MAGNIFICENT MOMENTS,Waist-long diamond necklaces among the surprises

Waist-length necklaces, yellow diamonds and gold, and diamonds worn in unexpected ways emerged as the top jewelry news at the 2009 Screen Actors Guild awards.

Christina Applegate draped two strands of Lorraine Schwartz diamonds reaching down to her navel over an emerald green Ungaro gown. Jenna Fischer also doubled up on diamond strands. Hers were by Neil Lane, and worn with one chain shorter than the other. A huge diamond pendant swung from the longer strand.

Several stars went for colour including Penelope Cruz whose black velvet Azzedine Alaia gown got a kick from 6 carat orange spinel earrings and a rare sugarloaf ruby square cut ring, both by Chopard. Chopard also outfitted Kate Winslet with 22 carat pear-shaped diamond drops and a 39 carat three row diamond bracelet.

But by far the most popular colour news was yellow, both in diamonds and gold.

Saffron Burrows of Boston Legal sported fancy yellow pear-shaped diamond chandelier earrings by Chopard that totaled 17 carats.

Taraji P. Henson wore a citrine bracelet in shades varying from golden yellow to dark amber. The style is aptly named "Sunrise" and is by H. Stern.

Claire Danes decorated one wrist with a yellow gold and diamond 19th century bracelet from Fred Leighton.

Olivia Wilde chose a yellow gold and gemstone Panther suite from Cartier to go with a Ralph Lauren gown. The suite was made up of yellow gold, onyx and diamond earrings with emerald eyes ($31,900), and a bangle ($21,700) and ring ($20,300), both with peridot eyes.

Nicolette Sheridan sported a life-size gold fish cuff that looked like it had swum up and wound itself around her wrist.

Kristen Scott Thomas layered multiple 18 kt gold necklaces from Tiffany & Co. over a vintage Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo. They included Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard necklaces with several pieces from the Tiffany key collection.

Several actresses wore jewels in less than expected ways.

Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto had a 53 carat rectangular diamond bracelet from Martin Katz worked into her coif. She also sported 8 carat cushion cut diamond earrings, a 7 row diamond bracelet, and a blue and white diamond crossover ring, also from Katz.

America Ferrera pinned a 19th century bow brooch from Fred Leighton in her romantically sideswept ‘do. The draping of her hair was echoed in her dress which was dramatically finished with 19th century diamond earrings, cluster ring and a ‘20s diamond bracelet, all from Fred Leighton.

Rachel Wood pinned a jeweled eagle pin by Neil Lane near the strap of a one-shoulder gown by Monique Lhuillier.

And Anne Hathaway steered away from wearing rings on her ring fingers, with Cartier’s diamond ballerina ring circa 1953 on her index finger, and a Cartier Couronne pave diamond cocktail ring on the middle finger of her other hand. Cartier’s platinum and diamond clip earrings and double brooch clip bangle, both vintage pieces from the '30s, completed the look.