So another lengthy awards season has been and gone and once again, shiny is a descriptor more of the trophies than of the adornments. Basically, here is what I found lacking: did you notice that Angelina Jolie was wearing flawless diamond earrings totalling 42 carats, designed by frequent collaborator Robert Procop? Here is a photo to jog your memory.

You missed those? Yeah, me too. I did think the dress made her look like the mother of the bar mitzvah boy. The earrings never really even caught my eye.

How sad is it that 42 carats of diamonds just happened to make their way down the red carpet with so little fanfare? Even on Angelina Jolie, of all people? Probably for the same reason so much other big name jewellery failed to really wow. Actresses seem afraid of bold, colourful statement pieces and where once an outfit was chosen to complement jewels, now it’s either the other way around or no jewels at all are worn.

Everyone is afraid to make the worst dressed list so they seem to err on the side of bland and boring. I just don’t understand why those seem to be the only options. But maybe in the age of “stylists rule” no one seems to trust their own taste beyond choosing from a preselected rack of gowns. And jewellery that may be terribly expensive but also terribly safe. How sad to think that 42 flawless carats are bland and boring. But sometimes, big is just that.

Hope springs eternal, so here’s to next year. Maybe someone will shock the red carpet with a display of fantastic personal taste, accented by splendid gems. One can only hope.