Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry auction set a new world record

The La Peregrina necklace (left) and the Prince of Wales brooch

"The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond," a 33.19 carat  

 Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry auction set a new world record for the amount spent on a private jewelry collection, fetching $115 Million According to ABC News, here are a few examples of the sales:

• The La Peregrina necklace, a diamond, ruby, and pearl rope with a sixteenth-century pear-shaped pearl pendant, thought to be one of the finest pearls in the world: $11,842,500
• The Taj Mahal ruby and gold chain by Cartier: $8,818,500 (a new world record for an Indian jewel)
• The Prince of Wales brooch, formerly owned by the Duchess of Windsor: $1,314,500
• The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, a 33.29 carat Asscher-cut ring given to her by Richard Burton in 1968: $8,818,500

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

No surprise-the hottest ring in hollywood is a custom design

Paul McCartney slipped 5 carats of square-cut diamonds set in platinum into Nancy Shevell's wedding finger on Sunday, October 9, 2011.

The vintage style ring was designed by celebrity jewelry designer Neil Lane. "Nancy wanted a band with a vintage feel," Lane told People.com. The celebrity jeweler additionally revealed that the band was meant to "complement her engagement ring, but not overshadow it," and it does "work as a set." The engagement ring itself, a 5-plus-carat, flawless diamond art-deco ring, was also designed by Neil Lane.

Custom jewelry design is in and is not just for the rich and famous. At Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry we create custom items for people every day. Creating a custom piece for a loved one is a great way to celebrate a special occasion with a special person.

Create a special custom design at Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry

Creating a unique and memorable piece of jewelry that is handcrafted from your imagination or commissioning a custom design from our master jeweler and artisan Kleo Christodoulou, is truly a unique and memorable experience.

Kleo has over 40 years experience creating highly personalized unique treasures. All of his custom designs are one –of-a-kind, highly meticulous creations crafted with precision. Kleo specializes in working with quality precious stones and metals or he can work with your existing unused jewelry, transforming them into magnificent designer pieces. Kleo is revered for reworking or fixing broken, out-of-style, or unusable jewelry to create new wearable pieces of Fine Jewelry. He excels in the repair of pieces many other jewelers can’t fix.



Our custom design process usually consists of one or more of the following steps, depending on your project.

Consultation
Every design begins with a personal interview with one of our fine jewelry consultants, to discuss ideas, styles and inspect any existing gems or precious metals to be included in the final design.

Custom Design
After finalizing your Design Ideas, Kleo will sketch concept renderings of one or more designs for your approval.

Wax Carving & Model Making
Once the design has been approved, the design is now set for casting, we create a wax model to be used in the precious metal casting process.

Fabrication
Forging is an ancient technique of metalsmithing that involves the controlled shaping of metal and makes even fine details durable enough to last a lifetime.

Filigree
The art of filigree is an incredibly intricate art form which consists of curling, twisting and bending fine threads of wire by hand.

Stone Setting
Kleo will hand-set each stone in the design, detailing all areas to perfection.

Hand Engraving
Hand engraving is the art of hand cutting designs directly into the metal with highly polished specialty gravers this is the hallmark of a true jewelry artist and is completed onsite with meticulous attention to fine detail and craftsmanship.

Texture, Finishes and Detailing
The final stage of the production process includes adding texture and detailing as requested.

Before you set up an appointment to have Kleo design a custom piece for you spend some time considering these questions:

What type of jewelry do you want to create?
(Necklace, ring, bracket, or earrings)
Do you have existing jewelry or stones that you want to create a new piece from?
What qualities are most important to you?
(Uniqueness, luster, size)
What type of precious metals do you want your custom jewelry to be crafted from?
What gems are you considering for using?
What timeframe and budget are you considering?

Stop in to see us or call 732-577-1030 us to discuss your ideas for a custom treasure.

How to Choose the Perfect Engagement Ring

Many men are lost when it comes to selecting the perfect engagement ring for their brides-to-be. From cut, to color, to size, to price, choosing a ring is bound to get overwhelming and confusing. This week's blog will focus on tips to help you navigate the engagement ring shopping process and keep your purchase as stress-free as possible.  

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Tip #1: Do Your Research

Before you enter a jewelry store, it is important to understand the 4 C's of diamonds: cut, clarity, color, and carat.
 

