Liz Taylor's Jewelry Auction

One of the last starlets of old Hollywood, Elizabeth Taylor, is auctioning 80 notable pieces from her private jewelry collection. Employees at Christie's New York have emphasized that Taylor's collection is so well-appointed because of her love and knowledge of fine jewelry. She has millions of dollars worth of jewelry, but she only spent it on the best of the best.


Some of the pieces that will be up for auction are:





An 8 carat ruby and diamond Van Cleef & Arpels ring. The ring was a gift from then-husband Richard Burton for Christmas in 1968. It's projected to bring $1-1.5 million at auction.









This stunning ring is a 33 carat (yes, 33 carats!), D color, VS1, internally flawless diamond, another gift from Richard Burton. Being called The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, it's expected to bring $2.5-3.5 million.







A more unique piece from Taylor's collection is the Taj Mahal Diamond (circa 1627!), on a gold and ruby chain from Cartier. This necklace was a 40th birthday gift to Taylor from, of course, Richard Burton. It's estimated to bring $300-500,000 at auction.













A portion of the proceeds from Taylor's auction (being held in December) will be donated to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDs Foundation.

David Yurman and Ippolita Rule the Blue Carpet

At this year's Teen Choice Awards, the Hollywood 20-somethings let their gorgeous dresses and sparkling designer jewelry do all the talking. Nina Dobrev from True Blood and Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars (both of whom took home awards) stood out in some beautiful jewelry that you can find right at your local Fink's!

Lucy wore an amazingly detailed black and white sequin dress. To accent the black, Lucy wore David Yurman's Midnight Melange black diamond drop earrings. The unique design sparkled and stood out with competing with her dress.

Nina Dobrev went for something a little less flashy with her cute blue checkered dress that was tailored in all the right places. To give the outfit a little oomph, she accesorized with Ippolita jewelry from head to toe. She kept the earrings simple with Ippolita's stud earrings in Sky. For her wrists, she upped the ante by stacking bangles from the Glamazon and Rock Candy collections.

Customer Spotlight: Anthony & Janaya

Today, we're going to do things a little differently. We're going to let one of our engagement ring couples tell you their Fink's story first hand, along with all of the exciting details of the proposal and engagement. Take notes, because this husband-to-be did a fantastic job! Special thanks to sales associate Rhonda at Chesterfield Towne Center for helping Anthony find the perfect ring, and for putting us in touch with this adorable couple! Here's Anthony and Janaya's update to Rhonda.

"Rhonda,

She absolutely LOVED it! That thing is shining so bright. The brilliance and fire are amazing! You are correct, you did have the jeweler clean it VERY well.

Here is her story about the proposal from her...

'I know you all have been waiting for details! So it all started yesterday... Anthony and I had been planning to go out for my promotion dinner for my new job, so I was under the impression that that was why we were headed out to a nice dinner. At dinner, he gave me a 20 question quiz... at the dinner table. It was set up and printed out and he asked me 20 fun questions about our relationship and memories we have had and things we had done together. He told me this was for a scrapbook of memories and places that we could have later on in life to remember our good times.

So, after dinner he told me we were going to take pictures of a few other places that were memorable. We stopped by some places and took pictures real quick. The last one was the art museum across from his apartment. We parked near the museum and went up near the back where the fountain was to take the last picture of one of our fun memories. We went up to the fountain and he had two pennies. He said, 'Close your eyes and make a wish,' and said that he would do the same. We each wished that God would allow us to have a healthy, happy marriage and children. We walked further down to another area and he suggested we make another wish. I closed my eyes and made my wish, and when I opened them, he was on one knee with the ring in his hand asked me to marry him! Of course I said YES!! When we got back to his place, I open the apartment door and 30 of our friends and family yell SURPRISE! The evening was absolutely perfect.' "

Congratulations Anthony and Janaya!

