Here's why so many stars wore emeralds to the Golden Globes

Beyond simply being gorgeous, there’s a reason A-listers accessorized with precious green stones.

The 2018 Golden Globe Awards was more than just a party. The red carpet was dominated by a sea of elegant black gowns and pants. A-listers donned the hue as a statement of solidarity, sisterhood and support for the Time’s Up initiative, which aims to put an end to sexual assault and gender inequality in the workplace. (And many actresses — Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams and Emma Watson, just to name a few — brought women’s rights activists as their dates.)

A more subtle way some of Hollywood’s leading ladies showed their dedication to the cause was by accessorizing their ensembles with emerald jewels. Beyond simply being gorgeous, these precious green gems are deeply symbolic.

“Emeralds have long been associated with divine feminine power — birth, fertility and creation — and often, they were associated with goddesses, like Venus and Umina in the ancient Peru,” Anna Sheffield, founder and creative director of her eponymous jewelry line, told TODAY Style. “They nod to the power and creativity attributed to females since the dawn of time, and evoke the reverence with which women should be treated.”

STYLE
Here's why so many stars wore emeralds to the Golden Globes
Beyond simply being gorgeous, there’s a reason A-listers accessorized with precious green stones.
by Lindsay Cohn / Jan.09.2018 / 5:37 AM ET / Source: TODAY

There's a special message behind those sparkly jewels.Getty Images /

The 2018 Golden Globe Awards was more than just a party. The red carpet was dominated by a sea of elegant black gowns and pants. A-listers donned the hue as a statement of solidarity, sisterhood and support for the Time’s Up initiative, which aims to put an end to sexual assault and gender inequality in the workplace. (And many actresses — Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams and Emma Watson, just to name a few — brought women’s rights activists as their dates.)

Black dominates fashion on the Golden Globes red carpet
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A more subtle way some of Hollywood’s leading ladies showed their dedication to the cause was by accessorizing their ensembles with emerald jewels. Beyond simply being gorgeous, these precious green gems are deeply symbolic.

“Emeralds have long been associated with divine feminine power — birth, fertility and creation — and often, they were associated with goddesses, like Venus and Umina in the ancient Peru,” Anna Sheffield, founder and creative director of her eponymous jewelry line, told TODAY Style. “They nod to the power and creativity attributed to females since the dawn of time, and evoke the reverence with which women should be treated.”

Plus, the green color was special to the suffragette movement that fought for women's right to vote (more on that below).
Here's how celebrities incorporated the symbolic stone.
Zoë Kravitz complemented her pixie cut with oversized emerald earrings and a matching ring.

Catherine Zeta-Jones dazzled in emerald chandelier earrings by Lorraine Schwartz.

Debra Messing made a splash in a large emerald cocktail ring and coordinating studs.

Issa Rae rocked a spectacular Lorraine Schwartz necklace, composed of strands of sparkling diamonds and an emerald pendant.

And it didn’t end there. Ashley Judd (one of the women who came forward about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual harassment), Isabelle Huppert, Laurie Metcalf and Alexi Ashe also chose to wear emeralds. As a man demonstrating his support, Ricky Martin donned a custom 25-carat emerald ring.

Some celebs — such as Emma Stone (who was accompanied by tennis icon Billie Jean King) and Lena Headey from "Game of Thrones" — even made a statement by bringing the shade into their beauty look.