The Academy Awards, Hollywood’s biggest night, is also one of the biggest barometers for what’s hot in fashion and accessories. Despite the onset of the war in Iraq immediately prior to the annual 75^th, celebs dressed up for this trendsetting occasion. Did you really think they were going to wear turtlenecks and loafers? But the little black dress couldn’t hold a candle next to gowns in eye-catching hues like emerald, turquoise and ruby this year. The jewelry followed suit, as color gems took home the Oscar!

Among the most publicized baubles were on the very pregnant Best Supporting Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, who accessorized her dark chocolate and black chiffon Versace gown with a 19^th century topaz and diamond ring and big coral, sapphire and diamond pendant earrings (US$18,000) by Fred Leighton. Also in coral and Leighton, was Diane Lane in pink angel-skin and diamond drop earrings (US$75,000) that perfectly accented her blush-colored gown with feathered skirt by Oscar de la Renta.

Other Leighton fans include Best Actress Nicole Kidman in Art Deco onyx and diamond pendant earrings designed as hanging flower baskets with gem accents that dusted her slinky midnight-blue gown by Jean Paul Gaultier. While Meryl Streep flaunted an Art Nouveau enamel leaf and diamond necklace with emerald drops (circa 1900) atop her Angel Sanchez ball gown and Ann Roth shrug. And, Kirsten Dunst sported a 19^th century natural pearl and diamond earrings.

Redhead Julianne Moore was red hot in emerald and black gold chandelier earrings and ring by Boucheron to match her strapless silk georgette with cascading ruffles by Yves Saint Laurent.

Also in Boucheron, was Jennifer Connelly in blue sapphire and black gold drop earrings and ring to complement her black Calvin Klein.





To match her embroidered silk chiffon Carolina Herrera dress, Renee Zellweger flashed a vintage ruby ring by Neil Lane. Michelle Smith, on the arm of boyfriend Matthew McConaughey, flaunted atop her strapless number rubellite tourmaline earrings and necklace by Erica Courtney. And, Shirley Jones – the coolest TV mom – accented her stylish black pants suit with a pearl and diamond choker ala Harry Winston.



In honor of Oscar’s Diamond Jubilee, many stars wore diamonds, but again, it was all about color, like Halle Berry’s chocolate diamond earrings by Winston, which complemented her Elie Sabb champagne-colored gown. Or, Jennifer Lopez dressed in Leighton’s pink and white diamond chandelier earrings ($250,000) to accent her pistachio Valentino dress.
Also in Leighton, was Cameron Diaz wearing a 20-carat cognac diamond pyramid ring against her chocolate Prada dress.

While Calista Flockhart, on the arm of Harrison Ford, was pretty in pink and white diamond briolette drop earrings and necklace by Winston. And, Jennifer Love-Hewitt – in a sexy taupe Versace – piled on Winston including a green, yellow and orange diamond cluster ring, 7-carat brown diamond ring, and briolette-cut yellow beryl and diamond drop earrings.



But as long as there has been a Red Carpet celebs have worn color gems to the Oscars. Some of the more memorable pieces of late include J Lo in a Winston diamond and South Sea pearl choker (US$22,000) and earrings suite and 13-carat pink diamond ring; Berry in the world’s largest fancy vivid orange diamond ring by Winston (US$3 million); and Cameron Diaz in a Leighton 19^th century paisley necklace with rubies, peridot, diamonds, and pearls (US$45,000) as a belt, all in 2002. The previous year, Raquel Welch sported $1 million worth of Tony Duquette emeralds in a bold chandelier necklace, while Zellweger flaunted a pair of Chanel pearl and diamond bracelets. In 1998, Madonna charmed in a Leighton sapphire, pearl and diamond necklace; while Gloria Stuart boasted a 15-carat, $20 million Winston blue diamond pendant, mimicking the piece she wore in the movie Titanic (which was actually a tanzanite).



The Academy Awards is definitely more than a black tie affair, it’s an occasion for Hollywood royalty to show their colors, and nothing makes a personal statement better than color gemstones!