Celebrity Engagements

May and June are the most popular times for engagements but Christmas and New Year's are becoming just as popular. Case in point, Reese Witherspoon and LeeAnn Rimes just got engaged to their sweethearts.

Here is some info about the 'ice' they received this winter season...

Reese Witherspoon received a 4-carat Ashoka diamond stunner set on a pave diamond-and-platinum band from her sweetie Jim Toth. Apparently the co-owner of the store that designed the ring said that "the elegant cut has an old feel to it". As you may have noticed, retro inspired engagement rings have become very popular these past few years.

LeeAnn Rimes was seen showing off a 5 carat oval diamond engagement ring set in platinum. The ring also features single cut pave diamonds and tiny rose cut diamonds set in rose gold fleur-de-lis that are connected to the band. Apparently LeeAnn wanted the fleur-de-lis incorporated into her ring but gave her fiance Eddie Cibrian no other direction than that. So Eddie designed the ring by himself with his childhood friend who happens to be the jeweler that created the stunning ring that echos an antique feel but as a new ring.
Which brings forth another emerging trend in engagement rings- men seem to be doing the ring designing/shopping on their own again. Good for you guys !

And like LeeAnn and Reese, Marry Me says congratulations to anyone else out there who got a little something 'extra' from Santa this Christmas !

Choosing an engagement ring on a budget

Guys, maybe you're ready to pop the question to your special lady, but you're not exactly sure what kind of ring to buy and how you can purchase it inexpensively.

Well, here are some tips to help you get the ring of her dreams without breaking the bank (from TheKnot.com):

Put a ring around it. You've heard the phrase, "strength in numbers," right? The same thing applies when it comes to enhancing a stone. A ring with a halo setting (a circle of smaller diamonds around the center stone) can make the middle diamond look bigger. Not only is it an excellent way to create an illusion of additional carats, the halo can also completely alter the diamond's appearance by giving it a vintage look that'll stand out.

Choose an emerald cut. An emerald cut has fewer facets (the surfaces that reflect light and make the diamond sparkle), so it won't be as shiny, but the shape allows the diamond to cover more surface area than other cuts of the same carat weight. This means it will look bigger, and the style is timeless so your ring will never seem outdated.

Skip the eternity bands. Diamonds around the band are great for many; not so much if you're a frugal shopper. Instead, try a band that highlights the center stone such as one that's decorated with twists or engraving. If you must have a little more bling, try adding baguette diamonds on each side of the center stone for more glitz at a lower price.

For more tips, check out Engagement Rings: Engagement Ring Budget Tips

Photo from: diamond.com