Jewelry Lights Up The Golden Globes

All the fashion hounds are reporting a downturn in the dazzle department on the red carpet these days. The buzz goes something like: the troubled economy is keeping jewelry looks to a minimum, less is more will rule the day, blah blah blah. Either these folks are blind, or they simply didn’t watch the bling-filled shenanigans on the Golden Globes' red carpet last night.

How could you miss Beyonce’s, diamond fringe Lorraine Schwartz shocker? Or Christina Applegate's stunning vintage yellow diamond flower necklace – also from dame Schwartz. And I haven’t even begun to cover the wattage coming from Eva Mendez and Elizabeth Banks. I was sitting couch-side - gasping aloud.










Now, of course, there were those like a glowing Eva Longoria, who chose to keep things on the down low. Lots of tasteful studs with a “no necklace” choice made the red carpet rounds, including two-time winner Kate Winslet in 10-carat Chopard earrings, Anne Hathaway in Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and sapphire gems, and a gorgeous January Jones in barely there diamond studs also by Van Cleef. (She should trademark that dress color. Stunning.)


















Purple princesses, Anna Paquin, Hayden Panitierre and (my favorite) Olivia Wilde, also kept the bling to a minimum.











But there were others, like Amy Adams, who brought out the big guns with green gemstone statement earrings and a rocky right hand ring – another Lorraine Schwartz win. Kate Beckinsale does no wrong in Fred Leighton earrings that must have weighed as much as her nine-year-old. And Slumdog Millionaire star, Freida Pinto, offered dangling gold and diamond statement earrings to complement her mustard-colored frock.



















Another red carpet trend emerged on the wrist. Lots of statement makers here, including Bochic gold and turquoise snake bracelets on a resurfacing Sandra Bullock, stunning diamond and gold cuffs on Freida Pinto and layered bangles in every incarnation from the likes of Debra Messing and Megan Fox.


















The losers in my book aren’t shockingly bad, but rather fall into the ‘been there done that’ category. Angelina Jolie must have a closet full of that same dress. Cameron Diaz appeared in her traditional ‘colorful’ gown choice with bad roots and barely a jewel in sight. Marisa Tomei channeled Captain Jack with her Seinfeld-worthy pirate shirt and layered Neil Lane necklaces. And J-Lo? How many times are you going to work the plunging neckline dress? It’s gettin’ old, sister.


















So you’ve got the good, the boringly bad and for the ugly? Please reference Rene Zellweger’s updo, Sting’s new brunette leprechaun decision and Ryan Seacrest’s desperate attempt to get Brangelina’s attention on the red carpet. Not a pretty picture.