NAACP Image Awards - A Royal Moment

While the evening belonged to Tyler Perry...


Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry's House of Payne
Outstanding Comedy Series


David Mann for Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns


For Colored Girls
Outstanding Motion Picture


Kimberly Elise for For Colored Girls
Outstanding Supporting Actress



Tyler Perry For Colored Girls
Outstanding Director - Motion Picture

...the moment that everyone is talking about is when Prince (looking amazing) presented Halle Berry with the Image Award for est Actress in a Motion Picture for Frankie & Alice, based on a true story about a woman with multiple personality disorder.


Looking fabulous in a periwinkle version of his trademark  nehru jacket - Prince took the stage to a rousing standing ovation.  


Seriously - there has to be a portrait in a closet somewhere - he looks timeless!




In a quote from E! Online:

Halle Berry looked daring in Pucci
with Bavna Earrings

"This couldn't be more amazing, to win an Image Award, but have it be handed to you by Prince?! I've only loved him my whole life," a dazed Berry said in accepting Best Actress in a Motion Picture for Frankie & Alice, based on a true story about a woman with multiple personality disorder.
But that's just the kind of a show the Image Awards is—it's way more insidery than the Oscars, but it's warm and full of good vibes, and no one gets kicked off the stage no matter how long he or she goes on. (Trust us, a small price to pay for the Prince moment."

ABOUT THE NAACP Image Awards:
Presented annually, the NAACP Image Awards is the nation's premier event celebrating the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice. 



For a complete list of winners see http://www.naacpimageawards.net

PGI & JCK Announce JCK 2011 PLATINUM INNOVATION AWARDS

PLATINUM GUILD INTERATIONAL USA ANNOUNCES A CALL FOR ENTRIES

 FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL JCK 2011 PLATINUM INNOVATION AWARDS

"2010 Platinum Innovation Award Winner,
Uneek Platinum 'Snowflake' Pendant"

Platinum Guild International (PGI-USA) in conjunction with JCK Las Vegas announces acall for entries for the second annual JCK 2011 Platinum Innovation Awards,held at JCK Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay, June 3 through June 6, 2011. Following the success of last year’s competition – which included an impressive 75 entries from the nation’s top jewelry brands – this year will once again celebrate and award innovative platinum design in both bridal and fashion jewelry.  The deadline to enter is April 6, 2011.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Platinum Innovation Awards back to JCK Las Vegas,” shared Huw Daniel, President of PGI-USA.  “The overwhelming response and passion from last year’s participants has inspired some exciting evolutions to this year’s competition. We are eager to see the ingenuity continue, and look forward to helping our industry partners build their platinum sales through innovative design.”

Contest categories were selected by top US retailers based on what platinum product they would like to see in their stores.  This year’s contest categories include:

·       Vintage-Inspired Platinum Engagement Ring

·       Modern Platinum Engagement Ring

·       Entry Platinum Engagement Ring (semi-mounts under $2500 retail)

·       Platinum Wedding Band

·       Platinum Earrings

·       Platinum Fashion Ring

Entrants within each category will instantly become “nominees” into this year’s competition, and benefit from having their design professionally photographed and featured on PGI-USA’s consumer website, www.preciousplatinum.com as they await the chance to win the Platinum Innovation Awards’ prize package, valued at $50,000.   Contest judges will be an elite panel of top editors and retailers attending JCK Las Vegas.

“JCK is thrilled to once again have Platinum Guild International’s Platinum Innovation Awards as part of this year’s event!” quoted Yancy Weinrich, Industry Vice President, JCK Events.  “We praise their efforts to promote the beauty of platinum not only to consumers, but to retailers at point-of-sale. With JCK’s new home at Mandalay Bay this year, and an enhanced show floor experience, the Platinum Innovation Awards will offer excitement and fun for retailers who spend time with us this year as well as honor exhibitors who excel in designing platinum jewelry.”

