Top 3 Engagement Ring Trends for 2012

Courtesy of HOF Girl, Hearts On Fire’s very own diamond blogger fashionista and inside connection to all things sparkly and brilliant in today’s world. We are pleased to present the Top 3 Engagement Ring Trends for 2012. Read on!

“If you were watching diamond jewellery trends in 2011, you’ll know that last year was quite an exciting time in the world of diamond engagement rings. From all the pomp and circumstance of Kate Middleton’s royal engagement and wedding, to the made-for-TV hooplah of Kim Kardashian’s marriage (and subsequent divorce), and all the celebrity engagements in between, 2011 kept the diamond jewellery industry busy trying to keep up with all the ladies of Hollywood and their trend-setting engagement rings. Now, while I can’t necessarily predict which celebrities will be saying their “I dos” in 2012, I have spent some time debating what I think the top three diamond engagement ring trends for the year will be. In my opinion, the diamond fashion trend for 2012 will be eye-catching designs that create an overall striking and unique look.  Think rings that seamlessly mix creativity and style with elegance and class, and it’s really no surprise that these three styles are sure to be such a hit with brides-to-be in 2012.

• The Halo—Halos are in, and it’s easy to see why. Originally a fashion icon of the 1920s and 30s, halo diamond engagement rings create a beautiful, art deco look that maximizes the brilliance of your diamonds for a truly spectacular look.  Especially  for couples who are looking for superior value in their engagement ring, the halo of diamonds around the centre stone create an amazing effect to make the centre stone pop. I expect to see a variety of halo-style diamond engagement rings on the hands of celebrities and average brides alike in 2012…and not just because it’s my personal favourite style (yes, I have a halo and yes, I am biased!).

• Split Shanks—So, sometimes the prettiest things have less-than-beautiful names, as is the case here with split-shank engagement rings. I used to confuse this style with the typical twisted band, but it’s definitely worth it’s own category. Spectacular for showcasing your centre diamond, the defined split shank creates a striking look that maximizes the light returned from every angle (making your diamond sparkle even brighter!). A long-time favourite of Hollywood’s leading ladies, I have a feeling the split shank will once again be making the rounds as one of 2012’s most popular styles for women everywhere.

• Big Solitaires—Solitaire engagement rings are always in, but the key to this year is “big.” And yes, I mean, one, two and even three carat dazzlers. For a while, it seemed that couples were understandably scaling back, but we’ve really been seeing that trend take a turn upward in the past few months.  Maybe it’s all the press around enormous stunners on celebrity hands making women yearn for their own, but honestly, who doesn’t love the look of a brilliant round or Dream cut solitaire engagement ring? With multiple options on the band design that make it perfect for any woman’s fashion style or personality, these timeless classics are going to once again light up the bridal industry of 2012.

What style are you hoping for in 2012?”

♥ HOF Girl

ELizabeth Taylor’s Legendary Jewels

Liz Taylor held a life long passion for fine jewellery

Out of all the extraordinary and famous jewels from Elizabeth Taylor’s spectacular collection offered for auction this month at Christie’s New York, perhaps the most intriguing pieces are the ones given to her by her life long love – Richard Burton.

The man she married twice gave her fine and rare pieces indulging her passion for jewellery.

The auction which exceeded all expectations included the sale of the famed Elizabeth Taylor Diamond. Burton’s first gift to her in 1968 was the 33.19 carat, D colour, Asscher cut stone. He purchased it for $305,000.

She wore it virtually every day

The Liz Taylor Diamond

“My ring gives me the strangest feeling for beauty. With its sparks of red and white and blue and purple, and on and on, really, it sort of hums with its own beatific life.” The pre-sale auction estimate was US$2,500,000-3,500,000, however the bidding continued to climb.

The ring was finally sold for US$8.8 million

The spectacular diamond ring was bought by South Korean businessman Daniel Pang, who was bidding on behalf of E-land World, a South Korean retail group.

Liz Taylor and Richard Burton

Pang said later that the conglomerate owns several hotels and plans to exhibit the diamond, as it has done in the past with historic memorabilia from the estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

The world-famous La Peregrina pearl, one of the most historic pieces, large drop shaped 16th century natural pearl, once owned by England’s Mary Tudor and later by Spanish Queens Margarita and Isabel was sold for $11.8 million, setting a new auction record for a pearl.

La Peregrina

Burton bought the pearl at auction in 1969 for $37,000 as a Valentines gift for Taylor who then commissioned Cartier to design a ruby and diamond necklace mount. It had been estimated to sell for US$2,000,000 – $3,000,000.

