Emeralds Explode at Cannes!

Jewelry at the Cannes Film Festival is a 'go big or go home' explosion of some of the world's most expensive jewels and gems. Why? Because high-end jewelry house (and my personal fave), Chopard, is the sponsor, and that means the red carpet waltz is all about the 'BA-ling'.

While diamonds are always dripping from the likes of Hollywood celebs, models and various other socialite types - the opening of the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival will forever be known as "The Year of the Emerald".

First, there's Uma Thurman. A festival juror this year, the A-lister dazzled in a stunning white Versace strapless gown and jaw-dropping Chopard emerald jewels (the chandelier earrings alone are 54 cts(!) set in 18 K white gold).

Not to be outdone is model, Bianca Balti, whose emerald statement necklace, cocktail ring and dangle earrings almost defy description. My jaw is still scraping the floor.  Credit is assumed to belong to her red carpet companion, Fawaz Gruosi, who is one of the most sought after jewelry and watch designers working today (he owns Geneva-based de Grisogono) .

Salma Hayek makes every Cannes red carpet a spectator sport - and this year she wowed in head-to-toe Gucci. Win!

Creative couture is the hallmark of Chopard, and their Co-President Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele brought out their big-time bling in what appear to be peacock dangle earrings and a matching wrap-around cuff from their Animal World Collection.

Here's a smattering of some of the other incredible jewelry looks I spotted on opening night, where Woody Allen's latest, Midnight in Paris, screened. But this is just the beginning. Stay with me and Jewelry.com for more crazy carat coverage from Cannes as the festival continues!

Penelope Cruz: Perfection at 'Pirates' Premiere

Penelope Cruz dripped in diamonds at the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides premiere in Los Angeles - easily the most anticipated film of the summer.

The 37-year-old Spanish actress sparkled in Chopard jewelry and a midnight off-the-shoulder custom gown from Marchesa with embroidered feather and jet crystal detail.

Her platinum and diamond earrings are in the trendy teardrop shape - like Kate's royal wedding sparklers - and a whopping 57-carat platinum and diamond bracelet finished off the ice for this winning look.

But Penelope wasn't the only brunette bauble belle of the ball. Eva Longoria rocked teardrop danglers and a white shift dress - a great combo for spring/summer.

Emma Roberts wore a beaded Saloni dome necklace and Dana Rebecca Designs earrings to liven up her 'little black dress'.

Vanessa Hudgens decorated her ring fingers with a turquoise Herndon Heald ring and a skull silhouette.

And Teri Hatcher sported a great gemstone bangle look and her favorite accessory, daughter Emerson!

 

But perhaps the most photographed celebs of the night were superstar, Johnny Depp and 'Orignal Gansta' pirate, Keith Richards - Depp's good friend and well-known inspiration for his iconic Jack Sparrow role.

Both wore their signature rocker beads - and a laugh that sounded something like the one you take 'all the way to the bank'....

Green, Glam and Hair Gems Light Up The Met

Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney

Red carpet fashion gawking doesn't get much better than the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute Gala. And since this year honored the late Alexander McQueen - the fashion-forward had a field day, turning jewelry style quite literally - on its head.


It looks like the Brits aren't the only ones with a penchant for haute couture headwear. Everyone from newly engaged Kate Hudson and Jessica Alba to uber-designer Stella McCartney and Fergie put icy diamonds on their tresses.

Stella McCartney

Jessica Alba in Ralph Lauren dress and jewelry

Although (and I risk the wrath of Campbell when I say this...) this isn't one of Naomi's better fashion moments.Yikes!

It appears green is still the 'go-to' color for gemstones, with Rihanna, Ginnfer Goowdwin, Mary Kate Olsen, Tory Burch, and many others channeling their inner Kermit for couture's sake.

Rihanna in Stella McCartney and Wilfredo Rosado jewelry

Ginnifer Goodwin in TopShop and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry

Mary Kate Olsen in Givenchy Couture and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry

 

Great statement earrings shined on the likes of Kristin Bell, Lea Michele and Cristina Hendricks.

Kristin Bell in Tory Burch and Amrapali Earrings

Ashely Greene in Donna Karan and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

Lea Michele in Escada and Kimberly McDonald earrings

And, of course, diamonds still rule when it comes to red carpet sparkle. I was pleasantly surprised to see Madonna in this understated, spidery look by Cartier. And the "less-is-more" queens of diamond stud-wear wore just the right splash of sparkle (although, Michelle Williams? It's time to mix it up, sister.)

Madonna in Stella McCartney and Cartier jewelry

Taylor Swift in J. Mendel and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci and H. Stern jewelry

Who wore your favorite look of the night?

Bling at Perez Hilton's Blue Ball Birthday Bash

Jewelry sparkled at gossip queen Perez Hilton's 33rd birthday party in LA this weekend, where the blue-themed bash brought out everyone from Dancing With The Stars divas and Real Housewives to Disney starlets and 80s popstars.

In other words? A D-listers dream come true.

What jewelry hound worth their salt doesn't love a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills appearance, right?

Adrienne Maloof Alert! This gazillionairesse has enough in the coffers to create this crazy cart-heavy cuff out her her son's names!

Taylor Armstrong wore this serious blue gemstone statement necklace to go with her perma-smile.

And my favorite BHHW, Kyle Richards, rocked it with this cool winged pendant thing happening. Like!

Other bejeweled divas were 80s chaunteuse, Deborah Gibson, who wore what appeared to be a sapphire and diamond choker and a crazy cuff with her blue sequined mini.

And Disney diva, Selena Gomez, was Perez's personal arm candy in blue jewels that appeared to be painted on.

The "hot mess" highlight was the why-is-she-still-famous? Aubrey O'Day, in a blue Little Red Riding Hood get-up with some strange strands. Huh?

It's never dull, right? Thoughts?