Celebrity Platinum Engagement Rings

Celebrity rings always hot sources of inspiration for new and innovative engagement ring designs, and celebrity platinum engagement rings are a popular trend that non-celebrity couples can easily emulate for their own distinctive style.

Michael O'Connor

LoveToKnow Engagement Rings has been privileged to speak with Michael O’Connor, Jewelry and Style Expert with personal experience working with celebrity engagement rings. In this exclusive interview, Mr. O’Connor shared his tips for celebrity style platinum rings.

Celebrities, like 81 percent of all couples, look to celebrate their unions and commitments in platinum. Platinum is universally known to be “the best” when it comes to jewelry, but there are several reasons why platinum is the “best” choice when it comes to engagement rings and wedding bands specifically. Platinum is one of the most durable metals and extremely resistant to corrosion or wear. That means that a platinum piece of jewelry that will be worn daily, like an engagement ring or wedding band, will not wear down as quickly as other metals. This means that patterns and engravings will last longer and because of that durability, diamonds will be held securely. And let’s face it, with the size and value of some of the engagement rings these days that extra assurance of holding those diamonds gives a celebrity a good deal of peace of mind.

Platinum is not only a more durable metal, but it’s also an important choice when setting diamonds. Part of a diamond’s value is derived from its color. When cut, diamonds act like prisms reflecting and refracting the light and colors and come into them. Platinum is a white metal, and more importantly, a naturally white metal. Therefore it won’t cast a yellow color into the diamond. Gold is mined from the ground and its natural color is a warm yellow. Designers and manufacturers create the appearance of whiteness by mixing other “whitening” metals with the gold in order to dilute or camouflage the yellow appearance. To enhance the whiter look the white gold is usually rhodium plated over the top. Over time, the rhodium will wear off and the piece will resume its less than white appearance. In order to keep a white gold piece extremely white over time it will often have to be re-plated with rhodium. Platinum being naturally white should not be rhodium plated.

Jennifer Hudson's Platinum Ring

Some of the most popular ring designs chosen by celebrities today are classic platinum and diamond solitaires, like Fergie’s choice. Some celebrities like Jennifer Hudson and Eva Longoria-Parker have gone for a more romantic style. They’ve chosen platinum settings that have a technique called “micro-pave” applied where tiny diamonds are set all over to create a shimmering effect. Jennifer Hudson’s platinum engagement ring highlights the center round diamond with an outer collar of small white diamonds encircling it. Eva Longoria-Parker chose a square center diamond set into a platinum micro-pave setting. Beyonce’s engagement ring by designer Lorraine Schwartz features a wonderful new romantic style partnering some micro-pave work on the sides with a “split-shank” where the shoulders of the ring (the pieces directly on either side of the center diamond are open) create a delicate open work.

Platinum is usually more expensive than gold, however, you don’t have to break the bank to buy the best. At current platinum prices many of the high end shops on Fifth Avenue in New York are able to showcase platinum engagement rings with center diamonds for under a thousand dollars. The last time I checked, DeBeers shop had beautiful platinum styles starting as low at $850.

A couple should determine what design elements they really love about a ring and look for a ring with similar details. A couple should focus on buying the best quality that they can get for their budget and they should focus on the ring holistically. A ring is not just about the diamond, it’s about the quality of the entire piece and the durability that platinum will provide. The metal matters too.

Currently in engagement rings the most popular gemstone is still diamond with a white (or colorless) diamond still reigning supreme but things are slowly changing. Since the days of Jennifer Lopez’s pink diamond ring (to Ben Affleck) and now Mariah Carey’s pink diamond there has been a lot of interest in pink diamonds. Additionally, Brooke Mueller’s yellow diamond ring from Charlie Sheen has sparked interest in yellow diamonds, and most recently, Carmen Electra’s black diamond engagement ring has brought about awareness of black diamonds. In all cases, the neutral whiteness that platinum provides to any diamond, colored diamond, or gemstone will make the gemstone look great while protecting it for life.

Platinum is so durable and resistant to corrosion that the universal system of gram weights in France is made out of platinum to ensure that the weight remains the same. Platinum will also never lose its whiteness or change color. Of course, like all metals, platinum will get tiny scratches over time (for metals they call this a patina). For me, the patina that develops over time gives a piece of jewelry a warmer charm and a feeling of heritage. Therefore I advise not to polish this out but merely keep platinum and other metals clean with a regular washing in a mild soapy solution and recommend drying with a soft cloth.

Fergie's Three Stone Diamond Ring

Many celebrities are moving away from the typical round diamond and choosing squares or rectangles for their center diamonds. Additionally, colored diamonds seem to be very popular for celebrities these days. For some, who wish to create a longer leaner appearance to their hands, rings designed on a “north-south” orientation (longer from the knuckle to the tip of the finger) seem to be popular.

People often look to their favorite celebrity to emulate their style choices. While it’s great to see what they are wearing, it’s more important to think of how you’re going to be using and wearing your engagement ring and what styles might be most appropriate for your particular hand shape. If you like a celebrity’s style and seek to emulate it, look for a few of the details that you think are the most exciting and see that those details are present in the rings you try on.

LoveToKnow Engagement Rings appreciates the time Mr. O’Connor has taken to share his expertise on platinum rings. For more information, check out Platinum Engagement Rings and Platinum Wedding Rings.

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