Jewelry Shines at the 2009 Academy Awards

Aside from the much-anticipated Angelina Jolie / Jennifer Aniston showdown, jewelry fashion was the talk of the town leading up to last night’s Oscar telecast. Diamonds? Gemstones? Gold? Would the stars bring out the bling, or would the economy force the A-list to keep the diamonds on the down-low?

Well, thank the jewelry gods above that the stars ignored the gloom and doom-ers and positively lit up the red carpet with jewels – from giant statement looks to tasteful, show-stopping diamond glamour.

The Statement Makers included a fiery Amy Adams in red Carolina Herrera and a lobster bib-sized Fred Leighton gemstone statement necklace from the 1950s, a sparkling Taraji P. Henson in Roberto Cavalli and a vintage diamond flower necklace - also from Fred Leighton, and Heidi Klum who rocked a Roland Mouret red dress with $900,000 worth of Lorraine Schwartz diamond jewels. And, of course, my winner of the night, Angelina Jolie, in Lorraine Schwartz emeralds, who reminded me how much fun it is to gasp aloud at the televsion.


















Light colors with tasteful diamond looks also made a frequent appearance last night. Oscar-winner and Woody Allen muse, Penelope Cruz, looked stunning in vintage Balmain and a 69-carat cushion cut diamond necklace, a 21-carat starburst yellow diamond ring, and 11-carat diamond stud earrings - all from Chopard. That’s $3 million in diamonds in case you were wondering. Odios Mio!

And Anne Hathaway surprised us all with her musical-theater skills and her impeccable fashion sense as she glowed in Armani Prive and Cartier. I take back every evil pants-suited remark I made, Anne, after boo-hooing my way through that Shirley MacLain tribute to you.

Also on the light side of fashion was Marisa Tomei in Versace and vintage jewels from Van Cleef & Arpels that included a 1941 diamond and sapphire bracelet, a 1960 diamond ring, and 1973 lapis and diamond earrings.


















Color couture added a much needed rainbow effect as Natalie Portman was the prettiest in pink Rodarte and rocky diamonds studs, Freida Pinto stunned in purple Galiano and gemstone drop earrings, and Alica Keys shimmered in a lilac Armani Prive frock with jaw-dropping diamond-leaf earrings.



















And what is a red carpet without our Metallic Mavens? Viola Davis won the category in my book with a shimmering Reem Acra gold gown and a series of icey diamond bangles. Tina Fey, whose schtick with Steve Martin made me fall in love with her all over again, wore the most stunning silvery Zac Posen number I’ve ever seen on her. And Jennifer Aniston finally gave up the black (and the pants suit) for a bejeweled Valentino number with minimal bling.


















And much like Hugh Jackman’s bizarre interpretive Reader dance and the weird attempt to make a Wall-e/Jai-Ho mash up (Peter Gabriel was SO right to opt out of that one), there were some missteps worthy of mention.

Melissa Leo’s mismatched jewels did nothing to help her unfortunate gown choice, Beyonce totally misfired with this gaudy gold and black number from her mother’s line, and the ‘age appropriate’ police needed to arrest both Miley Cyrus and Sophia Loren. Not a good choice there, ladies.




















And I’m going to get flack for this, but I thought both Kate Winslet and Meryl Streep could have chosen better this year. And Sarah Jessica Parker was just a bit too Glinda the Good Witch for me. There. I said it.




















But all in all, the Oscars gave this jewelry hound a glittering night to remember full of worthy winners, fashion marvels and jewels, jewels, jewels. Weigh in with your own musings, jewelry lovers!

And stay tuned for my Oscar After Party jewelry remix with Halle "can your husband be any more gorgeous?" Berry, Madonna, Mickey Rourke's Loki choker and more…