From New Orleans to the Oscars®: Ashleigh Branstetter®’s Red Carpet Jewelry Moments

When Ashleigh Branstetter® designs a piece of jewelry, she pours into it everything she has learned as a GIA Graduate Gemologist, a sculptor trained at Louisiana State University, and a designer forged in the creative fires of New Orleans. Some of those pieces go on to win prestigious industry awards. And some of them end up on the red carpet at the Academy Awards® and the Primetime Emmy Awards® — worn by Hollywood’s finest.

This is the story of how a jewelry designer from the French Quarter of New Orleans made it to two of the biggest nights in Hollywood.

The Oscars®: Mauro Fiore Wears Ashleigh Branstetter® to the Academy Awards

In 2010, the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) showcased jewelry from their prestigious Spectrum Awards™ competition at the StyleLab Academy Award Red Carpet Jewelry Preview in Beverly Hills, California. The event, curated with input from renowned stylist and television commentator Michael O’Connor of Style & Substance, Inc., brought together the finest award-winning jewelry designs for Hollywood’s elite to wear on the biggest night of the year.

From that showcase, Ashleigh Branstetter®’s London Blue Topaz cabochon and diamond platinum cufflinks were selected — and worn to the Academy Awards® by Mauro Fiore, the cinematographer of Avatar.

That night, Mauro Fiore took home the Oscar® for Best Cinematography — making him one of the most celebrated men on the red carpet. And on his cuffs: handcrafted fine jewelry by a New Orleans designer.

“This piece was done for the AGTA Spectrum Awards™. I didn’t even know he was going to wear them.” — Ashleigh Branstetter®

The cufflinks — featuring deep, velvety London blue topaz cabochons set in platinum with diamond accents — were the perfect complement to a black-tie Oscar® night. Bold, refined, and unmistakably handcrafted.

The Emmy Awards®: John Goodman’s Family Chooses Ashleigh Branstetter®

The red carpet moments don’t stop at the Oscars®. At the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards®, Emmy-nominated actor John Goodman arrived on the red carpet with his daughter — and she was wearing Ashleigh Branstetter®’s Fire Opals, Diamonds, and Turquoise drop earrings in 18-karat gold.

The earrings — a signature Ashleigh Branstetter® design combining the fiery brilliance of opals with the cool contrast of turquoise and the sparkle of diamonds — made a stunning appearance on one of television’s most glamorous evenings. Bold, colorful, and entirely one-of-a-kind: exactly what Ashleigh does best.

What Makes Ashleigh Branstetter® Red Carpet-Ready

It’s no accident that Hollywood comes to Ashleigh’s designs. Her jewelry is built for the spotlight — handcrafted in 18-karat gold and platinum, designed around extraordinary gemstones, and made to be noticed. As a 4-time AGTA Spectrum Award winner and multiple Tahitian Pearl Trophy recipient, her work has been validated by the most respected names in the jewelry industry.

But it’s the human moments — an Oscar® winner reaching for a pair of cufflinks, a daughter choosing earrings to wear beside her famous father — that remind us what jewelry is really for. It’s for the moments that matter most.

Own a Piece of Red Carpet History

Ashleigh’s award-winning aesthetic — the bold gemstones, the architectural precision, the New Orleans soul — runs through every piece in her current collection. Whether you’re looking for a statement necklace, a one-of-a-kind ring, or a pair of cufflinks worthy of the red carpet, you’ll find it at Ashleigh Branstetter® Fine Jewelry.

For a truly bespoke piece designed just for you — the kind that turns heads at the most important moments of your life — visit our Bespoke Custom Jewelry page or email hello@ashleighbranstetter.com.

Explore more of Ashleigh's awards story: Her AGTA Spectrum Award wins · Her Pearl Trophy wins · Full press & awards profile