Archive for December, 2009

 
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Unique Diamond Engagement Rings

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

The diamond solitaire is the most purchased and most traditional choice for an engagement ring.  For generations men have spent the expected two months salary on the most important jewelry purchase of their lives, to ask the most important question they will ever seek and answer to.  Because of the diamond’s reputation for strength and durability, as well as it’s unique brilliance and luster, its no surprise that this precious gemstone has been chosen to represent the everlasting love and commitment between two people world wide.

 

Do you want to propose to your future wife with a unique diamond engagement ring?  A ring that shows her your excellent taste and one that sets her apart from other brides-to-be?  Think outside the diamond solitaire box and try one of these unique examples below.  While the standard diamond diamond engagements rings are classically beautiful, if you propose with one of these stunning diamond rings, you are sure to get the answer you seek!

This antique diamond engagement ring is stunning. When you select a ring modeled after historic styles, you are offering her a very unique gift.  A vintage styled solitaire design diamond engagement ring featuring a platinum band and a genuine 1/3 ct, 4.4 mm full cut, round G-H / SI2-SI3 quality diamond center stone. This ring is also available as part of a set that includes a matching wedding band!

Antique wedding and engagement rings are a hot trend!  Here is another example, a delicate antique styled 1/2 CT TW diamond anniversary ring with milgrain accents surrounding the center diamond. The ring features five genuine round SI / G-I diamonds totaling 1/2 ct tw set in 14K white or yellow gold, and could be perfect as an engagement ring!

 

Two tone diamond engagement rings ensure that all the jewelry in her collection will pair perfectly.  This beautiful two tone filigree diamond engagement ring with 3/4 ct tw of diamonds. The engagement ring features a 14K white gold band with inset, openwork 14K yellow gold filigree accents, a round 1/3 ct SI quality center diamond and fifty two 1.0 – 1.2 mm round SI diamond accent stones. A matching 14K white gold wedding band is available.

Here is another!  Again, she will love having the best of both worlds, gold and white gold.  This is a stunning two tone filigree diamond engagement ring with 1/2 ct tw of diamonds. The engagement ring features a 14K white gold domed band with inset, openwork 14K yellow gold filigree accents, a round 1/3 ct SI quality center diamond and thirty two 1.0 mm round SI diamond accent stones. A matching 14K white gold wedding band is also available.

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Kevin Jonas Gets Married

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Two years ago, as a surprise birthday gift for my soon to be ten year old son, I patiently waited on the phone line in an attempt to be one of the lucky parents to score Hanna Montana tickets and become “Mom of the Year,” in my boy’s eyes.  While the concert had already sold out, I had heard an announcement on the radio that Hannah Montana and her people were releasing an extra fifty seats, so I jumped at the chance.  My efforts were a success and I scored three tickets in the last row; one for myself and two for my Starr eyed boy and his lucky friend.  At that time I barely knew who Miley Cyrus or Hanna Montana were, and little did I realize what an impact the young celebrity had made on thousands of young children.

 

Hannah Montana’s opening act was the boy band called the Jonas Brothers.  As they entered the stage my ears were pierced by the screams of tens of thousands of eight-year old girls, and as I watched these boys run and jump around the stage; I realized that while their talent may not lie in their vocals, they were incredibly good at making pre-teen girls swoon.  It immediately dawned on me what a gold mine their label had discovered.

 

Two years later, my son has matured and is much more interested in John Mayer and AC/DC.  As I turn on the celebrity news, I realize that not only has he grown, but so have his earlier pre-teen idols.  Hannah Montana now almost exclusively goes by her true name, Miley Cyrus, and has crossed the adolescent to adult musical boundary attracting fans of all ages.  The Jonas brothers have grown too; in fact, one of the young celebrities just got married!

 

The oldest crooner of the Jonas Brothers is Kevin Jonas, at age twenty-two.  Apparently not eager to spread his wings and play the field, this past weekend Kevin married his longtime girlfriend Danielle Deleasa.  As a celebrity Kevin Jonas followed suite and threw a lavish winter themed wedding at the Oheka Castle in Long Island, New York, and even the weather cooperated by offering a beautiful snowstorm.  In order to avoid playing the “favorite game,” Kevin’s younger brothers and fellow band mates, Nick and Joe Jonas, both served as his best man.  Other celebrities to attend the Jonas-Deleasa wedding included Disney actresses Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato.

