2011 Grammy Awards Jewelry Roundup: It's All In the Wrist

While the whole "Lady Gaga arriving in a big egg" stunt felt a little (um) tired to me, the jewelry fashion was refreshingly fun at the 2011 Grammy Awards, with huge earrings, creative cuffs, statement rings, yellow gold and menfolk in layered looks ruling the night in the trend department.

Here are a few highlights to get the jewelry juices flowing...

I FINALLY had a 2011 lower-jaw-drop moment when I spotted this crazy cuff on Glee diva, Lea Michele. It's by red carpet staple, Lorraine Schwartz, who is also responsible for my second favorite look of the night:

this yellow gold and diamond serpent cuff on Kim Kardashian.Yay!

I also have to applaud Miley Cyrus and Ciara for the winning the "More Is More" award. Maybe it's because I've been so starved for over-the-top jewelry looks this year, but I was happy to see this much sparkle on these young stars.

Big earring looks dusted the sparkling shoulders of everyone from Cyndi Lauper to Snooki:

And as for the fellas? The usual suspects disappointed (Lil Wayne, Diddy) but Seal, Lenny Kravitz and Adam Lambert all rocked the layered necklace look that won the approval of the Twitter Crew (click here to review our fun-filled chat).

With so many folks getting in touch with their inner wacky (Gwenyth? What are you smoking, sister?) I'm sure the Oscars are going to feel like a quaint evening sipping tea by comparison. But I'm ready. Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is a jewelry wasteland so far.... And I'm starving for more!

Grammy Jewelry Predictions: 2011

Jewelry hounds? We're entering high season for bauble gawking - with Mercedes Benz Fashion Week well under way, The Grammy Awards airing this Sunday and the Oscars right around the corner on February 27th.

Big, deep, breath....

But don't you fret! I'm doing a ton of eye calisthenics, so I can spot all the hot red carpet jewelry looks for your drooling pleasure. It's a rough job, but, well....

In the meantime, here are a few of my Grammy jewelry predictions for 2011. Will I be as right as I was for the Golden Globes (yeah, I said it!)? Will Lady Gaga bring it or bore us? Will Barbara Streisand ditch the mumu for Miu Miu? You be the judge.

Join me and all the other jewelry cool kids for our usual red carpet Twitter Fest starting at 6pm EST. Use hashtag: #grammyjewelry and be sure to weigh in with all your rants and raves! Or just circle back right here for my Monday Morning recap of all the gems worth a good gawk.

1. Black Diamond Blow Out:

Rock-and-rollers bring out the black like tweens at a Twilight convention. With Christina Aguilera set to perform, I'm gonna bet she puts on some of her favorite Stephen Webster black diamond sparklers - with the rest of the world going with Loree Rodkin rocks.

2. Creative Cuffs:

This is the "softball over home plate" prediction, I know. But instead of a classic diamond cuff like we've seen on Golden Globe and SAG red carpets, I'm guessing the Grammy set is going to spike things up a bit.


3. Boy Bling:

We've got some serious Ice Kings walking the carpet this year, with Jay-Z, Usher, Adam Lambert and (of course) Justin Bieber lighting the way. But the question of the night is: Will Kanye West make an appearance? I've got to get a closer look at those crazy diamond dentures.

4. Lady Gaga Gets Serious:

Remember when Madonna entered her Evita period? She pulled back the hair, took off the Gauliter cone bras, put on the pants suits... I'm thinking Lady Gaga is going to follow in her footsteps (because I'm the first person who's ever had THAT idea).

Gone are the Armani satellite dresses and McQueen reptile shoes. Meat dresses are so 2010. My money is on a Lady Gaga who is channeling her inner Chanel. If I'm wrong, I'll chug an entire glass of champagne. Twist my arm.

Any thoughts you'd like to share before the Grammy games begin? Weigh in!

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz Files For Divorce

Sad news in Hollywood-land today. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz filed for divorce from her rocker hubby, Pete Wentz - a move that was expected according to USMagazine. Sigh.

While divorce involves many new life changes, the million-dollar question often is: What do women do with their wedding and engagement rings when the honeymoon is decidedly over?

While some like to wear their rocks well past their due date (Kate Gosselin, anyone?), I suggest replacing them with a diamond right hand ring you get for yourself!

Right hand rings have traditionally been a 'self-gift' or 'woman-to-woman' purchase that symbolizes freedom, independence and husband-free margarita-filled Friday nights!

Ashlee will certainly have room in the coffers for something with a lot of zeros, but for the mere mortal maven looking to raise their right hands - sample sale sensation, JewelClub, has a ton of options to choose from.

And if you're looking to spread the love to someone whose heart needs a little mending this Valentine's Day, check out their entire Valentine's Day Sample Sale for a great selection of heart-warming styles.

Their Facebook Page says they are taking 75% off their entire Vday stash today AND they offer up this code for an extra 10% off at check out: VALENTINE2011

How do you mend a broken heart? 85% off is a start.

Diamonds Suck

I am loathe to admit that I missed a very important jewelry item for my Jewelry Gift Guide for New Moms a while back. What new bundle of joy should do without a $17,000 diamond drool-maker, right?

