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Celebrity
Engagement Rings - Are You a Slave to Celebrity Trends?
By Alex Miller
Whether we
like to admit it or not, the current trend for "bigger is
better", particularly when it refers to the diamond engagement
rings worn by celebrities, is having an impact on what we are buying.
Celebrity
Engagement Rings: three pages of details on the world's most talked
about rings
According to
Celeste Ohrens, from New York Diamond Traders, "In the six
months following J.Lo's engagement to Ben Affleck, we sold more pink
diamonds than we'd sold in the previous six years!"
And despite
the fact that THAT engagement ring has been replaced with another
equally stunning jewel, copies of J.Lo's six-carat pink diamond are
still selling well at many Internet jewelers.
When Marilyn
Monroe breathlessly purred "Diamonds
are a Girl's Best Friend" (as if we didn't already know!), I
have no doubt women everywhere secretly coveted the baubles Ms Monroe
wore, but such flamboyant displays of excess would have offended the
sensibilities of any self-respecting 1950s homemaker.
Not so
nowadays. We've come to expect the ultimate in quality and quantity,
and if that equates to wearing a 3-carat diamond ring similar to that
worn by our favorite celebrity,
more power to us!
Whether
celebrities are seen as the arbiters or slaves to all that is
considered stylish, the engagement rings
gracing the left hand of such stars as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Madonna
and Ashley Judd attest to the fact that their choice of ring design
is influencing (or is influenced by) current trends.
Jewelers like
David Feinstein from Feinstein & Co, Boston, say "The
hottest look in engagement rings at the moment is the revival of
antique cut diamonds and we are trying desperately to meet
demand", making Catherine Zeta-Jones's antique-style 10-carat
marquise-cut diamond ring, Madonna's 3-stone Edwardian-style ring
and Ashley Judd's antique pave-set diamond
ring hot favorites when it comes to replication.
The size of
the diamond is also influencing current styles, and according to the
Diamond Information Center, the traditional one
carat solitaire diamond engagement ring has now grown to three
and four carats.
One only had
to witness the jaw dropping display of jewels at this year's Oscars
- some $40 million worth - to reinforce the notion that in the minds
of most celebrities "bigger is better". Never mind that
their cherished booty had to be returned to the vaults from whence
they came next morning.
But our
ever-increasing fascination with all things "bling" begs
the question "What about the poor sucker who has to PAY for this
excess?" The traditional measurement for any would-be suitor to
determine how much he should be willing to part with for the engagement
ring was arbitrarily set at three months's salary, which is fine
if he's earning a healthy six-figure salary. But try telling Joe
Schmo, whose monthly budget doesn't extend much beyond the local Thai
take-out, that he's up for what could be many thousands of dollars,
and you'll see his face (not to mention his wallet) crumble.
Which brings
me to my final point. The value of your sapphire
engagement ring is not simply measured in monetary terms. nor is
it measured by whether your best friend's diamond is bigger, or
whiter, or more extravagant. And it's certainly not measured by
whether it looks just like J.Lo's most recent accessory (and I mean
the ring, not the husband!)
Your ruby
engagement ring is a measure of the value of your relationship
and what it means to both of you, now and in the future. It's a
symbol of all that the two of you share, whether you're wearing a 2-carat
rock or a dime-store copy.
Just remember,
your local jeweler is probably a whiz at re-modelling, so you can
always upgrade later!
Alex Miller
has been involved in the jewelry industry for more years than she
cares to remember! She lists her passions as "diamonds, diamonds
and more diamonds" and has turned her passion into an
informative website. You can find more great articles about diamonds,
engagement rings, bridal jewelry,
honeymoons and more at http://www.sndgems.com. The place to go
BEFORE you shop for jewelry online.
Article
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
The most
famous engagement rings stories
Giving or
receiving engagement rings is a great way of showing the entire world
that you are in love. With the increasing demand for big, sparkling
diamond celebrity engagement rings worn by actresses and other famous
people, the wedding jewelry market is booming.
The best
engagement rings are recognized and attain fame, not because of the
size of the diamonds, but due to the famous women associated with the
designs of the engagement
rings themselves. Some of the famous engagement rings have
created memorable events in the history of the world. Famous ladies
and celebrities set new trends in the diamond ring industry and
influence new styles and looks. Some of the best engagement rings
have attained historical status due to their association with
celebrities. No one can forget J. Lo’s radiant-cut pink
diamond ring, which set a new trend in Hollywood, suggesting
that bigger is better.
