April's birthstone is the diamond, one of the most coveted and valuable gemstones in the world. Diamonds are prized for their brilliance, clarity, and durability, making them a symbol of everlasting love and strength. They are formed deep within the Earth's mantle under extreme pressure and temperature conditions, and they are composed of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal structure.
Diamonds have been treasured for centuries and have been used in jewellery and adornments by royalty and nobility throughout history. They are often associated with engagement rings, symbolising enduring love and commitment.
These are just a few examples of diamonds worn by modern celebrities, showcasing both their exquisite taste in jewellery and the opulence associated with high-profile engagements and red carpet events.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian's engagement ring from Kanye West is a stunning and extravagant piece of jewellery that gained significant attention in the media and among fans.
The 15-carat cushion-cut diamond ring was designed by celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz and is estimated to be worth several million dollars due to the combination of the diamond's size, quality, and the prestige associated with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.
Cushion-cut diamonds feature a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners, combining the brilliance of a modern round-cut diamond with a romantic, vintage-inspired silhouette.
The diamond is of exceptional quality, reportedly graded as the most chemically pure type IIa diamond. The ring is set on a thin band allowing the focus to remain on the stunning diamond centrepiece.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez' engagement ring is the second coloured design from fiancé Ben Affleck. The piece itself is believed to feature an "exceptionally rare" 8.5 carat cushion cut green diamond, with a white diamond on either side and is valued at between $5-7 million. Aside from looking incredible, the stone's unusual hue also holds a personal significance for JLo.
"I always say the colour green is my lucky colour. Maybe you can remember a certain green dress," she wrote, via People. "I've realised there are many moments in my life where amazing things happened when I was wearing green."
Green diamonds are much rarer than white diamonds — and the particular chemical formation that makes diamonds green tends to make it very hard to find them fit for engagement rings above 1 carat.
Carrie Bradshaw
In the iconic television series "Sex and the City," Mr. Big, portrayed by Chris Noth, gives Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, a stunning black diamond engagement ring. The ring is featured prominently in the series, particularly in the final episodes leading up to Carrie and Mr. Big's wedding.
The black diamond ring symbolises the unconventional nature of Carrie and Mr. Big's relationship. In contrast to traditional engagement rings featuring colourless or white diamonds, the black diamond ring is bold, edgy, and unique, much like Carrie's personality and sense of style.
The ring was designed by Itay Malkin in collaboration with Sarah Jessica Parker and SATC Costume Designer, Patricia Field and features a 5 carat black diamond surrounded by 78 round natural white pave diamonds equaling 0.40 carats.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé's engagement ring is a stunning and exquisite piece of jewellery that she received from her husband, rapper and music mogul Jay-Z. The ring is known for its exceptional size, quality, and design, reflecting the couple's lavish lifestyle and taste.
Beyoncé's engagement ring features a massive 18-carat emerald-cut diamond as its centrepiece. Emerald-cut diamonds are characterised by their rectangular shape with trimmed corners and step-cut facets, which emphasise clarity and give the stone a sophisticated and elegant appearance.
The ring's design is sleek and minimalist, allowing the stunning diamond to take centre stage and capture attention with its sheer size and beauty. While the exact details of the ring's origin, including its cost and the jeweller who crafted it, are not widely publicised, it is estimated to be worth several million dollars due to the combination of the diamond's size, quality, and the prestige associated with Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
An Alternative...
Should rings for relationships only use classic diamonds?
While a white diamond can feel cool and sophisticated, engagement rings don’t necessarily need to be all-diamond, in fact there is a strong demand for engagement rings with coloured stones and Kate Middleton's ring is a perfect example.
Kate Middleton's engagement ring is one of the most famous and iconic pieces of jewellery in recent history. The ring was originally owned by Princess Diana, Prince William's mother. It is a stunning sapphire and diamond ring, featuring a large oval blue sapphire surrounded by a halo of smaller round diamonds, set in white gold.
The sapphire in the ring is particularly significant as it is believed to be a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire. The deep blue colour of the sapphire is highly prized, and it is complemented by the brilliance of the surrounding diamonds. The ring was crafted by the British jewellery house Garrard & Co. (formerly known as Garrard & Sons), who were the official Crown Jewellers at the time.
The ring gained international attention when Prince William presented it to Kate Middleton upon their engagement in November 2010. It was a touching tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, as it was reported that Prince William chose this ring specifically to honour her memory. Princess Diana had selected the ring herself from a Garrard catalog when she became engaged to Prince Charles in 1981.
Since Kate Middleton began wearing the ring, it has become incredibly popular and has sparked a trend for sapphire and diamond engagement rings. It is now regarded as one of the most iconic engagement rings in the world, symbolising love, heritage, and the enduring legacy of Princess Diana.
Visit us in store to view our beautiful collection of diamonds and coloured gemstone rings or if you're interested in a bespoke commission call us on 01727 860329 or email showroom@galio.co.uk for more information or to book an appointment with our designer.