Every Little Thing She Does is Magic!

Victoria & Christopher - Milestone Engagement

In January, we reached out to our clients and Facebook fans so they could share their milestones with us in our “Celebrate Your Memories” contest. Congratulations to Victoria and Christopher for being the winners of this contest and on your recent engagement! We’re very happy to celebrate with you!

Here is the winning submission from Victoria:

My boyfriend Christopher and I have been dating for almost 8 years now and we finally got engaged on December 22, 2012. First, let me say Christopher is my one true soul mate and I am truly lucky to have found him; the way he proposed to me was perfect, fun and memorable! Christopher’s brother Mark is in a band and they always put on a show around the holiday time. Sting is our favorite musician and Christopher decided to ask the band to learn one of our favorite songs, “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.” Without me knowing about it, they practiced in secret for over a month. On that wonderful night his brother Mark, the drummer, called us up to the stage area, then they started playing that song. I had to make things difficult because I didn’t want to go up front where the crowds of people were standing enjoying the show, but Christopher assured me everyone would make room for us and once we got up there we started dancing and enjoying the song. A few seconds later I started to realize everyone was watching us and even taking pictures of us, which made me think something was going to happen. The lead singer proceeded to sing Sting’s lyrics: “I resolved to call her up a thousand times a day and ask her if she’ll MARRY me in some old fashioned way.” Then when the lead singer said the word “MARRY,” the music stopped and Christopher proceeded to get down on one knee. He presented the most beautiful ring to me, a Maevona Eriskay design, rose gold and platinum engagement ring in a beautiful Michael C. Fina box! I then exclaimed, “Of course, yes, yes I will marry you,” and then the crowd cheered and clapped hands for us! It was a magical moment and I couldn’t be happier!

Here is Christopher’s story about their relationship:

Victoria and I have been together for nearly eight years. We both knew at first sight that we were looking at someone special, but just how special took a little bit longer to find out. I tried everything I could to win her over; I cooked dinners, baked sweets, and meet her friends and family. I just knew it would be worth it in the end. Eight years have flown by, and I only hope the rest of my life will slow down a little because I want to savor every moment with her.

We met very young, she had just graduated college and I was still in college, so we took things slow. We definitely wanted to be more financially stable before making a bigger commitment. I had been looking for the right time and perfect moment to propose, but things were never quite right… So I took things into my own hands and began to make a plan.

Victoria has very particular taste in jewelry and loves to be different, so I knew just any old gold band wouldn’t do! She had hinted a few years ago that she had liked this designer MaeVona, and even showed me some of her rings. I came to find out that designer was only in two stores in all of New York State, and one of them was Michael C. Fina. That’s when I got in touch with Sarah Schwartz at Michael C. Fina; she made everything really easy for me and worked with me for many weeks over the phone and in emails. I couldn’t make it into the store because of my two jobs and living over an hour and a half away in Riverhead out on Long Island. What little free time I had, I spent with Victoria and that made it even harder to surprise her with the ring! Sarah was great and explained everything about engagement rings to me, which was quite a task since I knew little to nothing!

Victoria and I met at one of my brother’s bands shows and it was pretty much love at first sight! I almost didn’t go to the show, but my close friend Amy said to stop being lazy “and who knows, you might meet the person you’ll marry.” She couldn’t have been even more right!

To pay homage to how we met, I felt the only way to propose would be at another one of my brother Mark’s shows. It took several months of planning and everyone who knew was so excited for the big night! I was scared since so many people knew, that Victoria might find out, but luckily it was a complete surprise! I wasn’t nervous about proposing but more nervous about keeping to Victoria next to my side for when the band would play our song! When that big moment came, everything went smoothly! I’ll remember that moment for the rest of my life!

We look forward to celebrating many more milestones with Victoria and Christopher!

The Knot Best of Weddings 2013

The Knot Best of Weddings 2013 Pick - Michael C. Fina

Michael C. Fina is pleased to announce that we have been selected as a 2013 winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, a special section featured on TheKnot.com/BOW. TheKnot.com is a number-one wedding destination, most trusted by brides.

The Knot Best of Weddings 2013 provides a “by brides, for brides” guide to the top wedding professionals across the country, and is a must-have when it comes to selecting the best-of-the-best wedding resources. Whether they’re trying to find the wedding dress salon with the best service in Philadelphia, the most creative wedding photographers in Los Angeles, New York’s top cake bakers or Miami’s hottest reception sites, engaged couples across the country want the inside scoop on the best from real brides.

Stop in today to see why brides have chosen Michael C. Fina! Also remember to add us a a favorite vendor on TheKnot.com!

Ready for the vacation of a lifetime?

Mi ta stima bo! That means “I love you” in Papiamento, Aruba’s native language – and there’s no better way to express your love this Valentine’s Day than to surprise your sweetie with beautiful jewelry and a romantic getaway to this One Happy Island, celebrated as one of the most revisited destinations in the Caribbean.

