SAG Jewelry - Golden Ears, Bejewled Necks and a Case of the Blues

Are you as tired of seeing giant earrings on the red carpet as I am? I understand the sentiment. Hollywood doesn't want to overdo it with a huge diamond ensemble or a Titanic-sized necklace during these trying times, yet it IS the red carpet, after all, so stylists compromise with.... the ubitquitous giant earring.


















Last night's Screen Actors Guild Awards had big earrings a kimbo - from Christina Applegate in Lorraine Schwartz wagon wheels and Paula Abdul in diamond danglers to Amy Adams in giant H. Stern gemstone chandeliers and Lisa Rhinna's flower look. And they are lovely, don't get me wrong. But imagine my surprise when new trends presented themselves for a change - like basic gold earring statements from the likes of Angelina Jolie (the poster child of basic), Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss and the hilarious Jane Krakowski.


















And the new looks didn't end there. Bejeweled necklines made a glittering show on Anne Hathaway, January Jones and Eva Longoria - perhaps inspired by Michelle Obama's diamond statement on Inauguration Day?


















Colorful, off-the-shoulder looks were everywhere, and blue emerged as fashion's big winner. Best Supporting Actress, Kate Winslet, stunned in steel blue Narciso Rodriguez and Chopard diamonds; and Desperate Housewives, Teri Hatcher and Marcia Cross, added blue gemstone earrings to their SAG looks. And the usually gothed out Evan Rachel Wood channeled classic Hollywood in teal and a unique diamond eagle brooch. Her split from Marilyn Manson is the wise choice that just keeps on giving...


















So OK. Gold earrings, jeweled necklines and the color blue are certainly not big red carpet revelations, but can we admit that they are a welcome change from the big earring brigade that seems to scream 'lack of imagination' when it comes to accessorizing a high profile look these days? Thank you.

I'm looking forward to more of this 'mixing it up' when it comes to the Oscars, OK ladies? Let's just hope Oscar voters do the same when they see Meryl Streep's name on the ballot this year. She's great - and she nabbed the SAG this year - but let's give someone else a go, shall we?

Diamond Engagement Ring Gets a Royal Flush

So you’re wearing your $78,000 diamond engagement ring to the Black Bear Diner in Phoenix. (It could happen, work with me). Before Vera serves you your patty melt, you excuse yourself to ‘powder your nose’, and somewhere in the process your record-breaking rock slips from your finger. And you flush it down the toilet.

And you thought George Michael’s arrest was the worst thing that could happen in a public bathroom?

Every married woman’s nightmare is to lose their diamond ring in a menacing sidewalk grate or a pesky sink drain, but this true-life story takes the cake.

Allison Berry of Eureka, California quickly told the restaurant management and after a failed attempt by the city to flush the ring out, they called in “The Fixer” – aka: Mike Roberts from Mr. Rooter in nearby Tempe.

The Mission Impossible of plumbers guided a tiny video camera into the pipe with an infared light attached and ironically found the ring just three feet away from ‘flush zero’. After an hour-and-a-half of jack-hammering and pipe removal, Roberts recovered the ring like a sewage-stained Excalibur.

A pipe dream come true.

"They always say diamonds are a girl's best friend. In this case, a plumber is a girl's best friend," Roberts said. "She was just so excited, she had tears in her eyes. She gave us a hug and said 'Thank you so much."'

Ms. Berry also paid $5,000 for the plumbing bill and covered the cost of re-tiling the bathroom. She also gave each of those who helped a $400 tip.

And if the Jewelry Insider could be so bold as to give a tip to Ms. Berry? Flush with your right hand next time.

Inauguration Jewels – Be the Belle of the Ball!

Before the excitement of this week’s Inauguration festivities fades into history, I thought it wise to share a way you can capture the feeling forever - in jewels. The celebs came out in droves to the endless Inaugural Balls, wearing gowns, updos and baubles a kimbo. Get their Inaugural looks for less and kickoff your own fashion administration in style.

Yes you can!

We haven’t seen Ashley Judd in a while, but her classic red carpet style is always a winner. Her pearl-drop earrings fit in perfectly with the doyennes of DC , and these white sapphire and pearl drops will impress any economic advisor at only $85 from Zales.










Jennifer Lopez put the pesky marriage rumors to rest, as she and hubby Marc Anthony made a snuggly showing at the Latino Inaugural Ball. Her champagne and black diamond earrings glittered as much as her resurfaced wedding ring. Pop the bubbly for your own pair in 10 karat gold!













Maura Tierney rocked the rotunda with her interlocking circle style. These golden eardrops give you two DC trends in one with cultured pearl drops to bring things full circle.










Earth tones warmed up Gloria Ruben's multi-colored gemstone look at the Creative Coalition Ball - and let’s face it, anything involving heat in a DC winter is a welcome sight. These smoky quartz, garnet, and citrine earrings keep the home fires burning and the ball gowns glowing. And they’re on sale !









Last but certainly not least is a diamond look worn by our First Lady, who danced the night away at what seemed like an endless ball circuit. Luckily, she had a capable partner to give her a hand.