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.

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.

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Gossip sites are abuzz with the petite star’s appearance at an ABC party last Tuesday, wearing a sizable sparkler on her right hand. Now, this is where the confusion sets in because:

A) Hayden has yet to officially announce whether or not she is, in fact, engaged to Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko; and

Still, the glow on her face and the glitter on her ring finger give off the impression of a young woman who is very much in love. Three rows of diamonds on a thick platinum band graced the Heroes alumna’s finger, sending tongues a-wagging that the rumored April engagement to her boyfriend is definitely real.

Another item to add to the simmering engagement speculation pot? Her sweetie is from Ukraine, where the custom for engaged and married women is to wear their rings on their right hand!

The couple’s on again-off again relationship notwithstanding, the two were seen cuddling up to each other a lot during the Upfronts party in New York earlier this week (no mean feat, given their height difference). So whether or not congratulations are in order, we wish the winsome Nashville star and her boyfriend all the best!

For your own custom celebrity inspired engagement ring please visit us at Brilliance.com, or call one of our diamond and jewelry experts at 866.737.0754 to get the ball rolling on your own celebrity inspired engagement ring!

Just this February, we featured an article describing the most daring diamond heist that took place in recent history, at a Brussels airport. The high profile theft took just about three minutes to execute, prompting people to describe it as the real-life version of the Ocean’s Eleven movie script.

…except there doesn’t seem to be a happy Hollywood ending to the culprits of the $50-million Brussels heist.

For several months, there seemed to be no lead to the near-flawless crime (nobody was injured during the heist, which went off like clockwork), until it was announced this week that at least thirty-one people suspected to be involved in the robber were put under arrest. Simultaneous police operations in three nations yielded at least one suspect from France who is believed to be part of the actual robbery, with several others from Geneva and Brussels in still unnamed roles.

Police also found proof that a large amount of the diamonds that were stolen were hidden in Switzerland, while cash and several luxury cars resulting from possible sales of the diamonds were discovered in Belgium. The monumental three-nation sweep involved around 250 policemen and 40 house searches after several months of careful investigation. Authorities, however, are still keeping mum about details of the operations, except to issue a statement in Geneva that “a very important quantity of diamonds was seized during the sweep.” Spokespersons also told the press that at least ten of the detained suspects in Belgium have criminal records.

Who knew a grunge-era frontman can wield a ukulele and sing with enough sentimentality worthy of a bridal march? If you are tired of the “Here Comes the Bride” red carpet route, consider something that is simple, with words that echo how you and your future spouse feel about each other…and one that will make you glow even more with love on your wedding day. Eddie Vedder’s song is short enough for a walk down the aisle, and his words are like vows themselves:

“I’ll land in your arms
’cause all my time is spent here
longing to belong
to you”

“There’s wind that blows in from the north.
And it says that loving takes this course.
Come here. Come here.”

Kath Bloom’s song was chosen to be part of the 1995 romantic film “Before Sunrise”. Director Richard Linklater’s discovery of an obscure American songwriter and musician inadvertently gave way to a song fit for an exchange of wedding vows. In fact, many indie musicians found “Come Here” resonated with them so much that they created a tribute album for Kath in 2009 called “Loving Takes This Course”.

When the officiant proclaims you as “…man and wife” and urges your husband to “kiss the bride”, this song can capture the moment perfectly. “I feel so wonderful, wonderful, wonderful the way I feel” cannot be emphasized enough, and it doesn’t hurt that the band sings the line so emphatically and so emotionally.

The Icelandic band Sigur Ros created this song which means “jumping into puddles”. While it has no discernible English words to relate to, a lot of television programs in English have chosen it as a background theme, closing credits, awarding accompaniment, and other moments that introduced it to a mainstream audience. The sweeping music fills one with hope, and flawlessly fills in that space when a newly married couple exits the wedding venue as one.

The dreamy dual vocals of Stars can welcome the newly married couple into the reception venue in an upbeat way. It is a short song, but filled with words that echo the sentiments of marriage: “I just want your past
I just want you now”, and “I’m a knot but I’m never alone, I’m a knot that’s smiling filled with hope” are beautiful words to walk in to, hand in hand.

Another hope-filled song perfect that is ideal to dance to, Sparkplug Minuet embodies hope and joy without being cliché with unnecessary words. Absolutely perfect for a couple’s first, most memorable dance, in short.

Want something truly unique and unforgettable to mark that special day with your special someone?

Brilliance has come up with the Curved Diamond Wedding Ring in White Gold just for you!

