June 19, 2015
Put a Ring On It: 5 Picks for Your Engagement or Wedding Ring
Matthew Wexler READ TIME: 6 MIN.
This article is part of EDGE's Jewelers to the Stars series, sponsored by Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company. To learn more about how you can protect your most valuable possessions, click here.
It's the "marry" month of June! While many LGBT'ers are taking to the streets to celebrate gay pride, the growing momentum of gay marriage in the U.S. is encouraging others to hit the altar rather than the all-nighter.
According to The Knot, June is the most popular month to get married and couples are spending more than ever -- nearly $30,000 (excluding honeymoon)! And with the average engagement length at 14 months, it's time to get down on one knee so you can be strolling down the aisle by next summer. Of course, one of the surest ways to guarantee a "yes" besides the obvious part of being in love, is presenting a gorgeous ring that will become a cherished family heirloom for generations to come.
EDGE went window-shopping and discovered five rings that scream, "I do!"
Harry Winston
Jeweler Harry Winston is what legends are made of. Stephen Sondheim referenced him in "Uptown Downtown" (cut from the original production of Follies), Madonna wore millions of dollars worth of his jewels to perform at the 1991 Academy Awards, and our favorite first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, received a major chunk of bling from husband number two when Aristotle Onassis purchased a 40.42-carat diamond for his new bride-to-be.
For retro-fabulousness, look no further than the Belle Bridal Collection, inspired by Winston's purchase of Arabella Huntington's jewelry collection in 1926. The round diamond center stone is accented by a geometric bezel frame and set on an elegant micropav� band. Price available upon inquiry.
Graff
Founded by Laurence Graff in 1960, the company claims "to have handled more diamonds of notable rarity and beauty than any other jeweler." The London-based company continues to produce showstoppers, including a rainbow of yellow, pink, and blue diamonds.
One of our favorites is the emerald cut, Flame, featuring a platinum band with pav� diamonds leading the eye toward a head-turning center stone. Price available upon inquiry.
Brilliant Earth
"Jewelry represents a commitment between two people and should be a symbol of not just your love, but your values as well," says Brilliant Earth's co-founder Beth Gerstein, who along with business partner Eric Grossberg, launched the jewelry brand with a commitment to ethical sourcing. Built on the pillars of sustainability, transparency and compassion, Brilliant Earth hopes to change the jewelry industry "one diamond at a time."
For men looking to add a subtle pop of gemstone to what is typically a simple wedding band, we recommend the Horizon Ring, made of recycled platinum and studded with a thin row of channel-set diamonds ($2,290).
Osnat Har Noy
Israeli-based Osnat Har Noy is bursting onto the international market with her unconventional, geometric designs. Awarded 2014 Jewelry Designer of the Year at Miami Fashion Week, she is also a qualified gemologist. Noy's work is currently featured at a solo show at Bejing's Ullens Center for Contemporary Art.
We fell in love with this 14-carat white gold Balance Cube Ring ($1,245).
Danhov
Jewelry designer Jack Hovsepian founded Danhov in 1984 and over the past three decades, the brand has become a go-to for Hollywood elite or anyone looking for wow factor in a wedding or engagement ring. Each piece is either handcrafted or hand-assembled in the Hollywood studio. Staying on trend, Danhov was recently recognized for its innovative design at the Platinum Innovation Awards for its Eleganza handcrafted, double-shank braided engagement ring.
For men looking to embrace the platinum craze, we can't resist the Tubetto Domed Band ($4,720), a 6-mm-wide, eye-catching band of tubular cuts, which "symbolizes the endless love of a wedding promise."
Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.
