The 79th British Academy Film Awards returned to London’s Royal Festival Hall on February 22, bringing with it a glittering parade of cinema’s finest talents and some of the year’s most spectacular jewelry. As the ceremony unfolded under the witty stewardship of host Alan Cumming, the red carpet served as a showcase for extraordinary pieces from the world’s most prestigious jewelry houses. From vintage Tiffany & Co. treasures to contemporary Cartier masterworks, the best jewelry moments at the 2026 BAFTAs demonstrated that when it comes to Britain’s most prestigious film awards, the accessories often shine as brightly as the statuettes themselves.
What made this year’s BAFTAs jewelry moments particularly noteworthy was the remarkable diversity of styles on display—from heritage archive pieces dating back to the 1940s to cutting-edge contemporary designs, from delicate diamond whispers to bold colored gemstone statements. The celebrity jewelry choices reflected not just personal style but also a deeper narrative about how luxury accessories continue to evolve as both art objects and expressions of identity. These weren’t merely beautiful baubles; they were carefully considered choices that elevated couture gowns and bespoke suiting into complete, unforgettable fashion moments.
A Night of Surprises and Historic Wins
Before we delve into the jewelry that captivated us throughout the evening, it’s worth setting the scene for what proved to be one of the most talked-about BAFTAs in recent memory. The ceremony, broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and on E! network in the United States, saw Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller One Battle After Another dominate with six wins, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror drama Sinners made history by becoming the most-decorated film from a Black director with three BAFTAs, including Supporting Actress for Manchester native Wunmi Mosaku and a groundbreaking Original Screenplay win for Coogler.
The evening’s biggest surprise came when Robert Aramayo, star of indie biopic I Swear about Tourette Syndrome campaigner John Davidson (who attended the ceremony), won not only the EE Rising Star Award but also upset a star-studded field to claim Best Actor, beating out favorites like Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio. The British actor’s emotional acceptance speech drew audible gasps from the audience, while host Cumming handled the evening’s occasional moments of spontaneous profanity with grace and humor, reminding the audience to show understanding for Davidson’s tics.
The ceremony also featured several heartwarming moments, including NBCUniversal Entertainment chairman Dame Donna Langley receiving the BAFTA Fellowship and Clare Binns being honored with the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award. And in perhaps the evening’s most charming interlude, Paddington Bear, currently starring in his West End production, made history as the first bear to present a BAFTA, handing out the Children’s & Family Film award while confessing he’d gotten marmalade all over the trophy. The beloved character’s appearance on the red carpet in his signature blue duffel coat and red hat delighted fans and added a touch of whimsy to cinema’s most distinguished evening.
Here are the top jewelry moments at the 2026 BAFTAs
Teyana Taylor’s Spectacular Vintage Tiffany
Among the best jewelry moments at the 2026 BAFTAs, Teyana Taylor’s appearance stands as perhaps the most museum-worthy. The multi-hyphenate artist arrived in a Burberry dress that served as the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary assemblage of Tiffany & Co. jewelry spanning nearly a century of American luxury craftsmanship.
The centerpiece of Taylor’s look was the breathtaking Bird on a Rock brooch, a masterwork in 18K yellow gold and platinum featuring a citrine of over 50 carats, accented with diamonds and a pink sapphire. This iconic Tiffany design, which has become synonymous with the house’s bold use of colored gemstones, created a dramatic focal point at Taylor’s shoulder.
Taylor complemented this showstopper with equally impressive platinum earrings featuring over 14 total carats of diamonds, substantial enough to frame her face beautifully without competing with the brooch for attention. But it was her choice of bracelet that truly demonstrated her appreciation for Tiffany’s heritage: an Archives piece from the brand’s vault, circa 1940–1950, crafted in gold and platinum with diamonds and citrines.
Stormzy’s Elegant Tiffany Moment
Men’s jewelry at the 2026 BAFTAs reached new heights of sophistication, with British grime artist and rapper Stormzy delivering one of the evening’s most refined looks. Wearing a stylish Gucci tuxedo, Stormzy accessorized with Tiffany & Co. jewelry that perfectly balanced artistic expression with black-tie elegance.
His primary statement piece was the Elsa Peretti Amapola brooch in 18K gold with red silk, a design from the legendary Peretti, whose organic, sculptural approach to jewelry design revolutionized the industry. The brooch’s poppy-inspired form added a touch of nature-inspired poetry to his otherwise sharply tailored ensemble. The rapper’s jewelry choice demonstrated that the best jewelry moments at the 2026 BAFTAs weren’t confined to traditional feminine adornment. Men’s jewelry continues to evolve as a powerful form of self-expression on the world’s most prestigious red carpets.
Chase Infiniti’s De Beers Diamonds
As one of the breakout stars of One Battle After Another, Chase Infiniti made a memorable impression in a Louis Vuitton dress elevated by exceptional pieces from De Beers. The actress wore the High Jewellery Arpeggia Five Line earrings in rose gold, with the matching bracelet, along with other diamond pieces to complete her look. De Beers’ presence on such a high-profile newcomer speaks to the brand’s continued relevance in the luxury diamond space and its appeal to rising stars looking to make their mark during awards season.
