Latest news with #engagementRing
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Kate Middleton's £10,000 keepsake honouring her love story with Prince William
Though the Princess of Wales owns one of the most famous engagement rings in history, she has recently been seen without it at several public appearances. Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2011 with a dazzling heirloom: a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire encircled by 14 solitaire diamonds, designed by the esteemed London jeweller Garrard. The ring, originally purchased by Prince Charles for Princess Diana in 1981 for £28,000, is now valued at over £300,000. Given its significant value and delicate design, it's understandable that Kate occasionally opts not to wear it - especially during informal outings or active engagements, such as her recent appearance in a Scouts promotional video. Comfort and practicality are likely considerations as well. Kate has been known to remove her engagement ring during hospital visits, presumably due to health and safety protocols. In its place, Kate has adopted a more understated but equally meaningful look - a stack of eternity rings that express her personal style and love for her family. Jewellery experts at Steven Stone estimate her stack to be worth close to £10,000. Maxwell Stone told MailOnline: 'Kate's choice of rings suggests that she values subtlety and meaning over grandeur, while still maintaining an air of elegance and sophistication. 'Though her engagement ring has been seen less frequently, her continued display of commitment to Prince William through her eternity rings speaks to her desire for personal and understated expressions of love.' Mr Stone added that the rings reflect her preference for sentimental jewellery: 'The rings showcase her affinity for classic, timeless pieces that reflect her role as both a mother and wife - they've been carefully chosen to be meaningful rather than overtly luxurious, which aligns with her image of grace, modesty and a strong connection to family.' Traditionally, royal jewellery is passed down through generations, with engagement and wedding rings serving as treasured heirlooms. Kate's sapphire engagement ring and Welsh gold wedding band follow this custom. However, her eternity rings mark a quiet evolution in royal jewellery - favouring modern, personal symbolism over formality. Here's a breakdown of the rings that now make up Princess Kate's signature stack. Sapphire and diamond band - estimated value: £4,700 Kate's Cartier 'Étincelle' band features 19 brilliant-cut diamonds, totalling 0.24 carats, alongside 19 matching sapphires, totalling 0.34 carats. First seen in 2024, it's believed to be a thirteenth wedding anniversary gift from William. The more subtle alternative to her engagement ring, it reflects Kate's enduring love for sapphire jewellery. Slim diamond band - estimated value: £1,000 While its origin remains a mystery, this white diamond band brings understated elegance to Kate's ring stack, capturing the attention of fans and jewellery enthusiasts alike. Mr Stone notes that the delicate design is 'a thoughtfully chosen piece, complementing her other rings while maintaining a refined simplicity.' Diamond eternity ring - estimated value: £1,500 Gifted by William following the birth of Prince George, this pave-set ring from Annoushka's Eclipse collection is crafted from 18-carat white gold and hand-set with 0.23 carats of diamonds. Kate has worn the piece both with and without her sapphire engagement ring and Welsh gold wedding band. Sentimental value plays a major role in Kate's jewellery choices, making this a fitting favourite in her collection. Wedding band - estimated value: £2,300 Crafted from Welsh yellow gold, Kate's wedding ring is part of a royal tradition, shared by the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II. While its gold content may not hold high retail value, Mr Stone explains, 'considering the nugget of gold it was made from, and the legacy of the lady who wears it, it is likely to be worth a lot more in the coming years.'
