Lavaliere necklaceOne would question whether the economy is in a recession when viewing the red carpet photos on last saturday's red carpet photos for the screen actor's guild ceremonies when Kate Hudson showed up in $1.75 milltion worth of Cartier jewelry.

I enjoy the SAGs.  One can find anything from stars dressed to the nines, like the previous week's Golden Globe awards, to those showing up in short, flirtatious dresses similar to those worn for a quick night on the town.

In spite of the lavishness, my favorite look had to be Kate's backless Emilio Pucci gown which fitted her form beautifully.  The back of the dress was enhanced with a Cartier diamond sautoir necklace and she completed the look with briolette diamond and baguette earrings, a huge 15.65 carat diamond ring and another diamond cocktail ring.

I've seen necklaces used like this in the past, and also long strands of pearls used this way, and I love the look. Perhaps it will set a trend for 2010, but in a less expensive way.

Other notable star showings were Tina Fey earrings with a mix of moonstone, brown diamonds, yellow diamonds and white diamonds, all set in platinum from Neil Lane's new Renaissance collection,  Julia Louis-Dreyfus also made quite an entrance with Large pendant-drop earrings with fabulous amethyst centers and diamond around the edges.

Lavish, it is, but this is what I call a dazzling entrance!