Angelina Jolie Shines at "The Tourist" Premiere

Angelina Jolie's red carpet fashion choices lately have left me, well, underwhelmed. There are only so many incarnations of the black gown/diamond stud combo we jewelry hounds are expected to endure on the most beautiful A-lister in the world, right?

But she SO redeemed herself at last night's New York premiere for her latest flick, The Tourist, in a sultry winter white Versace number and unique emerald-cut beryl earrings that sent me scrambling to find out more.

So here's the skinny:

Of course someone as gorg. as A-Jo has to have her own personal jeweler, right? Enter, Robert Procop - Asprey's former CEO who's bejeweled Brad Pitt's better half for the past ten years or so.

Turns out, the earrings she wore on the carpet last night are part of a collection she and Procop collaborated on together - with all proceeds benefiting Jolie's personal charity, The Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.

And the emerald ring Brad Pitt wore on the carpet last night also served as inspiration for one of the pieces, WWD reports.

Unfortunately, we mere mortals won't be able to snag some for our own collection since the items are only available to Procop's personal clients - and are priced accordingly. Whatevs. As long as it's for the children...

While these beryl beauties aren't as stunning as the emerald earrings Jolie made famous at the 2009 Oscars, they are a WELCOME reprieve from the snoresville stud earring Jolie had in heavy rotation while promoting her last film, Salt. (see my earlier rant here for more)

Although it's hard to complain when she's got the best accessory of all on her arm... Just bring Brad and I'll keep the snark to myself.

Jewelry Insider's Top Ten Blingy Bits of 2009

Another year down, jewelry hounds, another year of frivolous fun in jewelry land. We've seen red carpets sparkle (and stink up the joint), the entire D-list attempt to start their own jewelry lines, stunning diamond auction sales despite a Bernie Madoff-induced luxury melt down, and plenty of 'lower jaw-drop' moments.

As we bloggers are predisposed to do this time of year, I've taken a look back at 2009 and culled together some of my favorite jewelry moments with some of yours. The result? This little Top Ten list for your reading pleasure.

Thanks to all for joining this shiny place of jewel-filled sarcasm, schadenfreude and joy. Here's to another bling-filled year!

10. Brad Pitt's Diamond Daughter

The third most popular post this year involved a random tidbit detailing Brad Pitt's diamond jewelry gift to his daughter, Shiloh. Lesson learned? Some kids have all the luck. And always write about Brad Pitt.

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/06/brad-pitts-diamond-daughter.html

9. Technicolor Diamonds

Lower jaw-drop moment of the year alert: Despite the economic woes taking most of us mortals to our knees this year, some lucky as*&, I mean, folks snapped up some stunning natural-color diamonds off the auction block in 2009 - inlcuding the Wittelsbach blue diamond that broke the record for most expensive rock ever sold at auction.

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/05/rare-blue-diamond-sets-record.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/11/champagne-diamonds-sparkle-around-us.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/06/black-diamonds-get-in-touch-with-your.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/12/rare-pink-diamond-sets-auction-record.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/12/carrie-underwoods-diamond-engagement.html

8. Woodstock/Mad Men Mania

The 60s came back with a vengeance this year, with Woodstock celebrating it's 40th anniversary and Mad Men taking the entertainment and fashion worlds by storm. Jewelry fashion followed suit, with this fourth most popular post for 2009.

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/08/woodstock-may-be-turning-40-but-jewelry.html

7. Celebrity Jewelry Robbery Ring

Just when you thought Hollywood couldn't get any more tawdry, a ring of wannabe reality star youngster thugs robbed D-listers like Paris, Lindsay, and that vacuous brunette from The Hills of their beloved family jewels. The horror! And they didn't even get an agent out of it...

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/08/lindsay-lohan-robbed-in-hollywood.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/10/lindsay-lohan-jewelry-thief-charged.html

6. Paris Rules

Nope. Not talking about 'the Hilton' - despite writing about her over a dozen times this year (sorry 'bout that). Paris, France was - yet again - my favorite Fashion Week by far, with jewelry exploding all over the catwalks. Bigger, better, bling-filled bliss.

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/01/jewelry-explodes-in-paris.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/10/jewelry-explodes-on-paris-catwalks.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/10/paris-pearls-and-perfection.html

5. Vampire Chic

From Team Edward to True Blood, it was all about the undead in 2009. Enter: blood red rubies, cross necklaces, vampire-inspired jewelry lines, and lots of black eye-linered brooding. Oh - and angst.

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2008/10/spooky-jewelry-for-your-inner-goth.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/08/vampires-diamonds-and-true-love.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/09/jewelry-inspired-by-silver-screen.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/11/jewelry-no-show-at-twilight-premiere.html

4. Paula Abdul – From Mess to Maven

Oh, Paula. How you confuse me so. You gave us some of the absolute worst fashion moments on the red carpet in 2009, yet somehow your jewelry line sells out in minutes? And recently, you've made some classic red carpet appearances with jewelry that actually fits the occasion. Let's hope you have enough sense (and money in the coffers) to keep your current stylist now that Ellen is stealing your spotlight.

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/02/paula-abduls-grammy-fashion-miss.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/03/paulas-kids-choice-jewelry-misfires.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/11/paula-abduls-ama-jewelry-redemption.html

3. Celebrity Engagement Rings

From The Bachelor bungle, to my second most popular post - Ivanka Trump's engagement ring bling - the celebrity world of betrothal never disappoints. Here are some of the year's highlights for your drooling pleasure.

