Celebrity couples get engaged all the time, and one of the first things star-watchers do is to take a gander at the finger bling involved! Gossip columns and Hollywood-centered blogs typically discuss how big the stone is, who designed the ring…and what kind of setting it has. In recent years, the trend seems to be pointing towards the halo setting (pave diamonds encircling a bigger stone) for newly engaged stars. Let’s take a look at some of the celebrities who favored the halo-set engagement ring, both onscreen and in real life.
Nicole Richie
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The former “The Simple Life” reality star wanted something not-so-simple on her finger when she got engaged to Joel Madden. It didn’t come as a surprise that the stylish celebrity worked with designers at Neil Lane to come up with a halo-set engagement ring for herself, but with a unique twist. Hers features a 4-carat central diamond surrounded by an octagonal halo of smaller stones.
Princess Diana
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The ring now rests on the finger of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, but in 1981, the 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a wreath of 14 diamonds once belonged to Lady Diana Spencer. Previously viewed with tragic symbolism in bridal jewelry because of the late Princess’ untimely death, this famous engagement ring went through a positive transformation when Prince William presented it to Catherine Middleton as he proposed to her in 2010.
Gwyneth Paltrow
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Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow wears a prizewinning engagement ring from Chris Martin: a bold yet classy halo-set Asscher cut diamond with an astounding clarity. It’s surrounded by smaller diamonds on a delicate looking wraparound band, and has been pegged by celebrity bling fans as an unparalleled look in rings.
Katherine Heigl
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Classically beautiful actress Katherine Heigl starred in some wedding-themed movies, so it was not unexpected for her fans to anticipate her own engagement ring. When she finally got it, it didn’t disappoint. Katherine’s three-carat, pear shaped diamond flanked by pave diamonds is a certified stunner.
Tags: Celebrity Fave, Engagement Ring, Halo-Set
Categories: Celebs, Engagement Rings, Rings, Style
Gents, are you getting ready to pop the question to that special girl in your life? Ladies, do you want to give your future fiance a nudge in the right direction regarding your engagement ring preference? Brilliance matches different kinds of engagement rings with different kinds of personality types for the perfect fit that will last a lifetime.
A yellow gold kind of girl?
Chances are, you have a vivacious personality and have a whirlwind of a social life. If you have a warm skin tone (you can check your wrist for greenish colored veins), yellow gold is your best bet for a great jewelry metal match. Natural blondes or redheads will also look great wearing engagement rings with yellow gold bands.
…or a white gold kind of girl?
White gold is a good choice for those who like their jewelry timeless and understated. It is also the best kind of precious metal color for people with cool skin tones (look for blue-toned veins on your wrist, or a rosy undertone to your skin). Skin that tans easily is considered cool-toned. A wardrobe filled with classically tailored clothes and not a lot of faddish ones will also go well with a white gold engagement ring.
Want a Princess-cut diamond?
The “Princess” part of this particular diamond cut should already be a giveaway. It is of a squarish shape, with corners angled to have maximum light refraction. The kind of sparkle which the Princess-cut engagement ring provides will definitely allow the wearer to feel like royalty. Princess-cut diamonds are also associated with independent, self-confident women.
Raving over the round diamond cut?
Considered the most classic diamond cut, a girl who likes her clothes, jewelry, and accessories transcending time and trends will most likely go for this kind of engagement ring. It is the diamond cut that typically make up the lion’s share of sales in many jewelry stores. In fact, any other kind of cut that isn’t a round-brilliant is also referred to as “fancy cut”. Ladies who have a warm, dependable, and friendly personality deserve a round diamond engagement ring.
Asking for an Asscher cut diamond?
The Asscher cut, invented in 1902, has a squarish shape almost similar to the emerald-cut. It also features cropped corners which gives it a sort of octagonal look. This is to ensure maximum clarity. Those who like vintage-looking jewelry will likely fall for the Asscher-cut diamond. Art Deco-inspired engagement rings feature this kind of diamond cut, and it will suit dramatic and flamboyant personality types.
Got a soft spot for the solitaire diamond?