Boy Find Missing Rings In The
Toilet
The thought of dropping a toothbrush in the toilet and fishing it out again
sounds awful, but the action of a ten year old boy in Chatham, MA helped to
reunite a pair of long lost diamond wedding rings with the daughter of the
home’s former owner.
Cameron Delonde discovered a pair of rings in the toilet and, with his
father’s help, contacted the real estate agent who sold the house to them for
help locating the previous owner. The owner’s daughter was found who, along with
her brother, realized that these family heirlooms were missing when their mother
died fives years ago, never expecting them to be found.
Chris’ father recalled the feelings he had when a favorite
ring of his was stolen and was determined to return the rings to its
owner.
Inspiring news can be hard to come by, but the kindness of strangers bent on
doing the right thing is certainly something to be celebrated.
(Sources: Washington Post, WREG-TV, WCBV-TV)
Britney Spears sparks romance rumours as she wears ex-boyfriend Adnan's ring
Ex-boyfriend Jewelry: Britney Spears sparked romance rumours when she was seen wearing a ring given
to her by ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib.
The 35-year-old photographer had his and hers rings custom-made during the
pair's short-lived relationship.
She was first seen wearing the silver-coloured knot ring in March of this
year when Britney and Adnan first started dating.
The unusual choice of jewellery has lead to speculation it could be back on
with the Birmingham-born snapper.
Ten things
you didn’t know about famous engagement rings
1. Actress
Elizabeth Taylor became more popular for the striking
jewelry in her possession. She received a 30 carat emerald-cut
diamond from Michael Todd, her third husband. She also received a
Krupp diamond of 39 carats, the Taylor-Burton pear-shaped diamond
of 69.42 carats, and the heart-shaped 17th century Taj Mahal diamond.
2. Priscilla
Presley received a diamond
engagement ring of 3.5 carats, circled by diamond chips and 21
small diamonds, from Elvis.
3. Sharon
Stone was engaged to Phil Bronstein with three emerald-cut diamonds
in a 3 1/2 carat ring.
4. The
engagement to Catherine Zeta Jones was formalized by Michael Douglas
with a beautiful antique marquise diamond of 10 carats with a
horizontal set, worth $2 million.
5. Joan
Collins received a heart-shaped diamond
ring made in the 19th century from Percy Gibson, her husband.
6. Some
celebrities settle for a three-stone
engagement ring to represent past, present, and future. Famous
pop star Madonna received a three-stone antique exquisite Edwardian
diamond ring with a decorative platinum band from Guy Ritchie.
7. Paris
Hilton, the famous diva, was engaged to billionaire Paris Latsis with
two famous engagement rings: a canary diamond ring of 24 carats worth
$5 million and a white emerald-cut
diamond ring of 15 carats worth $2.1 million.
8. Britney
Spears also has two engagement rings: a cushion-cut diamond
ring of 4 carats worth $40,000 bought by herself before her
wedding and another one presented by her husband Kevin Federline,
nine months after their marriage.
9. Toni
Braxton received a stunning and beautiful three-stone
4.5 carat diamond ring from Keri Lewis. It has two heart-shaped
diamonds on each side and an oval-shaped stone center.
10. Jennifer
Lopez was engaged to Ben Affleck with a radiant pink diamond
ring of 6 carats, which quickly drew public attention and became
very famous. The pink diamond ring, complete with three baguette
white diamonds and a platinum band on each side, was purchased for
$1.2 million. Inspiring and famous engagement rings Celebrity
engagement rings only reflect the lifestyle acquired by an
endless budget. The famous diamonds have created a huge demand for
celebrity-inspired rings, which are available at affordable rates.
The Cost Of Marrying Bridezilla: $73 Billion Annually
by Riley Jones on Fri 23 May 2008 10:03 AM EDT
You can create
custom made famous rings resembling the famous diamonds with the help
of a jeweler. So there is no need to despair when you are not able to
afford the elegance and style of a Harry Winston or Neil
Lane engagement ring. That's great if your guy is earning a 6
figure salary but wait what if he's not. What if he's joe average
living from pay day to pay day. What should he do move into the bush
and give up his home, perhaps take up walking and sell his car?
