Sporty Jewelry and Man Candy

Tiger Woods may have been the man of the night winning three trophies at the ESPY Awards - but come on who, reading this blog, cares? What we care about is what did the stars sparkle in as this sporty event. The Becks were there with Victoria showing off a chisled gem on one hand and a ring on the other....

Hayden Panattierre was following this blog's jewelry fashion advice with a black cocktail gem by Erica Courtney - she's obviously not the only one with her ear (or ears) to the jewelry grapevine. Both Ashanti and Sophia Bush knew that this season it's all about over-sized earrings and bare necks. For Ashanti, big means really big - you go girl.

Elton John's Fancy Fete

Recently some star-studded events have been a case of 'spot the jewel' as opposed to 'sunglasses out'. The mega-bling look this year is definately on the outs as stylists and celebs generally prefer the more demure look. But, as they say, there has to be an exception to prove the rule. The exception was on Saturday night in a rather overcast UK country estate. The estate belonged to none other than Elton John and David Furnish, the event was their 10th annual White Tie and Tiara Ball, which was supported this year by Chopard and naturally the bling was outstanding.

Some 630 party-goers paid about $6,000 to glitter and gawk at some major jewelry pieces on some major Hollywood celebs.

There was the whopping 180-carat sapphire - one of the largest in the world - worn by Chopard co-president Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele's, pictured here in the red satin Dolce & Gabbana corset-gown.

Singer Natalie Imbruglia decided more was better when she chose this pendant that featured a 23.59ct spinel cabochon, a 41.06 emerald cabochon and a 180.65ct sapphire cabochon.

Actress Zhang Ziyi, literally dripped in diamonds - her necklace featured an astounding 98.18 carats worth - then of course there were her pear diamond drop earrings (6.59ct) and a large white gold bangle bracelet set with diamonds almost 8 carats worth.

Elizabeth Hurley made sure she stayed in the spotlight - after all there was heavy competition that evening - by wearing a fancy shaped diamond tiara weighed down with a total 192.2carats, diamond drop line earrings and a diamond cuff bracelet and of course, let us not forget Ms Anger Management herself, Naomi Campbell, wearing diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds.

Sisters In The Biz

Some of Hollywood's fiercest females were honored in LA at the annual Women in Film awards - otherwise known as the Crystal + Lucy Award gala.

The 2008 Lucy Award went to the ultra-smooth Salma Hayek, not for being one of the sexiest new moms of the year, but for her work as executive producer of Ugly Betty. While the Awards recognize women's creative, social and innovative work in the movies and t.v. - like any other awards, it was what they were wearing, as opposed to what they were doing, that dominated the reviews (and I hate to say it, but I'm no exception).

It's an official award trend now - black with splashes of white. Salma, Debra Messing, Meg Ryan, Lisa Edelstein, Jennifer Morrison and Gennifer Goodwin were just some of the stars opting to go black and white.

Earrings were either black or gold, drops or studs - but definately NOT colorful. Necklaces - well necklaces weren't invited this year.

Never one to follow the crowd was Cameron Diaz who matched the red-carpet in a summery red and white dress with a stunning white enamel and diamond cuff bangle by David Webb.

Fashion's Triumphant Night

Who would have thought back in High School, that the library was the place to be seen? Well, we probably weren’t thinking of the New York Public Library and we definitely weren’t thinking of fashion’s top awards. Recently, the ultimate list of fashionistas, stylists, editors and critics gathered in the City to celebrate the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) awards.

The Womenswear Designer of the Year award went, for the second time, to Calvin Klein’s head designer, Fransisco Costa. For the guys, the man responsible for the most fashionable suits, trousers and general metrosexual head-to-toe was Tom Ford and winning in accessories was Tory Burch - the women behind the ballet shoe and metallic emblem that is (or should be) a staple of every female’s wardrobe.

