RingSpotters

Celebrity Engagement Ring: Mariah Carey

 

Ring Details: Mariah Carey's engagement ring from Nick Canon is a 17 Carat square emerald-cut pink center diamond, surrounded by 58 intense pink diamonds and two half-moon diamonds on each side. Estimated cos: $2.5 million

Jeweler: Jacob & Co

RingSpotters: A Boracay Wedding

Today we have a special posting about a bride whose ring was one of the first to be featured on Ringspotters. To complement her two stone heirloom engagement ring, she chose an elegant and stunning infinity band for her wedding ring (pictured below).  The wedding took place on May 15, 2010 on the beautiful island of Boracay in the Philippines. She sent us some artistic shots of the bride and groom rings, as well as some spectacular shots of the ceremony, which we couldn't help but share with you.

Picture this:  Vows exchanged amidst the beautiful ocean backdrop at sunset, the soft pastel hues of the wedding party, and a sunkissed bride in an elegant lace couture gown and heirloom jewels.

The wedding was picture perfect!

 

Three Stone Radiant Cut Engagement Ring + Infinity Wedding Band

Today's ring comes from a San Francisco bride of 2 years who loves the elegance of a square cut diamond but also the sparkle in brilliant cuts. The radiant cut combines the two features.  Her engagement ring is a beautiful three stone radiant on platinum complemented by a dazzling infinity band of radiants. This ensemble just sparkles every time she moves her hand.  We love radiants!

 

 
Cut: Radiant cut center and side stones (side stones are trapezoid)
Carat: Center stone 2.25 carats; side stones .5 each
Setting: Custom "U" setting with design etched on band
Jeweler: Khoren at Ritz Jewelers, San Francisco 
A Jewelry Story: "I fell in love with radiant cuts when I was hoping to get engaged... I was pleasantly surprised when my now husband proposed...he was actually listening when I mentioned this throughout our 3 year courtship!"

Round Brilliant Engagement Ring with Tapered Baguette Side-stones + Wedding Band

Today's ring is a classic round brilliant 4 prong setting with tapered baguette side-stones.  We love how the wedding band fits into the wedding ring like a puzzle piece, mirroring the engagement ring's baguette side stones, but accentuating the round brilliant at the same time.  Just timeless!

Cut: Round brilliant with tapered baguette side-stones

Setting: Platinum

Round Brilliant Hearts on Fire Engagement Ring

Today's ring is a unique beauty that belongs to a San Francisco bride who celebrated her wedding in November of 2009.  The setting is so exquisite and the center stone is a round brilliant Hearts on Fire diamond - one of the most highly sought after round cuts because of its perfect symmetry.  The ring boasts eight hearts when viewed from the bottom, and a perfectly formed explosion of light when seen from the top.  

 

 

Cut: Round brilliant Hearts on Fire and cushion halo stones, half moon diamonds on either side

Carat: and Color: 2.37 total, Center eo (1.54ct, Ideal cut, VS2 clarity) w/ cushion halo, two half-moon diamonds (.35 total cts, VS2 clarity, G-H color) and 94 small round brilliant diamonds (.47 total cts, VS2 clarity, G color).

Setting: 18 karat white gold and diamond engagement ring

Jeweler: setting inspiration from Christopher Designs

Radiant Cut Three Stone Engagement Ring with Vintage Setting

This stunning vintage Art Deco inspired ring was submitted by a loyal reader whose husband happens to photograph jewelry for Philip Press (hence the amazing picture). There is so much to look at in this fabulous ring - the filigree detailing, the delicate pave work surrounding the center stone, and the raised intricate setting.  Not to mention, the stunning three stone diamonds!  If this ring looks this good digitally, we can only imagine how it must look in person!

 

Cut: radiant center stone and half moon sides

Carat: 3 carat center stone, 3/4 carat half-moon sides

Setting and detailing: platinum vintage Art Deco styling,  intricate filigree and pave work 

Jeweler: Philip Press platinum custom-made design from  Renaissance Platinum line

An Engagement Story: Here we were on top of the Arc de Triomphe, gazing at the Eiffel Tower, when out popped a little box and a big question! The setting and the moment couldn't have been more romantic. While I knew the moment was coming since we picked out my ring together, my hubby picked the perfect time.   We had looked everywhere for a platinum engagement ring - all of the top designers and some wanna-be's, but nothing stood out to me. Some were clunky, others lacked finesse and most were just plain boring. Then our friends turned us on to Philip Press and we were so happy they did. So many beautiful rings and other platinum jewelry. We were so impressed with the jewelry my husband started doing some photography work for the designer!  

