There is a famous story about Richard Burton once quipping that Bulgari was the only Italian word Elizabeth Taylor truly understood, and it is the kind of remark that says everything about the jewelry house’s relationship with Hollywood royalty. Over the decades, Bulgari has adorned icons from Ingrid Bergman and Monica Vitti to Sharon Stone, cementing itself as the definitive name in cinematic glamour. At the 98th Academy Awards, that tradition continued in spectacular fashion when Priyanka Chopra Jonas arrived at the Dolby Theatre as the brand’s global ambassador, draped in pieces that stopped the red carpet in its tracks.
What made her appearance particularly extraordinary was the exclusivity of what she wore. Chopra Jonas debuted several world-premiere pieces from Bulgari’s upcoming Eclettica high jewelry collection, designs that had not yet been seen publicly and are set to be officially unveiled in Italy later this month. High jewelry occupies a category entirely its own in the world of fashion and accessories. Each piece is crafted entirely by hand by master artisans working with the world’s most exceptional gemstones, making the category the jewelry equivalent of haute couture, and just as rare.
The crown jewel of her ensemble was the Serpenti Illusio necklace, a white gold creation that demanded over 1,300 hours of meticulous handwork to complete. Constructed from 235 individual elements, the necklace is anchored by a breathtaking 14-carat Madagascar sapphire at its center. Surrounding that central stone are pavé diamonds, buff-top emeralds, and onyx accents that work together to create something that almost defies categorization. The design is built to shift and transform depending on the light and the movement of the body, functioning simultaneously as sculpture and optical illusion.
What makes the piece truly ingenious is its layered storytelling. At first glance, the massive sapphire commands complete attention, drawing the eye immediately. But as a viewer spends more time with the necklace, the house’s legendary serpent motif begins to emerge from the structure, cleverly concealed just above the central stone and gradually revealing itself. It is the kind of design that rewards patience and rewards a second look, which is exactly what one expects from a house with Bulgari’s history. Chopra Jonas is no stranger to making bold statements with the brand’s jewelry, having previously worn a 241-carat emerald from Bulgari at the Met Gala, a choice that made headlines of its own.
Priyanka Chopra attending the oscars pic.twitter.com/LOQaI3oMYT
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Beyond her role as Bulgari’s global face, Chopra Jonas has been keeping an extraordinarily busy pace professionally. She recently starred in the action-thriller ‘The Bluff’, which made its debut on Amazon Prime Video in late February. In the film, she plays a former pirate navigating the dangers of the 19th-century Caribbean while fighting to shield her family from the consequences of her past. The project brought together an impressive cast alongside her, including Karl Urban and Ismael Cruz Córdova, and gave Chopra Jonas the opportunity to take on demanding physical stunt work throughout production.
Fans are also eagerly anticipating the return of her spy series ‘Citadel’, with the second season expected to arrive later this spring. The upcoming season is set to incorporate characters from the show’s international spin-offs, ‘Citadel: Diana’ and ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’, expanding the universe in ways audiences have been waiting for since the first season wrapped.
Bulgari’s Serpenti collection actually dates back to the 1940s, when the brand began experimenting with flexible, coiling snake forms in watchmaking before translating that motif into jewelry. The snake has been a symbol of eternal renewal in Roman mythology, which is part of why Bulgari, a Roman house, has leaned into it so devotedly for over eight decades. A single piece of Bulgari high jewelry can take a team of artisans anywhere from several hundred to several thousand hours to complete, which is why collections like Eclettica are unveiled as major cultural events rather than standard product launches.
What was your reaction to Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s Oscars look — share your thoughts in the comments.