The solitaire diamond engagement ring has been the preference of many newly-minted fiancees, and the gents who proposed to them, of course. This very popular setting has a quiet elegance that can withstand all sorts of jewelry fads. It features a single diamond, but the wearer’s personality can influence its carat weight, type of precious metal, shape, clarity, and other factors. However, those who lean towards sedate jewelry pieces and prefer dateless designs typically choose the solitaire setting.
Hello, halo!
The Halo diamond cut is fast becoming a favorite among celebrities and socialites. It features a center diamond with its own aura of smaller diamonds. While many may tend to think that more than one diamond on an engagement ring is ostentatious, a halo setting can also look classic, especially when worn with tailored clothes. It speaks of restrained, good taste as well as a preference for timeless luxuries in life.
Paving the way for a pave setting?
The pave setting for engagement rings are usually a hit with those who like the finer things in life, and have a keen eye for fashion. Small diamonds form a halo around a central stone, and go around the precious metal (as with paved stones on a path). High-profile future brides typically prefer this kind of setting, although more sedate versions of the pave engagement rings will also suit ladies who can appreciate its beauty.
Tags: Engagement Ring, Preference
Categories: Brilliance, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Gems, Rings
Getting ready to pop the question to that special someone? Brilliance has got your back with this helpful infographic on how to find that engagement ring that complements her unique style.
You can read up on important aspects of engagement ring buying via sections like budget factors, choice of metals, how to choose a diamond setting, choosing the diamond itself, diamond shapes, the surprise factor, making your purchase, and how to protect your purchase. Learning about these factors can guide you before you present the perfect ring to your bride-to-be, and to make the event truly an unforgettable one.
Click here for the full infographic: Engagement Ring Guide
Click here for the full infographic: Engagement Ring Guide
Tags: Engagement, Guide, Ring
Categories: Brilliance, Diamonds, Education, Engagement Rings, INFOGRAPHIC
Engagement rings hold the promise of a couple’s lifetime together. That an engagement ring should hold up and remain intact for a good portion of that lifetime is a must. When you’re out shopping for that special engagement ring, it’s good to make the setting a priority since it is essentially what will dictate the strength (and beauty) of the ring.
#1 The Tiffany Mount
Considered a classic and a favorite by many, the “Tiffany setting” was introduced by the famous jewelers Tiffany & Co. in 1886. It features six claws holding up a mount bearing a solitaire round, brilliant-cut diamond. This setting allows maximum brilliance as the diamond catches light, and the six prongs holding it up guarantees strength and durability through the years.
#2 The Trilogy or Three-Stone Setting
Three stones on an engagement band usually represent the couple’s past, present, and future. This is why a lot of couples opt for the trilogy setting, and also because it features a beautiful, timeless design. A main stone is chosen as the center, with two smaller ones flanking it in a horizontal placement. The precious stones are often chosen carefully together for their cut, clarity, and proportions to each other, so this setting typically takes some time to execute.
#3 The Smooth Bezel-Set
Those who have active lifestyles can definitely appreciate the inherent durability and flawlessness of the bezel-set engagement ring. Instead of being mounted on prongs, the round-cut diamond is embedded onto the ring itself, thus significantly reducing the possibility of losing the stone. A smooth bezel-set also looks great when paired with plain wedding bands of the same precious metal.
#4 The Square-Cut Setting
A square-cut diamond is dramatically held up using a table formed by two sweeping ends of the ring. The stone is usually large and has pride of place on the ring in a more modern “topper” design. It is another kind of setting that harmonizes well with plain bands or ones with small channel-set diamonds.
#5 The Classic Round-Channel Setting
Future brides who prefer a timeless engagement ring can take inspiration from the classic Tiffany mount, but with a more dazzling and sparkling twist. The “topper” diamond is still held in place by six prongs but is further enhanced by smaller round-cut diamonds in a channel setting on the band.