 

Kevin met Danielle, a twenty-two year old former hair stylist, in the Bahamas about two years ago, and she claimed to have no idea who he was. This past summer Jonas proposed to Deleasa at her home in New Jersey.  Her engagement ring is a three-carat solitaire cushion-cut diamond surrounded by 210 round, brilliant-cut pave diamonds, which Jonas helped design along with Jacobs and Co.  All members of the Jonas Brothers band wear purity rings to announce their commitment to celibacy before marriage, now after this past weekend, Kevin Jonas’s purity ring has been replaced by a much more grown-up wedding ring.

 

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Carrie Underwood is Engaged!

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Carrie Underwood flashed a new diamond engagement ring!  Canadian hockey player and alternate captain for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League, Mike Fisher, proposed to his girlfriend, country singer and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood this past Sunday evening; the couple have been dating for the better part of a year.  Maybe we could have seen the engagement ring coming when she printed this message to her hockey player fiancé on the notes of her latest album, “Play On.”

 

“Thank you #12, you are the most amazing addition to my life! You are such a wonderful person and have had such an amazing hand in the building of this album and in the growth of me as a person. I love you so much! You make my life better in every way! I thank God for you every day… xoxo, Carrie.”

 

Twenty-nine year old Fisher is Underwood’s first long term boyfriend, and she is his second attempt at a committed relationship.  They met backstage after her concert in Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.  There are not many details about the proposal, but it is reported that it took place Sunday in Fisher’s home among their family and some friends. The twenty-six year old Underwood was photographed Monday night sitting in Ottawa owner Eugene Melnyk’s luxury box watching her fiancés team play the Boston Bruins.  She was all smiles and wearing her enormous new rock.  There is no word yet on details of the engagement ring, but based on the photos first taken by the Ottawa Citizen, this Canadian hockey player knows his ice!

 

This season has been good for Underwood; the huge diamond engagement ring from Fisher comes just after the announcement of her two Grammy Award nominations.  Underwood scored one nomination for best female country vocal performance for her song “Just a Dream,” and another nomination for best country collaboration with vocals where she teamed up with legendary country singer Randy Travis in the song, “I Told You So.”  The winners will be announced on the Grammy Awards show set to air on CBS, January 31, 2010.  The nominations are very exciting news for Underwood, few other American Idol contestants have faired so well in their careers.  The only other Idols to receive the prestigious honor include: Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Ace Young, and Mandisa.

 

Fisher and Underwood have not yet set a wedding date, but have reported to news outlets that they are both very excited about the event.

 

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Carrie Underwood sports her engagement ring for the first time in public at the Ottawa Senators vs. Boston Bruins hockey game this past Monday.

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Is Tila Tequila Engaged, or isn’t she?

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

Is reality star and queen of MySpace Tila Tequila engaged…or isn’t she?  The controversial Texas girl has been all over the web lately for flashing a huge diamond engagement ring and announcing via Twitter that she was going to be the surrogate mother for her brother and sister-in-law’s baby.  It seems since she dominated the MySpace world, Miss Tequila can’t stay far from the spotlight.

 

Born in Singapore, Tila Tequila was raised in Houston, Texas by her parents.  When she was 18 she was spotted by a Playboy scout in the local mall and since has seen her career explode all over the entertainment map.  She used her success in nude modeling to catapult into music (sort of), web commerce, and reality television.  Her MTV reality show titled, “Shot at Love with Tila Tequila,” was a bisexual dating show that lasted two seasons.  Men and Women both competed for her affection, but didn’t realize they were battling against the opposite sex until the end of the season.

 

In Tequila’s recent engagement announcement, she showed off her huge 17-carat diamond engagement ring from her supposed fiancé Casey Johnson, heiress to the Johnson and Johnson empire and also known as the Band-Aid Queen.  Tila flashed the bling and tactfully commented, “17-carat diamond ring from my baby…my baby takes care of me. Beat that J.Lo! Beat that Khloe and Lamar!”

 

In reaction to Tila’s announcement, Johnson’s former girlfriend, Courtenay Semel, stated that Tequila’s engagement ring was as fake as her supposed engagement.  Semel, also a reality show star (who isn’t these days?) the daughter of the Yahoo CEO, and now girlfriend of Lindsay Lohan said the ring was a re-gift.  Johnson had once given it to Semel while they were dating, and it is actually not even a real diamond.  There has been no comment from Johnson regarding the ring, or the engagement.