Three Stone Round Brilliant Engagement Ring with Vintage Setting

I must admit, it took me twice as long to write this intro because I kept scrolling down the post to admire this stunning ring with a vintage setting which belongs to a newly engaged San Francisco bride. The center stone is a highly sought after Hearts and Arrows Diamond, famous for its perfect symmetry and kaleidoscopic pattern.  When viewed from above, the pattern is a series of eight gray arrowheads. From below, the pattern appears as eight heart shapes. Also known as the "cupid effect" and the "super ideal cut", a Hearts and Arrows diamond is just so fun to look at.  A perfect diamond indeed it is, and it is accompanied by a gorgeous, delicate vintage style setting. 

Cut: Round Brilliant – Hearts & Arrows

Carat: 1.02 (Center Stone), 1.7 carats total

Setting: Platinum, Scott Kay – Vintage Crown Setting with two round brilliant side stones

Jeweler: Steve Padis, San Francisco

An Engagement Story (as told by the groom): "My fiance was back home with her family over Christmas.  I flew back on December 28, 2009 to be with them and enjoy a belated Xmas and a happy New Year's Eve.  On December 29, 2009, upon receiving her father's blessing, we took a drive along the New Jersey Shore and came to a social club where her parents are members.  I tricked her into going out on the pier at the club where I proposed to her on a beautiful December day on the Atlantic Ocean (it was cold and windy, but gorgeous out).  Our relationship started in San Francisco on the Pacific, and our engagement began on a pier over the Atlantic."

Vintage, Antique, and Estate Rings

Its very easy to get confused with ring jargon - especially when it comes to the difference between vintage, antique, and estate rings. Here's the lowdown...who knew?

- A "vintage" ring can mean different things to different jewelers. Some use it as a a catch-all term meaning "an old ring", while others use it to mean a ring that was made to look like it was from another era.
-An "estate" ring is anything less than 50 years old 
-An "antique" ring specifically refers to one over 50 years old.  

• Victorian Antique Rings (1835-1900):  Often set in yellow or rose gold, Victorian antiques have both simple elegant designs to very intricate ones. Many Victorian settings feature rows of diamonds, cut with an extra facet on the bottom (Called "mine cut"). 
• Edwardian Antique Rings (1900-1920):   Platinum became popular! Rings often had lacy and pierced shapes, milgraining, scrollwork, and filigree detail (details that suggests a lace pattern) on the mountings. Rose-cut diamonds and brilliant sapphires became popular.
• Art Deco  (1920-1930): Characterized by colorful, contrasting gemstones, geometric designs, and platinum, diamond packed rings for a glittering streamlined look (think Chrysler Building).   Art Deco rings are currently the most popular antique engagement rings for newly engaged couples.

Here's a look at Madonna's engagement ring to Guy Ritchie...an Edwardian style "vintage".

Cut: Round Brilliant

Carat: 5 carat

Setting: 3 stone Edwardian style vintage ring with milgrain detail

Jeweler: Neil Lane

About this ring: Madonna was one of the first celebrities to wear a three stone engagement ring. Ritchie had this one of a kind ring made especially for her.

Three Stone Round Brilliant Diamond Ring

It is not often you see a three stone round brilliant diamond ring, as most brides prefer to wear their rounds as solitaires.  However, this bride sports an absolutely gorgeous three stone round brilliant ring with a very amusing engagement story.

Cut: Round Brilliant

Setting: Three stone on platinum

An Engagement Story: When this bride's husband proposed to her over thirty years ago, he was living abroad. He sent her a small dainty ring in an envelope in the mail, which she wore proudly for many years until one day she misplaced it. On her 60th birthday, her husband replaced her "mail order" ring with this beautiful three stone round brilliant, which is even more stunning in person. 

Three Stone Ruby and Diamond Engagement Ring

This ruby and diamond ring belongs to a bride who will be celebrating her seven year anniversary this July. Married in Cincinnati, she designed the ring together with her husband based on a ring they saw at the jeweler.  They chose rubies as the side stones because both of their birthdays and their wedding day fell in July. Paired with a wedding band set with round brilliants, this ring carries so much character and style. Just beautiful!

Cut: Oval

Carats: 1.02 (center diamond) and 1.05 side stones (rubies total weight)

Setting: Each stone is set in a 4 prong basket style head on a cathedral style shank.

Jeweler: Harlan McGuire (A small family owned jeweler in Charlottesville, Virginia, which is now closed.)

About the engagement ring: I was looking for something more unique and different than a solitaire.   Even though I knew what the ring would look like, there was still an element of surprise since it was specially made and I did not see the finished product until he gave it to me!