Judi Dench, nominated for her performance in Iris, wore a pair of Winston diamond drop earrings.

FORBES: One-upwomanship

From her mother, she knew not to wear diamond-drop earrings at cocktail parties.

ECONOMIST: Gayatri Devi, Maharani of Jaipur, died on July 29th, aged 90

And for opera fans, there is a pair of natural pearl drop earrings once possessed by opera diva Maria Callas .

FORBES: Bling On The Block

Dressed in a silver grey evening jacket with drop earrings and a well cut pair of trousers, I breathed in her understated elegance.

FORBES: A Study in Power: Christine Lagarde

Hard to beat for traditional elegance is a pair of pearl drop earrings from 1972 by Bulgari that were once owned by film star Elizabeth Taylor.

WSJ: A Love Affair With Pearl at Germany's Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim

Each set includes a necklace of cascading pink sapphires and diamonds (pictured), long earrings ending with drop cut pink sapphires and a refined matching bracelet.

FORBES: The Montblanc Princess Grace Collection