The diamond engagement ring is one of the first and most important purchases made when planning to get married. And these days, bigger seems to be better.

When Michael Douglas proposed to Catherine Zeta-Jones, he presented her with a 10-carat marquise-cut diamond engagement ring. They later celebrated with a million dollar wedding at The Plaza.

Douglas and Zeta-Jones are a perfect example of the new “Bigger is Better” trend. Not only are weddings growing in extravagance, but the diamond engagement ring is growing in size as well according to the Diamond Information Center. The traditional one-carat solitaire has leaped from three to five carats.

The same trend is seen here in Atlanta, where Tom Ross of The Ross Jewelry Company, a custom-designed jewelry boutique, tells us: “We sold five rings in the three to five carat range in January. Two that were more than five carats, one more than four carats, and two in excess of three carats.

"The lag time between what is fashionable in New York and when it reaches Atlanta is now almost instantaneous. This is because so many Atlantans frequent New York and Palm Beach and travel extensively in general. The stones we are selling are of the finer quality and they are all going into handmade platinum mountings. Many of these rings could easily retail for more than $100,000.”

If one diamond isn’t enough, then three certainly work very well together. The new three-stone diamond engagement ring is gaining in popularity among several of Hollywood’s hottest couples. The three diamonds represent the Past, Present & Future or in Guy Ritchie and Madonna’s case – for mother, father and son (Rocco). Ritchie chose a one-of-a-kind, Edwardian, round, three-stone diamond ring with ornate diamond details throughout the platinum band.

Another couple that has taken a liking to the three-stone trend is Phil Bronstein and Sharon Stone. Stone received a beautiful emerald-cut three-stone diamond ring upon the adoption of their son Rhone and in celebration of their wedding anniversary. It was a perfect time to celebrate their past, present and future.

Another trend-setting duo who tied the knot, Toni Braxton and Keri Russell, designed a stunning, three-stone diamond ring: an oval-shaped center stone flanked by two heart-shaped side stones. The three-stone diamond ring truly stands out by tying new meaning to the traditional engagement ring.

And here again, Atlantans are right in step with the trend. The Ross Jewelry Company recently created a three-stone ring featuring three oval-cut diamonds, grade D/VS. The total weight was more than five carats.

The diamond engagement ring comes in a variety of styles and the possibilities are endless, but overall it’s truly a matter of personal taste. The diamond engagement ring is a symbol of a relationship and reflects the unique bond between husband and wife. It often sets the tone for the highly anticipated weddings, especially when it comes to the over-the-top celebrity weddings we all so anxiously await.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DIAMOND INFORMATION CENTER

For more information, contact:
The Diamond Information Center • 466 Lexington Avenue • New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212.210.5691 • Fax: 212.210.8778
The Ross Jewelry Company • Seven Piedmont Center • Suite 104 • Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: 404.495.3720 • Fax: 404.495.3721