IDEX reports that the Hollywood set is going goo-goo for this gem-encrusted mouthpiece from Personalized Pacifiers - a 14-carat European white gold creation set with 278 white diamonds (3 carats all told).

“Pacifiers can be customized with colored diamonds and engraved with baby's name, initials, birth date, or birth weight, the company proclaims. “Though we do not recommend actual use, the Diamond pacifier makes a fabulous keepsake and will become a new classic to that of bronzing baby shoes!”

Rumor has it that Angelina Jolie owns a blinged out passy for one of her beloved tykes - and I'm sure the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills have them by the boatloads. 

Help us all if Kanye West ever has kids...

But blingy baby gifts don't have to cost one-year's tuition at an Ivy League school. I personally like this adorable little baby shoe pendant - that at only $79.64 is the perfect price for a shower gift or a 'dad to new mom' surprise.

Or you can get one with the baby's birthstone for just a bit more.

Until they come out with diamond-encrusted diapers, tanzanite teethers and sterling sippy cups - this will just have to do.

Royal Wedding Update: The Dress, The Jewelry, The Guessing Games Begin

Egypt's political crisis and those "monster" winter storms have NOTHING on the two most buzzed about topics in the world right now:

What designer will Kate Middleton wear down the aisle? And for gosh sakes - what tiara will she choose to light up Westminster Abbey?

Jezebel collected some of the buzz and here are the highlights:

The Royal Wedding Dress Designer:

Rumor has it that Princess Diana's longtime fashion collaborator, designer Bruce Oldfield, is the chosen one to create the most famous wedding dress of the 21st Century.

During an interview with ABC News today, he wouldn't reveal if he is "the one" - but he did make these startling predictions:

Kate will wear long sleeves
Kate will wear a veil

I'm going to sleep well tonight, Bruce. Thanks for the tip!

The Trouble with Tiaras:

Too many tiaras - too little time. While devoted royal watchers take pride in their vast knowledge of the tiaras The Queen could choose for Kate's big day (Yup, it's all up to grandma) - I haven't a clue. That's why I visit Mad Hattery's Tiara-Pedia to get up to speed -  a delicious place to waste time on a Friday afternoon.

The smart money is on The Strathmore Rose tiara  - which was a wedding gift to the Queen Mum from her father, the Earl of Strathmore.

Or blogger, Aestheticus Rex, puts the Fringe Tiara in the mix as well - which The Queen Mother lent to both her daughter Princess Elizabeth and granddaughter Princess Anne on their respective wedding days.

The questions! The questions! Too many questions! The dress? The tiara? Who is on the guest list? Who will be royally snubbed? Where will they honeymoon? Will Harry bring a date? Will Prince Charles bring a personality?

There's only twelve weeks left until April 29th when all will finally be revealed, jewelry hounds. Until then, you have my permission to ignore important world events, life threatening storms - and taxes.

Lindsay Lohan's Necklace Nightmare

If I had a diamond for every time Lindsay Lohan 'forgot' to return loaner jewelry, I'd be richer than a Donald Trump/Oprah Winfrey love child.

Yes, jewelry hounds. Just when you thought our Li-Lo was turning the page to more legit uses of our favorite shiny stuff, she brings us back to her warped reality where 'stealing' is somehow really just 'borrowing' with benefits.

The latest nonsense has Lindsay 'borrowing' a one-of-a-kind $2500 gold necklace from El Ray jewelry store in Los Angeles. The store claims the piece went missing right after Lindsay was seen wearing it in a surveillance video.  Lindsay claims her stylist "borrowed it" and just didn't return it in time.

Whatever the truth is, it's clear Ms. Lohan shouldn't even be in the business of 'borrowing' until her probation is over. If the police decide to press charges (and TMZ reports this is likely), she could possibly go back to the slammer, where the only jewelry she'll be wearing is the kind of 'cuff no one wants in their jewelry box.

Get it together, Lohan.

Valentine's Day 2.0

Valentine's Day is creeping up on us faster than a Charlie Sheen relapse, jewelry hounds, and the holiday of love has me thinking:

Why is it that only couples get to celebrate Valentine's Day? And more importantly? Why is it that only women who are in a RELATIONSHIP get the jewelry spoils from this bling-filled occasion?

 

It's high time single ladies get in on the Valentine's Day action too. Starting now.

Besties like Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, for example, should get each other diamond heart pendants this year - or Eva Longoria should splurge on a diamond right hand ring to celebrate the fact that she no longer has to put up with basketball highlights and boring conversation!

1/2ct Diamond Heart Pendant, $199.93

Mothers can give to daughters, daughters can give to mothers...

Mother & Child Diamond Pendant, $74.19

Or maybe your favorite teacher, bartender, or (in Charlie Sheen's case) lawyer deserves a little love this Valentine's Day?

3/8 ct Diamond Flower Right Hand Ring $234.01

You get the idea, right? I'm just saying that the 'romantically involved' shouldn't have a monopoly on a holiday that celebrates meaningful relationships. And (more importantly) diamonds.

Thoughts?

P.S. JewelClub is having a Valentine's Day Sample Sale this week, and the merch is selling faster than (fill in the blank....) at a Charlie Sheen house party (click here for more).

Get while the gettin's good!