Angelina Jolie's Diamond Disappointment

The most anticipated star to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival this year, hands down, was Angelina Jolie. Always elegant, always gorgeous - and often with nary a jewel to the naked eye - this A-lister has it well within her power to make every jewelry gawker and diamond diva quiver in our boots with a jaw-dropping jewelry choice (Exhibit A: The Oscar emeralds).

However.

She ususally just doesn't go there. And Monday night was no exception. Her chocolate Atelier Versace gown was pure perfection - but instead of a creative couture jewelry choice from festival sponsor, Chopard, for example, she went with the tried and true stud (and I'm not talking about Brad).

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Cannes Film Festival Jewelry Update

Aishwarya Rai in Chopard

Good news, jewelry hounds! More crazy carats were spotted on the Croisette at the 64th Annual CannesFilm Festival! We're talking Sarah Jessica Parker, Penelope Cruz, Uma Thurman - even Jane Fonda!

Sarah Jessica Parker in Fred Leighton

Chopard continues to sparkle on all the big names - and while I've seen Ms. Fonda's Chopard 160-carat (!) sapphire stunner before on their Co-President, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele back in 2009 -  a bauble like that never really gets old, right?

Jane Fonda in Chopard

Uma brought out another pair of Chopard chandeliers for the Pirates of the Caribbean premiere, but IMHO - they're not nearly as jaw-dropping as her opening night emeralds).

Uma Thurman in Chopard

But color was definitely a continuing trend as A-lister Penelope Cruz rocked these rubellite earrings (also by Chopard) for her Pirates of the Caribbean red carpet waltz.

Penelope Cruz in Chopard

Tonight, though, is a big night. Why? Brangelina is making a red carpet appearance for Brad's film, Tree of Life. And while Ms. Jolie is usually a "diamonds on the down low" kindof jewelry celeb, I'm hoping just this ONCE - she rocks out with a statement piece. A jewelry hound can dream....

Stay tuned! In the meantime, here are some more highlights:

Blake Lively: Chanel's Emerald Queen

The celebrity emerald jewelry trend that started with Angelina Jolie's Oscar jewels in 2009, expanded to Julianne Moore's Bulgari beauties in 2010 and peaked at this Sunday's Academy Awards with Reese Witherspoon and Annette Bening (deep inhale)...well, it continues to bring in fashion's biggest stars.

Gossip Girl's Blake Lively was every bit the sartorial siren when she attended a Chanel-hosted dinner in her honor last night at New York's La Grenouille in Chanel Haute Couture ('09), ballet-inpsired Louboutin pumps and STUNNING emerald earrings by (who else?) Lorraine Schwartz!

While I should find something snarky to say about the emerald earring trend wearing out its welcome - the truth is? I love it. And with Lorraine Schwartz behind so many of the dazzling looks - what's not to love?

The price points for one. So here are a few great Sample Sale emerald RING selects I found on JewelClub for all you Dorothy wannabes who want to take a trip to Emerald City without pawning your ruby slippers. (This Dorothy wants that cocktail ring with the black and white diamonds. Just sayin').

Cushion-cut Created Emerald Ring. Orig Price: $279. JewelClub Price: $95.97

Created Emerald Ring with Created Sapphires. Orig Price: $359 JewelClub Price: $122.99

Geunine Emerald Ring with White and Black Diamonds Orig Price: $1079 JewelClub Price: $349.81

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!)

Oscar Jewelry for Less

My trip down Oscar jewelry memory lane earlier this week kicked my diamond-infused fantasy life into overdrive.

How amazing would it feel to hold that Taylor-Burton 69-carat diamond - let alone pick it out from your own personal jewelry stash and wear it down the Oscar red carpet in a dress to match your eyes?

Or. OK. How great would it be to hold those Angelina Jolie Oscar emeralds in your grubby little hands or walk the red carpet with your own personal set of body guards like Natalie Portman at the Golden Globes earlier this year.

Who doesn't love body guards?

Thankfully, I'm not alone in diamond dreamland. JewelClub is riding the Oscar jewelry fantasy wave like Laird Hamilton on a tsumani - with a whopping collection of (count 'em) 20! Oscar jewelry looks for less on their smashing sample sale site.

They've got real-life alternatives to Liz's Taylor-Burton diamond dream, Angelina's emeralds, Julia's hoops, Natalie's diamond bib neck, Gwenyth's teardrops. They even have glittering ghosts from Oscar's past - like Sharon Stone's diamond drops and Nicole Kidman's "Tom Who?" earrings from 1995!

It's a strong showing of pre-Oscar jewelry fashion to give us a taste of their Oscar sample sale to come - and it's one doozy of a show stopper.

They claim their price points deserve their own gold statue, and I can't disagree. Check out their Oscar Couture Sample Sale here and let me know what Oscar jewel you want for your own collection!

We may not go home with Brad Pitt every night - but, darn it! - we can certainly have earrings that look like they do!

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)!