?Color, and a certain understated retro glamour, dominated the red carpet at the Primetime Emmy Awards Sept. 16 providing another opportunity for celebrities to parade their fashion credentials. The favored shape was body skimming, like Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl's mermaid-hem gown by Zac Posen, with strapless exulting celebrated backs. Two key trends made a comeback on the red carpet—old Hollywood-style bright red lips and big, dangling gem-studded earrings.Eva Longori
?courtesy of H. Stern

Deep dark tones were favored by actresses like The Closer’s Kyra Sedgwick in Oscar de la Renta's black onyx silk, Ugly Betty’s America Ferrera in rich sapphire blue strapless Monique Lhuillier, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine) in a figure-hugging tanzanite purple Narciso Rodriguez. Fuchsia was the preferred shade for many starlets including Sally Field in Valentino and Felicity Huffman in David Meister. There were also a number of fiery red frocks worn by the likes of Kate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice) and Weeds?star Mary Louise Parker. And bringing a bit more sunshine to the carpet were actresses Minnie Driver and Joely Fisher in canary yellow.

To express their star-studded style, many red carpet walkers grabbed the spotlight with their gem-set jewels. Among the hot rocks were quartz gems like rock crystal and amethyst, blue and fancy sapphires, green tourmaline, ruby, onyx, and gem sisters aquamarine, morganite and golden beryl. Celebrities were happy to lend an ear or two to show off the season’s biggest formal party trends?shoulder-sweeping earrings. An Emmy standout, Desperate Housewives?Marcia Cross wore arresting triple drop turquoise earrings and coiled turquoise and ruby snake bracelet by Lorraine Schwartz against her silver diamante pleated gown.Kathy Griffin  
Stars accented in drop earrings to add a splash color, as Cross did, or Minnie Driver in ruby, pearl and diamond dangle earrings by Bochic, a new red carpet jeweler favorite.Melora Hardin
?Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage
courtesy of Chopard

While others let the beat go on in monochromatic looks like Grey’s Anatomy’s Chandra Wilson in brilliant blue sapphire and diamond briolette drop earrings by Chopard against her vivid gunmetal gown, or Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives fame and Jenna Fisher of The Office, both by H. Stern rock crystal drop earrings against more neutral golden tone frocks. Also in rock crystal and diamond, but in a bracelet, was Rebecca Romijn, who sported ruby, diamond and enamel drop earrings, all by Neil Lane.

Next to drops, hoops are a classic, but more elegant occasions call for more embellishment around them. The Office’s Melora Hardin wore a stunning example in pink sapphire hoops by Chopard, along with a pink sapphire leaf shaped ring in rose gold with conch pearl accent. Also, Katherine Heigl, in an Old Hollywood meets Glam Rock look, was flaunting a pair of diamond hoops with cross and black pearl pendants by L.A. design firm Ryan Ryan Jewelry.Judith Light
?courtesy of H. Stern

When it comes to statement making earrings, don’t believe the naysayers who label chandelier earrings as a trend that has gone by the wayside. While forms and designs may vary, the elegant, prestigious, fit-for-a-queen chandelier remains a Hollywood favorite, a staple in any woman’s jewelry wardrobe. Actress Michelle Pfeiffer wore a beautiful example at the Emmy’s in gorgeous garnets and diamonds, along with a ruby, lapis and diamond bracelet, both by Neil Lane.