Celebrity Jeweler Martin Katz on Oscars’ Best Ice

Martin Katz has been designing timeless pieces of jewelry since founding his Beverly Hills-based jewelry company in 1988. Since then, the Indiana native’s creations have added sparkle to some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities, including Jessica Biel — who wore his earrings at her wedding to Justin Timberlake — Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Sally Field, Barbra Streisand, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston and Johnny Depp.

Here, Katz breaks down the stuff sported by the beauties rocking his work on the Oscars red carpet and reveals his favorite pieces worn to celebrate film’s biggest night — past and present. 

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Who is wearing your pieces tonight?

We jeweled Sally Field, Cristin Milioti, Darlene Love and Alfre Woodard, as well as TV hosts Robin Roberts and Jessica Holmes. And of course we can’t forget the guys, Tyler Perry and Bruce Dern.

Can you describe some of the bling your clients chose for tonight?

Sally Field chose stunning four-carat oval diamond drop earrings and a three-row marquis diamond bangle, both set in 18-karat white gold. I always love working with Sally Field. 

Darlene Love wore black diamond pear-shape deco earrings set in antiqued 18-karat gold, a “Cappellini” nine-strand diamond bracelet, and a cushion-cut black diamond ring. 

For Cristin Milioti we decided on a pair of classic rose-cut diamond “Toby style” stud earrings set in platinum, worn with a ring I composed of briolette diamonds also set in 18-karat white gold accompanied by an assortment of diamond micro-band rings.

 

How do you decide who to put which pieces of jewelry on for a large event like the Oscars?

We really nourish our relationships all year long, and many become friends and true fans, and sometimes I will design a piece with a specific person in mind. Then a majority of the time, we work with their stylists after the dress has been selected and give our suggestions, but definitely let them do what they do. 

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Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry being worn for tonight’s show?

My favorite tonight is the diamond cuff that Robin Roberts is wearing. To me, this is the epitome of Hollywood glamour and puts the beauty of classic diamonds on her wrist. It’s a difficult bracelet to make because it is very flexible and actually has a spring nature when it stretches to open.

How about a favorite piece from a past Oscars?

My favorite from the past is Nicole Kidman at the 1997 Oscars.  She wore a green Galliano for Dior dress and I put her in vintage Mogul Indian jewelry consisting of colorful chandelier earrings and two green and red enamel and colored stone bracelets. The earrings paired wonderfully with Nicole’s chartreuse gown. This was one of my most talked-about years on the carpet, and I will always remember this look.  

Martin Katz jewelry is sold exclusively at his Beverly Hills boutique and at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City.