After attending one lavish wedding, you may have had gotten an inkling that
marriage is big business in America. That isn’t hard to surmise given that most
wedding ceremonies, receptions, and honeymoons cost couples tens of thousands of
dollars.
What you may not have known is that the contribution to the economy is $73
billion annually. You read that right — marriage is an industry that does its
part to fuel the national economy.
Leading the way, of course, are Hollywood celebrities and other well-heeled
folks who think nothing of spending a few million dollars to hold the party to
end all parties. At least until their marriage ends and they nab a new flame.
And then, the next wedding party is held which clearly “outperforms” all earlier
nuptials.
Conde Nast Bridal Media’s most recently published American Wedding Study
(2006) revealed several points about the way that we marry:
- 2.3 million couples marry each year.
- The average wedding costs $27,852, a 48% increase over 1999, when all
expense are included such as the reception, wedding rings, dresses, flowers and
photography. The cost for outfitting the entire bridal party runs between $4000
and $6000.
- Average cost for a reception is $9,573 with the average reception size 180
people.
- Destination weddings are becoming much more common with a full 16% of
couples electing to marry where they plan to honeymoon. Favorite destination
venues include popular Caribbean spot which area also the most popular honeymoon
destinations for couples who marry in the states.
So guys, when she says “yes” to your marriage proposal, make sure that her
parents will pay for everything. Otherwise, hold onto your wallet and hope that
bridezilla’s big day is a happy one.
(Source: Conde Nast Media)
Hotels' haul of lost and found treasure
Chris Osuh
3/ 1/2007
FORGETFUL guests have turned hotel lost and found departments into treasure
troves of weird and wonderful items.
A spy's top secret dossier, a
wooden leg and thousands of pounds in cash are among some of the more bizarre
things left behind in 2006.
And hotels across the city have their own
catalogues of unusual finds.
At Manchester's Midland Hotel, an Aladdin's
cave of freaky finds, including prosthetic legs, both plastic and wooden, has
stunned bosses.
Staff told the Manchester Evening News that one
absent-minded tourist left a gas mask in the room, while another checked out
without their Zimmer frame.
Large groups are not beyond leaving
important items behind either.
A boxing team visiting the city left
behind a full-size weighing machine; and a top flight European football club
forgot their massage tables. Martinus Louwerse, manager at the Midland, said:
"It's extraordinary the items people leave behind in their hotel rooms. Wherever
possible, we will always try to reunite them with their owners."
Returned
The Midland's lost and found office prides
itself on the happy moments, when lost items are returned to their sometimes
red-faced, but relieved, owners.
One high-flying international guest
jetted out without the `favourite pillow' he always carries with him.
Staff, who have also reunited a Rolex watch and a diamond-studded ring
with guests, made sure it was posted back to him.
At the Lowry hotel,
expensive Christmas and wedding gifts were recently recovered in the bar.
A cowboy hat, a Stetson hat, and a solitary cowboy boot were also
abandoned in recent months, as was '5,000 in cash.
Lowry marketing
services manager Helen Hipkiss said `thousands of iPods, books and CDs' were
found by cleaners, while it was not unusual for wealthy punters to forget their
diamond-encrusted bracelets or jewel-studded Jacobs watches.
Hotel
staff, who take pains to track down absent-minded owners, recently recovered
eight CDs recorded by Hollywood star Russell Crowe, along with lyric sheets,
while another guest left behind keys to the Beverly Hills Hotel.
So many
mysterious objects have surfaced at branches of the Travelodge hotel chain that
bosses there have compiled an official list.
This includes an Australian
cycle racing team bike worth '19,000, a pet dog, a six-foot length of snakeskin,
a hollowed-out Bible containing '250, and two briefcases crammed with
collectable spectacles from celebrities like Elton John.
There were also
keys for Porsche and Aston Martin cars and a diamond ring belonging to a former
footballer.
Revelations
Guy Parsons, of
Travelodge, said: "Each year, our lost and found departments provide plenty of
revelations. Our `left-behinds' demonstrate what a cross section of customers we
serve. Whether they are making a quick stopover or a long weekend, the property
left behind could tell a million tales."
