Desert diamonds: The new gems lighting up Hollywood's red carpet

The warm glow of Desert diamonds has been helping celebrities shine bright this award show season.

"Desert diamonds are incredibly special and are often found in Botswana and Namibia. But what makes them so unique is that not only do they come in white, but they also come in an incredible range of warm tones. Think yellow, cognac, champagne, and many other shades," explained celebrity fashion stylist Micaela Erlanger.

Since 2024, the demand for these diamonds has increased as A-listers help make the jewels mainstream. According to De Beers, "Desert diamonds have captured global attention, generating more than 250,000 mentions and 450 million views across digital platforms."

Celebrities who have recently worn Desert diamonds include Sarah Paulson, Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley, and Taylor Swift, whose engagement ring was created with the rare jewels.

Erlanger, who has been a stylist for 17 years, said selecting jewels for the red carpet is a highly collaborative experience, both between the stylist and the client, and between the stylist and the designer.

"When it comes to jewelry, it is truly like the icing on the cake. It is the final touch, and selecting those pieces is very intentional and very important to completing the overall look."

When it comes to award season, Erlanger said it's about statement-making pieces that come in many forms for both men and women.

"We have seen men wear jewelry in such an impactful way this award season. Connor Storrie most recently wore an incredible diamond necklace with his tuxedo at the SAG Awards red carpet. It was such a bold and contemporary look. Coleman Domingo also recently wore an incredible brooch from Tiffany on his lapel, and it just added that extra touch and interest to his overall look."

We'll be able to see how celebrities enhance their looks on the Oscars red carpet on March 15.

Production: Hussein Al Waaile, Alicia Powell/Reuters