A gently curving white gold band is studded with a total of twenty-three round cut diamonds in a pave setting. The total diamond weight is ¼ carat, with a choice of 14K or 18K white gold band. It’s a quirky yet very elegant way to say “I do” to your loved one!

Like this wedding ring? You can browse our entire collection of wedding rings here: Women’s Wedding Rings

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In this day of instant uploading and gratification, your wedding should not be lacking in beautiful memories caught on cam. They don’t all have to be sleekly or professionally done! Most of the time, candid moments caught by those who really know and care for the couple are the best ones.

So how do you get your wedding guests to take pictures of your cherished moments without nagging them?

Request several people to be on the look-out for picture-perfect moments

Your best friend, your favorite cousin, a doting sibling or uncle…anyone who has a good eye, a decent camera, and cares about you enough to capture your special day with special snapshots can be called upon to do so. Ask them a few weeks before your wedding to take those pictures that are unexpected, will warm the heart, and have that patina of being lovingly captured. Just make sure that they do not have major roles to play during your wedding, so that they don’t have to multi-task and get distracted.

Put a special request note beside their place cards during the reception

More often than not, wedding guests will be willing to pitch in to make your big day more unforgettable. During the reception, why not put a special request card on each place setting requesting to take pictures and send them to you? Another alternative would be to provide the URL of a photo sharing account you’ve created expressly for your wedding pictures.

Encourage online sharing via a photo app

It is safe to expect that majority of your guests will be using smartphones or handheld devices to take pictures of your wedding, instead of using bulky digital cameras. You can encourage guests to download handy apps like the Wedding Party App in the invitation. A special picture app automatically uploads your wedding photos in chronological order. This way, you get an instant timeline of your wedding through the eyes of your guests! These kinds of apps allow free and easy hi-res downloading and personalized touches, too.

Have guests upload photos in one online album

As mentioned, creating an account in a photo-sharing website is a must (Flickr and Picasa are some good examples) before your big day. You can then give the URL to guests via special request cards, or announce it on social network pages. You have the option to approve the pictures submitted before they get uploaded, so as to save you from potentially embarrassing scenes.

Based on how they reflected real life situations and how they managed to solicit laughter ‘til our bellies ached, here are some memorable sitcom couples through the years:

Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (I Love Lucy)

Played by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, they are probably the most recognizable couple in the history of situation comedy. Lucy’s never ending quest to get into show business saw her getting into crazy situations. Ricky, with his no non-sense stance, posed as the perfect counterpart to Lucy’s outrageous ideas. Even if Lucille and Desi parted ways in real life, the show’s winning comedic formula endures to this day. Yup, just saying “vitameatavegamin” is enough to reap chuckles.

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Roseanne and Dan Conner (Roseanne)

As the anti-thesis to the well-to-do Huxtables and other sitcom families, the Conners were able to relate to a wider audience. Always struggling with how to make ends meet, Roseanne and Dan sustained that old romantic notion that “love is all you need”. Like everyone else, the couple went through difficult times but their commitment to each shone through. The show’s finale may be a tad too lazy but you have to admit, you didn’t see that coming, did you?

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Diane Chambers and Sam Malone (Cheers)

When it comes to sitcom characters, there’s nothing like a Diane Chambers to bring up a host of strong feelings. Whether you belong to Team Diane or not, there’s no denying that the chemistry between Diane and Sam is one of the most intense to ever hit the TV screens. Diane’s histrionics and Sam’s cool reserve made for comedic gold; and the encounters gained extra depth when Dr. Frasier Crane joined the fray.

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Sally Solomon and Officer Don Orville (3rd Rock From The Sun)

Sadly, 3rd Rock from the Sun does not seem to get as much attention as other 90s sitcoms do. It’s a shame because this comedy series brilliantly captured the idiosyncrasies of being human without being too preachy. With their peculiar trademark humor, the show expressed that outward physical appearances don’t matter and what’s vital is the type of person you are inside. Through strong, stunning and Amazonian-like Sally, pudgy cop Don, and their laugh-out-loud melodramatics, 3rd Rock from the Sun presented a compelling study of human relationships better than what Friends did.

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Homer and Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)

A list on sitcom couples won’t be complete without these two. What makes them so effective and charming is that Homer and Marge have stayed together through thick and thin. As we all know, Homer isn’t exactly picture perfect and Marge has her weak moments as well. Nevertheless, from the tyranny of a glass bubble and Marge’s gambling addiction, the couple managed to dodge what the writers has to offer. And for the past 24 years too!

