The Academy Awards have always fascinated me. Not because I love movies or am infatuated with Hollywood. No, I watch for the red carpet coverage, the fashion, and the jewels. In fact, I am so enamored of awards season that I host a little party with my girlfriends on Oscar Sunday. We eat decadent snacks, drink punch with little stars cut out of pineapple, and mercilessly critique the fashion choices. Well, I usually do. This year I went to visit my brother and was flying in a tin can somewhere over middle America during the red carpet. Since my party didn’t happen this year and I’ve had a few weeks to compose my thoughts on the red carpet fashion and jewelry, I thought we could have the fun part of the party right here, right now.
So without further ado, I present to you my picks for best Oscar jewelry looks…
Nominee
Laura Dern - Atelier Swarovski earrings
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Laura Dern’s Atelier Swarovski earrings were chosen because they depart from what most people expect the Oscar red carpet to be about. All the usual suspects are there of course – Harry Winston, Neil Lane, Tiffany & Co – but there is always room for some unsuspecting beauty. And that’s where these Atelier Swarovski earrings come in. The Atelier Swarovski Fine Jewelry line furthers the Swarovski company’s commitment to glamour into the fine jewelry realm. Using Swarovski created diamonds and the crystals for which they are known around the world, they created the Mosaic pendulum earrings which Dern wore to the Oscars. The 18 karat white gold earrings feature geometric shapes that appeal to just about anyone with a sophisticated sense of style. This pendulum drop style earring was very popular this year, with Eiza Gonzalez and Joan Crawford both wearing similar styles from Chopard. But I like the tapering and distinct style of the Atelier Swarovski earrings, and that is why Laura Dern’s pick gets the nod. |
Nominee
Helen Mirren - Harry Winston parure
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Helen Mirren has been regarded as a pillar of elegance for quite some time now. And with a look like the one she sported at the Academy Awards this year, it’s easy to see why. Her Harry Winston suite of earrings and a necklace was a feast for the eyes. The jewelry featured sapphires and diamonds. The sapphires were cushion cut (a perennially popular cut of stone) and weighed in at over 115 carats (total in sapphires and diamonds) in the necklace; the earrings clocked an impressive 25+ carats of diamonds and sapphires. She also sported a cluster diamond ring (one of Harry Winston’s classic styles) that weighed just under four carats. All the jewelry in the suite was set in platinum. |
Nominee
Gal Gadot - Tiffany & Co necklace
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Gal Gadot. Well, I mean, she was Wonder Woman. And her necklace at the Oscars was definitely befitting of an Amazonian warrior goddess. The Tiffany & Co. stunner was, according to a Tiffany & Co. press release, inspired by Art Deco (which explains why I love it so dearly). The necklace features over 1,000 diamonds and a 27-carat aquamarine (aquamarine, a stone generally not seen at the Oscars, was having quite a popular moment this year, with Emily Blunt wearing aquamarine chandelier earrings). Tiffany & Co.’s press release said this about Gadot’s necklace:
Presenter Gal Gadot debuted the first pieces from the 2018 Tiffany Blue Book Collection, including an exquisite necklace with a 27-carat aquamarine drop and over 1,000 diamonds. |
"While inspired by Tiffany & Co.'s extraordinary Art Deco jewelry from the 1930s, the necklace's icy aquamarines, classic lines and graphic shapes juxtaposed with platinum and diamonds make it feel irreverent and unexpectedly modern," said Reed Krakoff, chief artistic officer, Tiffany & Co. "It took nearly a year to procure and cut the ethically sourced gemstones, reflecting the exacting standards and craftsmanship of our artisans.”
Nominee
Paz Vega - Chopard ring
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Paz Vega, the beautiful Spanish actress I loved in Spanglish (if you haven’t seen it, you really should), was radiant in a floral dress which was enhanced by her outstanding Chopard ring. The center of this Chopard High Jewelry Collection ring is obviously the fancy yellow diamond, weighing in at just over three carats. The sun is surrounded by 12.74 carats of white diamonds, and the ring is made in platinum. Vega smartly paired her cherry blossom patterned dress with the show-stopping ring, but no other jewelry. With such a statement-making dress and large ring, it’s best to keep other jewelry to a minimum…or omit it entirely. |
Nominee
Camila Alves - Chopard necklace
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Last but not least, Camila Alves wearing a Chopard necklace. Let’s take stock of all the good things in this necklace: rubellite, check; rubies, check; amethyst, check; diamonds, check. The “Temptations” Collection necklace features a whopping 73.74 carats of rubellite, nearly 15.5 carats of rubies, almost 12 carats of amethyst, and 3.26 carats of diamonds, all set it white gold. Rubellite is actually more expensive than rubies, even though it is a purply-pinkish-reddish variety of tourmaline. In fact, it is the rarest variety of tourmaline. The color combination of the rubellite, the rubies, and the amethysts is so lovely and unexpected for the red carpet. |
And, now, I’m sure you’re waiting with baited breath for me to announce the winner of the Andre’s Fine Jewelers Award for Best Awards Season Jewelry (that was a mouthful). Sorry to disappoint you, but I cannot choose a winner. All of the nominee’s jewelry choices were incredible.
Until next year,
Rebecca
Alright, fine. The AFJ Award goes to Gal Gadot for that amazing Tiffany & Co. necklace.