But, as always, it was who was attending and where they were wearing that caused the most chatter. Victoria Beckham, Eva Longoria Parker, Tony Parker, Kim Cattrall, Hillary Duff, Mandy Moore, Lauren Hutton, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler were some of the ‘celebs’ paying homage to designers such as Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Vera Wang and Carolina Herrera.

Even New York Mayor Bloomberg attended the stylish night out. He was honored, (not for his fashion sense I hasten to add) but for his commitment to keeping the city's garment industry thriving. On his accepting his award Bloomberg, in a lilac-colored bow tie, panned that he would have worn something more stylish, but "my skinny jeans are at the cleaners and my gladiator sandals are being resoled."


As for what they were wearing, when it comes to jewelry, it was a matter of quality over quantity. Cute black diamond studs, elegant gold hoops and of course ole Posh Spice (aka Mrs Beckham) who prefers size (just not in clothes) over all else.

Gold Stars

This month is gold month so there’s no excuse for not wearing the gold of gold – a simple golden pendant. Nicole Richie’s designing her own, Rihanna’s making sure hers stays dry under her umbrella and Jodie Foster won’t leave home without it. No outfit is perfect without a pendant. Remember, you've only got a few days left to win your favorite golden jewel at www.jewelry.com/gold.

Another golden star is, of course gold hoops. Whether they’re thin and oversized like Cindy Crawford’s favorite jewels, thick and squiggly or bejeweled and flowing like this pair on Alicia Keys – gold hoops are set to be summer sizzlers.

On the wrists, forget keeping it simple – pile on the gold with stacks of golden bracelets and cuffs like the paparazzi’s golden girl Paris Hilton.

Fortunately, it’s not only the celebrities that can bask in gold’s glittering hue. From golden hoops to delicate pendants and stacks of bracelets, there’s a golden story for everyone.

Riveria Rocks - Cannes Sparkles

The Cannes Film Festival is just as much about the frocks and the rocks as it is the movies and the art. It may be Europe's powerhouse movie fiesta, but it's just as much a fashion fete. A-listers, B-listers and the 'who are they' run to the Riveria to be seen in their sparkly best. It doesn't matter whether they have a movie showing or not. It's more about their showing than any 'art' showing.

This year, glam is simply a case of black and white. Colors were mostly muted with many of the silver screen's beauties opting for black or white or a mixture of both.Jewelry was, as has been over the past 12 months, focused on the ears.

Oversized drop earrings were the take home winners of the day, with once again, necklines baring all.It is Europe though and that means chic - especially Chanel-style chic reigns. Pearls were out in force under the Southern French sun.

From large drops framing the face to Dita Von Teese's ultra swank necklace, it was a perfect place to be a pearl.

Diamond Journey Couples

Diamond journey pieces are everywhere. The styles features a series of diamonds gradually increasing in size, representing - so we're told - the growing love of a couple's journey.

Next year will see the release of the diamond seperation pieces - apparently you just turn a 'journey' piece upside down and figure out the represenation for yourselves.

Anyway, cyncism aside, I decided to do a quick review of some really mindless mags and and see which celebrities can call the past 12 months– their ‘journey year’.

Bend It Beckhams

Hate ‘em or love ‘em – it’s been an incredible year for the Beckhams. From Madrid to LA, Mrs and Mrs Beckham are on a mission to conquer the world. With new BFFs, Tom and Katie Cruise, the Bs and their kids are now fully ensconced as Tinseltown royalty.

Rihanna

Rihanna's had a rocket-style journey lately. The world seemed to be humming her ‘ella’, she won award after award and became a Cover Girl. All that before she hit 20.

