Blake Lively: Chanel's Emerald Queen

The celebrity emerald jewelry trend that started with Angelina Jolie's Oscar jewels in 2009, expanded to Julianne Moore's Bulgari beauties in 2010 and peaked at this Sunday's Academy Awards with Reese Witherspoon and Annette Bening (deep inhale)...well, it continues to bring in fashion's biggest stars.

Gossip Girl's Blake Lively was every bit the sartorial siren when she attended a Chanel-hosted dinner in her honor last night at New York's La Grenouille in Chanel Haute Couture ('09), ballet-inpsired Louboutin pumps and STUNNING emerald earrings by (who else?) Lorraine Schwartz!

While I should find something snarky to say about the emerald earring trend wearing out its welcome - the truth is? I love it. And with Lorraine Schwartz behind so many of the dazzling looks - what's not to love?

The price points for one. So here are a few great Sample Sale emerald RING selects I found on JewelClub for all you Dorothy wannabes who want to take a trip to Emerald City without pawning your ruby slippers. (This Dorothy wants that cocktail ring with the black and white diamonds. Just sayin').

Cushion-cut Created Emerald Ring. Orig Price: $279. JewelClub Price: $95.97

Created Emerald Ring with Created Sapphires. Orig Price: $359 JewelClub Price: $122.99

Geunine Emerald Ring with White and Black Diamonds Orig Price: $1079 JewelClub Price: $349.81

Jewelry Fashion at the 61st Emmy Awards

Diamond classics and splashes of color dominated the red carpet at the 2009 Emmy Awards yesterday, with a few new jewelry trends emerging to keep things interesting.

Before I get to the jewelry run down, can I just have a ‘Kanye’ moment for a sec? What kind of world do we live in when the guy from Breaking Bad beats out Mad Men’s John Hamm for Best Actor in Drama Series? Does anyone even WATCH that show? Criminal.

And OK. How tired are we of seeing Amazing Race and the Survivor guy win in the reality category? I like my reality catty and cringe-worthy thank you very much, with a splash of fashion and untrained throat-singing thrown in for good measure. Emmy? America has moved on.

Ok. Back to our regular programming.

It was great to see a return to blingy glamour on the carpet last night, with a few WOW moments thrown in for good measure (thank you, Blake Lively and January Jones).

I am loving the black diamond trend that emerged on stars like Heidi Klum and Alicia Witt. And clear jewels on lovelies like Ginnifer Goodwin (in Ivanka Trump) and Jamie Lynn Sigler surprised and satisfied.

Purple and red were the colors of the night, with strapless gowns and braided Swiss Miss hair making a strong showing.

But it was classic diamond glamour that reigned supreme, with most stars opting to bedazzle not just the ears this year, but the wrist and the neck as well.

Who was your favorite fashion celeb last night? It’s a toss up for me between January Jones and Blake – both in Versace.

Weigh in! And be sure to visit Jewelry.com for even more Emmy jewelry coverage.

Swarovski Opens Concept Store

Looking lovely in white, Gossip Girls star Blake Lively hosted the opening of the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED Concept Store in New York on Thursday, June 25th.

Lively was joined by Chloe Sevigny, Lucy Liu, and Evan Rachel Wood as she unveiled the special editions necklaces for the launch of the store. All the proceeds go to benefit charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.



"The availability of clean water is such an important issue and it is wonderful to be involved in a project that is striving to make this basic resource available to all people throughout the world," Lively said.

The Swarovski Concept Store will offer customizable jewelry for its customers, as well as collections from cutting edge designers.



So if you’re in New York City and want a cool, new item for your girls’ night ‘to do’ list or a groovy gift idea for your bridesmaids, head to the Swarovski store where you can sip iced lattes while they put the finishing touches on your customized jewelry piece.

A much better idea for bridesmaids' gifts than a (snore) picture frame or a scented candle, right?