• Cut: The cut is responsible for a diamond's fire (the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum), brilliance (the total light reflected from a diamond), and scintillation (the flashes of light, or sparkle, when a diamond is moved).
• Clarity: Diamond clarity refers to the absence of blemishes or inclusions within the diamond.
• Color: Diamond color is all about colorlessness. Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colorlessness, which means that the less color, the higher the value.
• Carat: Diamonds and other gemstones are weighed in metric carats: one carat is equal to 0.2 grams. In general, the higher the carat, the higher the value.

**In addition to knowing the 4 C's, it is also a great idea to do some research on your bride-to-be's preferences. Take notice of what types of ring styles she is drawn to, if she prefers bigger or smaller stones, etc. Having an idea of what she likes will help to guide you and make the selection process a bit easier.

Tip #2: Set a Budget

It used to be commonly advised to set aside three months salary to spend on an engagement ring. In today's tough economy however, it's better to spend what you're comfortable with. Whether that's $1,000 or $20,000, remember to be smart and realistic about your financial situation. 

Tip #3: Know the Trends

If you are unsure about your significant other's ring preferences, it helps to know the current engagement ring trends. Cleaner, contemporary mountings are currently in style and round and princess cut diamonds continue to be a favorite. In terms of sizing, the most common size range is between a carat to two carats. As for metals, platinum is still number one with white gold coming in as number two.

If diamonds aren't her thing or if you're looking for a diamond alternative, non-dimaond rings are becoming a big trend (example: Kate Middleton's sapphire engagement ring). Sapphires are the most common stone used in non-diamond engagement rings.

Tip #4: Listen

Remeber to listen to what SHE wants. Many guys tend to focus on what they like rather than what their significant other likes. Be a good giver and focus on getting her, her dream ring - not yours. Plus, this will help you to avoid the awkward trip back to the store to exchange it.

Tip #5: Ring Size Doesn’t Matter

Many guys often stress over not knowing their girlfriend's ring size, but knowing her size isn't necessarily a prerequisite. If you don't know her size, most jewelers can make the ring an average size temporarily, and then adjust it later on.

Tip #6: Give Yourself Time

Remember to give yourself plenty of time. It often takes multiple shopping trips to find the perfect ring, compare prices, and have the ring made. If you give yourself enough time, you'll be able to fully explore your options and be more satisfied with your final decision.


Good luck and happy shopping from all of us at Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry!

Break-Up Bling: Who Gets the Ring?

What do you do when the engagement doesn't work out? ABC News lets us in on what a growing number of women are now doing with their engagement rings! Check out the video and let us know what you think!

Credit: ABC News

Fall 2011 Jewelry Trends

Hilary Duff perfectly accessorized with a cuff bracelet for Fall 2011 (Credit: Fame)



After previewing the Fall 2011 fashion lines, it appears that bold choker necklaces and big cuff bracelets are going to be the way to accessorize this fall (think Stephen Webster-type jewelry, pictured left). Additionally, layering thick bracelets with smaller, thinner bangles will also be a common fashion trend (think Marco Bicego-type jewelry, pictured right). Shiny precious metals will be in style as always, but we are also seeing jewelry that incorporates prints and precious gems. At Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry, we are proud to offer the Stephen Webster and Marco Bicego collections in-store! Stop in today to preview this season's jewelry trends and accessorize yourself for Fall 2011! 

Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey tie the knot with fabulous rings!

Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey finally tied the knot on Friday, July 29th and details of the couple's wedding bands are beginning to emerge! Minnillo's wedding band, designed to complement her 4-carat engagement ring, consists of a circlet of princess-cut diamonds that surround the entire ring (pictured above). Lachey's wedding band includes twenty-four diamonds and was designed to look thicker and huskier (also pictured above). People magazine has also reported that that couple had messages engraved inside their rings (a popular trend), but there is no word on what the engravements say. Minnillo and Lachey's wedding bands are quickly becoming a trend in the wedding-world, with many couples opting for similar styles. Whether you're looking for a Vanessa Minnillo-like engagement ring, a designer wedding band, or want to customize your own ring, Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry has it all! Come in today to check out our amazing selection of engagement rings and wedding bands!