The Most Iconic Jewelry Moments in the History of the Venice Film Festival
A look back at the natural diamonds that defined Venice through the years.
Georgina Rodriguez attends the 2025 Venice Film Festival. (Getty Images)
The Venice Film Festival is one of the world’s most prestigious cultural exhibitions in the world, exploring themes of politics and contemporary social issues through the arts. At large, the Venice Biennale features work across architecture, dance, and music. Drawing stars from across the globe who gather to champion international cinema in all its forms, the 83rd annual event promises a dazzling showcase of natural diamond jewelry and high fashion.
Some of Hollywood’s brightest stars will be heading to Venice, Italy, for the 2026 edition of the Venice Film Festival, which kicks off on Wednesday. George Clooney will be at the festival to pick up a lifetime achievement award, likely with his perfectly posh wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.
Meet the Author
- Hannah Militano covers diamond jewelry trends, the fashion industry, pop culture, and celebrity news.
- She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
- As a journalist, her work has been featured in publications such as Editorialist, Carine Roitfeld’s CR Fashion Book, L’Officiel USA, Grazia USA, Coveteur, and more.
This year, actor and filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal will preside over the main competition jury, which includes Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, composer Daniel Blumberg, French filmmaker Xavier Giannoli, Afghan filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To. The festival will kick off on Wednesday and will run through Sept. 12.
To set the mood for the glamour to come, take a look back at some of the most breathtaking natural diamond moments in Venice Film Festival history.
Georgina Rodríguez Debuted Her Engagement Ring at the 2025 Venice Film Festival
Georgina Rodríguez showed off her new jaw-dropping 30-carat oval-cut diamond engagement ring from soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, set on a diamond-studded band at the 2025 Venice Film Festival.
Rodríguez walked the red carpet in a black lace custom Roberto Cavalli gown, shrouded in Pasquale Bruni diamond jewelry, including the floral diamond Rosina high jewelry choker, the Rosina ring with diamonds and rubies, Giardini Segreti rings, and diamond Aleluia earrings, with her megawatt diamond engagement ring.
Amanda Seyfried Wore Tiffany & Co. at the 2025 Venice Film Festival
For the premiere of her new film, The Testament of Ann Lee, Amanda Seyfried wore a strapless button-down Prada gown with a red bow, styled by Elizabeth Stewart.
The actress added a velvet choker ribbon to her ensemble, featuring a Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock brooch with a diamond weighing over 11 carats attached. Seyfried completed her look with a pair of natural diamond stud earrings and a Bird on a Rock by Tiffany ring in platinum and 18-karat gold with an unenhanced 11-carat yellow sapphire, rubies, and natural diamonds.
Riley Keough Wore Cartier Jewelry at the 2025 Venice Film Festival
Riley Keough walked the red carpet for the Jay Kelly premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, wearing a two-piece Chloé ensemble, styled by Jamie Mizrahi. The actress decorated her décolletage with Cartier’s stunning Cafayate necklace. The natural diamond and opal necklace required more than 1,460 hours of craftsmanship to create.
Lady Gaga Unveiled Her Engagement Ring at the 2024 Venice Film Festival
Lady Gaga turned heads when her vaporetto pulled up to the docks of Hotel Cipriani for the 2024 Venice Film Festival to promote her film, Joker: Folie à Deux, with a gob-smacking oval-shaped natural diamond engagement ring alongside her fiancé, Michael Polansky. Then came the inimitable red carpet debut. Mother Monster strode into the fray at Sala Grande beside Polansky in her signature shocking style. But no matter how dramatic her ball gown, how theatrical her black lace headpiece, or how dazzling her suite of Tiffany & Co. jewels, Lady Gaga’s oval-shaped diamond instantly became the talk of the town.
The ring was designed and crafted by Sofia Jewelry, a family-owned boutique in the Bay Area, specializing in bespoke designs. The band features an amalgam of 18-karat white and rose gold, with a gradual ombré effect of pavé set natural pink diamonds. The captivating oval-shaped diamond sits above a diamond hidden halo, adding an extra layer of luxury.