Tags: Engagement Ring, Settings
Categories: Engagement Rings, Rings, Style
A lovely blushing bride, a Southern-flavored bridal palette, a historic venue, and a Round-cut Halo Diamond Engagement Ring in Yellow Gold paired with a Halo Pave Diamond Wedding Ring in Yellow Gold make up the formula for a romantic, softly-hued watercolor of a wedding shoot.
Amalie Orrange Photography recently featured a creative photo shoot at the Cypress Grove Estate. The chosen vendors and coordinators came together for a fantastically gorgeous, Southern peach-inspired theme. From the wedding invitations to the place settings, through to the soft-petaled floral arrangements, bridal bouquet, and cake, the elements harmonized beautifully like a pastel painting. Hints of blush and mint with a touch of warm gold made the place and everything in it glow softly. The videographer was Key Moments Films, which featured the following clip of how the shoot and all the elements were arranged by the organizers and vendors.
Brilliance Corp, of course, had its shining moment in both the videos and photo shoot. The sparkling diamond engagement and wedding rings were professionally shot on their own and on the bride’s finger as she posed for the cameras. The soft gold of the band blended perfectly with the other elements, such as the mint-hued cake, scattered petals on the table’s surface, the blush flower bouquet, the custom stationery, the gold jars of peach preserves, crystal bottles and vases, delicate teacups, and crates of fresh peaches. The overall look and feel was fresh, balanced, delicate, and glowing…including the bride herself.
The photographers, videographer, key organizers and vendors stayed true to the Southern roots of the engaged couple. They took advantage of a beautifully lit day to come up with a muted yet romantic and unforgettable narrative of a bride’s anticipation of her wedding day.
See more photos below
Tags: Cypress Grove Estate, Halo Diamond Engagement Ring, Halo Pave Diamond Wedding Ring, Southern Wedding
Categories: Engagement Rings, Style, Weddings
An anonymous bidder now owns a sparkling piece of history: an 18th century blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring previously owned by Josephine, the fiancee of Napoleon.
While it didn’t fetch as much as contemporary celebrity jewelry pieces (such as those of Elizabeth Taylor’s) in auctions, the teardrop-shaped toi et moi ring nevertheless cost the winning bidder a pretty penny: $949,000 to be exact. French auction house Osenat revealed that they opened the bidding at 10,000 euros, and in just fifteen minutes, it went under the hammer to the tune of 730,000 euros and to tremendous applause.
Days before the auction took place, the double-gem engagement ring set in gold (each stone weighed a little under a carat) was already creating a buzz among bidders and jewelry fanatics. Interest in the ring kept the auction house’s phone ringing off the hook by international bidders, adding to the estimated 300 people who attended the actual bidding in Osenat. The Fontainebleau-based auctioned house gave a market value estimate of the ring in their catalog, but did not include the historical premium brought on by the fact that the ring was, in fact, given to Josephine by Napoleon when he asked for her hand in marriage.
However, the day of the auction was nothing short of historically significant: the sale happened on what should have been Josephine’s 250th birthday.
Jean-Christophe Chataignier of Osenat reports that while the ring does not look as impressive as many other historical pieces of jewelry, the story behind it gives it a precious patina. “At the time Napoleon was a young and promising officer, but he was not rich. He must have broken his wallet to buy this quality ring,” he said in an interview with ABC News.
Tags: Engagement Ring, Josephine, Napoleon
Categories: Engagement Rings, News
They are fast becoming trendy among men; engagement rings, that is. Credit it to being fashion-forward, or maybe to the desire to have a symbol of prenuptial commitment they can actually wear and flaunt. The bottom line is, the stereotypical “proposal” landscape is being slowly altered by the presence of men’s engagement rings (and fiancees who presented said rings and did the proposing). Let’s take a look at some of the most popular engagement ring styles for men in the past few years.
Plain bands with small embedded diamonds or stones
Similar in form to a wedding band, many “mangagement” rings have a round shape and little to no precious stone ornamentation. However, in keeping with the diamond tradition associated with proposals, small ones are typically embedded in the band instead of the more feminine topper. In recent years, more males are shown to have more confidence in wearing diamonds and other precious stones on their rings, as long as they are not of out-sized proportions and have strong settings.
