One of the Biggest Summer Jewelry Trends as Seen at the Cannes Film Festival

Julia Roberts at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

It’s time to freshen up your accessories collection—starting with gemstones.

Gemstone jewelry is all the rave right now and especially with summer, people love wearing bold, fun colors. Save the dark, dreary colors for the winter and break out your vibrant rainbow hues for the sunny weather. As the temperatures rise, put away your heavy coats, beanies and boots and instead more room for the summer accessories you’ve stored away all year long.

When it comes to summer jewelry, pair light, playfulness pieces with your day-to-day outfits that pop color, like gemstone rings, necklaces and earrings.

We Wore What said: “Flamboyant, over-the-top, and certainly a statement, big colored gems are a major theme this season, and it seems like it’s just the beginning. From pink crystals to purple rhinestones, the brilliant rainbow stones feel like a reprieve from the minimalist, dainty jewelry of a few years ago. The best part is pieces this flashy don’t need complex styling to stand out—stick with simple basics to let your accessories shine like they’re supposed to.”

As Cosmopolitan magazine suggested, “Wear the rainbow. A bit of color for summer is always the answer. Go for bold in your necklaces, rings, and earrings this season.” Isabel Marant, Dior, Kenneth Ize and others all featured bright, fun gemstone jewelry on the runway when showcasing their summer 2022 collections.

We’re also seeing lots of gemstone jewelry at the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival taking place right now in the French Riviera. Many celebrities who attended the invitation-only event were photographed on the red carpet with lots of luxurious diamond tennis necklaces but also oversized gemstones to compete their looks. For example, “Armageddon Time” actress Anne Hathaway, 39, made her Cannes debut in sequined and strapless gown by Giorgio Armani and added to the look a gemstone necklace that featured a massive, 100,000-carat cushion-cut sapphire.

“A red carpet exclusive,” the brand wrote on Instagram before Hathaway hit the red carpet with the blue sapphire necklace. “Showcasing the enchanting splendor of a unique stone — 107,15 dazzling carats of royal blue cushion-cut sapphire from Sri Lanka — this extravagant creation will premiere in Cannes this evening. Stay tuned for a thrilling red carpet debut from one of Hollywood’s most elegant actresses.”

A Blue Sapphire & Halo Diamond Pendant Necklace in 14k White Gold 2.90ct from Allurez.

Julia Roberts also attended the Cannes Festival and paired a sleek Giorgio Armani navy and black pantsuit with a lavish yellow diamond drop necklace. She wore the show-stopping jewelry piece to the premiere of “Armageddon Time.” The necklace features a rare yellow diamond “weighing over 100 carats” at the center, the brand said, and also 54.67 additional carats of pear-shaped and cushion-cut diamonds. The gemstone necklace, set in Fairmined-certified ethical 18k white and yellow gold, is easily worth eight figures, according to Page Six. A similar yellow diamond necklace was made famous by Audrey Hepburn in 1961 and then by Lady Gaga at the 2019 Oscars.

Cushion Cut Yellow Sapphire & Diamond Halo Pendant 14k White Gold (2.96ct) from Allurez.

Jennifer Connelly attended the premiere of her film “Top Gun: Maverick” at Cannes in an off-the-shoulder gown by Louis Vuitton and kept accessories minimal by wearing two simple gemstone rings while Viola Davis wore a yellow gemstone ring to match the bright yellow custom Alexander McQueen gown she wore on the Cannes red carpet.

Julianne Moore wore an all-black ensemble —a Bottega Veneta gown with a plunging neckline — to attend the film festival’s opening ceremony red carpet, but the Academy Award winner accessorized the dress with a show-stopping diamond and emerald necklace and ring.