According to Travelodge, the 10
most common items left behind are mobile phones and chargers; toiletries;
clothing items; shoes; books; hen/stag night accessories/adult toys;
jewellery/watches; laptops; electrical gadgets, including iPod and digital
cameras; false teeth and artificial limbs.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/
Girl, 6, finds woman's $9,000 diamond ring
Owner is reunited with gem
after it is spotted by eagle-eyed first-grader
The Associated
Press
updated 11:24 a.m. PT, Tues., July. 15, 2008
BRYANT, Ark. —
A 6-year-old girl who found what she thought was a fake diamond ring in a
Wal-Mart parking lot has helped reunite a Benton newlywed with her missing
$9,000 engagement ring.
Haley Reep Wagnon lost her 1.26-carat diamond
ring at a Bryant Wal-Mart on July 8. She reported it missing, and Bryant police
reviewed Wal-Mart's surveillance videos and saw that a child picked up the
ring.
"I saw a little girl pick up the ring in the parking lot, but I
don't think the girl was trying to steal the ring and I don't think the family
with her was even aware," Bryant police Detective Todd Crowson said. "She
probably didn't even know that it is a real ring."
Police saw the
family's vehicle, and were able to determine which Saline County dealership sold
it to them. From there, they were able to find out who the truck was registered
to — Michael Wheaton of Bryant.
"I got a call about a young lady losing a
ring and a little girl picking it up and I said, 'OK, you've got my attention,'"
Wheaton said. "I came down to the station and when he showed me the picture, I
said, 'That's my brother from Chicago and his kids.'"
Fake or real diamond, how to spot it
Worried about Diamond you bought is fake ? I give you this tips that avoiding
you buy the fake one.
1. Make a transaction with trustworthy jewelers, and
when you find a reputable jeweler, stick with
them. Avoid buying diamonds or other
jewelry from jewelers that you have never
dealt with before in the past.
2. Ask the salesman straightforwardly if the diamond you want to buy a fake
or genuine. A reputable salesman will give you an honest answer.
3. Try to wear and tear. Real diamonds are almost imperishable. If you find
disfigures or scratches on the gem, possibly your diamond is made by man and not
nature.
4. Make sure that diamond has a certificate from the Gemological Institution
of America. The GIA is the largest diamond grading authority in the world.
5. When you purchase diamonds from online store or buying stones you have not
seen or had independently appraisal, make sure the sale is attended by a grading
report provided by an independent lab like the GIA.
But if You have bought a diamond without a trustworthy certification and you
concern about its authentication, You can try these ways :
1. Use a diamond tester, is one way validate your favorite gem. Every type of
diamond except moissanite stone can be analyzed electronically by tracking the
loss of heat from a metallic probe. That’s because diamonds are excellent heat
conductors which can draw heat from the probe faster than a fake diamond. The
diamond tester cannot give you information about the quality of the stone, but
it can tell you whether the diamond is genuine or a fake. I remind you gain,
only moissanite cannot be tested, something you’ll want to consider when seeking
authentication.
2. Test the authenticity with the transparency test. Get a diamond, turn over
it upside down, and hold it over newsprint. If the diamond is fake (as well as
some genuine low cut diamonds), make it feasible to read the newsprint while
most genuine diamonds will not. You can also try the fog test by hold the
diamond in front of your mouth and try to fog it. Most real diamonds will
immediately diffuse heat, while a fake diamond will look foggy for 2 to 4
seconds.
3. A weight test can be tried in handy especially for a cubic zirconia, that
is most likely to be a replica of diamond. If your stone weighs just about 50%
more than a similar size stone, then you have a fake.
4. Ultra violet test is yet another method for authenticating your diamond. A
genuine diamond will project a blue light while a replica will not. However,
convinced very high quality diamonds will not project a blue light; therefore
this test isn’t fully reliable.
5. Seek a professional expertise who is the best person to use the test your
diamond. You can suppose to pay $50 to $75 for their service. They have the
tools and capability to determine whether that diamond is real or not and grant
you their professional opinion on what it is worth.
Fake or real, a wonderfully cut diamond in an amazing ring setting can be a real
eye catcher. Do not pay more for your diamond, fake or real, than it is really
worth. By taking the good precautions to recognize what you are buying engagement ring, you can
have your diamond without regrets.
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