Academy Awards Jewelry Trend Predictions From Leading Style Expert

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This week Michael O'Connor, celebrity stylist and television personality, will host StyleLab's jewelry event for Academy Award nominees, presenters and stylists at a private venue in Los Angeles. Every season, O'Connor curates a selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from world-renowned designers for celebrities to borrow for the red carpet. From bold colored gemstone earrings to necklaces made with Argyle diamonds from Australia, O'Connor will accessorize Hollywood's leading stars with the most exquisite, highest quality jewelry.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140224/AQ70726)  

O'Connor forecasts that celebrities will focus their accessory choices on one large piece of jewelry that adds eye-impact and emphasis without overwhelming their gown. As awards show season peaks with the Oscars, O'Connor offers the following trend predictions:

Longer Linear Earrings are Back

Longer linear diamond earrings remain popular on the red carpet, since they work with every gown. However, designers are playing with larger geometric pave diamond-studded shapes to make their earrings stand out. Kallati designed "Ripple Tear Drop" earrings that feature 4-carats of pave set brilliant white diamonds, priced at $25,000. These earrings would look gorgeous on Jennifer Lawrence, given her pixie haircut. Mastoloni is introducing their "Swirl" earrings, with Tahitian pearls and 3.2-carats of brilliant cut white diamonds, priced at  $9,800. The swirl pattern on the ear lobe, followed by a linear pearl drop, provides the perfect amount of edginess for Cate Blanchett.

Return of the Statement Necklace

The necklace is making a comeback in a major way! The American Gem Trade Association is showcasing a one-of-a-kind necklace. Designed by Richard Berberian of Elyse Fine Jewelers, this show-stopping piece is composed of fancy multi-color sapphires, white sapphires, and round brilliant diamonds, totaling a whopping 57-carats. This stunning design is an ideal luxury accessory for Anne Hathaway. For the Fashion of Diamonds collection, Chinese designer Fei Liu created a nature-inspired necklace, rooted in the Chinese tradition that flowers embody our dreams and aspirations. Using 2,151 small sparkling diamonds from the Argyle diamond mine in Australia, the draped hyacinth necklace was brought to life by Y&M Jewelry. This necklace is priced at $85,456 and would look stunning on the statuesque Lupita Nyong'o.

Bold Colorful Gems

Mirroring fashion runways, an increasing number of celebrities are wearing colorful gowns, so they also are opting for jewelry with bright gemstones, especially for color contrast. Takat designed a pair of drop earrings with over 22.78 carats of tanzanite and diamonds, priced at $36,521. The contrast would look spectacularly striking on redhead Amy Adams. Farah Khan will debut a bracelet with over 77-carats of emeralds, ruby and diamonds, priced at $50,751. Sandra Bullock doesn't shy away from color, so this bracelet would be the perfect accessory!

Classics Reinterpreted

Since the hottest fashion designers are giving us a retro look back at the previous century, jewelry designers are reinterpreting the classic "must-haves" of past decades. The Leo Diamond Collection crafted a pair of diamond deep drop earrings with their "visibly brighter" diamonds that gradually increase in size and importance as they stretch to the shoulder. Priced at $350,000, this custom creation belongs on a classic beauty like Jennifer Garner. Uneek re-mastered the diamond tennis bracelet for the Oscars, by designing a 24-carat total weight bracelet with 3 rows of asscher and round diamonds, priced at $218,182. The mix of cuts gives amazing sparkle, so I envision this bracelet on Reese Witherspoon. For celebrities who are seeking a hefty cuff, they can count on the bracelet by Interjewel USA for the Diamonds With A Story^TM collection. Priced at $19,999, this bold 28.2-carat bracelet features white and Silvermist^TM diamonds from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia. Angelina Jolie would rock this bracelet! The entire Diamonds With A Story^TM collection contains rare, natural color diamonds sustainably and ethically sourced from the Argyle Diamond Mine.

SOURCE StyleLab