Eva and Tony

A definite shoe-in for wedding of the year. When Eva Longoria said “oui” to Tony Parker, diamond sellers around the world cheered. It was a diamond fest like no other. The Desperate Housewives star's band was made from 18K white gold with two rows of 80 brilliant-cut diamonds. These were separated by a row of 27 square-cut diamonds, for a total of 107 jewels. Mario Lopez obviously knew how much the couple loves their jewels. Wishing them a happy marriage, he presented the new Mrs. Parker with an 18-carat white-gold bracelet from the Kwiat Solaris Collection. The bracelet, adorned with 102 round diamonds, weighs a whopping 2.03 carats -- and is valued at $8,150. Mr. Parker wasn’t forgotten, he unwrapped a 1.27-carat diamond tiepin, also from Kwait.

Baby Boom

It seems Hollywood is all about going ‘mama’. J Lo, Halle Berry, Nicole Richie, Naomi Watts, and Salma Hayek,were just some stars taking on the most important role of their life this year.

Sex, Earrings And One Mighty Big Hat

So Sex In The City premiered in London, a city for sure, just not the obvious city. While the critics were bewailing the location of the opening, the fashion press were more interested in what they were wearing (and what not).

Sarah Jessica Parker made her statement loud and clear with what can only be termed an ‘unusual’ hat by Phillip Treacy. Very Carrie-ish, but on the streets of London - I thinkg not.

Kim Cattrall - seemed un-Samantha like conservative in her one-shouldered Vivienne Westwood number. She was as gorgeous as ever, just tamer than would have been expected.

Kristin Davis (I confess my favorite of them all) was totally Charlotte- like in a pinkish vintage dress by Guy Laroche.

But the fairest of them all – and this is where the long-shot comes in to win – Cynthia Nixon in a daring black Calvin Klein dress.

Now this is a jewelry-blog so over to the jewelry. Once again, necklaces were missing in action. Word to the wise, if you’re attending any red-carpet even this year – leave the neck bare and focus on the ears.

All four beauties wore elegant earrings drawing attention to their face and not their other assets.

Rings In The News

There've been a couple of diamond dazzlers hitting the tabloids over the past 24 hours. As noted a few days ago, one celebrity jeweler wasted no time in congratulating a couple of no-one knew they were married newlyweds. When Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon did the deed in total secrecy on a Caribbean island, their jeweler, Jacob Arabo, aka Jacob the Jeweler wasted no time in issuing a statement of congratutions to the media, specially since he designed the ring...... And here it is.

Mariah's known for her love of all things sparkly and this sure sparkles a 17 carat diamond and platinum ring worth $2.5 million. The piece was designed just for Carey, and features a fancy light pink 10 ct. square emerald-cut center diamond surrounded by 58 intense pink diamonds, and two half-moon-cut stones.

Another dazzler that's in the news is Paris Hilton's latest jewel. The heiress has been seen sporting a two-band diamond ring - a 'sweet' present by rocker-love Benji Madden.

Costume Gala's Heroines and Sidekicks

New York's 'gotta attend otherwise I"ll be relegated to reality T.V.' event of the season is the annual Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala. It's a night in which excess is de rigeur, and the fashion powerhouses sweat tears and pounds worrying whether color is truly back and how high is an acceptable hair-do.

Last night was no exception. The bold, beautiful and brave attended the gala, whose theme this year was superheroes.

In brief - as far as mere onlookers could detect - blue is beautiful, bare necklines are bold and the brave had some serious fashion faux-pas.

Going for blue were Kate Moss, Eve Mendes, Jennifer Lopez and Camille Belle. Apparently Katie Holmes had heard the blue rumor but wasn't ready to take the full step - she fell.

Bare necklines were de rigeur with large diamond and gold earrings off-setting any idea that this was a return to basics. Gold chandelier earrings and large diamond drops were the jewelry stars of the evening, along with large cuff bracelets.

Finally, the bold were taking risks - and failing. Strangely fashion's royal priestess, Anna Wintour took the Superhero theme a pad too far and the uber-elegant Mrs Cruise seemed to forgo color co-ordiantion opting to wear a bright red dress with a pair of bright blue shoes. It didn't work.