2011 Oscar Jewelry Roundup: The Trends & Top Ten from Tinseltown

Oscar jewelry fashion at the 2011 Academy Awards was a smattering of surprises paired with the usual classic diamond deluge. Fasten your seatbelts, jewelry hounds. Here's my glittering recap to the red carpet Super Bowl. 

Red-hued frocks with elegant diamond looks were a big trend (Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Hudson), along with emerald jewels (Amy Adams, Reese Witherspoon, Annette Bening), knock-out necklaces (Nicole Kidman, Helen Mirren), and colorful earrings in surprising silhouettes (Marisa Tomei, Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman).

While there was a very real fear that the 'less is more' trend would dominate the night - (Michelle Williams, Mandy Moore and Jennifer Lawrence all opted for minimal jewels - among many others), Oscar always brings out the best in some of our go-to fashion divas.

Here are my top ten looks of the night, but be sure to visit Jewelry.com on Facebook for my complete album with rants and raves capturing all the Oscar looks. And better yet? Check in with JewelClub Monday morning to get all the hot 2011 Oscar jewels at prices that don't need their own body guard.


1. Anne Hathaway Oscar Jewelry

Some might say Tiffany diamonds and a red dress are safe Oscar bets. I say - that's the kind of red carpet fashion we jewelry hounds are looking for (and dare I say) expect from the A-list. And Annie's jewelry looks just kept on coming throughout the show (I'll be tracking down pics and credits for all - so stay tuned!)

2. Nicole Kidman Oscar Jewelry

How can you make a stunning 150-carat Fred Leighton diamond necklace look even more beautiful? Put it on Nicole Kidman and have it DRAPE DOWN HER BACK! Win!

3. Marisa Tomei Oscar Jewelry

Van Cleef & Arpels is responsible for these sapphire, diamond and emerald statement stunners. And her Charles James dress from 1950 almost made Tim Gunn hyperventilate, bless his heart. She's never looked better.

4. Natalie Portman Oscar Jewelry

The sensational Live Twitter Chat gang (some of the best minds in jewelry and fashion participated - click here for more!) were either in LOVE with these Tiffany ruby tassels or thought them to be, um, pedestrian. I love the pomegranate color - not the silhouette so much. It just wasn't the knock-out moment the belle of the Oscar ball needed to bring (a la Gwyneth in Cathy Waterman and Ralph Lauren when she won back in the day).

5. Gwyneth Paltrow Oscar Jewelry

Speaking of G-Pal - only she could pull off this Calvin Klein silvery sensation of a dress paired with these unique Louis Vuitton gemstone (bird?) earrings from their L’Ame du Voyage collection. A bold choice and a big win!

6. Helen Mirren Oscar Jewelry

Dame Mirren reigned over the red carpet in a pearl, diamond and platinum necklace from 1907 and a diamond bracelet from Cartier’s Archive Museum Collection. This woman always looks lovely - although the length of her necklace is a bit long here for my taste.

7. Reese Witherspoon Oscar Jewelry

This year's Angelina Jolie-emerald-earring copycat award goes to...Reese Witherspoon, who looked lovely in 35-carat emerald drops by Neil Lane (her jewelry totaled $1 million). Annette Bening? You come in second place...

8. Jennifer Hudson Oscar Jewelry

Jaws dropped when this dream girl stepped on the red carpet in a 'tangerine/red' Versace number and Neil Lane diamonds. And I am telling you. You don't have to go anywhere, sister.

9. Mandy Moore Oscar Jewelry

The 'less is more' win of the night for me went to this pretty diamond cluster earring on Mandy Moore. The overall look is the perfect example of how to wear jewelry with a sparkly dress. Just lovely.

10. Amy Adams Oscar Jewelry
 

Such a bold choice to wear navy, no neck line and this Cartier emerald and diamond wrap necklace and a 30.75-carat carved emerald and diamond bracelet-watch worth $1.025 million. Everyone is talking about her jewelry - despite the fact that it belonged with a different ensemble.

