Blue, Greens & Nude Tones Rule at Golden Globe Awards

By Deborah Yonick, jewelry style expert

New York catwalks may have pointed to tangerine as the color of the year, but on the red carpet at the 69 th Annual Golden Globe Awards maritime blues, blue-greens and purples prevailed. Globe-trotters also preferred nude tones like blush, peach and lilac, with strapless column gowns still a favorite. Sapphires and emeralds were among the standout gems, with gem-encrusted bangles, gemmy cocktail rings, and gem drop, cluster and stud earrings the top jewelry styles.

The host of StyleLab's Golden Globe jewelry suite, style expert Michael O'Connor, sees an overall fascination with the 1950s/60s in this year's design choices. “Bright and vibrant colored gemstones that were big in the 60's including blues and greens, reds and pinks have made a resurgence,” he says, noting that gems are large and diamond accented. He also cites chunky cuff styles with geometric shapes and vintage designs as prevalent, as well as colorful, nature-inspired cocktail rings. “While diamond studs remain a staple, there's a return to oversized drop or chandelier earrings that practically touch the collarbone.”

Top Gems

Stunning in sapphire, Helen Mirren wore the blue gem in pendant diamond and platinum earrings circa 1950's, and with diamonds and platinum in a barrel link bracelet circa 1930's by Fred Leighton. Glee favorite Jane Lynch also sparkled in blue sapphire and black diamond earrings in blackened platinum by Lorraine Schwartz.; while Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story ) chose a 1920s cushion-cut diamond and sapphire platinum ring by Fred Leighton. And, comedienne Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids ) stacked assorted pavé sapphire bangles ala MCL Designs by Matthew C. Laurenza New York.

But other blue gems also nabbed the spotlight. Take the eye-popping turquoise and diamond platinum chandelier earrings by Neil Lane that Kathleen Robertson (Boss ) wore. Project Runway host Heidi Klum also hit the right pitch in a turquoise bib necklace by Lorraine Schwartz against a bisque colored silk crepe Calvin Klein sheath; while Jenna Dewan-Tatum (The Playboy Club ) topped a green frock with boulder opal and diamond earrings from Irene Neuwirth. Octavia Spencer, Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Help , also sported large bolder opal drop earrings and ring by Neuwirth.

In hues from blue green to yellow green, emerald continues to captivate red carpet goers, as illustrated by a big fan of the gem Julianne Moore in emerald bead tassel and diamond platinum earrings by Fred Leighton. Moreover, Kelly MacDonald (Boardwalk Empire ) adorned in emerald gold stud earrings and emerald and diamond platinum ring by Neil Lane; and Lea Michele popped color with a 29-carat emerald and blackened platinum ring by Lorraine Schwartz. Another LS devotee, Debra Messing, of Will & Grace fame and star of the new show Smash , adorned with emerald and amethyst drop earrings set in blackened platinum and an emerald platinum ring.

Also outstanding, Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) wore green jade and diamond drop earrings set in blackened platinum by Lorraine Schwartz. And Turkish presenter Meltem Cumbul adorned in 62-carat green amethyst drops with pink spinel and diamonds set in 18k gold and 47-carat Malaya zircon and diamond gold ring by AGTA member Erica Courtney.

There were great ruby pieces, too, like the Neil Lane ruby and diamond gold bracelets and rings that Nicole Richie flaunted; and the blackened platinum stud earrings set with19 carats of ruby by Lorraine Schwartz that Emma Stone (The Help ) wore. Also on the radar, a 6.50-carat amethyst and diamond “Wish” ring and alexandrite and diamond 18k gold flower burst earrings by Erica Courtney spotted on Missi Pyle (The Artist ).

Other special gem designs include the oval cabochon moonstone and platinum earrings by AGTA member Tiffany & Co. that character actress Naya Rivera flashed. Hollywood veteran Andie MacDowell, attending with her daughter – Miss Golden Globe Rainey Qualley – radiated in 23-carats of multi-color sapphire cluster gold earrings by Chopard. Rainey wore morganite and diamond drop 18k rose gold earrings by AGTA member Trésor.

Diamonds & Pearls

Fancy color diamonds continue to fascinate Hollywood divas, with AGTA member designer Dena Kemp dressing the likes of Maria Menounos (Funny or Die ) in 10.44 carats of cushion-cut fancy yellow diamond stud earrings set in palladium; actress Shaun Robinson in black and white diamond drop earrings with 68 black diamonds totaling 5 carats and 210 white diamonds totaling over 17 carats; and The Talk host Sharon Osbourne in gray and white diamond drop earrings.

TV host Kristina Guerrero also wore one of Kemp's black diamond cuffs (nearly 27 carats) and emerald and diamond earrings by Dominic Jones for Gemfields, also an AGTA member. Black onyx remains popular, with a great example by Kara Ross inlaid in an extra large silver pyramid cuff with 18k gold accents that Globe winning actress Jessica Lange (American Horror Story ) wore; and another circa 1920s Fred Leighton onyx and diamond platinum bow and line bracelets that Dianna Agron (Glee ) sported.

Pearls, too, were all the rage with top picks including Jessica Chastain (The Help ) in pearl and diamond cluster platinum earrings by AGTA member Harry Winston; and New Girl Zooey Deschanel in pearl and diamond platinum 1970 estate ring by AGTA member Van Cleef & Arpels; even dude Jaime King (Love Bites ) in VCA's “Bora Bora” black pearl and diamond gold ring. Madonna, who won Best Original Song “Masterpiece” for her film W.E., gleamed in a pearl and diamond set gold cross by Neil Lane.

Top Red Carpet Trends

• Bold color continues to grabbed the spotlight for A-listers on the red carpet, with gems in shades of blue, green and red strong. Black and white remains a classic combination.

• Cocktail rings ala the 1960s are in fashion, and wear more than one at a time.

• Bangle and cuff bracelets of various widths and designs continue to be stacked.

• Big gemmy drop, chandelier and lobe covering earrings rule.

• Focus on one jewelry statement as in stacked bracelets, multiple rings, big earrings, or a signature necklace.