This is a bit much $$, but is so cool:
http://m.macys.com/shop/product/14k-gold-sterling-silver-pendant-diamond-accent-leopard?ID=481047
I’m also a fan of the panda. I’ve bought inexpensive things from China. As long as they are a good price and I don’t expect them to be durable, I’ve been satisfied, as long as I allow enough shipping time.
This is a lot of bling!
I
Oh my goodness…what is wrong with the edit function and why didnt it stick?!
I was trying to say that I saw the peacock right away and love the whimsey of this statement necklace.
That said my only concern would be ordering from China/quality but at this price point I think it is worth the risk.
I do love all 3 of the necklaces gourmetmom linked and may have to buy the cat necklace even though I have no idea where I would ever wear it!
OP, I love the idea of a zoo animal statement but I do think the original one is just a little bit too much. Luckily there are lots of fun and beautiful options also posted here. (Personally I love the second one in @BunsenBurner 's post #22.)
I’m mainly chiming in about the dress. If you’re going to wear a statement necklace, the dress should be solid colored and very plain. You don’t want it to fight with the jewelry.
Let us know what you decide. It sounds fun!
Agree on the dress. I don’t know why, but I was envisioning a fairly stark black dress as the backdrop for the peacock necklace.
Peacock to go with a red dress. It would have to be a very simple red dress, and I’d probably skip the earrings.
I envision a lot of people staring at your upper chest trying to figure out what you’re wearing–eww! And given the price, I expect the rhinestones will look very cheesy in person. Many of the Chinese sites are known for shipping junk that doesn’t match the descriptions/photos.You don’t want your “statement” to be “I buy cheap, gaudy, jewelry.”
I have to say that I don’t like the original necklace at all.
The panda necklace is absolutely charming. 
And ecause it is more delicate than some of the others, easier to wear.
Drawing attention to upper chest and drawing attention to cleavage are two entirely different things!
It’s just for fun! Of course it might be a little bit out there but…Who cares? I say go for it and enjoy the whimsy and the connection to the event. Life is too short not to have a little fun. Any one at the event that might look askance isn’t worth getting to know anyway if they take things that seriously. And you know what? The fun people are going to come up and compliment it and talk to you.
Personally, I love the whole idea of wearing one of these. I never knew there were so many animal necklaces out there! I like the panda and the other colorful ones the best.
That’s exactly how I feel too. This isn’t like it’s your kid’s wedding where you have to have something that is classic and timeless and will look elegant in pictures 20 years from now.
I love all of these. I especially the bling one with all the animals in #26, but since my dress is red, don’t think the green would look that good.
Without knowing exactly what your dress looks like – another option could be a relatively blingy pin of one of the animals. Just saying – if you are going to go to a department store and look around for necklaces, might as well look at pins as well.
Another option is to get a scarf with “obvious” animals (such as elephants) and tie that around your handbag.
^^Austrian crystal. Ships from China. At least they are honest about the shipping.
I am enjoying all the rhinestone animal necklaces that keep appearing on my laptop!
@Consolation - good find on ebay!!!
This one is actually called “Day at the Zoo” : http://www.ebay.com/itm/BETSEY-JOHNSON-Day-at-the-Zoo-Charms-Frontal-Statement-Necklace-145-NWT-/370939249682?hash=item565db3c412:g:QnwAAOxyzi9Sf9Gc Not sure it would go with red though. A lot of the animal necklaces have a lot of green. Red+green might work in December but not so sure the rest of the year.