“Seeing Lady Gaga and Michael looking so happy and stunning while proudly showing off her engagement ring on the red carpet was a surreal moment,” owner Sophie Priolo tells Only Natural Diamonds. “We are all a small, family-owned jewelry store, and are humbled that they trusted us with such an incredible honor,” she says.
Taylor Russell Wore Tiffany & Co. Diamonds at the 2024 Venice Film Festival
Styled by Jahleel Weaver, Taylor Russell attended the premiere of The Room Next Door, wearing a white two-piece custom Alaïa ensemble, teamed with the Tiffany Victoria® mixed cluster choker necklace in platinum with over 38 carats of marquise and round brilliant diamonds and two pairs of earrings – the dainty Tiffany Victoria® earrings in platinum with cultured pearls and diamonds and long dangling earrings in platinum with four rows of diamonds.
She also glistened at the red carpet premiere of Maria, wearing a strapless cream-colored Loewe gown with a shawl draped around her neck and resplendent Tiffany & Co. jewelry. The actress wore a natural diamond pendant necklace worn backward, featuring an 11-carat pear-shape diamond sitting between her shoulders. She teamed her look with hefty diamond Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany star flower ear clips in platinum and 18k yellow gold, a dazzling diamond, sapphire, and rubellite bracelet featuring two koi fish joined together, with a Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany Two Bees engagement ring in platinum and 18k gold.
For the Closing Ceremony, the jury member stunned once again at Palazzo del Cinema. The Bones and All actress wore a black Schiaparelli gown, Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany Banana Dot ear clips, and the jeweler’s iconic Bird on a Rock brooch in platinum and 18-karat yellow gold with diamond of over 12 carats, creatively pinned to a black velvet choker.
Sydney Sweeney Wore Bulgari Diamonds at the 2023 Venice Film Festival
Sydney Sweeney wore a stunning natural diamond necklace from Bulgari to attend Giorgio Armani’s “One Night In Venice” Armani Prive fashion show in 2023, styled by Molly Dickson.
Florence Pugh Wore Tiffany & Co. Jewelry at the 2022 Venice Film Festival
Florence Pugh captured everyone’s attention on the red carpet premiere for Don’t Worry Darling in a shimming sheer black off-the-shoulder gown from Valentino’s Fall/Winter 2022 Couture collection. With help from stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray, Pugh accessorized with Tiffany & Co. natural diamond jewels, including floral studs, a diamond lightning-bolt earring in her flat piercing, a gold and diamond cuff on her helix, a sparkling hoop in her septum, and a dazzling diamond necklace.
Ana de Armas Wore Messika Jewelry at the 2022 Venice Film Festival
The Venice Film Festival hosted the premiere of Blonde in 2022. Lead actress Ana de Armas received a 14-minute standing ovation for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe. Wearing a plunging pink Louis Vuitton gown for the occasion, de Armas’ intricate natural diamond High Jewelry Messika collar deserved equal applause.
Monica Bellucci Wore Huge Diamonds at the 2022 Venice Film Festival
Italian goddess Monica Bellucci knows her way around natural diamonds. In one of her most dramatic diamond jewelry moments to date, the actress attended the 2022 Venice Film Festival wearing a black Dolce & Gabbana gown with a gob-smacking Cartier necklace with two huge pear-shaped diamonds hanging from two strands of even more diamonds.
Julianne Moore Wore Cartier Jewelry at the 2022 Venice Film Festival
Julianne Moore served as the president of the 2022 jury and made sure to show up and show out. Attending the Tar premiere, the Oscar-winning actress adorned a black velvet column gown from Armani Privé’s Fall/Winter 2022 Couture collection, finishing off her ensemble with natural diamond Cartier Art Deco-inspired Sixième Sens High Jewelry platinum and diamond drop earrings and necklace.
Penélope Cruz Wore Chanel High Jewelry at the 2022 Venice Film Festival
Penélope Cruz attended the premiere of her film L’Immensità in a Chanel gown from the Fall/Winter 2022 Couture collection with Chanel High Jewelry, including butterfly wing diamond earrings and an Art Deco-inspired diamond necklace.