The Engagement Ring with its own Gravitational Pull

If you were ever under the impression that your engagement ring is big, you can go ahead and let that go, because Kim Kardashian and fiance Kris Humphries have outdone us all. Kim and Kris anounced their engagement last week on the cover of People magazine. Kim says she was so surprised and wasn't expecting anything. When Kim came home that day, Kris was waiting for her with "Will you marry me?" spelled out in rose petals, holding out a diamond the size of a Volkswagen Cabrio.


Kim and Kris met in New York City and have been dating for about 6 months. Kris is a forward for the New Jersey Nets and met Kim while she was in New York opening up a new Dash store and filming Kourtney and Kim Take New York.


As far as the ring goes, Kris said, "I just knew I wanted it to be big." Well, mission accomplished, buddy. The ring, a custom design from Lorraine Schwartz, features a 16.5 carat center stone, flanked by 2 side stones, each 2 carats, for a grand total of 20.5 total carats, set in platinum.


Rumor has it that Kris picked 2 bible verses that are of particular importance to the couple and had them etched on the inside of each side stone. The ring in total is estimated to have cost about $2 million!



Congratulations to another happy couple!

All Paul McCartney Needs is Love

Legendary Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has surprised the world by proposing to his longtime acquaintance and girlfriend of four years, Nancy Shevell. The two have known each other for quite sometime, meeting years ago in the Hamptons where they each own homes.

Many were surprised to see McCartney heading down the aisle again, in the wake of his nightmareish divorce from Heather Mills. That's not the most surprising part, though. Despite his $24 million mistake of foregoing a prenup with Heather Mills, McCartney is not getting one with Shevell, either. However, Shevell is rich in her own right, being the Vice President of her father's $500 million trucking business. Shevell also happens to be the cousin of reporter Barbara Walters.

Now, on to the important details... that ring! The enourmous engagement ring that Shevell is now sporting is rumored to have cost $650,000! The ring features a round brilliant center stone, set in platinum. As more details emerge about the ring, we'll be sure to keep you updated!

The Rundown: Royal Wedding Jewelery

The Royal Wedding is finally over. While some are happy to see the coverage wind down, some of us are still seeking out more details about the lavish affair. The most important of these details? The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding jewels, of course! Here are the details of her most amazing pieces.



1. Earrings
Her Royal Highness' earrings were a wedding gift from her parents, a custom design by London boutique jeweler Robinson Pelham. The earrings feature diamond pave oak leaves with a pear-shaped diamond set drop, and a pave set diamond acorn suspended in the center. The acorn has long been a symbol of luck, prosperity, youthfulness, and power, all of which Catherine will need!


2. Tiara
The tiara Catherine wore on her wedding day was a loaner from Queen Elizabeth II, William's grandmother. It was made by Cartier in 1936, comissioned by King George VI for his wife Elizabeth, who later passed it to her daughter (Queen Elizabeth II, who was Princess Elizabeth at the time) on her 18th birthday. The tiara, called the Halo Tiara, is set in platinum and made from baguette cut diamonds.


3. Wedding Ring
Though Prince William has declined to wear a wedding ring (!!!), saying he doesn't fancy jewelry, he still made sure his new bride had the perfect ring. Her wedding ring was made from a piece of Welsh gold, given to William by QEII. Wartski, the same goldsmith who fashioned Camilla and Charles' wedding rings, made the ring.

New for Spring from John Hardy

This spring, John Hardy releases the newest addition to the popular Kali collection. This new collection, called Kali Arus, uses the smoothed river rock design of the original Kali motif and blends it with the organic shape of Bali's flowing rivers and streams. The high-polished silver of the stone pattern is contrasted with the deep oxidation in the grooves between stones, resulting in a beautifully simple yet stunning piece that speaks volumes about the Balinese home that it was inspired by.

This set of two stackable rings personifies the Kali Arus collection. Each has its own shape, yet they fit perfectly together, just like the pebbles that line the river beds of Bali. Set of two - $295

These slim hoop earrings have the same gentle undulation as the quiet streams of Bali, yet still make a beautiful statement with designs on both the inside and outside of the hoop. $395

Unlike the stackable rings and hoop earrings, this drop necklace makes a more powerful statement. While the same smoothness and flow is felt in the design, the size and shape pay tribute to the true power of the waters of Bali.

