Showing posts with label art deco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art deco. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Brooches:The New Accessory Trend for Summer 2012



Brooches have made a big comeback recently and are a great way to accessorize an outfit without breaking the bank. An attractive, inexpensive brooch can transform your look in the same way as a statement necklace, but it does not have to be big to be eye-catching.

Most recently, young Hollywood actress Emma Stone shot her first cover of Vogue with Mario Testino.

Showcasing a deluge of designer clothing, Emma’s July editorial shows off her serious and sultry side. Wearing a Dries Van Noten blazer embellished with a brooch by Marni, it’s clear that this is a one-to-watch accessory worn by the one-to-watch girl of the moment.



An interesting and creative way to wear a brooch this summer is on the waistline. This could be the waistline of a dress, a summer skirt or your favorite pair of trousers. A small bow-shaped diamante brooch, for example, would add interest to the waistline of a delicate flowing summer dress without overpowering it.

Use a larger brooch to hold in place a summer scarf. If the scarf is patterned, pick an enameled brooch in one of the colors so that it complements the scarf. Alternatively, nestle a small brooch in the soft folds of the material to add interest. Bird and butterfly scarf designs lend themselves to this idea, with the addition of a vintage bird or butterfly brooch.


A cluster of three small brooches adds flair to a plain sweater or top. You can express yourself with various combinations, whilst still coordinating with other accessories such as earrings and bracelets. The brooches need not be expensive as there are many outlets specializing in fashion jewellery throughout the UK. Brooches make great gifts too, so if your birthday is approaching, make sure they are on the list.


Embellish a crossover handbag by placing a brooch on the bag strap. Brooches can be mixed and matched depending on your mood. Alternatively, place a brooch on the handbag itself for a simple but effective look. A range of brooches can be found in most high-street and online stores.

Brooches that are also fitted with a hairpin make two accessories in one. Large brooches look stunning worn in long wavy hair and are perfect for keeping an ‘up-do’ firmly in place. Flower brooches in particular will look lovely in your hair this season.

Shoulder brooches add a dramatic finishing touch to an outfit. From vintage animal brooches to large art deco bar brooches, wearing a shoulder brooch makes a powerful fashion statement.

Brooches are not just an accessory trend for women this summer. There are many different styles of brooches and pins for your man. Medals of honor are commonly worn on a jacket, while a simple arrow-shaped pin worn on a tie is also popular. This classic and simple trend adds personality to office or casual wear.

There is an overwhelming choice of styles when it comes to buying a brooch. Contemporary or vintage, they add a lovely finishing touch to any outfit. Vintage styles need not be expensive and are readily available at car boot sales and flea markets every weekend throughout the summer. Alternatively, ask your grandma to donate one or two from her collection.

Source: The Los Angeles Fashion

Monday, June 25, 2012

Skinner's Jewelry Sale Nets Nearly $3M


Auction house Skinner Inc. grossed $2.8 million, including buyer's premium, for its fine jewelry sale on June 12. Colored stones, Art Deco pieces, diamonds, and natural pearls were especially strong performers, according to the firm.

Highlights of the sale included an Art Deco diamond pendant necklace by Cartier, which sold for $325,000 and featured a 7.93-carat, F, VS1, pear-shaped diamond and a 3.92-carat diamond ring (pictured) by Tiffany & Co., which sold for $142,200. An antique Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring, set with a cabochon sapphire weighing 9.92 carats, with no evidence of heat treatment, fetched $189,600, surpassing its presale high estimate of $50,000.

Skinner will hold its next fine jewelry auction on September 11, in Boston.

-www.diamonds.net

Thursday, June 14, 2012

The 5 most popular engagement ring styles of 2012

Jewelers typically do not like to use the word “trend” when helping customers select an engagement ring because it suggests a passing fad rather than a timeless symbol of love. But the truth is, engagement rings are much like any other aspect of fashion or style; they vary in popularity from year to year, and whatever the “next big thing,” you’ll see it first on the red carpet. Here are some of the engagement ring styles in demand for 2012.


Yellow Gold and Rose Gold. In the 1930s, demand for yellow gold jewelry gave way to the Art Deco-inspired aesthetic of white metals. The leading ladies of old Hollywood adorned themselves in platinum jewelry, and “platinum blondes” were synonymous with beauty. The 80s saw the return of yellow gold as the ultimate symbol of wealth, but by the late 90s, white metals were back on top, falling in line with the sartorial minimalism of designers like Calvin Klein.

Today, we’re seeing a renewed interest in yellow gold and rose gold as a way to add extra visual interest to even the most traditional ring style. The perfect example is Miley Cyrus’s 3.5 carat cushion-cut diamond set in 18-karat gold–youthful and fashion forward, yet elegant and timeless.


Emerald Cut Diamonds. Bridal jewelry styles often take their cue from the red carpet, so it’s no surprise that emerald cut diamonds have dramatically increased in popularity since the debut of Angelina Jolie’s engagement ring. Other fashionable celebrities like Kate Hudson and BeyoncĂ© are also wearing emerald cut engagement rings. It’s the perfect look for the bride with sophisticated yet edgy sensibilities.


Colored Gemstones. Colored gemstones have long been the choice for royal engagements, from Princess Diana and now Kate Middleton’s stunning sapphire ring, to Facebook royalty Mark Zuckerburg’s new bride’s ruby engagement ring. Whether a woman’s style is classic or bold, the variety of colors and gems available make these rings unsurpassed in individuality and style.


Micro Pave and Halo. This is the perfect look for someone who wants to offer his bride a ring with a “wow factor.” A type of pave, micro pave uses ultra-miniature diamonds that are delicately set to give the illusion of a solid diamond surface. We often see this technique used in combination with a halo setting around the center gemstone, which gives the illusion of a bigger diamond, making it really stand out. It’s perfect for the bride-to-be who wants extra sparkle.


Vintage Glam. Old Hollywood glamour never goes out of style, even for fashion-forward celebrities like Jessica Biel, who’s newly sporting a stunning 6-carat, cushion cut ring from Justin Timberlake. New vintage-inspired rings combine romantic charm with the intricate metalwork of antique rings. Platinum is the metal of choice for these ornate rings.
Staying on top of engagement ring trends is a great first step to selecting the perfect ring, but be sure to take into account the bride-to-be’s personal style. This will show her that you took the time to find a ring as unique and special as she is.

-http://blastmagazine.com/