By Deborah Yonick, jewelry style expert

White was dubbed the new black on the Academy Awards red carpet, February 26th, in gowns worn by stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, and Best Supporting Actress-winner Octavia Spencer (The Help). But it wasn't white accessories that made a lasting impression on fashion followers, as amazing jewels popped personality on Hollywood 's most celebrated catwalk, many from AGTA Members.

Regal, earthy, tribal: emeralds continue to be coveted on the red carpet. Among the favorites, Berenice Bejo (The Artist) radiated in Chopard emerald-drop diamond, platinum and white gold earrings—featuring two pear-shaped emerald drops totaling 20 carats suspended from two brilliant-cut emeralds totaling 3 carats—against her mint-beaded Elie Saab gown. In luscious Lorraine Schwartz jewels, Viola Davis (The Help) complemented her green Vera Wang strapless gown with 112-carat faceted Colombian emerald drop earrings with lace diamond design, and an emerald and diamond ring.

Also in emeralds: Actress Virginia Madsen popped green against her purple Kevan Hall single shoulder gown in drop earrings by AGTA Member Loree Rodkin."E!" Fashion Police correspondent, Kelly Osbourne complemented her green-beaded Badgley Mischka with emerald and diamond palladium earrings by AGTA Member Sutra. Glinting color against her white single shoulder thigh-high slit Versace, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Irina Shayk, seen at Elton John's AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party, rocked emerald and diamond palladium earrings and a ring by Dena Kemp, another acclaimed AGTA Member designer. Reporters, Ali Landry for the TV Guide Channel sported over 60 carats of Zambian emeralds in drop earrings by AGTA Member Takat Jewels, and Access Hollywood 's Shaun Robinson in emerald drop earrings by Dominic Jones for AGTA Member Gemfields.

Funny ladies Tina Fey and Kristen Wiig paired emerald with sapphire and ruby: Fey in Bulgari earrings set in platinum with diamonds, including 16 oval-cut blue sapphires totaling over 47 carats and 16 mixed-shaped emeralds totaling nearly 3 carats, and a ring set with a sapphire totaling more than 15 carats framed by nearly 4 carats of emeralds; and Wiig in a Neil Lane emerald, ruby and diamond platinum cocktail ring.

A total standout in gemstone jewelry, actress Busy Phillips, who accompanied Best Actress nominee Michelle Williams to the Oscars, flashed vibrant shades of green and blue in one-of-a-kind, shoulder-dusting boulder opal earrings and labradorite and diamond bracelet by Irene Neuwirth.

Jade was also popular at Oscar satellite parties. E! News reporter Catt Sadler wore jade and diamond earrings by Dena Kemp to the Governor's Ball; and actress Malin Akerman wore a Neil Lane jade and onyx link bracelet, as well as black diamond and platinum studs, black diamond bands, and a black onyx, diamond and platinum ring to Elton John's viewing party.

Other gemmy jewels worth mentioning include: Leslie Mann in Lorraine Schwartz blue sapphire earrings, bracelets and ring with diamonds in platinum; Abbie Cornish in a ruby and diamond platinum cocktail ring; Ashley Fink (Glee) in rubellite tourmaline, mandarin garnet and diamond earrings plated in black rhodium by Bhojwani for the AGTA Collection; Emma Stone (The Help) in amethyst drop earrings from the High Jewelry Collection, Louis Vuitton; and Ellie Kemper (Bridesmaids) in Lorraine Schwartz brown diamond drop earrings, bangles and rings, among them a blooming flower ring set with a golden pearl.

Oscar takeaways:

• Emeralds remain a Hollywood accessory favorite among celebrities with fashion flare, alone and paired with other gems like blue sapphire and ruby.

• Gems in gold/bronze/copper tones including citrine, mandarin garnet, brown diamonds, and golden pearls are warming up the red carpet.

• Drop earrings and bold cocktail rings still rock as go-to-adornment, perfect for popular strapless and single shoulder asymmetrical necklines.

• Complementary colors in gown and jewels are popular, such as the look Viola Davis rocked; as well as pops of vibrant color against neutrals like white.

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