Jumbo earrings and clavicle-covering necklaces ruled the red carpet

The passionate political speeches—from award winners Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Taraji P. Henson, among others—in response to the White House’s most recent executive orders banning refugees all but defined last night’s Screen Actors Guild awards in Los Angeles.

Louis-Dreyfus, collecting her award for best comedy TV actress, asserted, “This immigrant ban is a blemish, and it is un-American.”

But the show went on, despite the heated political climate—and Hollywood’s most celebrated actors walked the red carpet in a parade of floaty gowns, snappy party dresses, and even sharp pantsuits (see Evan Rachel Wood, who’s making gorgeous pantsuits her thing).

Accenting all the designer finery was enough bling to festoon a pharaoh’s palace.

If there were any lingering doubts about whether Hollywood was embracing (and promoting) big, bold jewelry looks, the SAGs put them to rest.

From Sarah Paulson’s incredible oversize Nirav Modi diamond hoops to Kirsten Dunst’s exquisite Fred Leighton layered necklaces, stars didn’t skimp on jumbo jewelry looks—donning massive diamond, pearl, and even colored stone pieces from a wide swath of brands, including the usual suspects (Lorraine Schwartz, Tiffany & Co., and Fred Leighton) and the more boutique (such as Nikos Koulis, Niwaka, and Nirav Modi).

Here were some of the best—and gutsiest—looks that traipsed down the carpet:

STATEMENT EARRINGS
When it came to earrings, sheer size outshone shape and design. Celebs opted for diamond and colored stone looks with volume more often focused around the ear as opposed to just above the shoulder. Sofia Vergara wore jagged diamond-encrusted Lorraine Schwartz “feathered” wings that crept up her lobes, while Michelle Dockery opted for giant snail-shaped (orange fancy diamond?) earrings from Nirav Modi. Janelle Monáe chose emerald fan earrings from Nikos Koulis, and Amanda Peet shone in circa-1930s Fred Leighton waterfall diamond drops that lent sparkle to both the fronts and backs of her ears.

Sarah Paulson in Nirav Modi earrings (photo courtesy of Instagram/@karlawelchstylist)

Janelle Monáe in Nikos Koulis emerald earrings (photo courtesy of Instagram/@museshowroom)

Niwaka earrings before they were worn by Michelle Dockery (photo courtesy of Instagram/@micaelaerlanger)

Michelle Dockery in Niwaka earrings (photo courtesy of Instagram/@micaelaerlanger)

Amanda Peet in Fred Leighton earrings (photo courtesy of Instagram/@LeightonJewels)

Emily Blunt in Lorraine Schwartz pink sapphire earrings (photo courtesy of Instagram/@lorraineschwartz)
RING MADNESS
Blame it on Tracee Ellis Ross, who wore a glittering diamond ring on every finger to the Golden Globes this year. The madcap trend for piled-on rings seems to be gaining steam. Janelle Monáe opted for an all–white metal layered ring look, punctuated by fabric…armbands? As a look, it was busy, but also charming considering what a risk-taker Monáe is when it comes to fashion.

Janelle Monáe’s gussied-up hand (photo courtesy of Twitter/@JAjewelryinfo)

CHOKERS
Surprisingly, it was not a night of ubiquitous chokers, a la the Golden Globes. But the high-and-tight look was still popular. Amy Adams wore it best in the form of an incredible Cartier choker that looked a little like a fantasy sea urchin was perched on her neck (still gorgeous!), paired with matchy-matchy Cartier earrings and bracelet. Michelle Williams donned a choker of sorts with her glittery Louis Vuitton sash, which felt a bit self-conscious. She seems to be only wearing fabric “necklaces” this season; she wore a tied velvet ribbon to the Globes. Ah, well.

Amy Adams bringing the glam in Cartier (photo courtesy of Instagram/@for_future_reference)

Michelle Williams in another fabric necklace (photo courtesy of Instagram/@kateyoung)

MULTISTRAND (AND LAYERED) NECKLACES
For me, the jewelry moment of the night belonged to Kirsten Dunst, who dressed up her structured diaphanous Dior gown with a pair of vintage Fred Leighton diamond necklaces that sparkled like they were battery-powered. But Viola Davis, clad in a stunning and huge Nirav Modi diamond necklace, was a definite runner-up. And Bryce Dallas Howard certainly looked elegant in a multicolored gemstone necklace from Irene Neuwirth. In the face of all those big, edgy earrings, the classic necklace styles felt downright new.

Kirsten Dunst in Fred Leighton (photo courtesy of Twitter/@JAjewelryinfo)

Viola Davis in a Nirav Modi necklace (photo courtesy of Instagram/@elizabethstewart1)

Bryce Dallas Howard in Irene Neuwirth necklace and earrings (photo courtesy of Instagram/@ireneneuwirth)

HONORABLE MENTION 
Actress Kerry Washington kept her jewelry simple last night—but donned a safety pin on her shoulder to show solidarity with refugees and immigrants being detained at airports around the country. When history reflects on last night, the kitchen-drawer item may very well outshine even the most brilliant of diamonds.

Kerry Washington wore a safety pin to show her support of U.S. immigrants (photo courtesy of Instagram/@erinwalshnyc)

(Photo at top of Amanda Peet in Fred Leighton courtesy of Twitter/@JAjewelryinfo)

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