Some quick impressions of jewelry styles on the red carpet at the 2010 Academy Awards:

Penelope Cruz as always, looked great – this time in an exquisite red gown and a lovely pair of diamond dangle earrings – about 2-3″ long, smaller diamonds ending in a larger, pear-shaped stone.

Abstract and modern diamond-shaped earrings were in – Monique wore simple drop earrings with two diamond shapes one on top of the other – diamonds set in yellow gold. Meryl Streep had large on-the-ear diamond-shaped diamond-pave earrings (white gold?). The earrings were gorgeous, but for some reason her gown reminded me of a bathrobe. (Sorry Meryl – love your work, love your earrings, the gown? Not so much!)

J Lo looked stunning in a beautiful lavender Armani gown and a pair of on-ear ball earings studded with diamonds.

Cameron Diaz sported big, twisted hoop earrings with her Oscar De La Renta gown.

Kate Winslett wore an Yves Saint Laurent gown and what looked like yellow diamonds – in simple square drop earrings and a bold, “Y” shaped statement necklace. Not sure I loved the necklace, the earrings were perfectly understated and a beautiful match to her gown.

Tina Fey wore what looked like long onyx briolette drop earrings with fillagree tops. Very different, very pretty.

Sandra Bullock – a very simple pair of diamond drop earrings. Classy.

Miley Cyrus wore a pair of very long, glittery flower earrings – age appropriate, but bordering on gaudy. They looked heavy too – my earlobes hurt just to look at them!

Is platinum really rare? Why should you consider it as a setting for important stones? These and many other questions answered in the first in a series of educational articles for this site: Platinum – A Most Precious Metal.

Apparently, the recession hasn’t entirely put a damper on sales of fine gold jewelry. According to GoldInspirations, the online fashion magazine of the World Gold Council, luxury gold jewelry is seeing a sharp increase in sales among women in their 30′s and 40′s, with big bold statement necklaces, large gold cuff bracelets and big designer rings leading the pack.

With the price of gold currently over $1,100/ounce, we have to wonder if this signifies a return to indulgent spending on fashion items or if women of a certain age just prefer wearing their investments around their necks!

Is Yellow Gold Making a Comeback?

For several decades now yellow gold has been decidedly uncool compared to the white metals and more exotic colors of gold. However looking to the celebrities and designers, it’s looking like yellow gold may be poised to make a big return. .

• Katy Perry’s hubby-to-be, Russel Brand, proposed to her with a yellow gold Cartier engagement ring he picked out himself.
• Designer Stella McCartney has created a limited edition of yellow gold chains with gold charms for Disney, which will become available after the upcoming release of the new Alice in Wonderland movie.
• Buzz has it that tennis star Maria Sharapova will be wearing 18 kt yellow gold drop earrings with yellow quartz (by Paloma Picasso for Tiffany) at the Australian Open later this month. Ever the fashion diva, Maria wore yellow gold earrings in a Moroccan-inspired design (also by Paloma Picasso) at Wimbledon in 2009.

Are we getting tired of white gold? Is yellow gold ready move back into the spotlight? Did it every really “leave”? What do you think?

Green is the color of summer – green grass, green leaves, a green slice of lime floating lazily in a pitcher of margaritas… is it any wonder that the brilliant green peridot was chosen as the birthstone for August? Learn more about the gorgeous, green peridot!

Welcome to the new JewelFinder blog!  We’re just getting started, please check back soon.