Winners in each of the five categories will be announced on June 5, 2011, and will receive a prize package valued at $50,000, including:

·       Official JCK 2011 Platinum Innovation Awards trophy

·       Inclusion in the Design Gallery of PGI’s consumer website, www.preciousplatinum.com, which hosts more than 40,000 unique visitors per month

·       Winning pieces featured in PGI’s national advertising campaign

·       Custom-designed store window display, featuring the winning platinum design, at a store of the winner’s choosing

·       Professional photography of the winning product (including the digital file for reproduction in the winner’s own advertising/online/media placements)

·       Inclusion in all post-contest press outreach

·       Inclusion in a congratulatory ad in a jewelry trade publication

·       A customized poster featuring the winning product and denoting it as an awardwinner

·       Inclusion in PGI’s national publicity campaigns to trade and consumer media

·       Customized in-store signage package for up to 100 of the winner’s top retail customers

·       PGIwill conduct an in-store, facilitated sales training session at a store of the winner’s choosing

·       Professionally produced ad slick for placement in local/regional media

For complete details and to submit your best platinum designs, please visit www.platinumguild.com. Additional questions may be directed to Jennifer Singerman, PGI-USA, at jsingerman@pgiusa.com or (212) 404-1604.  The deadline for allentries is April 6, 2011. 

About PGI-USA:

Platinum Guild International is dedicated to promoting platinum and its, pure, rare and eternal qualities to the consumer and the jewelry trade. PGI has offices in each of the world's major jewelry markets, providing information, assistance and education on all aspects of platinum jewelry. For more information please visit www.platinumguild.com

Neil Lane - Now That is Red Carpet Style!

Diamond and Platinum Cocktail Ring,
Diamond and Platinum Straight line Bracelet,
Diamond and Platinum Bangle and
Diamond and Platinum Ribbon Earrings
TOTAL LOOK= $500,000 

While I am a firm believer in Beverly Hills' own "King of Bling" and the Red Carpet would be a sad sad thing without him...I was surprised by the number of  Hollywood Royalty that wore their Neil Lane Jewelry to Oscar Viewing Parties!


I am by no means discounting the amazing vision in lavender that was Mila Kunis in a luscious Elie Saab Haute Couture lace & chiffon number accented by diamonds from Neil Lane.

Diamond and platinum bangle (35 carats) $375,000,
diamond and platinum bracelet (50 carats) $500,000,
emerald diamond and platinum ring (10 carats) $60,000,
emerald and diamond earrings (35 carats) $50,000.
TOTAL LOOK= $1 MILLION (total carats= 130)

...Reese Witherspoon who looked like a vivacious Barbie from the 70's in a black & white Giorgio Armani Prive evening gown and those shockingly green emerald Neil Lane earrings.

Fancy colored diamond ring (20 carats) $300,000,
diamond long basket earrings (10 carats) $22,750,
wide platinum diamond bracelet (50 carats) $150,000,
wide diamond and platinum bracelet (50 carats) $150,000,
diamond and platinum leaf bracelet (35 carats) $225,000.
 TOTAL LOOK= $1 MILLION (total carats= 165)

Or the jaw dropping tangerine Atelier Versace filled beautifully by "Dream Girl"  Jennifer Hudson, who you could tell was enjoying her Neil Lane jewels.




But some of the best Neil Lane Red Carpet jewels walked into Viewing Parties!


The Elton John AIDs Foundation Viewing Party offers a cocktail party followed by dinner that raises close to $2million in one night to benefit the foundation's goals.

Diamond, platinum and gold cluster earrings
and a diamond, gold and platinum cocktail ring. 

Emma Roberts attended the exclusive function at the Pacific Design Center, in a gunmetal gown from Jenny Packham.






While over at the Vanity Fair party we had several Neil Lane sightings...


Juliette Lewis  – Diamond and platinum cluster earrings, sapphire, diamond and platinum wide cuff and a lapis, diamond and
 platinum cocktail Ring

Local Newscaster...Lauren Sanchez –  Large diamond and kunzite chandelier earrings and a diamond moonstone and platinum wide cuff.
(...these earrings are definitely a favorite for me!)



