Beautiful rings, especially engagement rings, are always fascinating, even mesmerizing. And indeed, certain rings have become famous for their glamour and sparkle - regardless of the fate of the relationship that prompted their giving. Sadly, perhaps, being given a flashy and expensive gold, platinum or silver engagement ring is no guarantee of everlasting love. But that doesn't mean we can't admire these famous rings - and seek to find more modest imitations of them for ourselves.
Leading the list of famous actresses who've received famously gorgeous engagement rings is Elizabeth Taylor. Michael Todd, her third (and some say her most beloved) husband is well-known for having given her a 30-carat emerald-cut diamond. But Todd was killed in a plane crash...and Taylor's next, more stormy, love, Richard Burton, who was not to be outdone by his predecessor, gave the lovely Liz a 39-carat, pear-shaped Krupp diamond ring.
A somewhat smaller 3.5 carat emerald-cut diamond ring was bought by Phil Bronstein for Sharon Stone. No, the marriage didn't last... leading one to think that a lovely silver ring with pear-shaped or emerald-cut white zircons might have done just as well. One wonders whether these women kept their expensive rings, or tossed them aside with the men who gave them... as did Madonna, who ultimately left Guy Ritchie despite his having given her a positively smashing antique Edwardian three-stone diamond ring. Fortunately for us, silver looks like platinum and is much less dear. Here, too, then is a ring that can be imitated with silver and white zircons.
But the most famous engagement ring of all - and certainly one of the most beautiful ever - was that of Diana, Princess of Wales. Prince Charles let her choose her ring from amongst several rings prepared specially by Garrard Jewellers, jewellers to the Crown since 1843. Diana chose an oval-shaped, 18-carat blue sapphire, surrounded by 14 smaller diamonds. As always, Diana started a trend of engagement rings with a gemstone other than a diamond. You, too, can choose a ring with a gemstone that is somewhat less expensive than a sapphire, though no less lovely. A silver ring with a blue-hued topaz, a sparkling violet amethyst, or a bewitching opal - perhaps flanked by chips of white zircon - would have a similar effect to Diana's ring.
We think it's preferable to select a modest engagement ring from amongst Magnolia's many silver and gemstone rings, and save the pre-wedding time and effort for ensuring your relationship - unlike those of these famous women - lasts a lifetime.
