Zendaya’s Diamond Choker at the Oscars Was a $1.5M Cartier Masterpiece

Zendaya has long been hailed as a style icon, but at the 2024 Academy Awards, she may have delivered her most unforgettable fashion moment yet.

While walking the red carpet in a vintage Versace dress, she wore a jaw-dropping Cartier high jewelry diamond chokerthat instantly became one of the most talked-about accessories of the night.

The Piece: Historic Cartier Elegance

The choker, loaned from Cartier’s high jewelry archives, featured:

• Over 90 carats of D-color diamonds

• A 1950s-inspired design with cascading baguette cuts

• Custom white gold setting with invisible clasp

• Estimated value: $1.5 million

Paired with a minimal gown and slicked-back hair, the choker took center stage — a move that jewelry insiders immediately recognized as calculated brilliance.

Why It Mattered

This wasn’t just red carpet glam — it was a strategic reintroduction of high-end diamond chokers into modern fashion.

In the days following the Oscars:

• Search interest in “Zendaya Cartier choker” exploded

• Vintage-style chokers saw a 230% spike in searches

• Collectors began inquiring about replica diamond collars and Art Deco-inspired designs

The Diamond District Angle

While most can't borrow from Cartier, similar designs are now being created in NYC’s Diamond District, where custom chokers, vintage replica jewelry, and lab grown baguette pieces are being crafted with red carpet inspiration.

If you’re not dressing for the Oscars but still want the look, the Diamond District delivers the same visual drama — without the million-dollar markup.