Serena Williams – Diamond and gold necklace, diamond and gold earrings, 2 diamond and gold cuffs and 2 diamond and gold bracelets

Large diamond and platinum drop earrings
 and a diamond and platinum
bombay cocktail ring

Jennifer Westfeldt  – Diamond, aqua and platinum drop earrings and a large diamond and aqua and platinum cocktail ring





Charlize Theron dominated the Vanity Fair Red Carpet in her Swarovski crystal adorned one shoulder gown from the 2011 Atelier Vesace Collection.









To close this Neil Lane Lovefest, I quote the Accessories Editor for the Examiner Colette Bouchez...

Lane says  whether you’re prancing down  Oscar’s Red Carpet in a million dollars worth of Neil Lane jewels, or walking your own red carpet in $100 worth of cubic zirconia, having confidence in who you are is what is going to be most reflected in how you look.  

Says Lane: “When you feel that sense of confidence in not only how you look , but in who you are,  that’s what makes you the center of attention - that’s what glamour  2011 is all about.” 

For all the best 2011 Oscar coverage check out the amazing photos and info on the JustJared blog.   http://justjared.buzznet.com/tags/2011-oscars/?ref=topposts

Special thanks to Tracey Kahn at Neil Lane Archives

Swank & Johansson Pick Anna Hu for Oscars

Two-time Academy Award winning actress, Hilary Swank, wore Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie earrings (pinned into her hair) and ring to the 83rd Annual Academy Awards, where she was a presenter.  Scarlett Johansson wore the Dragon Flower Ruby Ring and Ruby Stud Earrings from the Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie collection.  

The Exotic Twin Orchids earrings, worn by Hilary Swank, are made of purple titanium metal with 2058 briolette silver-gray and white diamonds.  The Gardenia ring is made of 18k white gold and all white diamonds.  

Anna spent over a year designing and completing the one-of-a-kind Exotic Twin Orchids earrings, which are part of herSymphonic Poem in Jewels, Opus One collection.  According to Chinese legend, Twin Orchids bring good luck and positive, harmonized energy between Heaven and Earth to those who plant, paint or wear the two flowers together.  The Gardenia ring symbolizes purity and tenderness.

The Dragon Flower Ruby Ring, worn by Scarlett Johansson, is a flower and dragon fused together into one harmonic design.  The design is 18k white and yellow gold with emeralds, diamonds and cabochon rubies.

About Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie:

Anna Hu grew up traveling the world with her renowned gemologist father in his quest for rare stones.  As a child musical prodigy, Anna won several awards as a cellist but after a shoulder injury, turned her attention to creating contemporary jewelry objects.  At age 20, she received her G.G. qualification and jewelry design degree from Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as two art-related master degrees from Parsons School of Design and Columbia University.  Anna worked with Christie's, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Harry Winston.  It was while working at Harry Winston that she met legendary designer Maurice Galli who encouraged her to create her own line after taking her on as his only private student.

This vibrant fine jewelry artist opened her exclusive jewelry salon in December 2008, at age 30, in the prestigious Plaza Hotel inNew York City.  Anna creates exclusive Haute Joaillerie for artists, celebrities and private collectors around the world, including Madonna, Oprah, and Cindy Sherman.  Recently named the "Empress of Contemporary Art Jewelry," she resides in New York City.

www.anna-hu.com

Hollywood Parties in Platinum!

Loved Anne in all of her dress & jewelry changes...and to
hit the Red Carpet with the designer Valentino!  WOW!

I want to give a big shout out to the lovely Nikki at PRLab for the following Platinum Jewelry info!!!


For more great Oscar Jewelry coverage see: 
The Jewelry Insider Blog http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/


HOLLYWOOD’S A-LIST STARS CELEBRATE THEIR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS IN PLATINUM JEWELRY AT THE 83RD ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS
 Los Angeles, CA (February 27, 2011) – From Amy Adams’ emerald necklace to Mila Kunis’ diamond ribbon earrings, Hollywood’s leading ladies chose enduring platinum jewelry for the biggest award show of the year, the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. 
 
