We’re big fans of Lauralee’s red carpet gem parade at WhoWoreWhatJewels.com, so this week we dipped into her coverage of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards to see what the jewelry was really saying.
Diamonds were everywhere, of course—but they weren’t alone. Sapphires showed up in a big way, tanzanite made a surprise appearance, and men’s jewelry once again sent a clear message: brooches are here to stay.
What made this year interesting wasn’t just sparkle for sparkle’s sake—it was how intentionally the pieces were used. Necklines were clean so necklaces could do the heavy lifting, earrings were allowed to dominate entire looks, and brooches weren’t treated as afterthoughts.
Here’s where the jewelry really did the talking.
Keri Russell
Let’s start with the brooch—because this was a good one. Russell pinned on a new Boucheron Sarpech brooch set with a 6.26-carat round cabochon emerald, and that single piece immediately shifted the conversation from “nice diamonds” to pay attention here. There were some very nice diamond Serpent Bohème earrings and a matching ring, but make no mistake—the emerald did the work.
EJAE
This was a textbook choker moment. EJAE wore a high jewelry diamond-and-sapphire choker from Bvlgari, supported by diamond earrings and a coordinating ring. The clean neckline did exactly what it was meant to do—keep the focus right where it belonged. It’s a reminder that when sapphires are scaled correctly—and paired with serious diamond support—they hold their own just fine on any carpet.
Jessica Biel
Cartier doesn’t whisper, and Biel didn’t ask it to. She wore a suite of Cartier Grain de Café jewels alongside a Panthère de Cartier bracelet (not shown)—classic and instantly recognizable. The reported $506,400 price tag—largely gold and diamonds—is eyebrow-raising, sure, but what matters more is how confidently those designs still read from across the room.
Michelle Rudolph
If anyone needed a visual definition of scale, this was it. Rudolph wore an 11-carat tanzanite, surrounded by diamonds, front and center in Pomellato’s Nudo high jewelry necklace. No competing elements… just classic styling—along with that saturated tanzanite color and big 11-carat presence.
Jessie Buckley
These weren’t just earrings—they were the look. Buckley wore Boucheron Lavallière Diamants pendant earrings combining diamonds, onyx, and black lacquer, paired with a Vendôme Liseré ring set with a 4.13-carat emerald-cut diamond. Strong Deco influence, high contrast, graphic materials, and a covered neckline with hair pulled back gave the earrings exactly the stage they needed.
Emilia Jones
Emilia Jones also wore Boucheron’s Lavallière Diamants – but she wore the diamonds, onyx, and black lacquer necklace, an incredible statement piece that was bold in scale and impossible to miss. Jones also wore Vendôme Liseré earrings and matching ring. The necklace carried the visual weight, with the earrings largely tucked out of view.
Ashley Walters
Yes, there was a diamond-pavé Flèche brooch—clean, sharp, and well-placed (lapel, pointing up!). But maybe the real gem story was on his pinkie: a Plume de Paon ring set with an oval sapphire. Another reminder that men’s jewelry doesn’t need to be loud to be effective—it just needs a Plume!
Tap here as Lauralee has lots more for you to see!
