Return of the Diamond Choker: Oscar Jewelry Round Up

Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog (Richard Harbaugh/©A.M.P.A.S)

(IDEX Online News) – It was the return of the diamond choker at the 84th Annual Academy Awards. After seasons of bare necks and undecorated décolletage, the gussied up neckline is back. Large diamond cocktail rings kept their place as a favorite accessory of choice, as did classic diamond drop earrings, with diamond chandelier earrings also lighting up the red carpet.

No one rocked their outfits more than Miss Piggy, who went all out in her role as presenter. A longtime porcine fashion icon, Miss Piggy’s Zac Posen silver gown channeled one of the trends of the night – metallic hues – while her vintage Fred Leighton jewelry out-sparkled many others on the red carpet. She accessorized with a 55 carat, 1950's diamond and platinum  swirl necklace, a 40 carat, 1950's diamond  and platinum swirl bracelet, a 1940's gold, amethyst and diamond ring, a diamond and platinum headband with approximately 10 carats of diamonds and a 1930's diamond and platinum clip brooch.

It may not have been her winning night when it came to the awards, but Michelle Williams, a Best Actress nominee for the movie My Week with Marilyn¸ was a clear winner in the fashion stakes. She matched her Louis Vuitton frock, with a pink Bottega Veneta clutch, a 30 carat Fred Leighton for Forevermark diamond choker set in silver on gold and a vintage 19th century Fred Leighton bow brooch, which she wore at her waist.

JLO (Jennifer Lopez) played it anything but low key in her plunging Art Deco-style Zuhair Murad gown, mirrored Salvatore Ferragamo clutch and Jimmy Choo sandals. She accessorized with platinum and diamond drop earrings and platinum and diamond rings, all by Lorraine Schwartz.

Despite wearing $2.5 million worth of jewelry, the focus was all on Angelina Jolie’s well-toned right leg at the awards. The award presenter wore a high slit black velvet gown from Atelier Versace and peep-toe shoes from Salvatore Ferragamo. The actress accessorized with 20 carat cushion-cut diamond and platinum earrings, a platinum diamond ring featuring a 15 carat cushion-cut diamond and a pair of platinum and diamond pins worn on the back of her waist (25 carats), all by Neil Lane.

Natalie Portman (Startraks.com)

Cameron Diaz was decked out in nearly $1 million worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry. She wore a $560,000 platinum and emerald-cut diamond necklace, $55,000 platinum and bezel-set diamond stud earrings and a $302,500 platinum and round diamond Dome ring. For her outfit, the actress opted for a shimmering metallic gown from Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo pumps.

Penelope Cruz turned to Chopard for her jewelry. All told, her platinum and pear-shaped diamond necklace, platinum and diamond cluster earrings and platinum and fancy-shape diamond line bracelet totaled 114 carats. The Spanish star channeled some old fashioned glamour with her lavender Giorgio Armani gown.

Does Natalie Portman ever get it wrong on the red carpet? We have yet to see it. Last year’s Best Actress winner wowed again at this year’s awards. She looked the consummate star in a polka dot Dior Haute Couture gown, a platinum and diamond v-shaped cluster necklace and platinum and oval diamond drop earrings (5.76 carats each), both by Harry Winston.