77th Annual Academy Awards: Diamond-Drenched Oscar Trends

That gleaming gold trophy may be the most desirable bit of bling for Hollywood’s hottest actresses, but the stars are happy to dazzle in diamonds for the trip up the red carpet in the hopes of accessorizing their rocks with Oscar. You can count on almost all of the nominees, presenters and partygoers to adorn themselves with all sorts of baubles, bangles and beads loaded with every conceivable kind of diamond, so Hollywood.com went directly to the Diamond Information Center’s Entertainment Marketing Director Kelly McMahon for the low-down on all of the latest diamond-drenched trends. She expects the stars to pull out all the stops with their Academy Awards jewels: “Last year Nicole Kidman wore a necklace custom designed for her, and she waited until the Oscars to wear it,” says McMahomn, “so it’s the event to pull out the really special pieces.” The Trends to Expect
While the wildly popular chandelier earring styles have dangled from lovely lobes above many a recent red carpet this season, expect the most fashion forward celebs like Julia Roberts to skip them on Oscar night. “Some people say that they’re over,” explains McMahon. “However, people still keep wearing them. You’re not necessarily going to see stars that are trendsetters in diamond chandelier earrings, but other stars who want to look classic and pretty will go for that.” Giant diamond necklaces are definitely not as popular as they have been in the past–For the biggest bursts of bling, look to the right-hand digits for ritzy rings, suggests McMahon. “Rings on your finger are great and lots of celebrities have been seen wearing them and showing them off. The bigger, the better with those.” Another big blast of diamond-studded dazzle can be attached to that slinky gown: “Broaches are really hot right now and the trendsetters are wearing them. They wear them in their hair, on their shoulder, on their hip. It’s great because it’s so versatile. You can wear it with a coat, with jeans, a plain black dress that’s not so expensive and dress it up, and in your hair, which is more of a classic style. It’s very decadent and perfect for the Oscars.” McMahon’s trained her eyes on the red carpets leading up to the Big Night, and she’s also spotted some trends from the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and the rest of the congratulatory galas. “Lately, big cuff bracelets have been popular on stars like Jennifer Lopez,” she suggests, expecting to see the celebs bypass certain sparkler staples like Harry Winston and Fred Leighton in favor of fresher names like Hong Kong designer Michelle Ong. “I expect more of an international flavor to jewelers people are picking,” says McMahon. “Jewelry has become just as important [as the gown]. It’s really something special that you wear. Everyone wears a dress, but when you want to turn it out, you wear a nice piece of jewelry, which raises glamour. J-Lo‘s the one responsible for this because, from watches to jewelry, she’s unafraid to layer it on and it looks so great and glamorous. That’s what makes her so glam-the fur and diamonds.” Right Rock, Right Star
McMahon has some definite ideas on the diamonds each nominated star should wear to perfectly complement them if they take home the golden guy: Kate Winslet: “Kate’s style has been refined in the last couple of years and always looks great. She wore Michelle Ong at the Golden Globes. She’s been wearing bigger and interesting vintage inspired pieces. I see her in a big chandelier earring, right hand ring and chunky bracelet.” Hilary Swank: “Hilary has been wearing a lot of Chopard. I think she’ll go for cognac colored diamonds and she’s been wearing linear earrings a lot, so I see her in an important earring and bracelet from Chopard for the Oscars.” Virginia Madsen: “I’d like to see her in someone interesting like Cartier, who doesn’t dress too many people. They’ve been working with Renee Zellweger a lot, but it would be great for Virginia.” [PAGEBREAK] Natalie Portman: “She’s such a lady. She’ll wear Fred Leighton jewelry, I think–a nice mixture of vintage pieces and new, modern vintage-inspired pieces. She would be great in a vintage-inspired piece that would make her light up a bit. She’s been toning it down lately, but it would be great to see her take it up.” Catalina Sandino Moreno: “I would like to see a not-so-well-known designer from her country, Columbia. We’re bringing in this international diamond collection from designers from Japan, Brazil, and all around the world. I would love to see her in one of those pieces. But she might pick Harry Winston.” Annette Bening: “Annette’s great because she wears her own jewelry!” Cate Blanchett: “She’s amazing. Her stylist does a good job in planning long before what she’s going to wear. I think someone has custom designed something for her.” Imelda Staunton: “A big diamond broach on a white satin dress looks so glamorous. Imelda’s not that old and could freshen it up by wearing cool diamond jewelry in a stylish way–Maybe if she wore her hair up with diamonds.” Sophie Okonedo: “She likes Fred Leighton because she’s beautiful and elegant. I don’t think she’ll be afraid to wear a big diamond choker and could pull it off very well–It would look great on her.” Laura Linney: “Laura is someone who does a great deal of planning, always elegant. I see her in Harry Winston and maybe big studs and lavish bracelet and ring.” McMahon also has ideas for the all-star roster of presenters and performers, including Charlize Theron (“I think Chopard–linear earrings, big bracelet and right hand ring”); Halle Berry (“She’s one of the top ten diamond girls–she might go for a different look with colored diamonds”); Scarlett Johannson (“The one to watch who pulls wearing diamonds off so well–she’s only 18 and wears diamond choker necklaces that women in their 30s are intimidated to wear”); and Salma Hayek (“She doesn’t mind being the center of attention. She wore a tiara a couple years ago to the Oscars, and is a little more refined and sexy lately: a lariat necklace that would enhance her neckline”). Then there’s Gwen Stefani (“She’ll take an old piece and put it on her hip or the back of her dress–A big diamond look that’s very stylish for the Oscars”); Beyonce (“A lot of Lorraine Schwartz–she loves jewelry, and is not afraid to wear a lot, probably something custom made”); and Gwyneth Paltrow (“She should wear the Harry Winston necklace her dad bought for her. That would be very special. she’s only worn it once and should wear it again. I would love to see her wear pieces over and over to make it her signature style”). But flashing ritzy rocks won’t necessarily be the exclusive province of the ladies; look for some of the men to get in on the diamond action, too. “Of course, Jamie Foxx and Chris Rock love diamonds,” says McMahon. “That’s why this year it’s going to be interesting. Kevin Spacey got into the bling at the Golden Globes with diamond star cufflinks from Mia & Co.” And there was an altruistic upside to the fashion statement as well: Spacey‘s cufflinks were later auctioned off to raise funds for tsunami relief. “I think it’s hilarious that Kevin Spacey chose to wear diamonds,” says McMahon, “because you expect it from Jamie and Chris, but not Kevin. They’re going to make this urban, hip-hop style more mainstream, which is great.”