ICA - EMMY 2007 - Color is Key for Retro Glamour Looks at Primetime Emmys

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Although necks were bare necks in lieu of grand earrings, there were a few attention-grabbing necklaces, including the green tourmaline and diamond one by H. Stern that Ugly Betty’s Judith Light wore, with matching green tourmaline and diamond ring. Rarely without a gem-set necklace, “D-Lister” Kathy Griffin also wore a golden beryl, mandarin garnet and diamond pendant on 18k gold bezel chain, with golden beryl earrings and orange spinel and sapphire briolette bracelet by Hollywood’s honey of a designer Erica Courtney.

Katherine Heigl
© courtesy Ryan Ryan Jewelry

Next to earrings, bracelets and large cocktail rings will always be red carpet worthy. Big on bracelets were such celebs as Kate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice), who wore three bold ruby and diamond platinum ones; Rashida Jones (The Office) in Art Deco inspired onyx and diamond platinum bangles; Perrey Reeves (Entourage) in aquamarine and diamond; Minnie Driver in black Bakelite cuff with rubies and diamonds; and Nancy Walls (The Office) in several sapphire and diamond platinum wrist huggers—all by Neil Lane. While in knuckle knocking rings were Veronica Mars star and new Gossip Girl Kristen Bell in H. Stern Highlight Stars amethyst ring; and Arden Miryn, of the film Evan Almighty, in morganite “Juicy” ring by Erica Courtney.

Marcia Cross
© Photo: Jeff Vespa/WireImage, courtesy of the Platinum Guild International USA

What can you glean from the latest red carpet trends to put your holiday look together?

• You can’t go wrong with bold gem drop earrings—hold the necklace please

• Statement gem-set necklaces evoking an air of ancient treasures can spice up any dress with an open neck, but hold the drop earrings in favor of balance

• Long neck chains interspersed with gems and pearls suggests a fun, feminine flapper-esque feel

• Stackable bracelets in gem-set bangles, gem-studded cuffs, or a combination of types adds drama to the wrist, especially for frocks that have a lot going on where jewelry accents are minimal

1. Katherine Heigl © Gregg DeGuire/PGI-USA/WireImage
2. Marcia Cross © Photo: Jeff Vespa/WireImage, courtesy of the Platinum Guild International USA
3. Chandra Wilson © Photo: Jeff Vespa/WireImage, courtesy of Chopard

Color is Key for Retro Glamour Looks at Primetime Emmys
59th Annual Emmy Awards 2007
By Deborah Yonick

— Color, and a certain understated retro glamour, dominated the red carpet at the Primetime Emmy Awards Sept. 16 providing another opportunity for celebrities to parade their fashion credentials. The favored shape was body skimming, like Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl's mermaid-hem gown by Zac Posen, with strapless exulting celebrated backs. Two key trends made a comeback on the red carpet—old Hollywood-style bright red lips and big, dangling gem-studded earrings.

Deep dark tones were favored by actresses like The Closer’s Kyra Sedgwick in Oscar de la Renta's black onyx silk, Ugly Betty’s America Ferrera in rich sapphire blue strapless Monique Lhuillier, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine) in a figure-hugging tanzanite purple Narciso Rodriguez. Fuchsia was the preferred shade for many starlets including Sally Field in Valentino and Felicity Huffman in David Meister. There were also a number of fiery red frocks worn by the likes of Kate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice) and Weeds’ star Mary Louise Parker. And bringing a bit more sunshine to the carpet were actresses Minnie Driver and Joely Fisher in canary yellow.

To express their star-studded style, many red carpet walkers grabbed the spotlight with their gem-set jewels. Among the hot rocks were quartz gems like rock crystal and amethyst, blue and fancy sapphires, green tourmaline, ruby, onyx, and gem sisters aquamarine, morganite and golden beryl. Celebrities were happy to lend an ear or two to show off the season’s biggest formal party trends— shoulder-sweeping earrings. An Emmy standout, Desperate Housewives’ Marcia Cross wore arresting triple drop turquoise earrings and coiled turquoise and ruby snake bracelet by Lorraine Schwartz against her silver diamante pleated gown.

Kathy Griffin

Stars accented in drop earrings to add a splash color, as Cross did, or Minnie Driver in ruby, pearl and diamond dangle earrings by Bochic, a new red carpet jeweler favorite.

While others let the beat go on in monochromatic looks like Grey’s Anatomy’s Chandra Wilson in brilliant blue sapphire and diamond briolette drop earrings by Chopard against her vivid gunmetal gown, or Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives fame and Jenna Fisher of The Office, both by H. Stern rock crystal drop earrings against more neutral golden tone frocks. Also in rock crystal and diamond, but in a bracelet, was Rebecca Romijn, who sported ruby, diamond and enamel drop earrings, all by Neil Lane.

Next to drops, hoops are a classic, but more elegant occasions call for more embellishment around them. The Office’s Melora Hardin wore a stunning example in pink sapphire hoops by Chopard, along with a pink sapphire leaf shaped ring in rose gold with conch pearl accent. Also, Katherine Heigl, in an Old Hollywood meets Glam Rock look, was flaunting a pair of diamond hoops with cross and black pearl pendants by L.A. design firm Ryan Ryan Jewelry.

When it comes to statement making earrings, don’t believe the naysayers who label chandelier earrings as a trend that has gone by the wayside. While forms and designs may vary, the elegant, prestigious, fit-for-a-queen chandelier remains a Hollywood favorite, a staple in any woman’s jewelry wardrobe. Actress Michelle Pfeiffer wore a beautiful example at the Emmy’s in gorgeous garnets and diamonds, along with a ruby, lapis and diamond bracelet, both by Neil Lane.

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© Created by ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein

Deborah Yonick is a veteran jewelry journalist who writes regularly for many trade magazines worldwide.
She also pens a consumer column known as The Jewelry Lady, which can be accessed at
http//:www.thejewelrylady.info or http://www.jcoc.net.