“Are pearls the new diamonds?” (Vogue). Red carpet stars and stylists agree! Award show season and other red-carpet events in the last year have been full of celebrities stepping out in pearls. Move over bling – the luminous glow of fine pearls made appearances at the Golden Globes, the Emmys, and the Oscars, as well at the BAFTAs, Critics Choice Awards, People’s Choice Awards, and other celebrations like the Venice Film Festival and Billboard’s Women in Music event. We chronicled some of the very best looks to inspire the pearl girl in all of us.

Power Pearls

Power pearls have been trending for a while and according to the latest Pinterest statistics, the bigger, the better. Oppenheimer producer Emma Thomas accepted her Golden Globe award for best picture of the year in a magnificent gem strand of Assael South Sea Pearls atop a chic sequined gown and an elegant, ruffled bolero. Exuding elegance personified, she struck a regal tone – simple, chic, sophisticated. The pearls were both understated and elevated, bringing a soft, quiet power to her acceptance speech.

Carey Mulligan also donned a black bolero over a pale blue satin Balmain bustier dress with black peplum and a streamlined floor-length skirt to the 35^th Annual Palm Spring International Film Festival in January. Expertly styled by Andrew Mukamal, she wore a multi-strand Assael Akoya pearl necklace high on the collar bone, giving the overall ensemble a demure, ladylike refinement. Her short blonde hair and sleek Manolo Blahnik black low heels brought a princess vibe, and the pearls were the perfect touch of nobility.

Maria Bello also wore a layered, multi-strand pearl look at the Critic’s Choice Awards to accept her Best Supporting Actress award in a limited series for her performance in “Beef.”  The pearls filled the open neckline of her classic white blouse atop a beaded and sequined skirt, creating a beautiful blend of luster and shimmer.

Cate Blanchett topped them all with her power pearls at the BAFTAs in London. She opted for the beauty, mystery, and dark allure of Tahitian pearls. In collaboration with her stylist Elizabeth Stewart and the Louis Vuitton jewelry team, she repurposed Louis Vuitton high jewelry piece that she had worn on the red carpet in 2023. Draping the Tahitian pearls as body jewelry along both sides of her torso, she added a sense of drama to her sleek, red Louis Vuitton gown and topped it off with a Tahitian pearl choker necklace.  The overall effect was stunning and solidified Cate’s position as a leader in red-carpet fashion.

Luster at the Lobe

Younger celebrities opted to add luster at the ear lobe, donning simple chic pearl earrings for their red-carpet appearances. Erin Lim Rhodes wore a pair of Assael pearl and diamond earrings atop her shimmering silver gown to host the Emmy’s red carpet arrivals show. The diamonds matched the sparkle of her gown, while the soft subtle glow of the pearls simplified the look, keeping it from being over the top. 

Katie Perry upped the ante with a two-pearl look for her appearance at the Billboard Women in Music event just before the Oscars. She wore a simple, classic, choker-length Akoya pearl necklace and added the Assael Minimalist South Sea Pearl earrings for just the perfect touch of femininity and grace.

Billie Eilish wore Assael Akoya pearl earrings for her Golden Globes red carpet look, as well as to her Oscar performance look. The simplicity of her jewelry brought attention to the message in her Golden Globe and Oscar winning Best Original Song. The pearls also brought a hint of tradition to her well-loved eclectic style. Styled by Andrew Mukamal, Billie always seems to express something both timeless and current at the same time in her fashion choices.  Similarly, fine pearls always have a sense of evergreen relevance, always appropriate and both classic and contemporary at once. 

Jabot du Jour 

The trend for men wearing pearls has been going strong for several years now. This award show season, many male celebrities opted for pearl brooches. The most popular one of all was the elegant new Assael pearl and diamond jabot pin.  This elegant brooch in white South Sea pearls and diamonds was worn by Michael Evans Behling on the red carpet at the Golden Globes and by the Emmys host Anthony Anderson. Simu Liu chose the Tahitian pearl and diamond version for his tuxedo at the Golden Globes. 

Although partially inspired by the return of the suit jacket, this luxurious Jabot Pin is not for lapels only! The white pearl version features four magnificent South Sea Cultured Pearl Drops, approximately 13.0 – 20.0mm, and Diamonds totaling just under 2.0 carats, set in platinum. The pin measures 3.75″long. The Tahitian pearl version features four Tahitian natural color cultured pearl drops, approximately 14.0 to 16.0 mm and four pear-shaped diamonds (approximately 1.80 carats), set in platinum. This one is larger, measuring 3 -1/8 inches long. This classic jabot pin is an elegant addition to even the finest attire, as proven by the handsome men wearing it on the red carpet.

Pearl Rings

Pearl rings have been trending since Emma Stone and Ariana Grande got engaged with pearls in their engagement rings. Statement pearl rings have been getting bigger ever since. 

On the red carpet this season, the pearl ring trend continued. Elle Fanning wore a lovely pearl and diamond ring to the Golden Globes, the perfect complement to her demure strapless bow gown. At the Critic’s Choice Awards, Heidi Klum chose a Kamilla Purshie dress loaded with jumbled pearls woven into the fabric itself. She chose a handful of South Sea pearl rings to gorgeously accessorize the look, including a three pearl Bubble ring by Sean Gilson for Assael and an Assael pearl and diamond ring.  

Pearl statement rings make great additions to any fine jewelry wardrobe. Unlike diamonds and gemstones, pearls glow and add the whisper of elegance and sophistication without bling or showiness. Pearls are also a naturally sustainable gem, making them a feel-good luxury that you can wear and appreciate every time you look down at your hands. Just be sure to take good care of them so that their enviable luster will shine brightly for generations to come. For expert tips on how to care for your pearls, visit our pearl and coral care page. 

However you decide to step out in glow, your pearls are sure to be appropriate. For more inspiration, peruse the various contemporary pearl designs at Assael.com or follow us on Instagram at @assaelpearls to see which celebrity is wearing pearls next!

Feature image at top – clockwise from upper left – Barry Keoghan at the Golden Globes (Getty images), Assael Akoya pearl strands, Billie Eilish performing at the Academy Awards in Assael Akoya pearl stud earrings (Getty images), Elle Fanning wearing a pearl and diamond ring at the Golden Globes (Getty images), Leighton Meester in Assael three strand Akoya pearl necklace as featured in the spring issue of Numéro Netherlands, Giorgia Soleri at the Venice Film Festival (Getty images), Assael pearl and diamond ring, Assael Barbie earrings featuring three different sizes of South Sea pearls

If you liked this, you might also like:

Top Fashion & Jewelry Trends for Spring/Summer 2024

Pearls and Diamonds – Forever Friends

Pearl & Coral Jewelry Excellence – Craftsmanship Matters

Elegance with Attitude – Behind the Scenes with Assael