The Jewels of the 84th Annual Academy Awards

The stunning Penelope Cruz looking very much the movie star.

And another night of the glitterati has been and gone! Sparkle, glimmer and glitter were definitely the order of the day – in sequins, satins and brocade dresses as well as in jewels.

There was a definite feeling of old Hollywood glamour in the air, perhaps inspired by the winning Best Picture The Artist and its silent film fashions. Although saying that, many styles seemed reminiscent of 30s to 50s.

Curvy silhouettes were definitely “in” and the quote by Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz from icon costume designer, Edith Head … something along the lines of 'dresses should be tight enough to show you’re a woman but loose enough to show you’re a lady' should have been taken on board by a few of the stars on the night that looked like they had been poured into their gowns and I think sitting in such a tight fit would have been a challenge!

To go with the popular strapless/off the shoulder and one shoulder gowns and often upswept hair, necklaces could have had a starring role, however most chose (as usual) to go with earrings.


Brooke Anderson


Stacy Keibler


Octavia Spencer


Milla Jovovich


Bingbing Li


Maria Menounos

Statement sparklers abounded – mostly drop or chandelier style earrings (see a few of them above), and there were a couple of necklaces to be seen, notably some diamond necklaces worn by Penelope Cruz in Chopard (at top)and Natalie Portman in Harry Winston.


Natalie Portman

There was some colour in jewelled earrings – green was definitely popular – emeralds, chrysoprase, jade and more – Berenice Bejo in Chopard emeralds, Shaun Robinson in Gemfields emeralds, Viola Davis in Lorraine Schwartz plus Virginia Masden and Kelly Osborne.


Berenice Bejo


Shaun Robinson


Viola Davis


Virginia Masden


Kelly Osborne

Some warm colours in yellow (Jessica Chastain wore yellow diamonds by Harry Winston) and browns (Ellie Kemper in Lorraine Schwartz).


Jessica Chastain


Ellie Kemper

Some in blues (Tina Fey in sapphires and emeralds by Bulgari and Busy Philipps in opal earrings by Irene Neuwirth)


Tina Fey


Busy Philipps

I spotted a pair of plain black onyx drops worn by Melissa Leo – following the trend from the BAFTAs and a few pearls – Bo Derek in large pearl and diamond drops and Rose Byrne in linear pearl drop earrings by Chanel.


Melissa Leo


Bo Derek


Rose Byrne

And a couple of pink-reds, these were the very pretty ones worn by Brooke Burns

Brooke Burns

One massive statement necklace was sported by Rachel Smith who was an interviewer on the red carpet and it looked spectacular!

Rachel Smith

I’ve been wondering WHY most jewels for the red carpet seem to be diamonds and I think I’ve worked it out. Stylists are so caught up in the gowns, they probably select jewels that will go with more than one of their shortlisted gowns. Diamonds of course, will go with any colour gown and must be the stone of choice in these cases. Perhaps those with coloured stone jewels had their gowns organised earlier and had time to select jewels?

So what is your favourite look of the event? I rather liked Penelope Cruz with her 50's Elizabeth Taylor gown and hair and Chopard diamonds!

Postscript - In my report on the SAG awards last month I wasn't 100% on Maya Rudolph's earrings being moonstone so checked with the designer, Kimberly McDonald who has just advised me they are geodes with brown diamonds.

2012 BAFTA and Grammy Awards Jewels

The glamorous Jessica Chastain at the BAFTAs.

It has been another week of Awards functions – notably the BAFTA’s held in more than wintry conditions in London and the Grammys, music’s night of nights held in Los Angeles.

The BAFTAs were reportedly going to be a pretty low-key affair in regards to jewellery and although some selections were restrained, there were some sparkling ears, necks, wrists and fingers to be seen – of particular note, diamonds, golden citrine and onyx made multiple appearances.



Christina Ricci wore substantial and dramatic linear diamond drops by Bulgari and a diamond bracelet to go with her metallic gown.



Emilia Fox, who I fondly remember as Georgiana Darcy from Pride & Prejudice in the 90s wore large gold and citrine earrings which matched her fiery locks.



UK presenter, Fearne Cotton went all out in the jewellery stakes, wearing a bejewelled looking collar on her dress, earrings, multiple diamond bracelets and two cocktail rings, one of which is the seeming popular citrine.



Writer Francesca Gardiner also chose gold, citrine and diamond earrings.



Ex – x-files star, Gillian Anderson wore cognac diamond earrings with her vintage dress.




Actress Hayley Atwell wore diamond studded triple-drop earrings and a studded cuff bangle.

Jessica Chastain (photo at top) flew in from the US and although she must have been freezing looked quite spectacular in her shimmering goddess style gown and long chain of diamonds around her neck.



UK actress Joanne Froggatt chose classically styled long diamond earrings.



The debonair Colin Firth had his lovely wife Livia with him, who was sparkling in vintage Cartier diamond and emerald tassel earrings.



Australian actress Melissa George chose linear onyx drop earrings – a classic if not a sparkly choice.



Michelle Williams favours chokers and collar length necklace and this occasion was no exception.



Naomi Harris wore a large diamond chain and sunburst pendant that was almost overwhelming on her tiny frame.



Another to favour citrine on the night was producer/actress and George Harrison’s widow, Olivia who chose large diamond rimmed citrine drop earrings, matching her warm skin tone and contrasting against her dark hair.



Actress Olivia Williams wore a matching necklace/bracelet and earring set of swirling diamond studded links.



Penelope Cruz chose Chopard vine design earring featuring pear shaped diamonds.



Costume designer, Sandy Powell was another to accessorise with long onyx drop earrings.



English actress Tasmin Egerton looks particularly pleased in diamond and sapphires.



And finally, award recipient Vanessa Redgrave looked resplendent in drop earrings, multiple strands of pearls, one of which sported a diamond enhancer.



After watching the Grammy’s a couple of years ago and being overwhelmed by sparkly mini dresses, enormous earrings and an unusually high level of swearing I’ve avoided them. However the drawcard of the Beach Boys and Paul McCartney performing was irresistible (showing my age I know, but in some measure of defence I was listening to them because my mother did … who was far more contemporary to them than I was, not being born till the mid sixties!) And I must admit to really enjoying Taylor Swift and Adele’s performances too. Jewellery was earring and ring based and I’ve tried to find the best for you to see.


Adele wore De Beers diamond earrings and a Harry Winston diamond ring (and dominated the awards too!)



Carrie Underwood wore drop earrings of white gold and diamonds.



Fergie choose to make a statement in simple, but HUGE, gold hoop earrings by Neil Lane that went with her see-through lace orange gown and black undergarments!



Hilary Scott wore a lovely pair of earrings made with pink sapphire, quartz and diamonds.



Jessie J wore retro styled linear drop earrings to match her disco-ball styled gown.



Kate Beckingsdale, a host on the evening wore geometric diamond drop earrings



Katy Perry wore diamond ascher cut drop earrings and matching bracelet by Norman Silverman.


Kellie Rowland wore large leaf shaped drop earrings of white, grey and brown diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz – along with a cocktail ring or two of grey diamonds.



Kelly Clarkson wore a diamond studded pendant on a long chain.



Opera singer Joyce DiDonato donned an intricate golden floral styled collar.



Melanie Fiona wore a large obsidian “arrowhead” necklace.



Shawna Thompson wore champagne diamond earrings.



Tamara Braun was one of the few to wear bright coloured jewellery with these chrysoprase earrings.



And last of all, Taylor Swift stayed reserved and wore a Neil Lane diamond ring and earrings.

All in all enough sparkle for one week?