Like the set of rings, this set of 3 bangles is stackable. Worn separately, one bangle ads a simple and quiet refinement, but worn together, all three bangles make a beautiful yet bold statement piece. Set of 3 - $595

The Kali Arus collection from John Hardy will be available in all stores by Tuesday, March 29th!

Top Trends: 2011 Academy Awards

The Oscars is known for being the awards season closer; the biggest, the best, and definitely the most glamourous. Let's take a look at the 3 biggest jewelry trends that were seen on the 2011 Oscars red carpet.



Playful Jewelry

Natalie Portman's tassel earrings were a bold statement piece that more than made up for her bare neckline, and the eye catching movement kept everyone's attention. These beaded tassel earrings from Honora come in a variety of colors, and they're sure to bring a little extra fun to any evening out! Come see them in person at one of our 17 stores, or check them out at http://www.honora.com/!
Image by Honora.

LA: The New Emerald City

There was no shortage of color on the red carpet last night, and emerald was definitely favored by all attendees. Reese Witherspoon sported stunning emerald drop earrings and matching ring, and Amy Adams wore a bold emerald drop necklace against her deep sapphire gown. Fink's has emerald styles that range from the simplest studs, to unforgettable show stoppers, like the emerald and diamond ring shown at left.

Classic Diamonds & Gold

Despite all the kicky styles and colors, some stars kept it simple without sacrificing any of the wow factor. Jennfier Hudson managed to support more than 1000 total carats of diamonds on her tiny new body, including a classic tennis bracelet. Teen queen Selena Gomez wore a gold and diamond cuff bracelet, similar to the Roberto Coin Granada bracelet, featured to the right. You'll never go wrong when you stick to the classics!

It's Diamond Dash Season!

Spring is upon us and summer is just around the corner and that means... time to start rolling out the Diamond Dashes! Maybe you particpated last year in the Roanoke or Richmond Diamond Dash, or maybe you're new to the idea and would love to know what all the fuss is about. Either way, you've come to the right place, because I'm going to explain what a Diamond Dash is, how you play, and what you can win!


First off, you should know that we'll be hosting Diamond Dashes in Norfolk, Charlottesville, Greensboro, Charlotte, Fredericksburg, Roanoke, and Richmond! Whew! That will give YOU plenty of chances to hone your skills with your partner, and compete to win this $15,000 Ritani diamond ring!


Now that you know what's at stake, let me give you a little background info. A Diamond Dash is a text message based scavenger hunt. Couples are asked to go online and submit their love story telling us why they deserve the chance to win this gorgeous Ritani diamond ring! From these entries, the best couples will be chosen to compete in the scavenger hunt. Once you're chosen, you'll receive details about the kick off location and after party. At the after party, which happens immediately after the scavenger hunt, you'll get to refuel with some free food and water, and find out who won the most points, making them the winner! No matter what, every couple will walk away with a fabulous coupon book from Fink's and our sponsors, and a free t shirt. We hope to see you at one (or all!) of our Diamond Dashes!


For more info, visit http://www.finks.com/ and click "locations" and "events".

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Everyone says that wives and girlfriends are easy to shop for; after all, girls love jewelry, and there's practically an infinite amount to choose from, right? Wrong. Don't forget boys, all that glitters is not gold, and no girl wants to wake up on February 15th with a green neck or finger! But don't worry, you've come to the right place, because we've got the perfect Valentine's Day shopping list for the discerning shopper on any budget!




This Roberto Coin 18k white gold heart pendant is perfect for the girl who appreciates elegant simplicity. This necklace will go with any outfit, so she can always have your heart with her. $260 (Available in a variety of styles, and in 18k yellow gold).





Fun and playful with a sense of refinement, this John Hardy bamboo heart charm bracelet is for the young or young at heart. The bracelet is sterling silver, and is available with pink, black, or white gems. $395






If your Valentine likes a little variety, this David Yurman stackable diamond heart ring is just the ticket. This ring can be stacked with other Yurman styles or worn on its own, so whether she feels like a little sparkle or a lot, she's got options. Available with a heart, clover, or oval. $295





This colorful and classy 60" Honora pearl necklace with bright gemstones can be worn long, or doubled up for a short look, and it's sure to add a little flair to any outfit! $225

Other Honora styles, including earrings sets, start at just $50!

