The Most Dazzling Rocks—And The Rock’s $146K Watch—Of The Academy Museum Gala

Topline

The star-studded annual gala for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles brought an array of dazzling jewelry pieces and high-dollar watches to the red carpet, including a 41.93-carat Australian black opal necklace worn by actress Lucy Liu.

Key Facts

Liu, best known for her roles in “Charlie’s Angels” and “Ally McBeal,” wore am indigo Miss Sohee couture gown accented by a jeweled necklace by designer Margot McKinney called the “Lillian.”

The necklace, which was on exhibit at the European Fine Art Fair in March and also appeared in a Margot McKinney exhibit at the Museum of Brisbane, features a rare 41.93-carat Australian black opal as its centerpiece.

The piece also features tanzanite, rubellite, mandarin garnet, yellow beryl, peridot, green tourmaline, citrine and kunzite stones placed in floral settings and embellished with diamond-set ribbons.

The Lillian necklace has never been publicly valued but black opals can be priced at up to $15,000 per carat in rare cases and comparable Margot McKinney high jewelry pieces have been valued at close to $1 million.

Other show-stopping jewelry looks from the Academy Museum Gala included a massive Maison Margiela crystal-embellished choker necklace with green jewels and cross pendants worn by Kim Kardashian; a Cartier ruby and diamond collier with matching earrings by worn by Demi Moore and a pair of David Webb jade and emerald earrings worn by Kerry Washington.

Tangent

Tiffany & Co. held quite a bit of real estate on the Academy Museum Gala carpet. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wore pieces from the brand’s Blue Book 2023: Out of the Blue collection, including the $240,000 Cooper bracelet, $45,000 Three Leaves ear clips and a 9-carat diamond necklace. Actress Laura Harrier wore the $33,000 Bird on a Rock gold and diamond earrings with a diamond necklace anchored by a 10-carat imperial topaz. Amanda Seyfried wore a Tiffany & Co. emerald and diamond statement necklace. Channing Tatum dazzled in a diamond-encrusted Tiffany & Co. archives brooch, as well as a diamond Tiffany Eternity watch worth more than $40,000.

Surprising Fact

Women weren’t the only ones sporting memorable jewelry looks on the red carpet. Dwayne Johnson wore a $146,500 Métiers d’Art Damasquinée watch from Blancpain with a gold dragon on the dial. Actor Robert Downey Jr. accessorized with a $75,000, rose gold Maestro 8.0 Squelette watch from Gerald Charles. Several actors wore Cartier timepieces, including Louis Partridge, Ke Huy Quan, Dave Franco and Sebastian Stan.

Further Reading

Forbes10-Carat Pink Diamond, $6 Million Cartier Clock And Historic Rolex Among Sotheby’s Most Extravagant Upcoming SalesForbesUS Open Bling: The Most Expensive Watches And Jewelry Wasn’t Worn By The Winners (Full List)ForbesLouvre Robbery: Here’s What We Know About Heist As Paris Museum Closed Sunday

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2025/10/20/lucy-lius-giant-opal-starred-among-the-jewels-at-academy-museum-gala-photos/