Earrings dominated the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, with many celebrities opting to skip necklaces in favor of statement pieces—or, in some cases, no jewelry at all. The trend was clear: when a necklace was worn, it was often the sole focus of the look. The ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, saw white metals and pearls emerge as key materials, with brands like Mikimoto making a strong appearance.
Necklaces stole the show—when they were worn
Pearls and white metals were the standouts, but the real conversation starter was the decision to wear a necklace without earrings. Zendaya, for example, chose Mikimoto’s “Petals” collection, a pearl-and-diamond piece that fit the trend. Ayo Edebiri of The Bear also leaned into Mikimoto’s offerings, reinforcing the shift toward delicate yet impactful jewelry.
Shailene Woodley made a bold choice with the HOWL necklace, a 13-piece Venetian glass and diamond design that debuted at Couture earlier this year. The piece, set in 18-karat yellow gold, became an instant talking point. Meanwhile, Lisa Rinna opened the carpet with a Jacob & Co. statement: a 42.73-carat blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds, paired with minimal earrings and rings to keep the focus on the necklace.
Florence Pugh, now a Bulgari brand ambassador, wore the jeweler’s 18-karat pink gold necklace, featuring 5 morganites and 4 green tourmalines totaling nearly 71 carats. Like Woodley and Rinna, she avoided earrings entirely, letting the necklace command attention. Hannah Einbinder of Hacks added another layer to the trend with an Ana Khouri gold collar, minimalist yet striking, set with an 11.10-carat diamond.
Gold ruled, even when it wasn’t jewelry
Not every gold moment was on the neck. Selena Gomez adopted the earring trend with Tiffany & Co.’s “Bird on a Rock by Tiffany” pieces, including a trailing earring set and matching bracelet, both in platinum and 18-karat yellow gold. Her look was completed with three rings, all in gold and platinum, styled with a Louis Vuitton gold dress for a cohesive old-Hollywood vibe.
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Meg Stalter, an Hacks star, took gold to the next level by dressing entirely in the metal, down to her Emmy statuette-inspired look. While the designer of her necklace remains unconfirmed, her choice to wear it without earrings aligned with the night’s trend. The effect was a head-to-toe gold statement, blending fashion with the awards’ signature.
Colman Domingo, a Boucheron brand ambassador, leaned into history with the jeweler’s “Green Garden” brooch, inspired by a piece made for Princess Elizabeth in 1944. The green tourmaline and diamond clip was paired with Quatre Radiant rings and earrings, all in white and yellow gold. His look was a nod to vintage elegance, proving that even brooches could compete with necklaces for attention.
Earrings won, but not always
While necklaces dominated when worn, earrings remained the default for many. Emmy Rossum skipped the necklace entirely, opting for Victorian-era earrings and a ring from Fred Leighton. The earrings featured old mine-cut diamonds in a foliate motif, while her ring centered a pear-shaped diamond in silver over gold, a classic contrast to the night’s modern trends.
The Emmy red carpet’s jewelry rules were simple: if you wore a necklace, it had to be the star. If you wore earrings, they had to be bold. And if you went jewelry-free? That was a statement too. The night proved that at awards shows, less can sometimes mean more, unless, of course, you’re wearing a 42-carat sapphire.