Beloved for its 83-degree, year-round temperature, refreshing east trade winds, diverse land/sea activities, historic attractions, authentic and flavor-rich island cuisine and, of course, world-famous sun-kissed sandy beaches, Aruba attracts happy pairs looking for a paradise retreat, dream destination wedding or unforgettable honeymoon. Learn more at www.aruba.com.

Purchase a piece of jewelry (fine or fashion, engagement rings, wedding bands) worth $500 or more in-store at Michael C. Fina between now and February 14, and you’ll have the opportunity to win a four-night / five-day trip for two (airfare included) to the beautiful Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa.

The AAA Four-Diamond Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa is a 15-acre oasis surrounded by fragrant gardens, exotic lagoons, and cascading waterfalls. This lush tropical haven features recently updated guest accommodations, each with private balcony and terrace, including Plaza Club rooms and suites. Dine at the award winning AAA Four-Diamond Sunset Grille or the themed buffets at Laguna. Splash in one of the two zero-entry free form pools and play in the casino. The Larimar Spa is a sanctuary for balancing the body and mind and features ten treatment rooms, a comprehensive menu of spa services and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Make sure to check out the property’s Romantic Escape Package, perfect for guests planning their dream honeymoon or lovers’ retreat to the One Happy Island in 2013. The luxurious package includes rooms up to 35% off, a bottle of champagne upon arrival, daily breakfast for two at Laguna Restaurant, a sunset sail for two, 50-minute couples massage at Larimar Spa and more!

Photographs courtesy of the Aruba Tourism Authority. Must be 18 or older to win.

Moving Sale!

Michael C. Fina Moving Sale

As you may have heard, Michael C. Fina will be moving to 500 Park Avenue in February. To help celebrate, we are having a moving sale! The sale is in-store only, so please stop by our current location (545 Fifth Avenue) to see what treasures we have for you! New items and designers are added every day!

The sale includes tableware, home decor, bath, and baby gifts…some wonderful select items from the top designers listed below. All up to 70% OFF!

Steuben

J. Seignolles

Valentino

Faberge

What will you bring home?

Dress Up in 2013

Michael C. Fina - Fashion Jewelry Trends 2013

Michael C. Fina is known for our bridal jewelry, but we also are experts on fashion jewelry. While some jewelry pieces remain classics and will be forever in style, most trends change year to year. We looked to celebrities and to the red carpet to see what’s going to be popular in 2013!

We sat down once again with Richard Wubnig, our manager and jewelry expert, to predict the top jewelry trends for 2013.

1. Emeralds – Pantone has named Emerald Green ( PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald) their Color of the Year for 2013. Pantone describes the color as a “lively, radiant, lush green” and we know that it will be the perfect addition to your wardrobe in 2013. We think that not only emeralds, but rather all green gemstones and hues will be big this year. Emeralds add just that right pop of color that can take a look from average to striking. Some of our favorites are this classic emerald and diamond pendant from Michael C. Fina and these bold yellow gold emerald drop earrings from Penny Preville‘s Leaf Collection.

2. Colored Statement Pieces – Big, bold pieces are all over the red carpet. You want to make a statement when you walk into a room and these pieces will certainly help you do it! These pieces are also perfect for adding that fun pop of color when you are trying to take a more neutral outfit from the office to a dinner date. We’re definitely going to see blues, greens, and pinks take over this year! We suggest trying this striking 18K gold and sterling pendant from Tacori’s City Lights Collection or these elegant 18K yellow gold and moonstone cluster earrings from Temple St. Clair‘s Moonstone Collection.

3. Back in Black – Black stones are going to be big this year, especially black diamonds. This twist on a classic started to become popular in 2012, but will take off in 2013. They contrast white diamonds and this really makes the pieces of jewelry pop! Black is extremely versatile, so women will love this trend because it can dress an outfit up or down depending on your mood. For a girl’s night out, slip on this 18K and sterling black onyx cuff from Tacori’s 18K925 Collection. Trying to impress your date? These 18K white gold black diamond hoops from Penny Preville will do the trick!

4. Personalize It – Personalized jewelry is something you can love now, and it is something that you and your family can love for generations. These personal pieces truly become your own and tell the story of your life. Jewelry from Heather Moore is perfect for marking all the special occasions in your life – births of your children, your anniversary, etc. You can customize every piece and add to it for years to come! Looking for something more simple? Initial pendants from KC Designs can be worn every day and even layered with other necklaces for a bigger look.

5. Stack ‘Em Up! – We love stacking all types of jewelry – bracelets, necklaces, rings – and we love seeing that this is becoming more and more popular with not only our customers, but our staff as well! When stacking jewelry, you can change your look every day – add a piece, take one away, wear them in a different order. This creates a look truly unique to each person and is perfect for creating looks on all different budgets. We also suggest mixing in colors and different metals when creating your signature look. Try layering these Temple St. Clair 18K yellow gold Olympian linked bangles with this 14K yellow gold pink sapphire beaded bracelet from Meira T. and this 18K and sterling London blue topaz bangle from Tacori’s 18K925 Collection for some seriously gorgeous arm candy.

How will you accessorize your life this year?

Celebrate Your Memories!

