Tag engagement rings

While Gen Z-er’s seem to be growing less inclined to don engagement rings with large diamonds, it seems many of them may also be gravitating toward a more affordable, lab grown stone too.

After coming across TikTok user Zahné’s (@zzzahneee) video in which she explains why her engagement ring is not a diamond, Gen Z bride Ella Parr-Tierney (@ellaparrtierney) and her husband, Drake, felt compelled to do the same.

“My wedding band is diamonds and my engagement ring is a moissanite,” Parr-Tierney says on Sept. 22. For her and her husband, buying a diamond engagement ring wasn’t worth the potential debt it would put them in.

“At the end of the day, it is just a piece of jewelry,” she adds. “I want to buy a house before 25. I want to take a very long, expensive honeymoon throughout Europe. I want to buy designer bags. There are other things that I was more interested in spending my money on.”

Parr-Tierney claims that “you literally can’t even tell the difference” between her diamond wedding band and moissanite engagement ring, and that both “look amazing” stacked on one another.

“I’ve never tried to hide the fact that my ring is moissanite,” she says. “And there’s obviously nothing wrong with wanting a diamond, but I know a lot of people may think, ‘Oh my god, Drake balled out…all this money on a ring and they weren’t even out of college yet.’ No…we are somewhat, at least, trying to be financially responsible.”

So what exactly is moissanite?

According to the Moissanite Company (@themoissanitecompany), a jewelry shop founded in Australia, moissanite is a diamond alternative that was discovered by the Nobel Prize-winning chemist Henry Moissan in 1893.

“Today, naturally occurring moissanite is exceptionally rare and

When Sotheby’s first announced the auction of a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink emerald-cut diamond with rounded corners, flanked by two shield-shaped white diamond side stones and set in platinum, in 2010, it was expected to sell for between $27 million to US $38 million.

Much to the auction house’s delight, the ring, which had previously been sold to its former owner by jeweler Harry Winston in the 1950s, sold to diamond dealer Laurence Graff for $46 million, making it “the most expensive single jewel ever sold at auction at the time.” Naturally, the lucky new owner named the magnificent beast the Graff Pink.

While we firmly believe that neither the size nor the price of an engagement ring has any bearing on the worth of a marriage proposal, the history of how we came to associate them with betrothals is undeniably fascinating.

Considering this got us thinking about some other interesting engagement rings and proposal stories, which, for better or for worse, have grabbed our attention in the past.

RELATED: The One Marriage Proposal Video You Need To See (Involving A Bus And A Robot)

Here is the true story of the first diamond engagement ring — plus 4 more weird and notable proposal stories:

1. The first diamond engagement ring was given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximilian of Austria in 1477

Legend has it that in 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria — the future Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I — was the first man to present his beloved, Mary of Burgundy, with a diamond engagement ring (apparently at the advice of his court counsel).

“Maximilian,” the story goes, “set off for Burgundy after arranging a proxy marriage. But he was an impoverished suitor, thanks to Austria’s penchant for war. So, it is said, as he

For people who want to get married, the diamond engagement ring is a tale as old as time—and advertisers and media companies alike make the rather expensive tradition seem inescapable. The slogans from South African diamond behemoth De Beers speak for themselves:

“A diamond is forever.”

“Is two months’ salary too much to spend for something that lasts forever?”

More From Popular Mechanics

 

“Show her you’ll love her for the next thousand years.”

On top of it, the marketplace for diamonds can be really confusing. There are grades of clarity and color that lead to an overall quality rating. And, of course, diamonds are very expensive. The International Gem Society reports that the average amount spent on a diamond ring in 2021 was $5,000. (At the iconic jewelry store Tiffany’s, a budget of $5,000 barely gets you into the diamonds, let alone the showy single diamonds people prefer on engagement rings.)

All of these reasons have driven consumer interest in lab-grown diamonds, and in lab-grown diamond engagement rings in particular. So, we spoke to an expert from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to learn everything you need to know about lab-grown diamonds—the production methods, the colors, the intangibles, and more. They say lab-grown diamond rings can cost up to 20 percent less than natural diamonds, which would knock that $5,000 ring down to $4,000. It’s not a Black Friday doorbuster percentage of discount, but that’s a lot of money to save.

Lab-Grown Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds

Sally Magaña is a research scientist and the manager of diamond identification for the Carlsbad, California-based GIA, which now has locations around the world; the GIA creates and upholds standards and education for jewelers around the world. Today, one of its key concerns is telling apart lab-grown diamonds from natural diamonds,

Nobody ever knows for sure how much royals such as Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Prince Harry spent on their wives’ engagement rings.

However, we’ve turned to the expertise of Jewellers Est 1897 and other engagement ring specialists to find out the possible prices of the Princess of Wales’ inherited sapphire, Princess Anne’s two rocks, and Queen Camilla’s heirloom.