Chloë Sevigny Wore Bulgari Jewels at the 2022 Venice Film Festival
Chloë Sevigny attended the premiere of her film Bones & All at the 2022 Venice Film Festival, wearing a black cutout Gucci gown from the Resort 2023 collection. She loaded up on gold and natural diamond Bulgari jewels, including diamond snake-head earrings, a classic Serpenti wrap necklace, a Serpenti cuff bracelet, and a matching Serpenti ring for the occasion.
Olivia Wilde Wore Gucci High Jewelry at the 2022 Venice Film Festival
Olivia Wilde shined in a sunny yellow custom Gucci gown at the premiere of her film Don’t Worry Darling. Styled by Karla Welch, the actor-turned-auteur blinged up her ensemble in white gold and natural diamond pieces from Gucci High Jewelry’s Hortus Deliciarum Collection, including a dazzling necklace, and drop earrings.
Jodie Turner-Smith Wore Gucci High Jewelry and Bulgari at the 2022 Venice Film Festival
Jodie Turner-Smith owned the Venice Film Festival red carpet in 2022, with a myriad of stellar natural diamond jewelry moments. For her first time attending the festival, Turner-Smith walked the red carpet for her film White Noise in a black Gucci gown and the Italian label’s High Jewelry, including layered necklaces in white gold, tsavorites, and diamonds.
Styled by Wayman and Micah, the actress next wore a custom cerulean gown from Harbison Studio’s Resort 2023 collection, topped off with Bulgari jewels including a choker with a yellow diamond pendant, huge diamond stud earrings, a diamond chain bracelet, and a whopper of a pinky ring over her black opera gloves.
She stepped out for another appearance on the festival’s red carpet in a colorful Christopher John Rogers’ gown from the Pre-Fall 2022 collection. She teamed her look with layered jeweled chokers and matching drop earrings from Bulgari.
Zendaya Wore Bulgari Jewelry at the 2021 Venice Film Festival
Zendaya attended the premiere of Dune, wearing a wet-look custom Balmain gown and accessorized with a jaw-dropping Bulgari Serpenti necklace from the Magnifica High Jewelry collection, featuring loads of natural diamonds and a 93-carat, cabochon-cut Colombian emerald at its center.
Anya Taylor-Joy Wore Tiffany & Co. Jewelry at the 2021 Venice Film Festival
Channeling her role from Last Night in Soho, Anya Taylor-Joy exhibited Old Hollywood excellence on the 2021 Venice Film Festival red carpet. Styled by Law Roach, her look comprised of a custom hot pink Dior gown and an extravagant Tiffany & Co. collar with natural diamond leaves.
Jessica ChastainWore Chopard Jewelry at the 2021 Venice Film Festival
Attending the premiere for their mini-series Scenes from a Marriage, Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac definitely turned heads on the red carpet. Chastain opted for a custom red Versace gown with Chopard diamond jewelry, including a necklace from the Haute Joaillerie collection and a ring from the Temptations collection.
Lady Gaga Wore Chopard Jewelry at the 2018 Venice Film Festival
No one does a dramatic entrance quite like Lady Gaga. Attending the premiere for A Star is Born, the star walked the red carpet looking like a fairytale princess in a custom Valentino gown and Chopard diamond pear-shaped drop earrings
Cate Blanchett Wore Chopard Jewelry at the 2018 Venice Film Festival
Cate Blanchett went for an elaborate feathered gown for the premiere of A Star is Born in 2018. To accessorize her black velvet Giorgio Armani dress, she also wore a set of beautiful Chopard diamond chandelier earrings.
Zoë Kravitz Wore Classic Clusters at the 2014 Venice Film Festival
When it comes to red carpet appearances, Zoë Kravitz can do no wrong. Looking back on her 2014 Venice Film Festival jewelry and attire, she opted for a daring red dress from Armani alongside a statement diamond cuff bracelet and an array of diamond cluster earrings.
Gwyneth Paltrow Wore Bulgari Jewelry at the 2011 Venice Film Festival
Gwyneth Paltrow attended the Contagion premiere at the Venice Film Festival in 2011, wearing a blush pink Prada dress and Bulgari diamond chandelier earrings.
