The Very Best Diamond Jewelry Looks from the 2021 Annual Academy Awards
The diamonds were out in full force, a sign that red carpets are back open — and they mean business.
“It’s the return of the red carpet,” announced E! Live From the Red Carpet co-host Nina Parker with a palpable excitement. And she wasn’t lying.
There was a lot riding on the red carpet of the 93rd annual Academy Awards, the only major award ceremony to forgo a virtual ceremony in the past year (2020’s event was held in February, weeks before the pandemic shut down most of the world). Luckily, the show delivered in a big way, serving as a reminder that despite an over two month delay, the show can— and must—go on.
As anticipated, the resurgence of the IRL red carpet brought with it diamonds, which, no longer relegated to the pixelation of a Zoom call, glimmered brightly and spectacularly under the Los Angeles sky. From Zendaya dripping in Bulgari gorgeousness to Viola Davis serving it up in Forevermark, here are some of the best and most memorable diamond jewelry looks of the night.
Regina King
When Rihanna sang the lyrics “this is what you came for,” she was clearly referring to Academy Award winner Regina King in this custom Louis Vuitton dress and Rahaminov Diamonds for Forevermark earrings and cluster bracelet and Forevermark eternity band and diamond rings. An absolute and unbridled slay from this truly unstoppable actress and director.
Carey Mulligan
Glittering like a statue, Best Actress nominee for Promising Young Woman Carey Mulligan arrived wearing designer Pierpaolo Piccioli’s cut-out finale look from Maison Valentino’s SS21, along with Sotheby’s jewels, plus vintage Cartier earrings and a ring. An easy contender for best dressed of the night.
Zendaya
Speaking of cut-outs, Zendaya, the Emmy award winner for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, arrived ready to present outfitted in a bright yellow custom Valentino accessorized by Bulgari diamonds. And in case you were wondering, yes, her team brought a wind machine for the red carpet. Now that’s commitment.
Viola Davis
Best Actress nominee Viola Davis (who broke her own record as the most nominated Black actress ever at the Academy Awards for her performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) was a couture queen in custom, corseted Alexander McQueen with cascading Forevermark jewels. No words, just a *chef’s kiss* for this gorgeousness.
Andra Day
Heavy metal with a side of diamonds? Yes please. Best Actress nominee for her performance in The United States vs. Billie Holiday Andra Day arrived wearing a custom Vera Wang look entirely crafted out of metal (with a little help from a welder, no less), completed to perfection with Tiffany & Co. earrings featuring two square emerald cut yellow diamonds totaling over 12 carats, complemented with a yellow gold bracelet (featuring over 265 diamonds) and rings.
Glenn Close
Serving eleganza glamour was Best Actress nominee for her role in Hillbilly Elegy, Glenn Close. Delivering big in a custom Giorgio Armani Privé vibrant blue long-sleeved tunic, Close completed the look with pear shape Kwiat pendant earrings and a show-stopping three stone Burmese sapphire and diamond ring by Fred Leighton. She definitely made the love of her life, her havanese Sir Pippin of Beanfield, burst with pride.
Zaria
Nominated for Best Live-Action Short Film, Zaria, the up and coming star of Two Distant Strangers, made her Oscars red carpet debut wearing custom Dolce & Gabbana and glimmering Bulgari jewels to properly finish the look.
Daniel Kaluuya
He swings and he never misses: Best Supporting Actor winner for his performance in Judas and the Black Messiah, Daniel Kaluuya turned it up, outfitted in new Bottega Veneta, which appeared polished to perfection with a Cartier necklace, rings and watch. Simple. Sleek. Elegant.
Amanda Seyfried
She always comes to serve, so it’s no surprise to see Best Actress nominee for her performance in Mank Amanda Seyfried in a vibrant, plunging princess gown courtesy of Giorgio Armani. Furthermore, Seyfried upped the ante with a radiant vivid yellow Forevermark ring, diamond bangles and double drop halo earrings.
Laverne Cox
Promising Young Woman star Laverne Cox wowed in a black and pink tiered Christian Siriano gown made from over 1,000 yards of tulle, an Ananya Scatter collection ring and bracelet, plus Cicada earrings and ring. “It’s about having inspiration and being flexible in the moment to create something in that moment that serves the overall vision,” Cox told InStyle. “It’s about allowing the creative process with great artists.”
Maria Bakalova
Bakalova, nominated for Best Actress for her performance in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, showed up and showed out in custom silk satin and french tulle Louis Vuitton, featuring a deep-V neckline embroidered with white crystals. Moussaieff diamonds polished off the look in style.
Laura Dern
Academy Award winner Laura Dern was a vision in a black velvet bodice and a high and low feathered skirt by Oscar de la Renta’s Fernando Garcia. Dern’s elegant pairing with Pomellato diamonds. It was giving Moira Rose realness in the best way possible. Total and complete gorgeousness.
Vanessa Kirby
Giving what appears like a nod to Anne Hathaway’s pink satin Prada from the 2013 Oscars, Best Actress nominee for Pieces of Woman Vanessa Kirby wore a custom silk strapless Gucci gown designed by Alessandro Michele, and elegantly paired it with a backwards Cartier necklace. New trend alert? We’ll take it!
Reese Witherspoon
Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon, on hand to present, made us all the more excited for Legally Blonde 3 with her Dior gown, fresh off the runway from the brand’s FW21 collection. She completed the look in her signature fabulosity with Bulgari jewels.
Angela Bassett
And speaking of Bulgari deliciousness, and the theme of the red carpet itself, Academy Award-nominee siren Angela Bassett, looked drop dead gorgeous in a fire engine red Alberta Ferretti gown, with Bulgari diamonds on the ears, wrist and fingers.