So which royal bride has the most expensive rock? Find out…

Princess Anne

princess anne ring”/

Back in May 1973, the Queen’s daughter was given a sapphire and diamond ring by Captain Mark Phillips. The couple got married in November 1973 before getting divorced in 1992.

Anne later married Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence in 1992 after he popped the question with a vintage ring featuring an oval cabochon sapphire that is flanked by diamonds.

Engagement ring specialist Max Stone at Seven Stone estimated her first jewel was worth around £10,000, while her second is valued at £25,000.

Sarah Ferguson

© Getty

Prince Andrew proposed to Sarah Ferguson in 1986 with a rare Burmese ruby surrounded by ten glittering diamonds, which was reportedly inspired by Sarah’s fiery hair. The stones form a flower pattern, much like her daughter Princess Eugenie’s ring.

At the time, Sarah’s beloved ring cost around £25,000, but inflation and the sentimental backstory mean it could be valued in the region of £70,000.

Princess Beatrice

princess beatrice engagement ring photo”/

When Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi popped the question to Princess Beatrice, he presented the royal with a stunning 3.5-carat gem with a reported cost of £78,000. Edoardo worked with Shaun Leane to design Princess Beatrice’s dream ring,

Sponsored

Whether you’re getting ready to pop the question, or dreaming of saying “I do”, the bridal collections at Diamonds Direct are sure to put a sparkle in your eye. Keep reading for a look at the most popular ring styles. Plus, you won’t want to miss Diamonds Direct’s Summer Showcase, now through to Saturday, July 22 for 20% off engagement rings and more.

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1. Oval centers

There is nothing not to love about a classic oval cut. If you’re on the hunt for simple elegance, an oval solitaire will never go out of style. Looking for a little more pizazz? Try an oval center with trapezoid cut diamonds on either side for an extra gorgeous look.

2. Emerald centers

We have been dreaming about these rings. For brides looking for a classic, yet modern piece, you can’t go wrong with an emerald center.

Our favorites: We couldn’t keep our eyes off of this yellow gold setting with round-cut diamonds on the band AND a hidden halo (left). For a trendier look, an emerald center with a bezel halo was another winner (right).

Shop the designer: C. Gonshor

Check out the Diamonds Direct website for full details on their offerings.

3. Three-stone settings

For those who love glitz

Frank Darling

When you’re looking for the perfect ring for the perfect moment, it’s important to give her something that will stand out. When I proposed to my wife, I knew that I couldn’t settle for the usual cookie-cutter, jewelry store fare. I know I got the right ring because she never stops staring at it. That’s the kind of craftsmanship and attention to detail that you can expect from Frank Darling engagement rings, wedding bands, and pendant necklaces.

Why Frank Darling?

Shopping for diamonds can be an intimidating experience considering what you’re buying. This is a huge undertaking that you don’t want to screw up. If she loves her new ring or necklace, she’s going to wear it forever.

Frank Darling offers an intimate, custom design process so you find exactly what looks and feels right. You’re not going to want to shop anywhere else for engagements, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and any other super-special occasion.

• Try at Home Kit – Frank Darling allows customers to select three sterling silver replica rings to try for
  free. After 5 days, return the kit with a prepaid label.
• Design your dream ring – Frank Darling offers an online quiz to create their dream ring a get a free sketch from design team in NYC. Sketches are always free and there is no limit.
• Customization options – Frank Darling jewelry is easily customizable to anything the customer chooses to add or edit. Customization is available through their concierge service which can be reached by emailing [email protected] or through the Book a Consultation option.

Plus, you can save 20% on all ring and pendant settings with code “SUNRISE2023.” (No minimums, excludes custom orders. Valid 6/21 – 6/30).

Engagement Rings

Plunge Hidden Halo Emerald Engagement Ring

Details:

• Delicate, French set hidden halo that

In a move sure to further disrupt the jewelry industry already disrupted by consumers’ rapid turn to lab-grown diamonds, De Beers has introduced engagement rings under its lab-grown jewelry brand Lightbox, a category it once reserved exclusively for its Forevermark natural, mined diamonds. Now it offers a selection of 16 lab-grown diamond engagement rings priced from $500 to $5,000.

While the company positions the move as a limited market test, it is groundbreaking for De Beers, whose fortunes have been inextricably linked to natural diamond futures.

De Beers is the world’s leading natural diamond company, with its reach into diamond exploration, mining, grading, marketing and retail. It singlehandedly made the diamond engagement ring the symbol of everlasting love in its famed 1947 “A diamond is forever” ad campaign.

Into The Lab-Grown Diamond Fray

When De Beers first dipped its toes into the lab-grown jewelry market with Lightbox in 2018, it was positioned as fun, pretty, affordable fashion jewelry that “may not be forever, but is perfect for right now,” said Bruce Cleaver, then-CEO De Beers Group and now its co-chairman.

At the time, LGD were reserved for earrings and necklaces set with an emphasis on colored stones, but also available in clear-white diamonds.

