Red carpet jewelry

When it comes to diamonds, one name in Hollywood shines brightest: Harry Winston. Known as the "jeweler to the stars," the 81-year-old diamond company has outfitted celebrities off and on screen for decades.

Left: Actress Jessica Chastain wearing the Water by Harry Winston "Splash" Diamond Necklace, valued at $1.25 million, at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.

For the red carpet, Harry Winston loans out some of its finest pieces to nominees, presenters and Hollywood legends. Big-ticket items also come with their own security detail.

Actress Jessica Alba arrives at the Golden Globe Awards, January 13, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. Alba wore A Mrs. Winston by Harry Winston diamond necklace valued at $5.8 million, complemented by Harry Winston's platinum and round diamond stud earrings.

In 1944 Harry Winston became the first jeweler to loan out pieces for an actress to wear at the Oscars, to Jennifer Jones (who went on that night to win the Best Actress Oscar). And so a tradition -- and the nickname for Winston of "jeweler to the stars" -- was born.

Between 1949 and 1953, Harry Winston organized a touring exhibition known as "The Court of Jewels," aimed at raising money for charitable causes. At left is Katharine Hepburn, who wore the renowned Spanish Inquisition Necklace during "The Court of Jewels" exhibition.

Actress Charlize Theron arrives at the Oscars at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. Theron wore Harry Winston's emerald-cut earstuds (5 carats each), valued at $1.6 million.

Theron's jewelry from Harry Winston also included a vintage 1959 diamond lattice bracelet (58.07-carats), a vintage 1959 cluster bracelet (57.30-carats), a diamond marquise lattice bracelet, and a marquise-cut diamond cluster ring, all set in platinum.

Singer Adele arrives on the red carpet for the 85th Annual Academy Awards on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. Adele, who won an Oscar for the theme song from "Skyfall," wore Harry Winston cluster diamond earrings (21.51-carats) and a diamond ring.

Actress Jessica Chastain arrives at the Oscars at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. Chastain, a Best Actress nominee for "Zero Dark Thirty," wore Harry Winston 10-carat vintage 1969 diamond earrings.

Chastain also wore a 24-carat vintage 1967 diamond and gold bracelet from Harry Winston.

Kate Capshaw (arriving at the Oscars with husband Steven Spielberg) wore a Harry Winston diamond qipao necklace, a diamond bracelet, and diamond earrings, all set in platinum.

Kevin Winter, Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

At the 2012 Golden Globe Awards "Modern Family" actress Sofia Vergara wore two bracelets (including one 62.72-carat bracelet), 31.58-carat earrings, and two rings from the Harry Winston collection. Total value: More than $5 million.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow (holding her Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in "Shakespeare in Love") wore a Harry Winston Princess Necklace and Diamond Cluster Earrings, at the 71st Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, March 21, 1999.

Actress Michelle Williams wearing Harry Winston diamond earstuds, at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre February 27, 2011 in Hollywood, California.

Diamond earstuds from the Sunflower Collection by Harry Winston, worn by Michelle Williams at the 2011 Academy Awards.

Actress Natalie Portman arrives at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California, wearing three platinum and diamond bracelets and a platinum and pear-shaped diamond cluster ring from Harry Winston. Add the earrings, and you're talking over 55 carats in all, valued at $400,000.

Actress Halle Berry, wearing the Harry Winston Pumpkin Diamond (a rare 5.54-carat orange diamond ring), holds her Oscar after winning the award for Best Actress for "Monster's Ball," March 24, 2002, at the 74th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, Calif.

Actress Natalie Portman arrives at the 84th Annual Academy Awards held at the Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2012 in Hollywood, California, wearing Oval Diamond Drop Earrings, and a Diamond V-Shape Cluster Necklace.

Actress Charlize Theron arrives at the premiere of "Young Adult," held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on December 15, 2011 in Beverly Hills, Calif., wearing a Harry Winston Diamond Carpet Bracelet (60.5 carats, set in platinum), valued at $410,000.

Actress Gloria Stuart arrives for the 70th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles March 23, 1998. Stuart, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for "Titanic," wore a Harry Winston sapphire and diamond necklace that was a replica of the jewel she wore in the film. Value: $20 million.

Actress/singer Jennifer Lopez wore $5 million worth of Harry Winston jewelry to the 2011 Golden Globe Awards, including earrings valued at $3 million.

At the 2012 Academy Awards, "Help" nominee Jessica Chastain wore Yellow Diamond Drop Earrings from the Harry Winston collection.

Harry Winston's Yellow Diamond Drop Earrings, worn by Jessica Chastain to the 2012 Academy Awards.

Chastain also wore matching Yellow Diamond Bracelets and a Yellow Diamond Micropave Ring. The Harry Winston colored diamonds were valued at $2 million.

Adele is seen sporting a 12.4 carat diamond ring by Harry Winston, at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.

Actress Halle Berry is pictured on the red carpet at the 68th annual Golden Globe awards, January 16, 2011, wearing two diamond floral bracelets, and an emerald-cut bracelet from Harry Winston.

Frazer Harrison, Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Actress Diane Kruger, appearing at the 16th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, January 23, 2010. Harry Winston jewelry worn by Kruger include vintage 17-carat ruby and diamond drop earrings; a 31-carat ruby and diamond link bracelet; and a 60-carat ruby and diamond cluster cuff.

Actress Scarlett Johansson arrives wearing Harry Winston earrings, at the Royal Film Premiere of "The Other Boleyn Girl," at the Odeon Leicester Square on February 19, 2008 in London, England.

Actress Anne Hathaway arrives at the 80th Annual Academy Awards on February 24, 2008 in Hollywood, Calif., wearing 10-carat Harry Winston Cushion Cut Diamond Ear Studs on a Wire.

Emmy Rossum arrives at the 77th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater on February 27, 2005 in Hollywood, California.

Actress Sandra Bullock, wearing Harry Winston Square Emerald-Cut Diamond Earstuds, arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011 in Hollywood, Calif.

For more info:
harrywinston.com

By CBSNews.com senior editor David Morgan

CBS News 24/7