Platinum’s white color is natural and never changes colors or fades, so it maximizes the brilliance of diamonds and colored gemstones, making it the ideal setting for the red carpet, and all of life’s most important moments.
Following is a list of stars that celebrated tonight's achievements in PLATINUM:

Loved the dress - Loved the jewels
Not wild about them together!

 

• Anne Hathaway (red carpet): Platinum and 94.29 carat diamond necklace, platinum and 5.13 carat diamond ring, and a pair of platinum and 10.15 carat diamond earrings by Tiffany & Co.
• Natalie Portman: Platinum and diamond ring by Tiffany & Co.
• Sandra Bullock: Platinum and diamond stud earrings, and vintage platinum and diamond bangles by Harry Winston.
• Amy Adams: Platinum watch bracelet with 30.75 carat emerald, and 21.5 carats diamonds, and a platinum necklace with 33.24 carats emerald and 15.38 carats diamonds, and platinum and 2 carat diamond stud earrings from Cartier.
• Mila Kunis: Platinum and diamond cocktail ring, platinum and diamond line bracelet, platinum and diamond bangle, and platinum and diamond earrings by Neil Lane (30 carats total).
• Michelle Williams: Platinum and diamond earrings, and a platinum and diamond ring by Harry Winston.
• Halle Berry: Platinum and 10 carat diamond drop earrings, and platinum rings with fancy colored diamonds by Neil Lane.
• Penelope Cruz: Platinum and 10 carat pink sapphire ring with 2 carat diamonds by Chopard.
• Jennifer Lawrence: Platinum and fancy yellow 16 carat diamond earrings by Chopard.

Just one of the actresses
that opted for GREEN

• Jennifer Hudson: Platinum and fancy colored diamond ring, platinum and diamond earrings, wide platinum and 50 carat diamond bracelet, and a platinum and diamond leaf bracelet by Neil Lane.
• Reese Witherspoon: Platinum and diamond bangle, platinum and diamond bracelet, platinum ring with diamonds and emeralds, and a pair of platinum earrings with emeralds and diamonds by Neil Lane.
• Nicole Kidman: Platinum and 13 carat diamond ring by Fred Leighton.
• Hailee Steinfeld: Platinum and 10 carat diamond headband, and a platinum and diamond ring by Fred Leighton.
• Annette Bening: Platinum and emerald earrings, and a platinum and diamond ring by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Helen Mirren: Platinum necklace from 1907 with pearls and diamonds, and a platinum bracelet with diamonds from Cartier’s Archive Museum Collection. 

If "Diamond's are a Girl's Best Friend" Nicole
has lots of friends!  This necklace was definitely
the most talked about in the Jewelry Tweets!

• Kim Kardashian (Elton John party): Blackened platinum and diamond earrings, and a blackened platinum cuff with diamonds and sapphires by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Camilla Alves (red carpet): Platinum earrings with diamonds and pearls, platinum and 50 carat diamond bracelet, and a platinum ring with a pearl and diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Aishwarya Raj (red carpet): Platinum and 12 carat diamond drop earrings, platinum brooch with brown diamonds, platinum bracelet with yellow and brown diamonds, and a platinum ring with diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Malin Ackerman (Elton John party): Blackened platinum bangle with black diamonds, and a platinum ring with white and grey diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Florence Welch (red carpet): Platinum earrings and a ring with white and yellow diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Florence Welch (Elton John party): Platinum and diamond earrings, and a platinum ring with jade and diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Erin Andrews (red carpet): Platinum earrings and bracelet with diamonds, and a platinum ring with diamonds and paraiba by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Lea Michele(Vanity Fair party): Platinum earrings with black diamonds, and a blackened platinum ring with a black diamond by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Nicole Richie (Elton John party): Platinum and diamond earrings by Ofira, and a platinum ring with coral and diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Mandy Moore (on stage): Platinum and diamond hair bow by Neil Lane.
• Sofia Vergara (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and 20 carat diamond earrings, and a platinum and 30.5 carat diamond bracelet by Harry Winston.
• Clare Danes (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and 3 carat diamond earrings by Harry Winston.
• Kate Beckinsale (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and diamond drop earrings by Tacori.
• Marissa Tomei (Vanity Fair party): Blackened platinum and diamond earrings by Azature.
• Madonna (Vanity Fair party): Platinum jewelry by Neil Lane.
• Rosario Dawson (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and diamond earrings, and a platinum ring with diamonds and emeralds by Cartier.
• Charlize Theron  (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and diamond drop earrings, and a platinum cocktail ring by Neil Lane.
• Juliette Lewis (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and diamond cluster earrings, platinum cuff with sapphire and diamonds, and a platinum ring with lapis and diamonds by Neil Lane.
• Jennifer Westfeldt (Vanity Fair party): Platinum drop earrings and ring with diamonds and aqua by Neil Lane.

