Diamonds and Divas in DC

The 2010 Kennedy Center Honors were handed out this weekend to the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Sir Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard, Bill T. Jones and Jerry Herman. And the red carpet was littered with a tony crowd of well-wishers that included a wide range of jewelry choices.

Let's start with THE DIVAS:

The woman who put the D in Diva was on hand to upstage anyone who deigned make an entrance grander.

Diana Ross.



Floor-length mink? Check. Diamond jewelry overload? Check. Silver sequins? Check. The only thing missing was a wind machine and a Central Park downpour to make this moment shine brighter.

But no one outshines.... The Oprah.



Wearing a cleavage-bearing white dress shirt/gown combo, the O beamed in diamond teardrop earrings as she was honored (and roasted) by the likes of Chris Rock and President Obama, among others.

THE DANGLERS:

Shoulder duster earrings are making a comeback, with Holly Robinson Peete and Gayle King sporting the trend to perfection.



THE DOMINO EFFECT:



Black and white diamonds are a seasonal favorite, and Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles along with a surprisingly svelte Jennifer Hudson sparkled in subtle black/white earring choices like these beauties for only $166.



THE DO-OVER:



Who doesn't love Mary Louise Parker? I just don't love the bed-head hair, awkward red carpet pose and too-tired statement neck/long black gown combo. Check, please.

Thoughts, jewelry hounds?

Oh, and the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony (which ALWAYS makes me cry) airs on CBS on December 28th.