Fashion
The Most Ostentatious Oscars Jewelry Ever Worn on the Red Carpet
The Academy Awards are often considered a fashion-centric parade for the latest and greatest dress designs — but take a closer look, because the real gems are those glittering at the ears, wrists, and necks of Hollywood's celebrities. Angelina Jolie's black Elie Saab gown would have been bland without the teardrop emerald earrings she wore for the 2009 Oscars, and Kathy Ireland's appearance at the 2010 awards was made memorable only because of the staggering pearl and diamond bib she wore to the ceremony. We looked back through the years and found the most gaudy, ostentatious, and ornate jewelry ever worn on the Oscars red carpet. For better and for worse.
Gwyneth Paltrow in Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie
Perhaps this blinding, $1 million Anna Hu cuff is responsible for all of the media backlash Gwyneth Paltrow received in 2013. The “Hearts of Winter” bracelet that Paltrow wore to the 2012 Oscars packs as serious punch with its 2,368 diamonds. If this doesn’t qualify as bling, we don’t know what does.
Nicole Kidman in L'Wren Scott
There has never been a more literal expression of the term “dripping in diamonds”. Nicole Kidman wore this L’Wren Scott-designed diamond necklace to the 2008 Oscars. The extravagant piece measures in at 1,400 carats, which is a greater volume of diamonds than the average person will see in a lifetime.
Kate Winslet in Tiffany & Co
Who needs the Heart of the Ocean when you have a statement piece like this stunner? Tiffany & Co. created the $2.5 million piece especially for Kate Winslet, who wore the blinding bling to the Oscars in 2010.
Kathy Ireland
Kathy Ireland’s diamond and pearl bib necklace literally looked heavy enough to restrict oxygen flow at the 2010 Oscars. However, the model looks delighted to be draped in diamonds, and to be perfectly honest, we can’t blame her.
Busy Phillipps in Irene Neuwirth
They may be beautiful, but Busy Phillipps’ Irene Neuwirth earrings at the 2011 Oscars look uncomfortably heavy.
Beyonce in Swarovski
This elaborate necklace, worn by Beyoncé for her performance at the 2005 Oscars, may not be made of diamonds, but it is one of the most seriously over-the-top costume pieces we’ve seen at the awards.
Heidi Klum in Lorraine Schwartz
Between the drop earrings overflowing with coral and diamonds, and the stacked bracelets that must have sparked the multiple bangle street style trend, Heidi Klum went for broke with her Lorraine Schwartz gems in 2009.
Diablo Cody
The Oscar winner’s eclectic mix of rings and bangles at the 2008 Oscars paled in comparison to her diamond skull chandelier earrings.
Amy Adams in Fred Leighton
Fred Leighton seems to be the jeweler of choice for statement pieces at the Oscars, and Amy Adams’ multicolored necklace for the 2008 Oscars is nearly hypnotic.
Angelina Jolie in Lorraine Schwartz
It seems impossible that emeralds this large exist in the world, but it certainly makes sense that Angelina Jolie would not only know of them, but also wear them on the red carpet.
