The arbiters of fashion looked to the heavens above for inspiration at this year’s Met Gala and the jewels worn by the glitterati on the red carpet were up to the divine challenge.

Heavenly Bodies was the theme of this year’s fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute held Monday and those lucky enough to stroll the majestic steps of the museum to the private dinner inside were wearing their Sunday best with elaborate Catholic-themed outfits by Versace, Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Saint Laurent and others.

Pairing jewels for the costumes must have been a challenge. The usual barrage of diamonds and colorful gems took a back seat for black gems and lacquer. Vintage jewels made appearances but fewer than I would have expected considering the theme. Yes, crosses were a popular motif, along with elaborate filigree and open worked designs. Yellow gold and white metals were both appropriate with the theme and used often.

No one took to the theme of the event quite like Cartier, which opened up its vault to share its historic Cartier Collection jewels, occasionally paired with some of its contemporary pieces.

Rihanna co-chair of the event along with Amal Clooney and Donatella Versace wore the Cartier Collection pendant as a necklace. The jewel began its life as a lone crucifix in 1934 made of gold, silver, diamonds, sapphires, round faceted rubies, button pearls, opal and round faceted topazes and then was paired with the “Dove of the Holy Spirit" in 1949, made of gold, diamonds, a 17.20-carat star sapphire, sapphires, rubies, emerald, pearl, moonstones and opal. To further adorn her Papal-inspired outfit, she wore diamond rings by Gilan and Narcisa Pheres, and gold hoop earrings and a pearl ring from Konstantino Jewelry.

Several others also chose to wear old and new jewels from Cartier.

Actress Lily Collins wore a Cartier Collection necklace, circa 2007, made of 18k white gold and diamonds Cartier Collection earrings, Paris, 1929, made of silver, 18k white gold, onyx and Cartier Paris Nouvelle Vague ring made of 18k rose gold, black lacquer, diamonds.

Actress Priyanka Chopra chose several Cartier yellow and rose gold jewels to go with her Ralph Lauren crimson velvet gown, and gold and gem beaded hood, including a Cartier Collection pendant, 2000, 18k yellow gold, rubies, sapphires, emerald a Cartier Collection ring, 1995, 18k yellow gold, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds; two Cartier Collection rings, 1992, 18k yellow gold, rubies Cartier Collection ring, Paris, 1945, 18k yellow gold, emerald, rubies a Cartier Collection ring, 18k yellow gold, blacklacquer, citrine,diamonds a Cartier Collection ring, 2006, 18k yellow gold, blacklacquer, peridot, diamonds Cartier Justeun Clou ring, 18k rose gold, diamonds and a Amulette de Cartier ring, 18k rose gold, onyx, diamond.

Director Sofia Coppola wore Cartier Collection earrings, platinum and diamonds; and a Cartier Collection bracelet, New York, 1936, platinum, 18k white gold, blacklacquer and diamonds.

The big bold look of Bulgari’s heritage and contemporary jewels with their elaborate yellow and rose gold designs was a big hit on the religious-themed red carpet.

Bulgari brand ambassador, Lily Aldridge, wore a number of Bulgari pieces, including a platinum, emerald and diamond High Jewelry necklace a white gold, emerald and diamond Giardini High Jewelry necklace a platinum, emerald, diamond and pearl High Jewelry necklace an emerald and diamond Heritage ring, 1992; and a white gold and diamond High Jewelry ring.

Kylie Jenner wore Chopard earrings featuring two 5-carat cushion-cut diamonds set in platinum from the High Jewelry Collection.

Model Imaan Hammam wore Chopard earrings featuring 13.93-carats of pear-shaped diamonds and 1.22-carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold from the Precious Chopard Collection, a ring featuring a 2.51-carat oval modified brilliant-cut diamond set in 18k white gold from the High Jewelry Collection, and a ring featuring 1.50 carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold from the L’Heure Du Diamant Collection.

Fashion designer, Stella McCartney, wore emerald and diamond drop earrings weighing a total of 17 carats, by Kwiat.

Singer Miley Cyrus wore jewelry by Sydney Evan on the red carpet that included Custom Baguette & Round Bezel Medium Hoop Earrings with a large bezel cross, a Pyramid Spike Cross Charm, Small Spike Studs, Pavé Chain Link Ring in yellow gold, and a necklace.

Article by Antony Demarco