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CANVASES, CARATS AND CURIOSITIES

New York Times

Leaving No Stone Unturned

By Marianne Rohrlich | View original article here

“Will you marry me” are some of the most magical words any time of year, especially around Valentine’s Day. “Put a ring on it,” as Beyoncé sings it, doesn’t necessarily mean a diamond.

Wallis Simpson, Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana (whose ring was given to Kate Middleton) each wore an engagement ring that included colored gemstones. In 1796, Napoleon, then a young army officer, gave his future wife, Josephine, a ring of blue sapphires and diamonds.

Today anything goes, depending on the circumstances (perhaps financial) and the couple’s aesthetics and priorities. For the design crowd, there is a plastic ring in the shape of a classic Tiffany setting that could be given as either a place holder or the real thing. After all, it is truly the thought that counts.

1. Hand-Carved With a Touch of Glamour

Angled fragment Ring With Diamond is hand carved and set with a 0.015-carat diamond for anyone who wants just a tiny bit of glamour.

$150 from Corey Egan, coreyegan.com, 415-894-2832.

2. A Gem from 1810

An English Georgian-era ring from about 1810 has a cluster of old mine diamonds set in a shank with scrollwork; made of silver and 15-karat gold. The center stone is approximately 0.40 carats.

$15,500 from Kentshire, kentshire.com, 212-421-1100.

3. Making an Impression, Literally

The Inner Message ring by Jungyun Yoon, a designer in South Korea, leaves an impression of intention on the wearer’s finger (it comes with a choice of “marry me,” “always” or a heart). The ring is available in sterling silver or 14-karat gold.

$119 from Generate Design, gnr8.biz, 888-406-8702.

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4. A Gypsy Glamour

The Gypsy Horn ring in satin finish 18-karat yellow gold has a discreetly set 0.05-carat diamond.

$1,400 from Finn Jewelry, finnjewelry.com, 212-929-9556.

5. The Pink Plastic Solitaire

The designer Alissia Melka-Teichroew said she put a “playful spin” on the classic Tiffany set diamond solitaire. The pink plastic ring, also comes in other colors and finishes.

$12 from buyamt.com.

6. Inspired by Venus

The Venus garnet and pearl ring was inspired by a bracelet worn by Venus, the goddess of love, in a 17th-century 1614/15 painting by Peter Paul Rubens. This ring made of sterling silver with an overlay of 24-karat gold is set with one garnet and two fresh water pearls.

7. Platinum and Ruby Luxury

For those who want real luxury this platinum ring has a 4.61-carat untreated Burma ruby set in blue steel and surrounded by white diamonds totaling 1.13 carats.

Burma Ruby, Engagement Ring, Unique Engagement Ring, M.S. Rau Antiques, New Orleans, French Quarter, luxury, Designer Jewelry $625,000 from M.S. Rau antiques, rauantiques.com,

 

8. Pyrite Bling

This 14-karat gold-filled ring gets its bling from a natural Pyrite crystal, about one-inch long.

$92 by Friedasophie, etsy.com/shop/friedasophie.

9. Love in Rose Gold

A 14-karat rose gold ring has the word love spelled out in 38 white diamonds that equal 0.14 carats by Sydney Evan.

$860 at Bergdorf Goodman, bergdorfgoodman.com, 212-753-7300.

10. One of a Kind

A signed vintage JAR ring made in the 1980s in France, for one lucky buyer who cannot get an appointment with the famous jeweler in Paris: an approximately 4.06-carat diamond solitaire, color F, in a four-prong gold setting.

It is for resale at $220,000 from RAF Jewels at 1st Dibs, 1stdibs.com, 212-627-3927.

NY Daily News _ Jewelry

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