Illeana Douglas Shines . . . as Web TV's "It Girl" and Celebrity Jewelry Model

DALLAS, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Portraying an IKEA employee in her hit web TV series, Easy to Assemble, Illeana Douglas dresses in the store's utilitarian uniform: a bright yellow T-shirt. Un-glam garb, to be sure--and vastly different from what the talented actress wears in another of her current projects: celebrity model for the 2012 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ jewelry collection.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120419/DC90497 )

An award-winning veteran in the entertainment industry, Douglas has worn many hats--actor, director, writer, producer, stand-up comedian—but a model for the jewelry industry's most prestigious colored gemstone jewelry design contest? "No, this is a first for me," she says. "It's been a lot of fun. There are so many one-of-a-kind pieces—memorable without being gaudy. Jewelry that won't make you look 'old movie star' mature!" When the American Gem Trade Association--producer of the jewelry design competition, now in its 28th edition--approached Douglas with the idea, she was intrigued, explaining, "I've always preferred owning a few high-quality, well-made, unique pieces of jewelry like these, rather than a lot of inexpensive ones that quickly go out of style."

What exactly is her style? "Somewhere in between shabby-chic, hippie-chic, and chic-chic," says the refreshingly candid artist, who wears a lot of Nanette Lepore, a brand with signature fine detailing and easy wearability, which Douglas says fits her lifestyle, as do the designs of Carole Shashona, known for incorporating feng shui color schemes into clients' wardrobes.

Speaking of color, which are Ileana's favorites? "I tend to wear mostly jewel tones. Green has always been my number-one, but I also love cranberry and deep purple, plus a wide variety of blues because I wear a lot of navy."

For this July-born beauty, the rich hues of ruby, her birthstone, are enticing. "I also like other gems in intense red shades. My favorite piece in the Spectrum collection is a necklace with a big red oval drop that I wore during the photo shoot we did--because it's large and dynamic but, at the same time, simple." She's referring to a neck piece by Cleveland, Ohio, jewelry designer, Heather B. Moore, featuring a 54.70-carat rubellite tourmaline cabochon drop.

"In my everyday life, I don't wear earrings because my ears aren't pierced, but I usually put on a necklace. I have one in emerald, one in sapphire, and another with pearls. I like colored stones much more than diamonds because they're so interesting."

Douglas is so charmed by nature's gems, in fact, that she frequently buys "loose rocks and crystals." Does she plan on setting them in jewelry? "To be honest, probably not. I like putting them all over the house for decoration--even on my kitchen table--because they're so beautiful. And because they have good energy."

Energy is an appropriate word choice for Illeana Douglas herself, as she's typically involved in simultaneous work projects. Easy to Assemble begins its fourth season in 2012, "So it takes up most of my time," she admits, "but I continue to act in films." Often dubbed "the Indie film queen" for her longtime commitment to the independent film genre, she stars in Chez Upshaw, an Indie black comedy scheduled for spring/summer release. – by Lorraine DePasque

The American Gem Trade Association(AGTA), based in Dallas, TX, has produced the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ since 1984 to  create awareness of and for the beauty of colored gemstones and cultured pearls.  To see all the winning pieces and to learn more about the mission of AGTA, visit www.agta.org/awards/2012-winners.html.

Contact: Adam Graham, (214) 742-4367 x 21, [email protected]

SOURCE American Gem Trade Association