Erin Doherty’s Chaumet Elegance
Erin Doherty, wearing Louis Vuitton, turned to French heritage house Chaumet for her jewelry selections. Chaumet, with its long history as jeweler to emperors and royalty, brought centuries of Parisian savoir-faire to the 2026 BAFTAs red carpet. The maison’s designs, known for their perfect balance between classical restraint and contemporary sensibility, complemented Doherty’s overall aesthetic with understated luxury that allowed her natural beauty to shine.
Sadie Sink’s Bvlgari Brilliance
Sadie Sink paired her lime-green Prada dress with jewelry from Bvlgari. While the Roman jeweler is known for its bold use of colored gemstones, Sink’s choice was a simple diamond pendant necklace that echoed quiet sophistication. Bvlgari’s presence at the 2026 BAFTAs continued the house’s long association with cinema and celebrity culture, a relationship that dates back to Elizabeth Taylor’s legendary love affair with the brand.
Rose Byrne’s Boucheron Statement
Rose Byrne brought Parisian luxury to the BAFTAs jewelry lineup with her selection from Boucheron. Paired with a Miu Miu dress, her Boucheron Plume de Paon large pendant feather earrings, set with rose-cut diamonds and paved with round diamonds on white gold, represented the venerable French house’s unique position in the luxury landscape—a brand that combines Place Vendôme prestige with a more playful, nature-inspired design vocabulary.
Kerry Washington’s Chopard Glamour
Kerry Washington, a red carpet veteran known for her impeccable taste, selected Chopard jewelry to accompany her Prada dress. Washington’s choice, sapphire and diamond earrings, reflected both the brand’s red carpet pedigree and its position as a house that combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary values.
Alan Cumming’s Supernova Brooch
Host Alan Cumming didn’t let his presentational duties stop him from making a jewelry statement of his own. The Scottish actor wore the Atlas Carré Royal Supernova Brooch—a spectacular piece in grey gold featuring an amethyst and asymmetric sprays of lab-grown diamonds. This choice was particularly notable for its embrace of lab-grown diamonds, reflecting the growing acceptance of these sustainable alternatives within the luxury jewelry space. Cumming’s brooch demonstrated that some of the best jewelry moments at the 2026 BAFTAs came from those willing to push boundaries and challenge traditional notions of what “fine jewelry” should be.
Kate Hudson’s Chaumet Sophistication
Kate Hudson paired her red Prada dress with jewelry from Chaumet, creating a look that balanced Italian fashion with French joaillerie. Hudson’s choice, including the Joséphine Valse Impériale High Jewelry necklace, demonstrated her understanding of how the right jewelry can transform a beautiful dress into an iconic look.
Regé-Jean Page’s Hirsch London Dragonfly
In one of the evening’s most distinctive jewelry moments, Regé-Jean Page accessorized with a remarkable Desert diamond dragonfly brooch from Hirsch London. This lab-grown diamond piece, which sat elegantly at the top of his shirt, exemplified the growing trend of men embracing statement jewelry beyond traditional cufflinks and watches.
Monica Bellucci’s Cartier Salento Masterpiece
Italian actress and eternal style icon Monica Bellucci delivered one of the most sophisticated jewelry moments of the entire evening. Wearing Stella McCartney, Bellucci chose a Cartier necklace from the brand’s En Équilibre collection—a piece that represents Cartier’s ongoing exploration of balance, movement, and architectural form in jewelry design. The necklace embodies Cartier’s mastery of high jewelry, where diamonds and sapphires are transformed into wearable sculpture.
Wunmi Mosaku’s Moussaieff Moment
One of the evening’s biggest winners, Wunmi Mosaku, took home the Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Sinners. The Manchester native paired her blue Ahluwalia dress—from British-Nigerian designer Priya Ahluwalia—with jewelry from Moussaieff. The diamond hoop earrings, featuring oval-shaped diamonds, added even more shimmer to her ensemble as she sparkled under the spotlight.
Odessa A’zion’s Swarovski Sparkle
First-time BAFTA nominee Odessa A’zion chose a Swarovski choker to accompany her sheer Dior dress, demonstrating that some of the best jewelry moments at the 2026 BAFTAs didn’t require priceless gemstones to make an impact. Swarovski, with its long history of creating crystalline brilliance, has increasingly positioned itself as a legitimate player in the red carpet jewelry space.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s Cartier High Jewelry
Gugu Mbatha-Raw presented perhaps the evening’s most technically impressive jewelry moment with her selection of Cartier high jewelry. Wearing a pink Giorgio Armani dress, Mbatha-Raw accessorized with a bracelet featuring a substantial 34.66-carat peridot set with black lacquer and diamonds, complemented by matching ear cuffs that created a cohesive, modern jewelry narrative.
Featured image: Shaun James Cox for Harper’s Bazaar UK
Amanda Akalonu is dedicated to weaving together the worlds of jewelry, watches, and objects through a lens of literary storytelling.
