Best Then and WOWs of 2021: Celebrity Diamond Jewelry Looks

Though the coronavirus pandemic put almost every Hollywood event on hold for 2020, 2021 saw a slight return to normalcy for the industry. While many premieres and award shows were either downscaled or remained virtual hybrid affairs, they still provided ample opportunities for celebrities to dust off their diamond jewelry looks and prove that, style-wise, they’re not only back—but better than ever.

From newer breakout talents to more established stars, these looks demonstrate a decided improvement in the bling department this year.

Read More: Emmys 2021: The Best Jewelry Looks from an Epic and Sparkly, Diamond-Filled Night

Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo quickly became one of the year’s biggest music sensations when her debut album Sour debuted at the top of the charts in May. It nabbed worldwide acclaim, including an Album of the Year Grammy Award nomination, and catapulted the 18-year-old to superstar status. In doing so, the High School Musical: The Musical: The Series performer saw her invitations increase tenfold, and, as a result, upped her youthful style. Case in point: this year, the cute chain drop earrings from the 2019 Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil premiere were replaced with David Yurman’s luxurious stunners. At November’s American Music Awards, she turned out the mermaid vibes with voluminous waves, a shimmery transparent lavender curve-hugging dress, enormous Novella sterling silver and diamond drop earrings and a Paveflex four-row ring with diamonds in 18 karat white gold from the American jeweler.

Anya Taylor-Joy

After spending a few years building a reputation as one of Hollywood’s biggest up-and-coming actresses, 2021 cemented Anya Taylor-Joy’s spot as a force to reckoned with. It also established her place as one of Hollywood’s biggest fashionistas, all thanks to her acclaimed work in the previous year’s The Queen’s Gambit and Emma. Even at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017, she understood the importance of good diamonds, sporting a very fun ring from the Chopard Animal World Collection, which featured a bear covered in more than 12 carats of natural brown diamonds. But there’s no question she took her style to the next level when she appeared virtually at February’s Golden Globe Awards in all white Tiffany & Co. diamonds, including timeless and exceptional emerald-cut diamond drop earrings—each weighing in at seven carats—worth a whopping $1.5 million. She rounded out the ensemble with a $195,000 platinum necklace with alternating marquise and round-cut diamonds, and a classic fashion ring with a radiant cut diamond center and triangular cut diamond side stones.

Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion became one of the pandemic’s biggest stars with her chart-topping hits like “Savage” and ”W.A.P.,” so it was only a matter of time before she brought that acclaim to the red carpet. And she did not disappoint. Even prior to the COVID, Megan was making a splash with her va-va-voom looks, including the one from the 2019 American Music Awards when she showed up wearing drop diamond earring and a bevy of blinding rings and bangles—all vintage. Her ice got a major upgrade by the time she arrived at the 2021 Grammy Awards, where she nabbed the Best New Artist trophy. Not only that, but she claimed a Best Dressed prize for her Chopard jewels, including a 91.70 carat diamond necklace set in white gold, two diamond bracelets with a combined 114 carats and a massive brilliant-cut diamond ring surrounded by 6.47 carats of diamonds. 

Billie Eilish

2021 saw one of music’s biggest stars undergo a major transformation, with singer-songwriter Billie Eilish entering a new chapter of incredible style. The songstress, already known for her arresting combination of neon-hued locks and bold streetwear, gave her look a Hollywood spin at the 2020 Oscars, wowing with some pretty impressive rings from Chanel, including a roaring lion Protective ring in 18 karat white gold set with a 1.92 carat emerald-cut brown diamond, 14 fancy-cut brown diamonds and 306 brilliant-cut diamonds. She paired it with the brand’s Etoile Filante ring, set in 18 karat white gold with a two-carat round cut diamond, 29 fancy-cut diamonds, 83 brilliant-cut diamonds and 29 princess-cut diamonds. But this year, Eilish swapped her signature sartorial choices for Old Hollywood opulence, which she highlighted at the Met Gala in September. Inspired by sirens like Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly, Eilish arrived sporting more than 30 pieces of Cartier jewelry, including the luxury jeweler’s High Jewelry earrings, Reflection de Cartier High Jewelry bracelet, Essential Lines bracelet, Reflection de Cartier High Jewelry ring, Reflection de Cartier ring, Étincelle de Cartier ring, Cartier Maillon Panthère ring wedding band and the Broderie de Cartier wedding band.

Andra Day

What a difference a few years makes. Singer Andra Day attended the Academy Awards in 2016 as a performer at the night’s Governor’s Ball, the event’s official after party. To do so, she wore beautiful drop diamond-encrusted earrings and diamond-covered chain link bracelets from Open Hearts by Jane Seymour and CSARITE. However, when she arrived for the same event in April—this time as a Best Actress nominee for her celebrated work in The United States vs. Billie Holiday—Day was a marvel in Tiffany & Co. earrings featuring two square emerald cut yellow diamonds totaling over 12 carats. She complemented the pieces with a yellow gold bracelet (featuring over 265 diamonds) and rings.