The 2015 Oscars presented a full menu of lush coloured gems, stunning diamonds and pearls. Susan Abeles, Bonhams US Director of Jewellery, analyzed the array of rocks that rocked the red carpet.

Colour was very much on the red carpet as seen by actress Jennifer Hudson in her large emerald and diamond ear pendants and ring (http://nyti.ms/1a0QUfQ). Melanie Griffith also looked stunning in her emerald and diamond ear pendants; Gwyneth Paltrow wore a beautiful pair of colourful cabochon ear pendants by Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie (http://nyti.ms/1JACwL3); Cate Blanchett shone in her Tiffany "blue" turquoise and gemset formal and unique bib, by Tiffany & Co. (http://nyti.ms/1zZnBz9); and Scandal actress Kerry Washington sparkled in a pair of pink ombre sapphire earrings by Fred Leighton http://bit.ly/1wfhEmT.

Fine quality coloured stones are now achieving strong prices at auction according to Susan Abeles, Bonhams US Director of Jewellery.  Susan said: “Rubies are most in demand and command the strongest prices per carat, followed by Kashmir sapphires and then Burmese sapphires and Columbian emeralds.

“While diamonds are typically seen as the more ‘robust’ area in the gemstone market in terms of seeing a return on investment, figures over the last decade demonstrate that coloured stones have actually overtaken diamonds in terms of growth.”

The 2015 Oscars red carpet saw several dresses of brilliant strong colour - red in particular – worn by Solange, Dakota Johnson and Rosamond Pike, yet the preference for diamonds as jewels still dominated.  Diamonds in hanging pendant earrings, antique ear pendants, and substantial diamond studs were worn by many - most notably by Lady Gaga during her performance.  The unusual ear jackets on Chloe Grace Moretz really sparkled.   

The trend for stacked diamond bracelets worn by actresses Nicole Kidman (http://nyti.ms/1zZqqjC) and Dakota Johnson evoke wonderful art deco style memories.  

One of the most surprising finds was the fondness for pale, metal and muted coloured gowns that were set with pearls and sewn beads which emulated a play of light that is found in opals and moonstones, and the hint of overtones one seeks in fine pearls.  The unexpected particular softness of this palette provides a natural lean toward the classic diamond and pearl jewellery - not particular large and statement stones, but rather delicate but substantial embellishment.  

Oprah Winfrey rocked the red carpet in her gorgeous pink diamond ear pendants along with Emma Stone, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Carmen Ejogo (http://nyti.ms/1DI9cyG), Eniko Parrish (http://nyti.ms/1D9qUsa), 2015 Academy Award winner Julianne Moore (http://nyti.ms/1D9C14v) and Nicole Kidman (http://nyti.ms/1D9C14v) in her opalescence. A personal favourite of Susan’s - the pearl Calvin Klein Collection dress worn by Lupita Nyong'o - was offset by simple elegant pair of diamond ear pendants.

The most impressive signature pieces of the night included Margot Robbie's Van Cleef & Arpel Zipper necklace and Rita Ora's diamond snake necklace by Bulgari.

The 2015 Oscars again proves to be a platform for talent, glamour and, above all, jewels.

Bonhams handles and sells more jewellery lots each year than any other international auction house and has more dedicated jewellery sales annually.

Susan Abeles, Bonhams US Director of Jewellery, can be followed on Twitter @SusanBonhams