Jewellery at the Oscars 2026: A Jeweller’s Perspective on Red Carpet Craftsmanship
Jewellery at the Oscars 2026: A Jeweller’s Perspective on Red Carpet Craftsmanship
Hollywood’s Enduring Love Affair with High Jewellery
For nearly a century, the Academy Awards has served as one of the world’s most influential stages for jewellery. Long before celebrity style was amplified through social media, the Oscars helped cement the bonds between Hollywood glamour and high jewellery.
Historic houses such as Harry Winston, Cartier, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels have long used the Oscars as a showcase for extraordinary gemstones and craftsmanship. Winston in particular became synonymous with the red carpet during the mid-20th century, lending awe-inspiring diamonds to actresses in a tradition that continues today.
While fashion trends evolve quickly, jewellery adorned at the Oscars often reveals a deeper perspective: the ongoing dialogue between spectacle, craftsmanship and self expression.
From an award winning jeweller’s perspective, events like this offer an opportunity to observe not only aesthetic trends, but also the technical choices behind how these pieces are constructed.
Trend One: The Return of the Diamond Collier
One of the most noticeable themes on the 2026 red carpet was the prominence of diamond colliers – structured necklaces designed to frame the neckline with drama and brilliance.
Jessie Buckley
Jessie Buckley wore a breathtaking tennis-style necklace crafted in 18ct white gold. The collier features tapering round diamonds that gradually increase in size toward the centre before coming to a peak with a pear-shaped drop diamond.
Graduated diamond arrangements of this style requires careful stone selection to achieve a seamless flow along the neckline. The asymmetrical drop adds a moment of visual tension to an otherwise classic design.
Estimated value: $68,500
Chase Infiniti
Chase Infiniti wore a uniquely layered collier combining rows of emerald-cut diamonds with round brilliant diamonds above them. At the heart of this piece sits a glistening radiant-cut yellow diamond estimated between 1.5–2 carats.
The juxtaposition between the step-cut diamonds and brilliant cut diamonds introduces a intriguing texture to the piece, while the coloured centre diamond ties the composition together perfectly.
If the stones used in this piece are natural diamonds, the estimated value sits around $214,000.
If lab-grown stones were used, the value would likely lean closer to $40,000.
Teyana Taylor
With one of the most dramatic diamond pieces of the event, Teyana Taylor wore a full diamond-set collier intricately composed of rectangular bars, allowing the piece to flow and move – whilst still maintaining a strong geometric appearance.
The necklace features a central pear-shaped diamond estimated above the four carat weight, accompanied by matching pear-shaped diamond stud earrings.
Estimated value with natural diamonds: $361,000
If produced using lab-grown diamonds, the value would drop significantly to approximately $47,000.
From a jeweller’s perspective, pieces like this demonstrate the careful engineering required to balance visual impact with a structure that allows movement along the neckline.
Trend Two: Colour Returns to the Red Carpet
While diamonds dominated most of the festivities, several coloured gemstone pieces stand out at highlights, introducing a welcome burst of contrast and personality.
Zoe Saldaña
Zoe Saldaña wore a beautifully composed collier featuring white diamonds alongside vibrant fancy-shaped rubies. The rubies appear to be cut in varying square forms such as emerald, baguette and princess cuts, creating a slight geometric rhythm within the necklace.
The use of striking rubys adds a strong visual focal point without overwhelming the diamond framework.
Estimated value: $162,500
Coloured gemstones like these have historically appeared on the red carpet during periods when jewellery trends shift toward expressive design rather than pure diamond brilliance.
Trend Three: The Return of the Brooch
Another particularly noticeable development at the 2026 Oscars was the increasing presence of brooches worn by male actors. Historically associated with aristocratic dress and vintage tailoring, brooches are experiencing a quiet comeback.
Hudson Williams
Hudson Williams wore a refined brooch made in white gold with intricate, subtle yellow gold highlights. The piece showcases approximately 1.5–2 carats of white diamonds arranged in a ornamental design.