Catherine Deneuve Wore Pomellato Jewelry at the 2010 Venice Film Festival
Iconic French actress Catherine Deneuve arrived at the 2010 Venice Film Festival as fabulous as ever in a black chiffon asymmetrical dress with a diamond chain Pomellato Catene necklace and matching bracelet.
Anne Hathaway Wore Diamond Jewelry at the 2008 Venice Film Festival
Anne Hathaway attended her first Venice Film Festival to promote the film, Rachel Getting Married. She adorned a voluminous luminescent high-low gown from Versace with diamond stud earrings and a gold paneled leaf collar necklace, covered in natural diamonds.
Claudia Schiffer Wore a Chopard Watch at the 2008 Venice Film Festival
Claudia Schiffer attended the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in 2008, showing off some sparkling arm candy. The supermodel wore a limited edition timepiece from an Alberta Ferretti and Chopard collaboration, dubbed WatchCouture. A silky peach ribbon wrapped around her wrist with a natural diamond face, valued at 300,000 Euros in 2008, and was auctioned during the amfAR party at the following Golden Globe Awards to raise money for AIDS research.
Keira Knightley Wore Chanel Diamonds at the 2007 Venice Film Festival
Keira Knightley looked angelic in her strapless Chanel gown and elegant updo at the 2007 Venice Film Festival. But what stole the show were her natural diamond star hair ornaments, clipped throughout her brunette chignon. The look was undoubtedly influenced by the Empress Elisabeth of Austria’s famed diamond stars, as depicted in her portrait by Franz Xaver Winterhalter.
The celestial sensibility aligns seamlessly with Chanel, where stars and comets have long been house signatures. After the premiere of her diamond jewelry collection in 1932, Coco Chanel was quoted as saying, “I wanted to cover women with constellations. Stars! Stars of all sizes.”
Scarlett Johansson Wore Chopard Jewels at the 2006 Venice Film Festival
In 2006, Scarlett Johansson embodied 1940s beauty from the golden age of Hollywood at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Black Dahlia. The star wore a silk vintage-style gown with her voluminous blonde curls swept back, with a natural diamond butterfly-shaped Chopard headpiece.
Monica Bellucci Wore Cartier Diamonds at the 2005 Venice Film Festival
Before strutting down the red carpet at the 2005 Venice Film Festival, Monica Bellucci attended the photocall for her film, The Brothers Grimm, wearing huge diamond drop earrings from a historic Cartier parure.
Later that evening, the actress arrived for the film’s premiere in a spectacular coordinating Cartier “Indian” diamond necklace. Featuring 12 large Mughal-style suspended diamonds set in a contemporary-style necklace, each large stone is surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds, dangling from a string of even more diamonds.
In 1971, Doris Duke purchased three separate lots, comprising a diamond pendant clip, earrings, and a necklace, which were ultimately combined to create a larger, more dramatic necklace. The necklace enjoyed a rare modern revival when it appeared on Bellucci, and later on Bridget Moynahan at the 2006 Met Gala.
María Félix Wore Her Famed Snake Cuffs at the 1959 Venice Film Festival
Known for playing otherworldly femme fatales, María Félix was a bold and audacious woman who wore her ferocity on her sleeve – or should we say around her neck, on her wrist, fingers, and lapels. In 1959, the Mexican actress and singer hit the scene in Piazza San Marco for the Venice Film Festival with a wrist covered in an impressive stack of snake cuffs wrapped up her forearm.
Her incredible collection of custom animal jewelry often signified her independence; she was fond of wearing three-dimensional diamond panthers, crocodiles, and snakes to represent her freedom. She loved big animal jewelry,” says jewelry historian Helen Molesworth. “She has the best, most spectacular, voluminous, and articulated animal jewels in the world.”
Sophia Loren Wore Classic Diamonds at the 1958 Venice Film Festival
Once a little-known Italian actress, Sophia Loren’s 1958 Venice Film Festival diamond jewelry and attire caught everyone’s eye. Wearing a white gown and stunning diamond collar, she went on to win Best Actress for her portrayal of a gangster’s widow in the drama The Black Orchid.