Initial prices were set at $800 per carat, exclusive of the setting, and the company has held the line on per-carat price since then. However, it has since added a finest grade above its standard offering, priced at $1,500 per carat for LGD stones of finer cut and clarity with the clearest color rating.

It stepped deeper into the bridal waters

It appears that De Beers has spotted the writing on the wall in an increasingly crowded lab-grown diamond market.

The diamond behemoth has begun testing engagement rings under its lab-grown subsidiary, Lightbox, after years of avoiding the category. It is understood that the company had long tried to maintain natural diamonds’ position as engagement ring stones, while attempting to silo lab-grown diamonds as fashion jewelry.

More from WWD

De Beers established Lightbox in 2018 in order to help steer the lab-grown diamond narrative. It set a strict per-carat pricing model for the stones (pro-rated at $800 per carat, regardless of the stone’s size or color) in an attempt to lead the industry’s treatment of lab diamonds.

As newly instated Lightbox chief executive officer Antoine Borde told WWD earlier this month, the company is focused on designs intended for self-purchasing and personal expression.

“We are pursuing the positioning of the brand around fashion, freedom, fun — it’s a good dynamic that we are seeing this happen,” Borde said.

Since its launch Lightbox had sold loose lab-grown stones that could be set as engagement rings, but the company had never sold ready-made engagement rings as part of its own distribution.

Now as more and more players enter the lab-grown arena, it appears that De Beers and Lightbox had little choice but to test the engagement category.

The company’s website has launched a limited series of 16 solitaire rings — all priced at $5,000 or less, with the average hovering around $2,500. They are offered with stones from one to two carats and come in settings that range from very simple gold bands to more elaborate halo styles, set alongside smaller pavé lab-grown stones.

Borde said in a statement: “As part of Lightbox’s promise to bring transparency to lab-grown diamonds,

Audrey Nicole Diamonds & Jewelry, a premium jewelry brand, is disrupting the industry with its exclusive concierge service, catering to customers’ demands for custom-made jewelry, lab diamonds, and engagement rings. Founded by Sherri Nourse, the brand artfully blends the beauty of jewelry with an exclusive online shopping experience that offers ultra-personalized service at an affordable price. Their process is completely on-line and virtual, with in person meetings when needed, but you can design, choose, and create virtually with their personal concierge services. All without the expensive overhead of brick and mortar, keep the prices right.

In today’s competitive market, brands need to stand out and stand for something that makes a difference and betters those around us to resonate with today’s consumers. Audrey Nicole Diamonds has a purpose and is working hard to make an impact by helping and empowering women through collaborations with female non-profit organizations, to help women who have experience trauma to get their lives back. They are donating with every purchase. Based out of Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California, Audrey Nicole Diamonds is a worldwide luxury jewelry brand that is changing the landscape of female-founded brands.

In a world where consumers are seeking authentic, high-quality jewelry, transparent pricing, Audrey Nicole Diamonds is leading the way. Consumers have moved away from wearing costume jewelry to wanting “real” jewelry that they can have forever and wear everywhere. “ my goal is to make high quality fine jewelry more accessable, whether that is a small eternity band or a large engagement ring’, says Nourse. By fusing her clients’ love stories, friendships, and significant events with exquisitely made engagement rings and personalized jewelry, Sherri Nourse is revolutionizing the higher-end jewelry market. Each piece of jewelry is designed to be unique and personalized, incorporating the individual personalities, styles, and family

Looks like lab-grown diamonds are shedding their stigma.

More than a third of engagement rings with a center stone sold last year were made in a lab, according to a survey from the Knot cited in The Wall Street Journal on Friday. On top of that, some jewelers—from legacy houses to upstart brands—are focusing their efforts on man-made stones.

More from Robb Report

“Consumers are smart,” said Benny Landa, the founder of the lab-grown-diamond company Lusix. “When they see a two carat lab-grown diamond for not much more than a one carat mined diamond, it’s a no-brainer.” (Currently, a one-carat lab-grown diamond retails for about $1,430, while a traditional mined gem of the same size sells for $5,635.)

Lusix has teamed up with brands such as the LVMH-owned TAG Heuer, which used the company’s diamonds in its Carrera Plasma watch. The crown is made of one whole diamond, while the rest of the timepiece is encrusted with stones of different shapes. Doing the same with mined stones would have been wasteful, given the cutting and shaping that would have needed to go into the project, according to the company. Comparatively, the lab-grown diamonds could be created in the exact shape required.

TAG Heuer isn’t the only luxury brand getting into the man-made game. Both Gucci and Breitling have incorporated such stones into their accessories; the latter of which has even said all of its watches will use only lab-grown diamonds by next year. In 2022, the Swiss watchmaker debuted its first timepiece using man-made stones, the Super Chronomat 38 Origins.

Not all legacy jewelers are on board with the transition, though. At this year’s Watches and Wonders, the CEO of Cartier stood by traditional diamonds, at least