Estimated value: $18,200
Joe Alwyn
Joe Alwyn opted for an elegant acanthus leaf brooch, pavé-set with diamonds in white gold. The classical style gives the piece a distinctly vintage character, while still feeling modern being paired with a classic tailored black suit.
Estimated value: $26,700
Wagner Moura
Wagner Moura wore a brooch loosely inspired by a three-leaf clover motif, representing past, present and future. Crafted in white gold, this brooch does not feature gemstones, demonstrating how metalwork alone can provide visual interest.
Estimated value: $10,500
From a design perspective, brooches as stand alone pieces offer remarkable creative freedom. They also represent one of the few areas of jewellery where metalwork can take centre stage without relying on gemstones for brilliance.
Trend Four: Sculptural Metal and Diamond Detail
Not every standout piece on the red carpet relied on large gemstones. Several designs instead focused on intricate metalwork combined with fine diamond setting.
Arden Cho
Arden Cho wore a striking collier designed to resemble angel wings, centred around a halo-set princess-cut diamond drop. The necklace incorporates approximately 400 small diamonds, demonstrating the remarkable precision required for large-scale pavé work.
Estimated value: $94,500
Her accompanying earrings echoed the design language of the necklace, creating a cohesive overall look.
Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne chose a more sculptural/ asymmetrical necklace featuring soft floral curves and a central stone that appears to be either a champagne diamond or morganite.
What makes this jewel notable is its restraint. Rather than relying heavily on sparkle, the design allows the flowing metalwork to define the composition, using the diamond as an accent, not the main attraction.
This demonstrates an important principle in jewellery design: dramatic impact can often be achieved through form and proportion rather than sheer gemstone quantity.
Vintage Influence: The Laurel Wreath Returns
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning’s jewellery carried a vintage influence. Her laurel wreath-inspired diamond collier, paired with a matching bracelet, evoked classical motifs frequently seen in early 20th-century jewellery design.
Although heavily diamond-set, the organic pattern softens the brightness of the stones, allowing the piece to complement rather than overpower her gown.
Estimated combined value: $123,000
Pieces like this illustrate how historic design motifs continue to inspire contemporary high jewellery.
Jewellery Designed for Spectacle vs Jewellery Designed for Life
While the Oscars red carpet is a celebration of extraordinary jewellery, it also highlights an important distinction.
Much of the jewellery worn at events like this is designed primarily for visual impact under cameras and stage lighting.
From a jeweller’s perspective, this sometimes means prioritising dramatic gemstone size, intricate construction or delicate settings that may not be ideal for everyday wear.
At MDT DESIGN in Melbourne, our approach focuses on a different balance.
Because our jewellery is entirely handmade from solid precious metal in our onsite workshop, durability and structural integrity are always central considerations. Many clients are seeking pieces they can wear every day – jewellery that will last decades and eventually become family heirlooms.
While the red carpet celebrates spectacle, the principles that underpin truly exceptional jewellery remain the same: thoughtful design, careful craftsmanship and an understanding of how a piece will be worn throughout its life.
For out of this world designs and red carped jewellery, please view our award winning jewellery page.
The Lasting Influence of the Oscars on Jewellery Design
For jewellers and collectors alike, the Oscars remain one of the most fascinating annual showcases of jewellery design.
Beyond celebrity style, the red carpet offers a glimpse into how high jewellery continues to evolve – from bold diamond colliers to coloured gemstone compositions and the quiet return of the brooch.
Many of these trends eventually filter into broader jewellery design, influencing everything from bespoke pieces to modern heirlooms.
And while the scale of red carpet jewellery may be extraordinary, the underlying inspiration remains timeless: jewellery created with care, intention and craftsmanship.
Have Vintage Jewellery You’d Like Expert Advice On?
Do you own a significant piece of vintage jewellery that you would like assessed, valued or thoughtfully modified?
Our jewellers at MDT DESIGN Melbourne regularly work with heirloom pieces, helping clients understand their history, condition and potential for restoration or redesign.
You are welcome to contact us to arrange a consultation and visit our boutique to speak with one of our expert jewellery designers.
