Oscars Jewelry 2022: Fiery Diamonds Won Big

Oh, what a night! The 94th Academy Awards took place last night in Los Angeles, and though the slap is dominating much of the media coverage, our full attention was on the night’s abundance of decadent jewelry.

 

Plenty of looks grabbed us, both during the red-carpet arrivals and glittering from the stage. Some attendees went classic, including Zoe Kravitz who wore a 1950s-inspired, petal pink Saint Laurent gown paired with a 36 cts. t.w. fancy pink diamond necklace set in platinum by Kwiat (pictured above). Others were unabashedly opulent (enter a regal Jada Pinkett Smith, who stood out with her extraordinary, supersized floral earrings by Glenn Spiro). And comedian and YouTube star Rickey Thompson definitely got the memo that men-in-jewelry is a trend we love to see on the carpet and off.

 

This year, a few jewelry moments stand out as exceptional, including one that seemed tailor-made for The Zing Report’s audience of jewelry experts. We saved it for last in our red-carpet recap below, but let’s just say it was legendary in every way.

 

Valentino Red worn with brilliant white diamonds is one of the most enduringly chic combinations on the planet. Best Supporting Actress Oscar award winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story), stunning in her Valentino gown/tux hybrid, is our latest Hollywood fashionista to rock the combo to breathtaking effect, thanks to a trove of diamond jewels from De Beers.

 

Who remembers when actress Sharon Stone famously wore a white Gap button-up shirt and a satin skirt to the Oscars in 1998? This context brings the brilliance of the look stylist Law Roach created for in Zendaya into focus. The custom Valentino nod to a momentous red carpet fashion moment wasn’t lost on us, and the Dune star handily wins one of our votes for best-dressed of the night. Especially with the 21st century addition of Bulgari jewels, including stacks upon stacks of Bulgari Serpenti Viper bangles coiling up each of her arms. Just sssstunning!

 

The antiqued blue hue of red-carpet veteran Nicole Kidman’s couture Armani Privé gown was custom-developed for the Best Actress nominee (for Being The Ricardos). As such, pale Ceylon sapphires might have been a logical choice for pairing with the lustrous silk faille creation. But instead she and stylist Julia von Boehm went with a yellow diamond suite by Harry Winston that added a sun-kissed warmth to the otherwise icy look. These choices were not just the epitome of “quiet elegance” as was the intention—the end result was masterful. (And did you catch her Omega dress watch doubled up with the diamond bracelet?)

 

We loved how West Side Story leading lady and Oscars presenter Rachel Zegler accessorized her sheer beaded Dior gown, with its draped cowl neck and graphic diamond pattern motif: With a vintage Tiffany & Co. choker from 1980 that somehow managed to echo both the garment’s lightness and edgy geometry. A Tiffany & Co. diamond bracelet, diamond studs and diamond rings completed the look. We also adore her oxblood red manicure by Tom Bachik (who also did Selena Gomez’s gorgeous emerald-green nails for the SAG awards).

 

A red-carpet risk-taker is always a welcome sight and this year, Dune star and Timothée Chalamet gets top honors for going shirtless (under a gender-bending lace trimmed Louis Vuitton tuxedo jacket). But there could have been no better showcase for the main jewel accessorizing his look: The Panthère de Cartier necklace in 18k white gold with emeralds, diamonds and onyx, expertly layered with Cartier’s Geometry & Contrast necklace in 18k white gold and diamonds. Seven more jewels including a Panthère de Cartier bracelet and several rings take Chalamet’s jewelry ensemble total to nine (nine!).

 

And we’re closing it out with tennis legend Venus Williams in formfitting “tennis whites” by Elie Saab with a plunging neckline and shoulders trimmed in something that shimmered and looked like silver turbogas chain. Stylist Law Roach added silver accessories by legendary jeweler Elsa Peretti, including two large Bone cuffs that served up serious 1970s glamour. Talk about a winning look! —Amy Elliott

 

Top photo: Zoe Kravitz in a pink Saint Laurent gown paired with a 36 cts. t.w. fancy pink diamond necklace set in platinum by Kwiat (photo by Angele Weissafp for Getty Images, courtesy of the Platinum Guild)

 

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