Unusual Twists at the Oscars
By Carrie Soucy, Senior Editor -- JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 7/1/2002
The usual array of diamonds and platinum, designer names, and arm candy decorated red carpets at the major entertainment industry awards this year, but while many of the stars swung toward the traditional in gowns, there was a nod toward the unusual in accessories.
Bvlgari took one of this year's trends—the use of raw gemstones—to new heights and showcased it at Hollywood's biggest party of the year. The luxury firm created a rough diamond necklace worth more than $4 million for Nicole Kidman to wear to the 2002 Academy Awards ceremony.
The multi-row choker featured 14 rough white diamonds set in platinum. Three rough yellow diamonds set in yellow gold served as an accent that fell along Kidman's back. The Diamond Trading Company supplied the stones—which totaled 241 cts.—from mines in Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia.
As Kidman carried off the rough, actress Laura Helena Harring was carried in on precious heels. Harring's shoes—4-in. open-toe stilettos—were adorned with 464 round and pear-shaped Kwiat diamonds in a platinum design by shoe king Stuart Weitzman.
