers for Children, and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York. She has been featured in Forbes, Daily Mail, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fox Business, Fox5, CBS2, BOLDTV, Varney&Co, The Street, and NASDAQ, among others.