By Rachel Garrahan, guest editor for LA awards season
Hot on the heels of last week's Golden Globes, Oscar nominations and Critics' Choice Awards, the 20th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were the latest red carpet feast for the eyes on Saturday.
Cate Blanchett again demonstrated her red carpet know-how with a palest-pink, unstructured Givenchy dress. In a repeat of her Golden Globes choice, she wore Chopard gems to compliment both the gown and her alabaster complexion, with a unique and beautiful ruby cuff and brown diamond briolette drop earrings.
Adding a SAG award to her successes at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice, the actress is now clear favourite to take Best Actress at the Academy Awards in March.
Amy Adams, also nominated for Best Actress, provided some welcome colour and old-fashioned Hollywood glamour wearing vintage Cartier earrings, featuring sapphire, emerald and diamonds, from 1926 and a platinum ring with turquoise, diamonds and amethyst.
The earrings were beautiful against her red hair, and a pleasing contrast to the modern lines and cutouts of her rich blue Antonio Berardi gown.
Colourful drop earrings are proving to be a red carpet trend this season. Jennifer Lawrence, who again won Best Supporting Actress for her role as the beautiful but unhinged Rosalyn in 'American Hustle', paired her elegant sequined Dior column dress with one-of-a-kind 18ct yellow gold Japanese amethyst, blue sapphire and diamond earrings by Jennifer Meyer. She also wore a single gold ear cuff which, paired with her tousled crop, gave her the cool edge.
Other stars also opted for ear cuffs rather than traditional earrings. Nazadin Boniadi's were by Brazilian jeweller Jack Vartanian, while Natalie Dormer of 'Game of Thrones' fame chose a single, striking Vine ear cuff by Diane Kordas.
Anna Gunn, nominated for best actress in TV's 'Breaking Bad', followed the trend for blue gowns with one from Monique Lhuillier, accessorising it with large Irene Neuwirth teardrop earrings featuring white gold, black onyx, lapis, diamond pavé and rose cut diamonds, and a white gold, rose-cut diamond ring.
Award presenter Jennifer Garner also wore blue - a deep navy strapless gown from MaxMara - pairing it with dramatic David Webb drops featuring amethyst, onyx and diamonds.
There were not many necklaces to be seen on the red carpet, although the Amrapali diamond and emerald necklace worn by Sofia Vergara of 'Modern Family' fame was perhaps enough neckwear for the whole event. Along with the staggering sparkle around her neck, she glittered from head to toe in a Donna Karan sequined gown with diamond teardrop earrings and diamond ring from Amrapali's vintage collection.
Winner for Best Supporting Actress for '12 Years a Slave', Lupita Nyong'o once more demonstrated why she is the focus of everyone's red carpet attention. She let her turquoise, flower-embellished Gucci gown do the talking on Saturday, wearing discreet gold and citrine earrings and a statement 1950s gold flower ring with rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds, all from Fred Leighton.
Also nominated for an Oscar, Nyong'o is going to have no shortage of high fashion and fine jewellery brands clamouring for her attention in the coming months.
Another actress who stayed away from the drop earring look was 'Game of Throne''s Emilia Clarke. She was glittering perfection in a one-shouldered, sequined custom Calvin Klein gown, impeccably paired with a Pomellato gold and brown diamond link bracelet, and gold and garnet ring.
Finally, Michelle Dockery chose large David Yurman studs and ring in yellow gold and diamonds to complement her sleek, black and white J.Mendel gown. Paired with a bold red lip, the dress' plunging neckline was a world away from anything Lady Mary might wear. A bold move for an actress who clearly wants a career beyond 'Downton Abbey'.