Whew! So what do you guys think of my Top Ten Oscar jewels for 2011? Who did I miss? Weigh in - and be sure to double back tomorrow for my 'after party' jewelry gawk-fest. Hoping for an Angelina sighting at the Vanity Fair party. Stay tuned!

(By request, a close-up of Amy Adams' Cartier wrist bling. Wow!)

SAG Awards Jewelry Roundup 2011

Juliana Margulies in Bavna jewelry

The 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards brought us a red carpet full of diamond dangle earrings, icy cuffs, a few scary statement necklaces and a splash of color for good measure.

If this sounds familiar, it's because all the big red carpet events lately have followed the same 'play it safe' pattern when it comes to bedazzling our favorite Hollywood beauties.

I'm not complaining, really. The SAG Awards are known as a more low-key carpet than the Globes and the Oscars. I just miss the smack-your-face, lower-jaw-drop jewelry moments from years' past. It just ain't happening much in 2011, I'm afraid.

That said, here's a roundup of last night's jewelry trends for your drooling pleasure.

Diamond Divas:

SAG winner, Natalie Portman, and Glee diva, Lea Michele, stunned in millions worth of Tiffany diamond dazzle. You have my permission to hate them.

Natalie Portman in $2 million Tiffany 27.95-carat yellow diamond earrings

Lea Michele in $300,000 worth of Tiffany diamond jewels

Drops and Dangles:

The ubiquitous diamond dangle earring category made a strong showing - with a few standouts like Julianna Margulies in Bavna statement stunners and the always-gorg Kim Kardashian in her go-to jewelry favorite, Lorraine Schwartz.

Heather Morris in Martin Katz

Eva Longoria in Neil Lane

Tina Fey in Lorraine Schwartz leaf earrings

Kim Kardashian in Lorraine Schwartz

Black and White:

Amy Adams has never looked this good, in my humble opinion - thanks to the year's standout red carpet jewelry designer, Kimberly McDonald. While Christina Hendricks got too close to Elvira chic with her dress choice, I love the black teardrop earrings by Sutra (which she didn't lose this time!).

Winona Ryder in Gray jewelry

Christina Hendricks in Sutra earrings

January Jones in Lorraine Schwartz

Amy Adams in Kimberly McDonald

Amy Adams in Kimberly McDonald

Diamond Cleavage...Um, I Mean, Cuffs:

Sofia Vergara continues to wow in a plunging blue Roberto Cavalli with a sparkling Chopard diamond cuff.

Sofia Vergara in Chopard diamond cuff

Claire Danes in Fred Leighton diamond bangles

Natalie Portman in Tiffany diamond bangles

Mila Kunis in $270,000 Cartier tiger cuff. Meow!

Color Queens:

While previous awards shows gave us a definite color trend to squawk about (emeralds for the Globes), the SAGs gave us just a varied smattering of gemstone hues.

Rosario Dawson in Susie Fox

Jane Krakowski in Lorraine Schwartz

Mariska Hargitay in David Webb turquoise earring

Necklace No-Nos:

So far, 2011 is NOT the year of the necklace. I'm on the fence about Nicole Kidman's Fred Leighton flower piece - but Jenna Ushkowitz's gold bib number has to go.

Nicole Kidman in Fred Leighton

Our fun-filled SAG Twitter chat (#SAGjewelry) led by the all-knowing Cindy Edelstein (aka JewelryBizGuru), was the usual snark-fest with the occasional gasp. But we all agreed we were missing a stand-out jewelry star - and that Guiliana Rancic needs to stop speaking English.

Check out all the fun here - and weigh in with your thoughts!

Next up? The Grammy Awards on February 13th!

Natalie Portman's Engagement Ring Goes Green

Natalie Portman is having one heck of a year. And while her Oscar nomination is making big headlines this week, I'm turning my attention to another newsworthy Natalie item making the rounds - the blingy details of her gorgeous diamond engagement ring.

