AS REPORTED BY OUR FINE JEWELRY EXPERT, AMY ELLIOTT

Swap out the black for white and last night’s Golden Globes red carpet dresses were a lesson on how a wedding gown can act as a blank canvas for carefully-chosen, thoughtfully placed—and absolutely gorgeous—jewelry.

Below, a few favorites from the night.

SALMA HAYEK in Harry Winston

The actress donned a regal cluster diamond necklace set with 81.95 carats of white and yellow diamonds set in 18k yellow gold and platinum with her form-fitting turtleneck gown by Balenciaga.

KATHERINE LANGFORD in Chopard and Jennifer Behr

Mismatched diamond drop earrings added sparkle with an edge to her embellished Prada gown with a deep V-neck. The protagonist of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why added Swarovski crystal starburst hairpins to her sideswept hairstyle, bringing 360-degree sparkle to her look.

MICHELLE WILLIAMS in Louis Vuitton

An eternal minimalist when it comes to selecting jewelry to complement her red carpet looks, Williams demonstrated the art of restraint by pairing her off-the-shoulder Louis Vuitton with a single diamond pendant on a delicate chain.

KATE HUDSON in Harry Winston

Clad in sheer black Valentino, the actress went for vintage glamour with her long, swingy statement necklace. The design, called Secret Wonder, features 30.01 carats of diamonds, aquamarines set in platinum. She finished her look with a number of Harry Winston vintage jewels, including a pair of diamond cluster earrings from 1969.

ZOË KRAVITZ IN Lorraine Schwartz

Emerald jewelry seemed to be everywhere on the Golden Globes red carpet, but the Big Little Lies actress’s  black jade-accented earrings + ring combo was the most memorable, and added a bold hit of color to her Yves Saint Laurent column gown.

ALISON BRIE in Bulgari

An intricate chevron-shaped diamond bib necklace helped balance the drama of the Glow star’s voluminous ensemble by Greek designer Vassilis Zoulis.