The stars know all eyes will be on them when they stroll down the red carpet and make their grand entrance to the new NOKIA Theatre, so they will, of course, go to great lengths to make sure they achieve a head-turning look. And they won’t go it alone.

“Even before the nominations are announced, we are already out in full force looking for the latest gowns, tuxedos, shoes and of course, jewelry from around the world,” says Access Hollywood wardrobe stylist Nicole Allowitz, who with partner Daniel Hernandez outfit the on-air team including Nancy O’Dell and Billy Bush for the red carpet.

Many celebrities and stylists will team up with experts like Michael O’Connor, one of America’s leading voices on jewelry, style and accessories, to make sure they achieve just the right look. He says this year, the key to standing out in the crowd and being memorable, whether at the Emmys or an office dinner party, will be wearing a simple outfit and dressing it up with complementing Platinum jewelry.

“We all look to our favorite celebrities to define beauty, luxury, glamour and success,” says O’Connor. “So I will help them make sure that they choose the best accessories to show off their individual style and complete their overall look.”

In addition to accessorizing with Platinum, O’Connor also offers this advice to celebrities, and everyday women and men, on how to look their best when they’re out on the town:

Beware the boring!
With today’s more simple style dresses of less beading and ornamentation, jewelry is the key to a complete look. And just as a present is never complete without a bow, no dress, or tuxedo for that matter, is complete without the final addition of fine jewelry.

For men, a lapel pin set in Platinum can revive a boring tux, especially these days when longer ties eliminate the need for shirt studs. Ladies shouldn’t be afraid to create sparkle and sizzle by layering a few jewelry pieces together to create maximum glam, especially with bracelets. “If one bangle by a designer like Gurhan is nice, two is nicer and three is nicest,” he says.

Every angle counts!
Whether it’s paparazzi’s flashbulbs going off around you, or just the flash from the camera of the host whose party you’re attending, realize that it’s not good enough to merely look great from the front. Emmy-worthy looks are well-planned from every angle.

“If the back doesn’t look good, someone’s going to notice it — and talk about it. So make sure the dress or suit fits properly,” says O’Connor. “No bulges, stretched seams or strained buttons and zippers, please. And by all means, if there’s some design interest in the back of the gown or the back of an up-do, highlight it with a Platinum and diamond pin from a designer such as Kwiat to show a little drama and some good fashion sense.”

Create contrasts!
When putting an outfit together, avoid everything matching exactly. If one opts for a simple and beautiful black gown or tuxedo, O’Connor recommends you contrast that with the icy-whiteness of Platinum and the dazzle of white diamonds. If color is the choice, pick gemstone jewelry that will work with the color of the gown but not match it completely.

“Even within jewelry selections the pieces chosen don’t need to be an exact match. Create a signature selection by mixing and matching pieces that have a few similar elements. In fact, the contrast will make you stand out from the crowd. So for example, take a Platinum cuff bracelet from a designer like Gumuchian, a pair of glamorous drop earrings from a trendsetter including Peter Norman and a colorful cocktail ring from a celebrity favored designer such as Erica Courtney to complete the look,” says O’Connor.

For more information on accessorizing for red carpet events in your life, you can visit www.preciousplatinum.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Related posts:

1. Welcome to Pandora Jewelry
2. Designer Jewelry Has Special Qualities
3. Rushden and Diamonds: A Kickin’ Team

The popularity of this precious metal has been increasingly steadily since the mid 1980s. Currently, Japan is the world’s leading market for the sale of platinum jewelry. However, China is following closely in Japan’s footsteps and may soon take over as the leading market. Europe and North America are also lively participants in the platinum market. 

While platinum is in abundant supply today, unlike gold and silver, there are no significant above ground stock piles to assure against supply disruptions and depletions. This adds to the overall value of platinum.

Platinum is most commonly used to make rings, particularly wedding rings. It is becoming the leading metal for engagement rings and men and women’s wedding bands.

Platinum is known for its white lustrous color. Platinum is naturally white, unlike white gold. This means it will not change color or fade. Its beautiful color adds to its appeal and requires no additional coloring agent like other metals commonly used in jewelry. Its white color also goes nicely with all color diamonds.

Another benefit of platinum is its strength and hardiness. It outlasts many other metals, because it clings to itself and is hard wearing. It is also twice as heavy as 14 karat gold jewelry. This makes it a hefty choice for fine quality jewelry.

Platinum also holds gemstones more securely in place than any other metal. The gemstones are held in place by a tensions setting. This means it is secured by the tensile strength of the platinum. This means you do not have to worry about losing your precious stone. This is a particularly important benefit if the jewelry piece has sentimental value, such as an engagement ring.