 

Tila is no stranger to the tabloids.  Her former boyfriend, San Diego Chargers football player Shawne Merriman, is now suing Tequila for false charges that she made, and then dropped due to lack of evidence.  Apparently she had accused Merriman of attacking her in his home, choking, and restraining her.  His assault charges were dropped this past September, and a recent naked rant from Tila on the website Ustream is credited to her troubles with Shawne.

 

Now the drama queen wants to carry her brother’s baby as a Christmas gift to him and his wife.  Playboy spreads, bi-sexual reality television shows, naked rants, fake diamond re-gifted engagement rings from lesbian heiresses, why wouldn’t Tila Tequila make a great incubator for an unborn child?  No word on whether or not she is actually pregnant…maybe this attempt and child bearing will end up holding as much water as her Merriman accusations.

 

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Traditional Yellow Gold Engagement Rings

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

A timeless, traditional piece, yellow gold engagement rings are beautiful and classic. Historically, plain gold bands were the standard of the time, but today’s technology allows jewelers to create exquisite designs to suit both your budget and your personal taste.

 

About Yellow Gold

Yellow gold has been used for ages in engagement rings, wedding bands and other jewelry, and looks especially striking on women who have warm undertones to their skin. Of course, fair skinned women can wear a yellow gold engagement ring as well, it just depends on their personal preferences.

 

When paired with diamonds or other gemstones, yellow gold is a lovely choice. Today, you can purchase yellow gold rings in a variety of designs, from the simple to the more elaborate.

 

Yellow Gold Engagement Ring Designs

For the bride-to-be who prefers simple, timeless styles, a plain yellow gold band may be the perfect choice for an engagement ring. It’s simple, yes, but the true beauty of the metal can shine when there are no gemstones or intricate details present in the design.

 

Of course, you can always personalize even a plain band by adding engraving to the interior of the ring or having special symbols, such as hearts, carved into the band.

 

Many antique engagement rings you find will also be crafted from yellow gold, especially during the 1930’s and 1940’s. Visit various estate sales, antique shops and even online retailers for true antique rings or vintage-inspired pieces to find the perfet yellow gold engagement ring for you.

 

Diamonds are always popular gemstone choices to pair with yellow gold, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box and get a different gemstone for your central stone. Rubies, sapphires and emeralds are easily the most popular choices, but don’t let these limit you. If you have a particularly favorite gemstone, use that as your central stone. You can always add small diamond accents if you prefer for a distinctive and striking look.

 

Finding Yellow Gold Engagement Rings

Yellow gold is arguably one of the most popular precious metals used for engagement rings, so finding a ring that suits you will not be difficult. If you are unsure of the style of ring you want, browsing various online retailers is a good place to start. Afterward, you can visit local jewelers to check out their selection of yellow gold engagement rings and see if anything strikes your fancy.

 

Classic, timeless and very traditional, a yellow gold engagement ring symbolizes love, hope and joy for the future and will be a lovely way to commemorate the start of your lives together.

 

Whether you prefer simple jewelry or more elaborate designs, yellow gold can be crafted to create the engagement ring of your dreams that fits both your budget and your personal tastes.

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Dancing with the Stars Melissa Rycroft weds Tye Strickland

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

We all love happy endings, and after Dancing with the Stars reality television star Melissa Rycroft was dumped on The Bachelorette by Jason Mesnick, we got one.  After being unlucky in romance, this past weekend, Rycroft married her long time love Tye Strickland in a sunset ceremony on the beach.  Rycroft and Strickland met in their hometown and dated on and off for two years, parting ways prior to the airing the of The Bachelorette.  Just four months after her humiliating rejection and break up with then fiancé Mesnick on the air, tides turned and Strickland popped the question to Rycroft at White’s Chapel in Southlake, Texas.  Opening a ring box with an internal light for added effect, Strickland presented her with a stunning $60k platinum engagement ring; how could she say no!  The band is crowned with a center 2-carat pear shaped diamond, surrounded six baguettes, and 94 round diamonds.

 

After getting engaged, Rycroft and Strickland joined their parents for a celebration and dinner at the nearby Brio Tuscan Grille, then joined twenty of their friends at the Dallas restaurant Cretia’s, walking into a round of applause.