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Former Bachelor star Brittany Hockley shows off her MASSIVE diamond wedding ring after marrying Swiss footballer Ben Siegrist in Bali ceremony
Brittany Hockley has flaunted her massive wedding ring after tying the knot with her Swiss footballer beau Ben Siegrist on Wednesday. In a photo shared to Instagram on Friday, posted by best pal and Life Uncut podcast co-host Laura Byrne, the former Bachelor star's giant engagement ring, along with a diamond-encrusted wedding band, was on full display. Brittany, 37, wore a big smile on her face as she posed for the camera, her hand strategically placed to show off the huge sparklers on her ring finger. Her killer abs were also on show as the reality star donned a tiny white bikini, accessorising the poolside ensemble with a terry cloth bucket hat and sunglasses. 'Work wife is now an actual wife,' Laura captioned the post. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brittany Hockley (@brittany_hockley) Ben has previously dished details on Brittany's stunning engagement ring, revealing he had it sourced and made in Dubai and hid a halo under the diamond in a pavé setting. He also explained the diamond is lab-grown, which is more cost-effective and ethically sourced compared to natural diamonds. The cost of a lab grown diamond is around 40 to 50 per cent less than an earth-mined diamond, though it is still a real diamond. Brittany and Ben wed in a romantic ceremony in Bali on Wednesday. The wedding took place at Pandawa Cliff Estate which promises a 'dramatic and romantic clifftop setting overlooking the Indian Ocean', and stunning views of Bali's Bukit Peninsula. Brittany was ever the blushing bride on her big day, walking down the aisle in a strapless dress by Steven Khalil which featured a lace corset with dramatic long train. The couple gave followers a glimpse into the nuptials, sharing a duo of loved-up snaps from the big day to Instagram. One showed Ben romantically embracing his new bride as he leaned in for a newlywed kiss. The second showed the happy couple beaming as they held hands and hugged each other close. 'From the very first day, it was you,' Brittany captioned the images. 'Across any ocean, it is you. For the rest of our lives, it will always be you. Mr and Mrs Siegrist 4.6.2025,' she added, augmenting the sentiment with love heart emojis. The post was met with an outpouring of congratulations from friends, fans and followers. Laura was quick to chime in with: 'HERE SHE IS!!!!! The most stunning bride and groom ever. What a day.' NRL WAG Zoe Marshall also offered a simple 'ahhh beautiful', while Brittany's former KIIS FM co-star Mitch Churi revealed the ceremony moved him to tears. 'I'm still crying (and picking firework shrapnel from my quiff),' he wrote. The Life Uncut podcast announced Brittany's engagement to Ben, 33, last year. The duo met in November 2022 on the celebrity dating app Raya.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Best Places To Buy Affordable Engagement Rings This Spring
Finding the perfect engagement ring is no easy feat—especially when you're on a tight budget. According to The Knot's 2024 Jewelry & Engagement study, the average cost of an engagement ring is $5,200 in the United States. But that doesn't mean you can't find a beautiful ring for less. Retailers like Blue Nile, Brilliant Earth and James Allen are brimming with affordable engagement rings. And, now that spring is here, many are hosting seasonal sale events to help you save. We've rounded up the best places to buy affordable engagement rings online—as well as some specific ... More designs we recommend shopping. For the purpose of this list, we're defining 'affordable' as any ring below that $5,200 average. Below, we've listed eight of the best places to shop for affordable engagement rings right now, as well as some specific designs our editors recommend checking out. Blue Nile is our fashion team's pick for the best place to buy engagement rings overall. It offers a vast selection of styles—including customizable designs—and helpful assistance from virtual advisors. The brand's overall accessibility and customer service make it an easy favorite. Blue Nile This understated ring makes your diamond the center of attention (as it should be). Choose from six metal types, and complete the piece with your diamond of choice from Blue Nile's selection of gorgeous lab grown designs. Just keep in mind: The price of the diamond will vary based on factors like style and size. Brilliant Earth specializes in customizable engagement rings, with setting options starting at $550 and diamonds starting at $300. If you'd prefer a ready-to-ship design, there are options priced from $1,890. The retailer carries both lab-grown and natural diamonds, but its most affordable styles feature lab-grown stones. Right now, code TENNIS will also get you a free lab diamond tennis bracelet with purchases over $1,000. Brilliant Earth At $2,390, this is one of Brilliant Earth's most affordable ready-to-ship designs. Choose between a white gold or yellow gold setting. You can also opt for a larger center stone if you're willing to pay a bit more—the pictured option has a total carat weight of one carat. If you're seeking a more traditional ring, check out James Allen. While the designer offers an impressive selection of styles—including modern minimalist pieces—it specializes in timeless, vintage-inspired designs that suit just about any budget. With its current sale, you can save up to 30% on select lab-grown diamonds and engagement ring settings. James Allen This elegant pear-shaped ring from James Allen has a 1.60-carat lab-grown stone on a 14k white gold band. You also get limited lifetime warranty included for free with this ring. For sheer variety, our fashion editors recommend Zales. The brand is a household name and carries thousands of styles, many of which are fully customizable. It's currently offering up to 60% off select clearance styles. Zales If you're looking for a ring that really sparkles, this emerald diamond has a 2-carat total weight, primarily made up of its 1.5-carat center stone. The additional components that surround the center stone are trapezoid-shaped and tapered baguette-cut lab-grown