Brilliant Blog

Trend Alert: The Engagement Band

September 12, 2012

It used to be that a woman received a diamond ring when she got engaged, and then a wedding band when she got married. But, times are changing. Make way for the Engagement Band! These rings tend to be wider than a normal wedding band and, instead of one large diamond, they are usually covered in many small diamonds and intricate detail. The most notable fact about them is that they combine the engagement ring and a wedding band, in both looks and function. Now, women are either receiving both an engagement band and a wedding band, or, for those couples ahead of the times, just one engagement band.

This begs the question, if you only wear one ring, when do you receive it? Most people who choose to wear an engagement band do not receive it until the wedding day, especially if the band is very wide. This could mean many diamond-less proposals in our future. Would you say “yes” to a marriage proposal without a ring? Is one ring better really than two? Check out the below rings and decide for yourself if they’re worth the wait!

Photos courtesy of Martha Stewart,  Sears,  Hearts on Fire.

Yellow Gold Engagement Rings: They’re Back!

June 20, 2012

A yellow gold engagement ring used to scream “I got married in the 80′s!”   However, lately big jewelry houses like Cartier and Tiffany are showing an increasing amount of yellow gold engagement rings.  What do you think of this trend?  Is it here to stay, or will a yellow gold once again be an indicator of the decade you got married?

The Proposal Planner: Robert & Mariela

May 18, 2012

Robert wanted to propose to Mariela on Valentine’s Day with her friends and family, so I designed a proposal concept inspired by their hopes and dreams for the future and found an inventive way to incorporate everyone into the experience.

The happy couple arrived to Ca Va for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, but when Mariela stepped into the private dining room, she was surprised by about 30 of her closest friends and family.  One by one, each person stepped forward and presented her with a  specially-wrapped gift.  A book on starting a small business gave her advice on the day care she plans to open, a photo of her with her mother represented the couple taking care of their families in the future, a garter tucked into a beach-themed box represented the laid-back, beachfront wedding they envisioned.

After she unwrapped each gift, he explained how he envisioned their future together, and got down on his knee to pop the question!  Mariela said yes and the couple enjoyed a celebratory dinner with their whole family.  Congratulations to Robert & Mariela!  Thanks to Sofia Negron for the fantastic photos, stay tuned for the video.

Angelina Jolie’s Engagement Ring

May 2, 2012

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (aka Brangelina) are engaged! What do you think of her custom-designed engagement ring: love it or leave it?

Man-gagement Rings

April 5, 2012

Whether it’s a same-sex couple popping the question, or a brave lady proposing to her guy, man-gagement rings are not just a trend. Although most luxury jewelers aren’t yet marketing their rings as “man-gagement” rings, here are two of my picks from Harry Winston and Michael C. Fina’s wedding band collection.

Non-Traditional Engagement Rings

February 29, 2012

Getting engaged to a truly unique woman?  Think outside the traditional engagement ring box and consider the other types of incredible rings.  I recently planned a dream marriage proposal inspired by a non-traditional engagement ring, the Orchid Ring from Cartier.  Whether it’s a ruby stunner like this one from Van Cleef & Arpels or the “Toi & Moi” ring from Chopard, be sure that your engagement ring choice reflects the unique personality of your lucky lady.