Her dog almost ate the pearl just moments after she got it

“Twenty minutes after she put it on, she lost it. Landrigan presented the pearl and was chatting with Burton while Taylor left to try it on. She came back running saying, “I’ve lost the pearl!” Landrigan explained, “The room had pink shag carpeting, and I was crawling past a settee when I saw one of Elizabeth’s dogs, and I heard a crunch. I said, ‘Liz, I know where the pearl is!” Taylor grabbed the dog it spat it out. Apparently the pearl suffered just a couple of scratches.

For Christmas in 1968 Burton gave Taylor an 8.24 carat Van Cleef & Arpels ruby ring.

Van Cleef Ruby Ring

She almost missed seeing it at the bottom of her Christmas stocking

She later recalled that when she opened it, she saw “the most perfect coloured stone I’d ever seen.” The pre-sale estimate was $1,000,000 – $1,500,000 but the per-carat record for a ruby was also broken when the ring sold for US$4,200,000.

Christies Elizabeth Taylor Auction

In a statement the actress’ son Chris Wilding said his mother would have been pleased with the auction. “She would be happy to know that her wish for her jewellery to be owned and enjoyed by others was fulfilled.”

Buyers included Kim Kardashian

Kardashian was the highest bidder at $64,900 for a set of Lorraine Schwartz bangles. “Elizabeth Taylor was an idol of mine and I’m honoured to now own something from her collection,” she said. “The Lorraine Schwartz jade bracelets are special because jade transfers energy, so I will cherish these bracelets with her energy in them for the rest of my life!

Matt & Margi’s Romantic Wedding Day

Sydney North Shore locals Matt Jacobs and Margi Coen-Jacobs celebrated their wedding on 14 October at the Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club. Talented Margi is a singing teacher and director of Sydney Vocal Arts Centre in Manly. She teaches some very talented students including Jack Vidgen and Tom Jordan.

The bride looked beautiful on the big day!

Matt tells us about his romantic proposal, complete with custom designed Dracakis engagement ring and their beautiful wedding…

How did you two meet? “We connected online and first met at the Wharf Bar in Manly.”

When did you know she was the one?“By about the third date, which was five days after we met.”

Margi unique custom made Dracakis engagement ring

“My father and brother have both bought jewellery from Dracakis before. I came in with a rough design for an engagement ring which I showed to Peter. The ring was original and stunning. We came back to see Peter to have Margi’s wedding band designed to match her engagement ring.”

Margi’s engagment ring is a stunning three stone diamond and Ceylon sapphire ring.  The sparkling centre stone is a Dream Cut Hearts On Fire diamond, set between a pair of fine blue sapphires. The ring is completed by further Dream Cut diamonds channel set down each shoulder.

How did you propose? “On our one year anniversary. We had dinner at the Observatory Hotel, then walked up to Sydney Observatory for a private viewing of the star I had named after Margi. Unfortunately it was too cloudy and we could not see it. So I did the next best thing and we walked around to the gazebo on Observatory Hill, where I went down on bended knee and proposed.”

“She cried and said yes.”

Hearts On Fire and Dora wedding bands

Margi’s wedding ring is a simple yellow gold band channel set with Dream Cut Hearts On Fire diamonds to match the engagement ring. Matt’s wedding band by Dora is platinum with a rope of rose, yellow and white gold inlayed in a wave pattern.

Tell us about your wedding day.
“Our wedding was  a local affair, both the ceremony and reception held at Manly 16ft Skiff Club Sailing Club, with family and close friends present. Margi’s teenage choir Out of The Blue performed as did singer Tom Jordan during the ceremony. Margi also sang and Armondo Hurley’s band also performed during the reception. There was a lot of singing, dancing, joy and laughter. Margi and I performed a tap routine as our bridal waltz.

Margi was also treated to a pair of sumptuous Dracakis South Sea pearl and diamond earrings which complemented her dress beautifully!

Congratulations Matt and Margi!

The ‘Hearts On Fire’ Million Dollar Diamond Showcase

The largest collection of ‘Hearts On Fire’ diamond jewellery ever seen in Australia went on view this week for one special night at Dracakis Jewellers Mosman. VIP guests attended a champagne reception to celebrate the event on Wednesday 9 November where they were treated to array of canapés and bubbly while modelling their favourite pieces from the collection.

“We are honoured to host this special event,” said boutique manager Theodore Dracakis. “The ‘Hearts On Fire’ Million Dollar Showcase is in fact a multi-million dollar collection; ‘Hearts On Fire’ diamonds are the most perfectly cut diamonds in the world – they sparkle like no other, it’s a difference you can literally see from across the room or for tonight at least, maybe from across the road!”