One of platinum’s most appealing characteristics is its durability. Usually when pieces of jewelry made from other metals are scratched or even polished a bit of the metal will wear of. However, this is not the case with platinum. Platinum my get a mark or scratch but will not erode, splinter or chip easily.

Not only is platinum considered the strongest metal to make jewelry from, but also it is also hypoallergenic. This means that even people with sensitive skin can wear pieces made from platinum without fear of skin discoloration, rashes or itchy blemishes. In contrast, gold can nickel and have a negative effect on people with sensitive skin.

It is also remarkably dense, making it a heavy durable metal to make precious jewelry out of. This characteristic of platinum makes it feel significant and permanent to wear.

Platinum never tarnishes. It remains lustrous and shiny for its entire lifespan. Platinum can stand the test of time, which is why it is the most popular metal to make special occasion jewelry from.

Because of its durability, platinum jewelry requires relatively minimum care. It is recommended that you remove platinum pieces before taking part in activity that may harm them.

To clean the jewelry, simply soak it in warm, soapy water and then gently scrub the piece with a soft brush. This will keep the jewelry shiny and bright. In addition, you should store your platinum pieces separately from other pieces to avoid scratching or damaging them.

If your jewelry does become scratched you should take it to a jeweler to be polished. Keep in mind that a scratch on platinum is just a displacement of the metal not a loss of volume. Having the piece polished will restore its scratch less finish.

Related posts:

1. A Brief Bio into the Beautiful Metal Called Platinum
2. The Best Platinum Engagement Rings
3. Platinum Engagement Rings Mark Society Hierarchy

The history of platinum begins in ancient Egypt. Over 3000 years ago, Egyptian metal smiths perfected the art of working with platinum. In fact, a coffin that was over 2500 years old was recently dug up showing signs of platinum in its construction. The coffin belonged to a high priestess and was decorated with elaborate hieroglyphics. These hieroglyphics were drawn with melted platinum. When the coffin was exhumed the luster and shine of the platinum was still evident.

There are also signs that platinum was used in South America as early as the fifteenth century. Platinum was a common ingredient in many artifacts that have been discovered from that continent. Though the South Americans could not melt the metal, they sintered it with gold and charcoal to make it easier to work with. Recently there was an ingot found made of 85 percent pure platinum.

When the Spanish conquered South America, they did not understand the value of platinum. They were concerned that it would be sold as a silver imitation. As a result they dumped large quantities of platinum in the ocean to get rid of it.

Platinum’s value was first noted when it was made into Russian coins in 1828. By 1924, 93 percent of all of the worlds platinum deposits were found in Russia. Today South Africa is responsible for mining 70 percent of the world’s platinum. Russia contributes somewhere between 5 and 20 percent of the world’s platinum supply.

By the end of the eighteenth century, the scientific value of platinum was discovered. Because it had a high melting point, was hardy and extremely ductile it had industrial, medical and scientific uses.

In the mid nineteenth century, platinum was introduced into jewelry. It became used regularly by 1924. Some advances in technology contributed to platinum’s growing popularity. For example, a large furnace was developed that was capable of melting platinum in significant quantities. In addition, an oxyacetylene torch was invented, making working with platinum much simpler.

Platinum is currently known for its strength and durability. However, before 1975 there were no laws regulating the quality of platinum. Therefore, it was often misrepresented and of a much lesson value overall.

Like most other precious metal, platinum is commonly mixed with other metals to create alloys. These alloys give the metal more strength. The amount of pure platinum in a piece of jewelry is usually expressed in parts per thousand. Jewelry must be made up of at least 950 parts per 1000 pure platinum to be marked and sold as platinum.

Jewelry that contains between 850 and 950 parts per 1000 can be labeled platinum as long as a number is included to advise how much pure platinum is actually in a  piece.

In addition, makers can mark a piece as platinum if it contains 950 parts per 1000 of platinum group members as long as at least 500 parts per 1000 are pure platinum.

There are currently six related metals that belong to the Platinum Group of Metals. These are Platinum, Iridium, Palladium, Ruthenium, Rhodium, and Osmium.

Today platinum is considered a rare, precious metal. It is used to create high quality jewelry, which is known for standing the test of time. In addition platinum is a completely hypoallergenic metal, meaning it can be worn by anyone. Platinum is shiny, lustrous, and strong, making it an ideal metal to make fine jewelry out of.

Related posts:

1. Platinum: A Precious Metal for Special Jewelry
2. Platinum Engagement Rings Mark Society Hierarchy
3. The Best Platinum Engagement Rings