Sturdier precious metals instead of softer, more pliable ones
Men who have active lifestyles are typically not inclined to wearing rings, especially those with fragile settings. The advent of mangagement rings, however, has had engaged men adjusting to how they can wear their prenuptial finger bling without damaging them. The practical solution: go for precious metals that are more durable than the usual ones for rings. Titanium is one such metal: it is virtually indestructible, medical-grade, and hypoallergenic, to boot. Platinum is also a good choice, although it is quite expensive and requires a bit of buffing every now and then to get rid of slight nicks and scratches.
Personal engravings, patterns, and symbols
Wearing an engagement ring is a personal and long-term act, so it’s only fitting to have significant text or symbols engraved on it. The date of the engagement, the names of the engaged couple, a favorite line from a poem, song, or film, and other important details can be engraved within or on the band itself. The same goes for symbols: many geeky couples incorporate such things as coordinates of their future wedding venue, or favorite superhero logos, for instance. As well, those who have artistic inclinations may have preferred patterns they want to integrate into their his-and-hers engagement rings.
Hard-edged, angular bands
To add an “edgy” (pun unintended) look to their engagement bands, a lot of men are opting to wear angular ones. Angular edge rings usually have a perfectly round center for a comfortable fit, and very fine cut edges to give a distinctive look. Many of these are created from a combination of precious metals.
Tags: Engagement Rings, Styles for Men
Categories: Engagement Rings
These days, more and more brides-to-be are deciding to have colored birthstones on their engagement rings to go with the customary diamond. It’s a fresh, meaningful, sentimental, and very personal take on this piece of jewelry that symbolizes commitment. Let’s take a look at some of the best reasons couples give for incorporating birthstones on engagement rings.
A ring that exudes warmth and charm
While a diamond is undoubtedly beautiful and is expected to become an heirloom for its durability and timelessness, many couples feel that adding a splash of birthstone color, gives it a more personal meaning. Gems with bright, bold hues such as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds exude warmth and personality. People who know and love the precious stones representing their birthdays and anniversaries seem to naturally gravitate towards the color of these stones for their clothing and other possessions. An engagement ring bearing a birthstone to complement the traditional diamond celebrates the color and meaning that come with it.
When Jessica Simpson got engaged to Eric Johnson a few years ago, many took note of her dazzling and very non-traditional ruby gemstone and diamond engagement ring. It featured three precious stones: a large ruby in the middle, with two diamonds flanking it.
Celebrating two milestones in one
Many wedding speeches uttered between a bride and a groom have to do with blessing the day the other was born. A sentimental and significant gesture would be to combine the couple’s birthstones on one ring to emphasize that two lives are now joined together for eternity. Emeralds paired with garnets, sapphires with diamonds, a ruby with a topaz, and other combinations of precious stones can really add significance to the engagement ring you will be wearing. It is best to consult with an expert jewelry maker to get the best settings for your birthstones so that you end up with a ring that is not only eloquent, but utterly aesthetic in every sense, as well.
A colorful timeline
Apart from their respective birthdays, a couple can have plenty of milestones to celebrate together. Birthstones have their own months to represent, so they can become colorful “markers” on an engagement ring which can act as a timeline leading up to the big day. If you want to do this, think back on the day and month of your first meeting, first kiss, the day of your proposal, your anticipated wedding date, and other important milestones you share as a couple. It will take time and a lot of effort to execute, but once you get it custom made, you will have on your finger an engagement ring that nobody else has because it is truly yours.
Even prominent couples have integrated birthstones into their engagement rings. For his lovely future bride and future First Lady of the United States, JFK presented an emerald ring surrounded by 2.88 carats of diamonds when the latter proposed to the former. It was speculated that the emerald represented the month of May, the very month when they were first introduced to each other at a party.
To shop our wide selection of exquisite Gemstone Engagement Rings, please click here: Gemstone Engagement Rings at Brilliance
Tags: Birthstones, Engagement Rings, Gems, Jewelry News
Categories: Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Gems
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