At the recent Academy Awards ceremony, the new bling of choice for actresses was large cluster earrings.

There was Kate Winslet, best actress nominee for Little Children, who wore cluster earrings in the shape of flowers that featured green and yellow diamonds.

And there were Penelope Cruz and Helen Mirren and Cate Blanchett.

"People like Penelope Cruz looked gorgeous with her cluster earrings," said Sandra Graham, jewelry style director for eBay. "Helen Mirren wore them. She's beautiful to begin with, but they added that extra sparkle."

Chandelier earrings are going out and cluster earrings are coming in as we head into spring. Many jewelry lines are offering cluster earrings made of black and white pearls either in round designs or the shapes of flowers.

"Women cannot live by clothes alone. They must have ear bobs," said Graham, using the term for earrings Scarlett O'Hara spoke during Gone With the Wind. "Large cluster earrings are an ode to the '80s," she said, adding that they're especially effective with a strapless gown.

Celebrities particularly like them.

"An old celebrity trick is to put the bling around the neck and the ears because it brings the light to the face. And photographs are usually from the waist up," Graham said.