By Maria Doulton
Oscar night is the biggest and brightest evening for the world of fashion as the global press is watching every celebrity, analysing each outfit and, increasingly, their red carpet jewelry.
The Academy Awards 2015 showed an abundance of diamond jewelry, and nowhere more so than on the ladies wearing Harry Winston. Gem-expert Steve Bennett estimated that last year some $25 million worth of jewels walked the red carpet, and this year the value was even higher.
Nicole Kidman, who was wearing $7 million worth of Harry Winston jewelry, played her part in ramping up the figures as she appeared in a sequined Louis Vuitton dress.
Presenting at the Academy Awards, Kidman chose Harry Winston diamond ear studs, an 82 carat diamond high jewelry bracelet, a 16.5 carat diamond solitaire ring and a smaller diamond band ring. Despite their value, Nicole Kidman managed to walk the carpet in a relaxed and confident manner.
Model Karolina Kurkova shone in 85 carats of Harry Winston jewelry, and to go with her Marchesa pale pink dress she wrapped around her wrist two bracelets: one a 34 carat Secret Cluster diamond bracelet and the other a Cluster one of 28 carats. Lobe-hugging 14 carat diamond earrings and a 7 carat diamond ring completed her simple and elegant look. It is interesting that, despite wearing a strapless dress, Kurkova decided not to wear a necklace and concentrate on earrings and a bracelet, a trend we are seeing more and more in the stars' red carpet jewelry choices.
Margot Robbie, who was presenting at the awards ceremony, chose a vintage style Van Cleef & Arpels Zip necklace with diamonds and sapphires in yellow gold. The Zip Antique Colombine is one of Van Cleef's most iconic designs, originally created for the Duchess of Windsor in the 1950s. The gold teeth actually zip up to adjust the fall of the necklace, or the two sides can be zipped all the way up and worn as a bracelet. The Van Cleef & Arpels Zip design is a key example of technical prowess and witty ways with jewels.
Felicity Jones, who was nominated for her leading role in The Theory of Everything, wore Van Cleef & Arpels Dans les Etoiles high jewelry earrings with white and yellow diamonds and a pretty Snowflake bracelet to complete her glamorous Hollywood aura in an Alexander McQueen grey silk gown. In keeping with the retro, elegant look, Jones carried a Van Cleef & Arpels vintage 1947 minaudiere or bejewelled clutch with gold and diamond details.
Viola Davis, who was also presenting at the Oscars, opted for Van Cleef & Arpels pearls with her Zac Posen pink dress, a look she pulled off without falling into the princess trap.
Keira Knightley, nominated as Best Supporting Actress for The Imitation Game, wore her red carpet jewelry in her hair. Chanel's Café Society Sunset headband sparkled with pretty sunset orange Padparadscha and pink sapphires, and pink opals and diamonds, which she wore with a matching Chanel ring to add the final touch to her dreamy, floral embroidered Valentino gown.
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