When it came to designing Portman's shiner, the A-lister's choreographer fiancé, Benjamin Millepied, relied on his leading lady and the art of ballet for inspiration, according to People. Millepied called on former dancer pal and jewelry designer Jamie Wolf to help create the perfect ring for his Black Swan.

“Ben was exceptionally thoughtful and dedicated and patient to make sure we had everything right,” Wolf explained to InStyle. “We wanted everything about the ring to speak to things that are important to Natalie.”

The circular Halo design centers around an antique mine-cut diamond, surrounded by certified conflict-free stones and made of recycled platinum — all in line with Natalie's eco-friendly, vegan lifestyle. The estimated price tag is around $35,000 - (or a lifetime supply of gluten-free veggie burgers).

I am in love with the 'Halo' look for engagement rings - and expect the silhouette to develop into a full-blown trend - especially now that Natalie's rock is getting so much air time during Awards Season. Stay tuned!

P.S. I am Live Tweeting the SAG Awards red carpet this Sunday with all the other cool kids starting at 7pm EST/4pm PST. Use hashtag #SAGjewelry. Be there or be square, jewelry hounds!

2011 Golden Globes Jewelry Fashion Recap

Natalie Portman in Victor & Rolf and Tiffany jewelry

Jewelry fashion at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards was a lot like that bittersweet time when you realize there isn't an Easter Bunny. You're kinda disappointed - but as long as you still have some sugar in a basket - all is good.

Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

While no one knocked my socks off this year, the sugary sparkle came in the guise of big earring looks, gumball-sized cocktail rings, layered wristwear and a few whimsical surprises to keep us all guessing.

Julianne Moore in Lanvin and Bvlgari jewelry

Candy-colored frocks in pinks (I was right!) and greens littered the carpet, with a dose of 'hide your husband' red and basic black for good measure.

Catherine Zeta Jones in Monique Lhuillier and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace and Robert Procop jewelry

January Jones in Versace and Neil Lane jewelry (not pictured)

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang and David Webb jewelry

Statement earrings were the most popular jewelry choice tonight, with traditional diamond chandeliers rocking it right along with newcomers like geode gems on Kelly Osbourne and the forgotten step-child of the jewelry world - onyx on Nicole Kidman.  Who knew?

Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen and Kimberly McDonald jewelry

Leighton Meester in Burberry and Cathy Waterman jewelry

Tina Fey in L'Wren Scott and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

Guiliana Rancic in Ippolita jewelry

Nicole Kidman in Prada and Fred Leighton jewelry

Many opted for the understated but always-elegant diamond stud earring to add the sparkle splash. Zzzzzzz......

Piper Perabo in Oscar de la Renta

Eva Longoria in Zac Posen and Neil Lane jewelry

Delicate, web-like diamond necklace designs took the place of the blingtastic bib-look of years' past:

Dame Helen Mirren in $1.6 million Cartier necklace

Sarah Hyland in Max Azria and Mikimoto jewelry

Diana Argon in J Mendel and Cathy Waterman jewelry

 And turquoise is still going strong? Who knew?

The jewelry-loving peanut gallery in our champagne-filled Live Red Carpet Twitter chat last night all agreed that Jane Krakowski's Lorraine Schwartz earrings, Tina Fey's Lorraine Schwartz ensemble, Halle Berry's diamond bangles and Sofia Vergara's, well, everything were some of the best jewels of the night.

And the worst? According to the JIC ladies, Heidi Klum jumped the shark in an ensemble that was "all project and no runway". Classic.
 

While bigger wasn't better in the bauble department this year - it was de riguer for these bride of Frankenstien-inspired tresses. Yikes.

And Sandra Bullock's bangs deserve their own accessory category called: "unfortunate". Sorry, Sandy.

Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham

What do you guys think? Who did I miss? Weigh in! And thanks again to all who joined the #globejewelry Twitter chat extravaganza. See you at the Oscars on Feburary 27th (#oscarjewelry)!