Michael C. Fina takes pride in being the perfect place to turn when celebrating life’s many milestones – both big and small. In 2012, we certainly had many to celebrate!

What milestones did you celebrate this year? An engagement? A wedding? A new home? A new baby?

We invite you share the pictures and the stories behind the milestone memories you made in 2012. Michael C. Fina will select a few favorites to feature on our blog and website. A grand prize winner will also be chosen to win a $250 Michael C. Fina gift certificate.

Please visit our Facebook page for more details and to enter.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Getting Married in 2013

Like engagement rings, we certainly know what we’re talking about when it comes to wedding bands. Discerning New Yorkers no longer just want the simple platinum or gold band. They want to be trendy. They want something unique. They want something to show their personality. They realize they want the best because this is something they will be wearing for the rest of their lives. That is why they come to Michael C. Fina.

Once again, we sat down with our manager and jewelry expert, Richard Wubnig. He predicts the wedding band trends for 2013. (Gentlemen, you’re included this time!)

1. Stackables (Her) – Stackable rings are fun. They tend to be on the thinner side, but that can vary. Women like to wear stackable bands because their husbands can continue to add to them year after year for babies, anniversaries, or just because! You can get bands with different color metals or different stones, which truly creates a look uniquely your own. By switching the order of your bands each day, you can change your style each day! These gorgeous rings are great for stacking and are by Michael C. Fina, Mark Patterson, and Alex Sepkus.

2. Alternate Colors (Him) - Men are moving away from the simple, plain bands of their fathers. They want something a little more unique, a little more modern. Rings with different colored metals, like carbon chrome or red gold, are becoming very popular with our male clients. Sarah Graham and Furrer-Jacot create rings just for men who are looking for something a little different.

3. Wider Bands (Her) – It’s no secret that most women love diamonds. And they want a lot of them. Many women are now choosing wider bands with multiple rows of diamonds for their wedding band. These women tend to choose to wear their engagement ring and wedding band separately, so they still want something substantial to wear on their left hand. There is certainly nothing wrong with something this sparkly, like this ring from Hearts On Fire!

4. Organic-Colored Metals (Her) – Some people are just looking for something a little different. They still like the classic looks of yellow or white gold, but don’t want something that looks like all of their friends’ rings. Many women are turning to metals that don’t have a high polish, but rather choosing rings that look a little more organic and have more of a matte finish. These yellow gold and white gold rings by Anne Sportun are perfect examples!

5. Multi-Shaped Diamond Bands (Her) – No one ever said you had to pick just one kind of diamond! Different shapes add a whole new dimension to your engagement ring and your overall bridal look. You’re supposed to smile when you look at your wedding band, so you should definitely have something fun and different! These rings from A. Jaffe and Tacori would be gorgeous additions to any engagement ring!

Will you be wearing one of these trends when you get married in 2013?

Our Favorite Things – Love

“If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaking suspicion… love actually is all around.”

The holidays are all about love. Love of family. Love of friends. Love of faith. Love of traditions. Give those close to you the gift of love this year. They’ll be able to keep these reminders with them every day.

Mark Patterson – Graffiti 18K Rose Gold “Love” Ring

Deakin & Francis – The Eccentric Sterling White & Black Enamel Love Cufflinks

Meira T. – Charm Necklaces 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Love Tag Necklace

Wishing you and your family a season of love.

Our Favorite Things – Sweet Tooth

“The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.”

Who doesn’t love candy? We certainly have a sweet tooth here and we’ve rounded up some of our favorite candy dishes. They’re perfect for when guests drop in during the holiday season!

Baccarat – Arabesque Candy Dish

Vintage Silver – Sterling Silver Bon Bon and Nut Dishes Foote Repousse Candy Dish

Waterford – Lismore Footed Candy Dish

View more home decor available at Michael C. Fina.

We’re Moving On Up!

“It was a romance that built up the business.” -Rose Fina

We are happy to announce that in February 2013, Michael C. Fina will be taking the next step in our 77-year evolution and will be moving to 500 Park Avenue and 59th Street. The company, originally a silver retailer, was founded in 1935 by Michael C. Fina and Rose Rosenblatt at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 47th Street. The store moved to its current location at 545 Fifth Avenue in 1998.

“Our retail experience is all about making the customer feel like part of our family and with that comes listening to what they want. As a result, we are moving to an exciting shopping area that caters to our core consumer,” said Steven Fina, president of Michael C. Fina. “Our new location will ensure that we continue to provide the best experience, service and products for the next 75 years.”

Still family-owned and operated by the Fina family, Michael C. Fina has spent decades helping New Yorkers celebrate their special moments and milestones – from engagements and weddings, to new homes and babies! Our new location will continue to carry a stunning variety of engagement rings, wedding bands, fine jewelry, tableware, home decor, and baby gifts from the designers you know and love.

We would like to thank all of our many loyal customers throughout the years and we look forward to the many more that will walk through our doors as we continue to grow and evolve in our new home!

Please flip through our 75th Anniversary book to learn more about the strong history of Michael C. Fina.