diamonds. Helzberg Diamonds has been making rings since 1915, so you know its styles are reliable. Plus, it adheres to the Kimberley Process, American Gem Society and World Diamond Council standards—all ethical standards for sourcing diamonds and metals. The store is currently offering 15% off select engagement rings and an additional 15% off select clearance styles, with total savings reaching up to 60%. Helzberg Diamonds This stunning design features a 2-carat pear-shaped diamond on a 18k yellow gold band. Unlike traditional settings, this has an east-west shape that highlights the diamond, while also offering a unique and modern twist that hugs the curve of the sparkling stone. For those unfamiliar, Etsy is an online marketplace that hosts individual sellers. If you want a wide array of unique designs—including some vintage options—it's an excellent place to start your search. Just keep in mind: You'll have to do a little more legwork than at a curated jeweler, and it may be more difficult to verify the source of your diamond. Etsy A gorgeous, 5-carat IGI-certified lab-grown diamond is the star of this ring. However, on the hidden halo setting, you'll find additional diamonds for extra glamour. The ring is made to order, with options of 14k white, yellow or rose gold for the band. GrownRadiance has earned a Star Seller rating from Etsy, denoting that the designer has received consistent five-star reviews, ships quickly and provides quality customer service. This Portland-based jeweler has hundreds of affordable engagement ring designs to choose from, all of which adhere to responsibly mined and produced jewelry practices. Your ring is also covered by a Lifetime Jewelry Care Program that includes cleaning and routine maintenance, as well as repairs and replacements. Fred Meyer Jewelry If you already know you want a white gold band, this timeless ring has a great discount right now. The design features the aforementioned 14k white gold band and a 1.5 carat princess cut lab-grown diamond. The stone is GSI-certified, ensuring the diamond is of high quality and value. The classic jewelry brand is known for more than its catchy jingle. Kay Jewelers offers a wide selection of rings to suit a variety of budgets and preferences. Plus, all of its diamonds, precious metals and gems are responsibly sourced and come backed by a lifetime guarantee. Kay Jewelers This 1.5-carat marquise lab-grown diamond sits on 14K white gold setting. Although the sparkly center stone steals most of the attention, there are smaller details that are equally as captivating. This includes the round and marquise-cut diamonds that surround the diamond across the band. Take note: the band is only available in 14k white gold at the moment, but it's ready to ship immediately. Whether you're looking for a simple design or want a more elaborate look to your engagement ring, Ritani has you covered. Right now, you can customize your diamond or lab-grown diamond ring for as low as $1,600. The retailer has countless of affordable rings, but you can increase your savings by joining Ritani's email list to secure $100 off your order. Ritani The 'Toi et moi' or 'you and me' engagement ring style is the perfect way to symbolize your upcoming marriage due to its unique two-stone design. Personalize the ring by selecting the second stones shape, metal and carat size. Depending on your preferences, the price of the ring may increase. Our editors named Vrai the best place to purchase lab-grown diamond engagement rings thanks to its sustainable practices, high quality stones and sophisticated designs. The retailer offers made-to-order and ready-to-ship engagement rings as low as $2,100. Vrai This simple ring has a 1.5-carat lab-grown diamond front and center. The 14k yellow gold engagement ring secures the stone with its hidden halo setting that has handset pavé diamonds surrounding it, so it can shine from all angles. To maintain the look and feel of the ring, it also comes with Vrai's care package, which includes warranty, annual shine service and complimentary resizing. Our editors love Grown Brilliance because of its Truly Custom program—you send in inspiration images, and a jeweler will create a one-of-a-kind piece for you. But it also offers plenty of high-quality, pre-designed engagement rings that are on the affordable end of the spectrum. Grown Brilliance Emerald cuts rose in popularity during the Art Deco era, and they appear to be making a comeback. This stunning, vintage-inspired design combines intricate details and shapes to create a cohesive work of art. The ring features a lab-grown emerald diamond at its center, accompanied by additional stones that build upon it, as well as the band itself. Although you can't customize its shape, you can choose from white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and platinum bands.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Dua Lipa flaunts her jaw-dropping figure in tiny bikini as she relaxes in the sunshine with her sister Rina and brother Gjin in between stops on her Radical Optimism tour
She's been performing incredible concerts on stage night after night. But Dua Lipa treated her Instagram followers to their own sizzling show on Tuesday, as she shared an eye-popping bikini-clad snap. The singer, 29, was joined by her sister Rina, 24, and brother Gjin, 19, to soak in the sunshine in between stops on her Radical Optimism tour. She showcased her incredible figure in a skimpy brown two-piece as she relaxed on a sun lounger with her lookalike younger sister, while sipping on some cocktails. While Dua then slipped into a breathtaking off-the-shoulder white dress that flashed her cleavage and displayed her tiny waist. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She posed up a storm for a slew of stunning shots, flaunting her long raven tresses and making sure to show off her dazzling diamond engagement ring. While the Dance the Night star also beamed as she cosied up to Rina and Gjin for a sweet sibling shot, as the trio enjoyed some downtime together in the sun-soaked location. However, many fans confused the elegant white number for a bridal gown and took to comments to admit they'd mistakenly thought she'd tied the knot, writing: 'Girl, I thought you got married for a second'. Dua captioned the striking photos: 'a lil pauseeeee', as she readied for her next tour show in Prague on Tuesday night. The pop star has been travelling non-stop, after performing in Nanterre, France on Saturday night and then appearing in Monte Carlo on Sunday for the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix. The singer's epic world tour kicked off in November 2024 and is set to continue all the way to December 2025. The mammoth tour, which has 80 dates in total, will see the star perform across the globe, including in Europe and Australia. The performance comes amid a happy time in the Dua's personal life after her recent engagement. She posed up a storm for a slew of stunning shots, flaunting her long raven tresses and making sure to show off her dazzling diamond engagement ring However, many fans confused the elegant white number for a bridal gown and took to comments to admit they'd mistakenly thought she'd tied the knot, writing: 'Girl, I thought you got married for a second' She shared a loved-up snap with her fiancé Callum Turner while enjoying a romantic date night during brief time off between concerts. The singer shared a series of snaps giving her 87.4million followers a glimpse into her busy week from cocktails with Callum and sun-soaked dog walks. Dua was all smiles as she held up her porn star martini while the Fantastic Beasts actor, 35, kissed her cheek. In another snap, the pair were seen lying in a field during a dog walk with Callum's pet Rottweiler, Golo who was seen standing between his legs. Dua was glowing as she snapped an up close selfie once again flashing her huge dazzling engagement ring. She simply wrote of the snaps: 'A week'. In December it emerged that Dua and Callum had got engaged after he 'got down in one knee in a romantic proposal'. Earlier this month, the couple looked more loved-up than ever as they made their red carpet debut at the 2025 Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit Gala on Monday. Dua and Callum, who were first linked in January 2024, looked happier than ever as they hit the blue carpet at fashion's biggest night in New York. The One Kiss hitmaker commanded attention in an eye-catching black Chanel mini dress which boasted a feathered skirt and a sheer underlay. Flaunting every inch of her endless pins, Dua slipped into a plunging blazer number with beaded detailing. The beauty accessorised with a dazzling necklace and wore her long dark tresses in a sleek up do. Callum put on a sharp display in a black double-breasted suit as they made their red carpet debut together.
Associated Press
25-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
How to Finance an Engagement Ring
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 24, 2025 / Getting engaged is one of the most exciting moments for couples ready to take the next step in their relationship. But the cost of an engagement ring can sometimes cause financial anxiety that takes away from the joy. The good news is engagement ring financing may alleviate the worry of how you'll pay for a ring and provide you with a predictable repayment schedule that won't burden your relationship. This article explores some of the best ways to finance your engagement ring so you can focus on the more important task at hand, popping the question. In-Store Financing Jewelers may partner with lenders or credit card companies to offer in-store financing for engagement rings. These programs typically let you spread the cost over a period of six to 24 months with little to no interest. As a result, you may be able to afford your preferred ring without worrying about paying a lot in interest. That said, it's crucial to pay the full balance by the end of the financing period. Failure to do so could mean the lender will add back all the interest you didn't pay during the original term. Personal Loan Personal loans are widely available at various banks, credit unions, and online lenders. It's a lump sum you borrow and repay in fixed monthly installments plus interest. The predictable payment schedule of personal loans makes it easy to plan ahead and fit the loan payment into your monthly budget. You can also shop around and compare quotes to find favorable interest rates and loan terms that fit your needs. Credit Card Credit cards typically have high APRs for purchases, so if you use a card to pay for a ring, you'll need to have a plan to pay off the balance quickly. However, many cards offer benefits that could help reduce the cost of an engagement ring when used strategically. Benefits may include: Imagine the engagement ring you want to buy is $2,000. You open a new credit card with the following terms: Buying the ring with the credit card would qualify you for $20 cashback rewards and the $150 signup bonus. That means you have $1,830 left to pay. You can then spread the balance over 12 months, allowing you to pay for the ring in full with no interest for just $152.50 monthly. Buy Now, Pay Later Program Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) programs are third-party services that let you buy your ring today and pay for it over time. The BNPL service pays for the ring in full. You then pay the BNPL service, usually with a low interest rate or a small fee attached. These services could offer additional convenience since you may not have to search for a loan or credit card. Instead, if the jeweler works with these programs, you may be able to sign up while paying for the ring. Fund Your Forever, Without the Wait Saving up cash for an engagement ring may take a long time. Fortunately, you have plenty of financing options to fill the gap between your savings and the ring's cost. Jewelers may offer convenient in-store financing or partner with Buy Now, Pay Later providers. However, you may also explore personal loan options or use new credit cards strategically to finance the ring as well. Remember to explore all your options and shop around when looking for personal loans and credit cards to find the best potential offers. That way, you can figure out financing that works for you and free up your time to prepare for the big moment. SPONSORED CONTENT Contact Information: Name: Sonakshi Murze Email: [email protected] Job Title: Manager SOURCE: OneMain Financial press release