 

In preparation for their big day and to say farewell to singlehood in style, the couple flew to Las Vegas for a joint bachelor/bachelorette party.  Rycroft and Strickland stayed at the luxurious Palazzo hotel and early in the evening the couple attended the Jersey Boys Show.  Then, in traditional bachelor/bachelorette party style, the girls headed for an evening of fun at Palazzo’s Lavo, while the men partied the night away at Tao.

 

Approximately six months after Rycroft accepted Strickland’s proposal, and the amazing platinum and diamond engagement ring, the two made their relationship official.  The wedding ceremony was held on December 12th in Isla Mujeres on the coast of Cancun Mexico.  Every detail was attended to; Rycroft wore a beautiful mermaid style, white flowing, Alfred Angelo wedding gown and carried a bouquet of peach and white roses.  With tears in her eyes, she was escorted by her father to the alter on the beach at the end of the dock to the traditional wedding song, “Here Comes the Bride.”

 

In keeping with the casual beach theme, Rycroft’s bridesmaids wore peach colored bridesmaid dresses, while Strickland’s groomsmen wore causal khaki pants and sea foam green button down shirts; all members of the wedding party walked barefoot.  Also in tears, Strickland waited for Rycroft at the alter wearing a causal khaki suit with a peach rose, white button down shirt, and no tie.

 

Rycroft and Strickland timed their beach wedding ceremony perfectly.  The anticipated event took place in the late afternoon, ending with Rycroft and Strickland’s vows being repeated with the setting of the sun.

 

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Celebrities Love Secret Engagements

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Celebrity engagement rumor:  Tony Romo, football player and ex boyfriend to Jessica Simpson gives his new girlfriend, Candace Crawford, an engagement ring!  Wait…doesn’t this mean that they are, in fact, engaged?  Some say that Romo’s gift to Crawford was just a ring, and not an engagement ring, but if you wear a diamond ring on the third finger of your left hand doesn’t it stand to reason that you are planning to get married?  Why is it that celebrities work so hard to keep their engagements from reaching the press?  Isn’t the act of becoming engaged itself a declaration of your intentions to marry? I would think that if a couple didn’t want the world to know they were going to be wed, they would wait to become engaged until they are ready for the announcement.  What is the point of marriage if not to broadcast the fact that you have chosen this person to spend the rest of your life with?

 

The web and tabloid stands are full of celebrity engagement gossip. Pop singer Katy Perry’s boyfriend Russell Brand is rumored to be engagement ring shopping at London’s Cartier, but are they going to tie the knot after her evening cozying up to British comedian Robert Pattinson and a group of friends?

 

Jennifer Lopez wore her amazing eight-carat square cut diamond ring on her middle finger and denied engagement to Marc Anthony.  Their wedding was kept under wraps, and it wasn’t until months later that Lopez and Anthony admitted the union.  I can understand wanting privacy during the ceremony, but again, why keep their marriage a secret after the fact?  Eventually don’t you want the world to know?

 

For two months actress Rachel Bilson kept her engagement to fellow actor Hayden Christensen a secret.  It wasn’t until a man on an airplane noticed the engagement ring on her finger that she revealed that they were planning to wed.  Again, why the secrecy?  Are stars afraid if the news of their engagements leaks out to the public it will jinx their chances of success?  I think if they want to keep their engagements private then they shouldn’t wear a diamond engagement ring in public.

 

Secret engagements are not always the standard for stars, however. Some celebrities are not so timid when it comes to love.  When Chelsea Clinton and her now fiancé Marc Mezvinsky became engaged this past November, they weren’t afraid of announcing the big news at all.  In fact, they sent out a mass email to their friends and family!  I don’t know how classy that is, but at least they let the people close to them share in their excitement.

 

For singer Jennifer Hudson, one proposal was not enough.  Four months after her pro wrestler fiancé David Otunga popped the question on her 27thbirthday, she surprised him.  Apparently Hudson wanted Otunga to realize how much she was looking forward to their wedding, she secretly had a fabulous man’s five-carat diamond engagement ring custom designed by Neil Lane, and proposed to him!

 

 

The stunning Neil Lane Engagement Ring Jennifer Hudson used to Propose to her Fiance

The stunning Neil Lane Engagement Ring Jennifer Hudson used to Propose to her Fiance

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Tiffany Settings

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

Tiffany settings are a classic choice that use simple prongs that are arguably one of the most popular settings in rings today. Whether you prefer a classic style or something a little more modern, Tiffany settings are used in a wide variety of styles and highlights the gem in a gorgeous way.

