Time for our celebrity jewelry expert Michael O’Connor to wrap up the top 6 Hollywood’s hottest engagement ring trends of 2012!

They say whenever there are trends, there are counter-trends, style directions that differ vastly. That principle was especially prevalent this year in celebrity choices for engagement rings.  The hottest Hollywood engagement styles followed one, or the other, of two totally diverse style directions. The directions: Go Big or Get Romantic. Within those two directions few style trends were very evident.

RETRO

Photos via People

Avril Lavigne laid a definite claim in August, to Liz Taylor’s “go big” position when she said yes to boyfriend Chad Koeger as he popped the question with a platinum engagement ring featuring a huge 14-carat pear shaped diamond center.In fact, we haven’t even seen many pear shaped diamonds like this since Richard Burton proposed to Liz. The impressive ring contains side diamonds large enough to make most brides-to-be envious.

UNIQUE SHAPES

Photos via People

Angelina Jolie started out in first place early in the year but ended up in third place by the end.  She finally gave into Brad Pitt’s engagement proposals and flashed around a jaw-dropping engagement ring at a private LACMA art viewing in April. The large “tablet-shaped” diamond center is similar to an emerald-cut and is approximately 6 carats, sandwiched between diamond-set shoulders of similar cuts and sizes. The diamonds taper slightly smaller as the ring encircles the finger. According to the jeweler who designed the piece, the diamonds are “of the finest quality which took over a year to design and collect.”

THE RETURN OF THE RADIANT

Photos via InStyle

Not to be outdone, the “ex” Mrs. Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, said “yes” in October and became engaged to Justin Theroux who presented her a ring larger than Angelina’s. The ring has a statement-making 8 carat radiant-cut diamond in the center. Radiant cuts were very popular in the late 1900’s and are shaped with the elegant rectangular silhouette of an emerald cut, however, the faceting is much more complicated, giving the diamond more scintillation and sparkle.  Jennifer told People Magazine “I was impressed”, and who wouldn’t be. Justin apparently worked with Jennifer’s stylists on the choice of design.

HALO STYLE

Photos via TooFab

Leading the get romantic trend, Mario Lopez kicked off the new year by proposing to Courtney Mazza (girlfriend of 4 years and mother to his daughter) on New Years Eve with a 5 carat total-weight ring. The ring, set in platinum is designed in a romantic halo style with a round brilliant diamond center encircled by a collar of smaller diamonds (the halo) that extend around the finger, giving the ring a sparkling fairy-tale look.

BLACKENED/ANTIQUED SETTINGS

Photos via Brides

Jessica Biel revealed her new engagement ring from to Justin Timberlake in March. The ring, features a large radiant cut center diamond set into a romantic vintage style setting with scrolling rope sides finished in blackened platinum giving it an old-world treasure feeling.

VINTAGE STYLING

Photos via eonline

In June, Liam Hemsworth went to jeweler Neil Lane to create a romantically inspired engagement ring for when he popped the question to girlfriend Miley Cyrus. The result of the collaboration? A 3.5 carat cushion-cut diamond solitaire set into an intricately designed vintage style setting….plus a “yes” answer to his proposal.