With the perfect little promise ring, we promise this will be a Valentine's Day she'll never forget. This ring represents a promise of love, fidelity, and a future together. Available in 14k white gold or two tone (14k yellow and white gold), with a .10-.15 carat diamond. The pictured style features a .10 carat diamond set in 14k white gold, for $375. (Varying styles range from $375-$475).

Sparkling Celebs at the Golden Globes

This year's Golden Globes red carpet was better than ever. There were some surprises, like January Jones' risque yet elegant red cutout dress from Versace. There were also some things that didn't surprise us at all, like Helena Bonham Carter wearing two different colored shoes. One thing you can always expect on the red carpet, however, is amazing jewelry.

Sarah Hyland from Modern Family made a statement with a gorgeous 50 karat diamond and pearl collar necklace from Mikimoto. The gold South Sea pearls compliment her dress, by Max Azria.

Mikimoto is known for being the premier producer of the world's finest cultured pearls. Their exceptional design, paired with the quality of their craftsmansip, is known the world over. Mikimoto is available at Fink's Jewelers both in store and online. We carry everything from the simplest set of studs for the beginner, to intricate Black South Sea lariat necklaces with diamonds. As Sarah knows, Mikimoto always makes a statement, and Fink's can help you find yours!

Sarah wasn't the only star sporting a Fink's brand last night; news correspondant for E! and reality sweetheart Giuliana Rancic was spotted wearing Ippolita Super Tear Drop earrings in Mother of Pearl, from the Wonderland Collection.

Ippolita, like Giuliana, is Italian. The brand is known for it's playful whimsy, colorful stones, and sculptural design elements. Ippolita's collections include a multitude of stones and metals, like smoky quartz, amethyst, blue topaz, mother of pearl, and more. Each of her designs are available in a variety of these stones, so there's a color and style for everyone. Guiliana's earrings start at $895, but smaller versions start at just $295, so you can have a lot of look without spending a lot!

If you have questions about any of the designers or styles featured in this blog, please don't hesitate to contact your local Fink's store, or visit us online (especially since not every Fink's store carries Ippolita) at http://www.finks.com/. We're always happy to send pictures, help you make an online purchase, or answer any questions!

New Year Engagement News!

Reese Witherspoon is known for a lot of things: her always-hit movies, her fabulous hair, her easy Southern charm, and now, her amazing 4 carat Ashoka diamond engagement ring by William Goldberg (available at Fink's!).


Jim Toth, an agent, and Reese started dating almost a year ago and have been inseperable ever since. When Jim decided he was ready to pop the question, which he did over the holidays, he knew he wanted something unique, rare, and beautiful, just like Reese. Ashoka diamonds are prized for their exceptional beauty and rarity. They can only be cut from rough diamonds that are at least 3 carats, and only 10% are good enough to carry the Ashoka name.


Speaking of the name, "Ashoka" has a namesake, in the form of an ancient Hindu warrior-emperor named Ashoka Maurya, who possesed a 41 carat flawless diamond. During his rule, Ashoka experienced a reawakening in 262 BC that prompted him to promote harmony, respect, and compassion as the only path for his people.


Reese's Ashoka diamond ring features a 4 carat center stone and a platinum band with pave diamonds (left).


Similar styles available Fink's* include the 3-stone ring on the right. The center stone is .71 carats, and the side stones and pave diamonds in the band total .81 carats. With 1.52 total carat weight, it may not be as big as Reese's, but you can be sure that the diamond is just as perfect!

The 3-stone ring retails for $9,450.

* Ashoka by William Goldberg is available at the following Fink's locations: Dulles Town Center in Northern Virginia, our Flagship store on 419 at Colonial Avenue in Roanoke, Short Pump Town Center in Richmond, and SouthPark Mall in Charlotte, NC.