Celebrity Jewelry Roundup - Fall 2011

The end of summer and beginning of fall usually means a transition from the light, ethereal jewelry pieces of summer to the more serious, heavy and sophisticated jewelry of fall and winter. Enamel bangles and hoop earrings are exchanged for gem-laden cocktail rings and statement necklaces. And this year is no exception. In the last few months we’ve seen several bona fide trends emerge on the red carpet and the runway, at movie premieres and black-tie charity galas.

This fall has brought with it a uniquely interesting and complex jewelry style to the fashion world’s attention. Celebrities and trendsetters have been appearing wearing ornate, even baroque earrings, necklaces and rings, eschewing the simple diamond studs and tennis bracelets that are normally red-carpet staples in favor of pieces with a lot more individuality and personality. Dark colored gemstones like amethysts, rubies and emeralds are being paired with black agate, onyx and deep yellow gold for bold, intense looks that match the darker makeup and autumn clothing palette.

At the Country Music Awards, Taylor Swift paired an ice-gray chiffon dress with a pair of bold black agate earrings that winterized the whole look and gave it a little edge. Rose McGowan pulled off the same style at the Hollywood Style Awards, where her dark, ornate chandelier earrings became a central focus of her look. And both Kate Beckinsale and Olivia Wilde opted for statement earrings in deep hues at the LA Art and Film Gala, both using the tonal jewelry to deepen the palette of an otherwise summery dress. And at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Awards, designer Rachael Roy went so far as to Tweet that her dramatic, tear-drop-shaped Lorraine Schwartz diamond earrings were her “date for the night”. Try this look at home by pairing a lightweight or light-colored outfit with bold, dark jewelry and an on-trend makeup look.

Necklaces are also receiving a fall makeover. This season, they are large and in charge—ranging from opulent diamond pieces to sleek gold collars with architectural appeal. Danica Patrick stole the show at the premiere of Breaking Dawn with a yellow gold statement necklace that was twisted and knotted like a stunning piece of golden rope. Meanwhile, at the premiere for J. Edgar, Naomi Watts paired a flapper-style dress with a deep v-neck with a circular gold pendant on an extra-long embellished chain. Even comedienne Chelsea Handler, a woman not normally known for her trendsetting, wowed fashion critics with an attention-grabbing statement gemstone necklace wound several times around her neck at the recent Glamour Women of the Year gala.

Most women these days know about the power a bold cocktail ring has to transform an outfit from everyday office wear to holiday-party special. It seems celebrities have been getting the same memo, with everyone from Kristen Stewart to the youngest Kardashian sisters piling on the ring finger gems to jazz up every kind of outfit, from couture gowns to shorts-and-tees ensembles. At the Breaking Dawn premiere, the normally bling-averse Kristen Stewart opted for just one piece of jewelry—a Neil Lane diamond, amethyst and white gold cocktail ring, to which she added a little rocker edge with short, dark nails.

So this fall, channel the intense, complex energy of fall fashion, and pile on the jewelry—the more ornate, the better. Leave your go-to diamond studs in the jewelry box and pick out a pair of dramatic, shoulder-skimming chandelier earrings. Loop a mixed-materials necklace or two around your neck instead of sticking with your gold-chain standby. And when it comes to rings, introduce your everyday engagement ring or wedding band to the fun and whimsy of the boldest cocktail.