 

Tiffany Settings

Tiffany settings are named as such because they became the signature style choice for Tiffany & Co. in the late 1800’s.

 

It is a simple setting, using four or six prongs to hold the stone securely in place above the metal band. Regardless of the number of prongs used, each are placed symmetrically around the stone to give balance and a nice focal point to concentrate on.

 

Despite the simplicity of this type of setting, Tiffany settings actually have quite a few benefits. For example, the open design of the setting allows the maximum amount of light to reflect off a quality diamond, allowing for the ultimate in fire and brilliance.

 

What’s more, multiple prongs provide a secure base for a diamond and do not detract from the overall beauty of the stone.

 

However, if you choose a Tiffany setting there are certain things you should look out for. Because simple settings show flaws more easily, it’s important to carefully check a Tiffany style ring for quality.

 

Check out the prongs and make sure they are evenly placed in proportion to the stone. Uneven prongs can result in a less secure setting and ruin the symmetry of the design. Round and smooth prongs are also an important feature of a Tiffany setting because this will lessen the chance the prongs can snag on anything and become broken or damaged.

 

You should also make sure the stone you choose is of the best quality you can afford. Because a simple prong setting doesn’t use any fancy or elaborate designs, there will not be anything to detract from flaws or imperfections on the stone.

 

Price

Because tiffany settings are very simple and easier to make than more elaborate designs, the setting itself is very inexpensive. When compared to more unusual settings or intricate designs, simple prong settings are one of the most inexpensive you can buy.

 

However, because Tiffany settings often require a stone of exceptionally high quality, the overall cost of a Tiffany style ring can be upwards of $1,000 or more depending on the stone. Of course, the overall price of the ring will depend on a variety of factors, but the quality of the diamond or other gemstone you use will play a large role.

 

Arguably the most popular type of setting, Tiffany settings are a classic and simple design that many couples choose to reflect their stone in the best possible light. These traditional settings offers a beautiful way to highlight the brilliance of a diamond and are one of the most inexpensive settings to use for an engagement ring!

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Jessica Simpson wants to team up with Pascal Mouawad and design wedding rings!

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

Divorcee, pop singer, actress, and tabloid queen Jessica Simpson has announced that she wants to create her own jewelry line.  This would be no ordinary collection of gems, however.  The songstress wants to specialize in extravagant wedding rings.  She and her mother have their minds set on teaming up with celebrity jewelry designer Pascal Mouawad, whose family business has been producing high end and extremely sought after jewelry for four generations, and has held some of the world’s most important diamonds.

 

Pascal, born in Geneva Switzerland, brought his family’s business to the United States after attending college here.  Since that time he has developed a strong reputation working for and with celebrities and well-known fashion icons.  He had his big break in 2000 when he teamed up with Victoria’s Secret to design the famed million-dollar fantasy bra.  Since, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman, Eva Longoria, Gwen Stefani, Faith Hill, Mary J. Blige, Giselle Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks are just a few of the celebrities who wear Pascal Mouawad jewelry.  Jessica Simpson is not the only star that has wanted to team up and design along side Mouawad.  Other stars that have worked with Pascal include Grammy-award winning artist Seal, fashion icon Nicole Richie, and record producer Jermaine Dupri.

 

Simpson’s interest in becoming a wedding ring designer was sparked while attending a party at Mouawad’s Hollywood home. Jessica fell in love with a brilliant $10k five-carat wedding ring from his black and white diamond collection.  Simpson plans to include other types of jewelry in her new line, but wants to focus on wedding rings.  Many agree that she is not the best person to promote marriage, including Pascal.  In fact, Fox News reported, “He wants to work with her, but definitely doesn’t think wedding rings would be appropriate for Jessica.”

 

The last few years have been dramatic for the singer; a terrible break up before her birthday, her precious dog snatched by a coyote, and a dreadful attempt and crossing over to the country charts.  Fortunately, her designer shoe line has been rather successful.  This being said, symbolizing the everlasting love and commitment of marriage with a Jessica Simpson designer wedding band may not fly with many brides.  She has been in and out of relationships over the past several years, and even started the reality relationship television craze when she and her now ex husband Nick Lachey allowed cameras into their lives with MTV’s “Newlyweds.”  While being married should not be a requirement for wedding ring designers, most do not think “happy long-term drama-free commitment” when they hear the name Jessica Simpson.

 

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