No-one I knew wore costume jewellery,and so I felt like I was learning about the world. As I got older, every birthday and Hanukkah gift was jewellery. That was all I wanted-and that was all I would get! “Describe the first piece you bought. “It was a 1940s tricolour gold ring with an emerald-cut amethyst. I got it at an antiques store in New York when I was a graduate student doing off-Broadway shows. It cost $112, and the owner let me pay her $10 a month.

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What style of jewellery do you like? ”

“I love anything oversized. It originated from a place of insecurity, actually. I felt my face wasn’t pretty enough for little, diminutive gems. I wanted something big and powerful to take the attention off my face. Growing up, I always wore big hoops, and now I feel there’s something more ‘me’ with large pieces.”Big works well on the red carpet, too. “Yes! I always wear big rings-they are part of my personality. Generally, I like to have bracelets on my arms as well. There is no other place where you can get away with having four diamond bracelets stacked on your arm. I take advantage of that opportunity. ”

What are your favourite gemstones? “I love diamonds,especially the white ones. My hands shake when I’m wearing them. People joke about it, but it’s true. I think it must be a magnetic or chemical thing that happens to me-I just go with it. I’m also drawn to rubies and emeralds too. ”

You wear so many different styles of jewellery, from the more classic, finer pieces to costume. How do you make sense of it all?

“For me, jewellery is a creative outlet, a way to express myself. If I’m going to a charity lunch, I’ll wear my personal antique pieces-one or two rings and maybe a pair of earrings. When I’m on Capitol Hill on behalf of YouthAIDS, I wear pearls. If I’m in a New York mood, I’ll get out my chunky pieces. Even when I don’t feel like going out, the thought of dressing up makes me think, ‘Oh, but I can wear jewellery for a couple of hours! ‘ And then I’ll go. “