Red carpet taste on a silver budget

It’s been an awards season full of retro-glam styles in jewelry, as stars hit the red carpet in shoulder-dusting drop earrings, large cocktail rings and a host of geometric and organically shaped pieces reminiscent of decades past.

“We really saw a lot of the chandelier styles at the Academy Awards, and that style is definitely not going anywhere when it comes to fashion,” Michael O’Connor, celebrity stylist and jewelry expert, said. “That 70s influence is very much a part of fashion right now, and that really indicates bigger earrings.”

In addition to size, bright and vibrant colors have been popular, especially in cocktail rings that boast large gemstones. While the trend isn’t new, it’s continuing with strength.

“Big, glamorous rings still fall into the retro style,” O’Connor said, adding that “most of the rings on the red carpet are with gemstones.”

While celebrity style influences jewelry trends the masses will go for, not every consumer can purchase carats upon carats of diamonds to mimic Hollywood looks. Click through this special report to check out red carpet jewelry made in sterling silver and gemstones.