About Platinum JewelryPlatinum is the ideal choice for bridal and fashion jewelry because it holds diamonds and precious gemstones more securely than any other metal. It is not only the highest quality metal, but its density makes it one of the most durable and enduring precious metals. Platinum is also naturally white, unlike white gold, which means it will not cast any tint onto a diamond or gemstone, allowing the stone's genuine color to sparkle brightly. 

To learn more about platinum jewelry and to view jewelry styles at a variety of price points, please visit www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery.

Tweeting the Oscars!

The most discussed piece of jewelry all night!

OK - tonight was a GREAT night - lots of new voices joined the Twitter JewelCrew!   I will post about the winners and losers later - this is about the tweets!

Star after star appeared in front of seasoned interviewers and rarely did any of them ask about the jewelry designers...Tim Gunn we expected more from you! ;-)

If you want to see the entire Tweet Stream - check out:  http://tweetchat.com/room/oscarjewelry

  jessicawalden At least #JamesFrancoAsMarilyn didn't forget to put on jewelry! I wonder if those bracelets were real diamonds?#oscarjewelry -6:36 PM Feb 27th, 2011

  winbowers RT @aflyonthewall: Annette Bening: Platinum and emerald earrings, and a platinum and diamond ring by Lorraine Schwartz. via @PRLab #oscarjewelry -6:39 PM Feb 27th, 2011

  krischronister @aflyonthewall Annette wearing Lorraine? Does that mean L.S. is the "lincoln town car" of #oscarjewelry now? Favored only by the geriatric? -6:38 PM Feb 27th, 2011

  krischronister All the hubbub about green #oscarjewelry... traces its roots back to Angelina Jolie's seminal earrings:http://jclub.us/green -7:42 PM Feb 27th, 2011

  EVStenroos Dress #5 for Anne is very nice. The earrings are pretty too... but nothing quite like Jennifer Hudson! She is smoking!!!#OscarJewelry -7:42 PM Feb 27th, 2011

  jewellerytokyo ケイト・ブランシェットのリング…大きいっ！http://t.co/GbJwb4V #oscarjewelry あ、私、もう出かけなきゃ！ -7:37 PM Feb 27th, 2011

  objets I wish Helen Mirren's necklace was shorter #oscarjewelry -7:37 PM Feb 27th, 2011

  GorgeousJewels @idazzle #oscarjewelry the emerald necklace seemed like an afterthought. -7:31 PM Feb 27th, 2011

  norosesjewelry more emeralds! just caught a flash of annette benning's emerald earrings (#oscarjewelry) as #billycrystal came on #oscar stage. -7:30 PM Feb 27th, 2011

  elisaswirls RT @LeightonJewels: Every girl needs a riviere necklace! RT @objets: Nicole Kidman's choker will set jewelry trends. Perfect for bridal! #oscarjewelry -7:30 PM Feb 27th, 2011

  jewelryinsider RT @LeightonJewels: Every girl needs a riviere necklace! RT @objets: Nicole Kidman's choker will set jewelry trends. Perfect for bridal! #oscarjewelry -7:29 PM Feb 27th, 2011