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These sitcom couples are unforgettable mainly because they embody our ideals. Sure, some of the relationships and characters here are far from idyllic but the way they’ve mirrored our own situations, hope, and fantasies resonate quite well.

Besides, spending a lazy weekend with re-runs of these shows is a neat way to spend quality time with your partner.

Real life is more captivating than fiction however and what follows is a list of real people – real couples that in some form or another, helped shape history. As such, their stories transcend through time and have never failed to inspire romantics for generations.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

Queen Victoria is famous for a lot of things but what could be more fabled than her forty year morning period for her beloved Prince Albert.

As many historians have noted, the Queen was so enamoured by the Prince. During her reign, she even relied on him for advice, particularly in matters of diplomacy. When Prince Albert died in 1861, Queen Victoria was inconsolable and greatly lived in seclusion. Her isolation weakened the monarchy and it was only through the persuasion of her minister, that she again went back to the public eye and regained her role as Queen. Still, Queen Victoria continued to wear black and grieved for her husband ‘til her own death in 1901.

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Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal

The driving force behind to what is considered to be the most romantic building in the world, the Taj Mahal, is Shah Jahan. It was upon the death of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, that Shah Jahan ordered the construction of her mausoleum. Built entirely of white marble and inlaid with precious stones, the Taj Mahal proved to be a fitting testament to the undying power of love.

Unfortunately, Shah Jahan was never able to set foot in the mausoleum as he was put under house arrest by his ambitious son shortly before its completion.

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Napoleon and Josephine

In a recent auction, the modest sapphire and diamond engagement ring Napoleon bought for Josephine fetched at $949,000. The ring may be quite simple but it is teeming with history. A history – wrought by infidelity, ambition, divorce, heartache, and love.

The Emperor and the Empress did not necessarily have an impeccable relationship but it is because of their undying friendship, their passionate love letters, and Napoleon’s last words that made their story so endearing.

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Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson

British royalty again takes centerstage with Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. In the 1930’s, Britain suffered a crisis in the monarchy when the ruling king fell in love with a thrice divorced American. For moral and constitutional reasons, the Cabinet objected to the King’s request to marry Wallis Simpson. Refusing to leave the woman he loves, Edward VIII abdicated and made history with the speech, “I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.”

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Bonnie and Clyde

Not exactly the picture of a picture perfect romance but the audacity of the couple struck a chord with Depression Era Americans. It is now known that the duo mainly preferred to rob small banks and gas stations in the rural areas, but due to the media’s representations of the couple, and reinforced by photographs of the gun toting couple, Bonnie and Clyde developed a larger than life status that still captures our fancy to this day.

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Celebrity weddings are feted for many reasons: the union of beauty, power, talent, and the promise of equally attractive offspring make them idealistic. However, the rising statistics of Tinseltown pairings lasting for just a few years have made many cynical whenever a celebrity couple ties the knot. It seems there is no lasting wedded bliss in Hollywood…or is there? Let’s take a closer look at some against-all-odds celebrity couples who weren’t expected to last, but have, so far.

Posh Spice & David Beckham

Married since 1999, this sophisticated British couple has endured many things, including a controversy that almost rocked their marriage and broke them apart. Victoria and David Beckham have shown everyone watching them that they are in it for the long haul, though. They now have four lovely kids, and the former Posh Spice recently described their union in an interview by saying: “Our house is a really happy house…I smile so much more than people would think.”

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Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas

Many cynics scoffed at the age gap between Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas. They got married in 2000 after a couple of years of dating, and now have a daughter. Theirs have largely been a private, quiet union, with the beauteous Catherine standing by her man through thick and thin.

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Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck’s much publicized (and ballyhooed) relationship with J-Lo had everyone thinking he’s not the serious, settling-down type…until he met Jennifer Garner, that is. Landing in the arms of the right Jennifer seemed to have brought out all his best qualities: in a recent interview, Ben admitted that his wife since 2005 played a big role in helping him become a better person. Jen and Ben now have three children.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar & Freddie Prinze, Jr.

Meeting and falling in love in your teens aren’t often considered ingredients for a lasting relationship, but this late-90s teenage heartthrobs are proving otherwise. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. got married in 2002 and are now the proud parents of two adorable kids. Staying at home and shying away from the limelight haven’t taken their toll on the once much-exposed celebrities: in fact, it has done quite the opposite. The couple loves being homebodies and bonding with their children!

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