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/07/ivanka-trumps-engagement-ring-bling.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/10/ivanka-trumps-wedding-jewelry-low-down.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/03/vince-vaughn-celebrity-engagement-ring.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/03/kendras-engagement-ring-bling.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/03/bachelor-diamond-drama.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-york-housewive-spotted-with-diamond.html

2. Angelina's Oscar Emeralds

The most popoular post of 2009 was my early report of Angelina Jolie's emerald Oscar jewelry. Sorry, Jen - 2010 is gonna be your year.

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/02/emeralds-oscar-and-angelina-jolie.html

1. Michelle Obama

Mighty Michelle jump-started a sinking fashion industry when her husband's historic campaign and election took the country by storm. So I joined the throngs of other fashion bloggers who followed her every move in those first few months of 2009. The good news is, she continues to breathe fresh life into the jewelry world with statement pieces, brooches and classic pearls akimbo. No matter your political persuasion, you gotta give it up for bling you can believe in.

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/01/michelle-obamas-borrowed-bling.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/01/holy-toledo-michelle-obama-sparkles-in.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/01/loree-rodkin-michelle-obamas-jewelry.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/04/michelle-obama-brings-fuchsia-fashion.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/04/michelle-obama-dazzles-in-london.html

http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/2009/05/michelle-obamas-bare-arms-and-big-bling.html

Did I miss any of your favs? Weigh in, jewelry hounds!

Lead a Charmed Life

Forgive me, jewelry hounds. I forgot an important fall jewelry trend in my post last week: charm bracelets!

Most of the hot celebrity jewelry lines are featuring them this season – from Paula Abdul to Tori Spelling – and top designers like Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs and Betsey Johnson have special charmed creations in their collections as well.

Even Brad Pitt got shiny additions for his beloved Angie's bracelet - as if they didn't already lead a charmed life!

Charm bracelets are one of those timeless jewelry categories that work for all ages and styles. The fun isn’t about a one-off bracelet purchase – it’s about collecting the charms that represent who you are. And it’s a great way to get gifts that really mean something to you come birthday-time and holiday season.

One hotspot for charms is Reeds Jewelers on Jewelry.com. The retailer, in business since 1946, just joined the Internet juggernaut with over 4,000 (count em!) charms ripe for the picking - in addition to their extensive collection of fine jewelry styles.

Some of my favorites border on the bizarre, but you’ve got to hand it to them: they’ve got every whim and whimsy covered.

How much do you love this bathtub charm? They’ve got everything from a minivan and a gas pump to a spider web and a camera! Anything you can imagine.

So take some time to troll the Reeds coffers on Jewelry.com to add to your charm collection or to start a new bracelet just in time for the fall season.

And let me know how you make out! Which charms best suit your personality? They've got it ALL, I'm telling you. Surprise me!

Brad Pitt's Diamond Daughter

So you’re turning three. You’re thinking a doll, a stuffed animal, maybe a little cake might be nice from mom and dad. But if you’re the first biological child of the world’s most powerful couple – you don’t get a little party hat and a Sponge Bob DVD.

You get diamonds. And lots of ‘em.

Proud poppa, Brad Pitt, threw down a lot of cash at Neil Lane’s fab jewelry boutique in Los Angeles last week for his little blonde beauty, and walked away with not one but TWO diamond and platinum necklaces for Shiloh reportedly worth over $15,000.

Not to be outshined, US Magazine reports that Brad presented mom-gelina with a little bling of her own - namely a pricey Neil Lane charm bracelet decorated with mini gold and diamond jet planes.

To symbolize the emotional distance that now stands between them? Or maybe just to praise her piloting skills. Is there anything this woman doesn't do?

Apparently not. She's been listed as the most powerful celebrity in the world according to Forbes Magazine (yes, including the big O, folks), so it's probably best that Brad keep up with the...um...kissing up.

Emeralds, Oscar and Angelina Jolie

I'm still sifting through the glittering jewelry looks from last night's Oscar extravaganza, but I'd like to just take a moment to revel in the beauty of Angelina Jolie's shocking Colombian emerald jewelry. If the jewels, the Oscar nomination, the front row seats and the arm candy wasn't enough to put Jennifer Aniston over the edge last night, I don't know what will.

While I am admittedly a card carrying member of Team Aniston, the quiet elegance of Angelina's black Elie Saab gown was perfectly complimented by her Lorraine Schwartz 115 carat emerald teardrop earrings and her silver dollar-sized 65 carat right hand ring. Bravo.
























Despite America's wish for a more dramatic Jen-Angie showdown, it appeared as if the main characters in our favorite media-contructed love triangle weathered the awkward Oscar storm well. Jennifer got through her tepid animation schtick right in front of the stoic couple without stumbling, and Brad and Angie mastered their "I'm so interested. No. Really." for her benefit.

But the emeralds, people. I'm thinking those green Colombian beauties will go down forever as one of Oscar's best jewelry moments. Am I wrong here? Have Angelina's wiccan ways seduced me over to the dark side? Who do you think won the showdown last night?

And stay tuned for more Oscar jewelry gabbing from the red carpet to the glittering after parties. The Amy Adams gemstone lobster bib look has me on the fence. Totally glam or unfortunately gaudy?