The 2008 Primetime Emmy Awards celebrated its 60th “diamond” anniversary in star-studded style and glamour. From the diamond décor and location chosen to the studded stars attending, the event was truly a birthday celebration any 60-year-old would be envious of.Design of this year’s event started with a crew of interior decorators reportedly shaping the greenroom, where stars socialize and relax backstage, like a traditional diamond. Floors were adorned with diamond patterns and accented with antique mirrors reflecting light throughout the room. The centerpiece of the décor consisted of a three-tiered diamond chandelier, crafted by the same designer of the 2006 $2.6 million Victoria’s Secret bra adorned with 2,000 diamonds. The chandelier took five months and 20 craftsmen to build, and it dazzles with a total of 3,300 cut diamonds. 2,300 strands of fiber optic lights were inserted to accent the sparkle of the pricey light, which was tagged at $10 million after the award ceremony.
Red carpet fashion continued to make an impression with dazzling diamond baubles galore. Old Hollywood glamour in the form of vintage brooches and contemporary diamond cuts and colors accented every gown that arrived. Common themes noted in the stars’ choice of jewelry included drop diamond earrings, bold and layered bracelets, and statement necklaces.
A most notable appearance was made by Vanessa Williams, who wore emerald and baguette cut diamond drop earrings, accented by canary yellow and pink diamonds. These unique earpieces totaled 12.36 carats, and were set in 18k white gold. She also wore a platinum bracelet holding 72 carats of princess cut diamonds.
Heidi Klum wore six different sets of diamonds during the evening. On the red carpet, she wore butterfly earrings made of lavender jade and diamonds set in platinum, coupled with a black platinum and diamond right hand ring. For her first presentation, she shined in the classic look of diamond studs and a diamond right hand ring. Her next change included flower earrings crafted of gray and yellow rough diamonds with a matching right hand ring, and a diamond and lavender jade bracelet with matching earrings followed. Later in the evening, she was seen sporting only a diamond necklace for an understated look. A braided diamond bracelet was included in one of her latter changes, as well as diamond and turquoise drop earrings and matching bangle bracelets.
Vintage diamond pieces were highlighted on America Ferrera’s entire body. She wore a diamond flower necklace and 2.5 carat mine cut pendant earrings, as well as a rose cut cluster bracelet. Brooke Shields donned her own version of vintage with a diamond bow brooch, and January Jones wore a unique diamond hairpiece. Kyra Sedgwick danced to her own tune while sporting an emerald cut diamond pinkie ring from the 1930s. Other stars that followed suit in the vintage jewel department included Dana Delany in 1920s French diamond earrings and bracelet, Debra Messing with a pair of 25 carat total weight earrings, Glenn Close wearing a 1930s diamond ensemble, Hayden Panettiere wearing a suite of 1920s fashions, and Sara Paulson with her vintage earrings and right hand ring.
Mary Louise-Parker was stunning in over $775,000 worth of diamond beauties. Her ears displayed 4 carat cushion cut diamonds with pav́e detail, valued at $261,000. A 1930s bracelet made of 85 cushion and round cut diamonds totaling 28 carats, 1.4 carats of baguette diamonds, and four rose cut diamonds is rumored to be worth a whopping $335,000. Other diamond rings and bracelets she donned included pear and oval cut diamonds, with a modern twist to old Hollywood elegance. Jennifer Love Hewitt was another show-stopper with a 48 carat necklace worth $1,584,000. She layered the look with another necklace valued at $120,000, and a diamond right hand ring for $270,000. Audra McDonald also sported diamond earrings said to be worth $495,000.
Fancy cuts including rose, cushion, pear, oval and emerald were spotted on every celebrity, as well as brightly colored versions of the girl’s best friend. Pink, cognac red, canary yellow, black, gray and chocolate were favorite hues this year. Another popular trend seen was mixing the sparkly gems with natural, rough stones such as jade and turquoise. Platinum was the favorite metal, with some black platinum and yellow or rose gold on the red carpet. Earrings were mostly drop or hoop style, and bracelets were multiple or designed with several rows of diamonds. Vintage looks were completed with old Hollywood style using brooches, hairpieces, and pendants, sometimes made with rough diamonds for an artistic touch. Right hand rings were an essential addition to everyone’s look for the evening. Less popular were the modern geometric designs and art deco inspired pieces, but they were still present. Just like us, the stars need plenty of options to display their style when wearing their diamonds, and the general theme of the season is that anything really does go this year.
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