Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring was revealed to the world in a breathtaking Instagram post on December 22, 2013. The actress and fashion icon received her beautiful ring from Miami Heat shooting guard and 12-time All-Star Dwayne Wade.
To add to the special moment, Dwayne Wade enlisted the help of his two children and his nephew in popping the question! Wade and Union went on to make the family affair official, getting married the next year in an elegant outdoor wedding.
But you’re here for Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring! And you’re in the right place.
You’ll find out:
What style Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring is
What diamond shape is Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring?
How many carats is Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring?
How much did Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring cost & what’s it really worth?
Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring copy
What Style Is Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring?
Gabrielle’s engagement ring seems to have a flat solitaire band with a raised, pavé-studded basket. The solitaire band lends her ring a classic feel, while the diamond-studded basket gives the ring a surprise pop of sparkle when viewed from the side.
Solitaire engagement rings don’t distract from your center diamond! All the glitter is in your center stone.
Solitaire settings save your wallet. You can invest in the center diamond of your dreams with all the money you save on the band.
What Diamond Shape Is Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring?
The stunning stone is an enormous cushion-cut diamond. It’s a colorless, eye-clean diamond. It’s at least an F Color with a clarity of VS1 or higher.
How Many Carats is Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring?
Reportedly, her diamond is an incredible 8.5 carats. And man, does it impress!
How Much Did Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring Cost & What’s It Really Worth?!
Gabrielle’s diamond comprises nearly the entire value of her engagement ring. Rumor has it that it cost Wade nearly $1 million! And such a gorgeous stone is truly worth every penny.
There aren’t many large-carat diamonds in less-common cuts like cushion, but compared to a similar James Allen round diamond, the $1 million valuation seems fair!
A comparable 8 carat cushion-cut diamond is relatively more affordable. In fact, a cushion-cut diamond usually costs 30-50% less than a round diamond of a similar carat.
Using James Allen’s Ring Studio, you can make your own lookalike of Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring. With a solitaire shank, a pavé-studded basket, and 4-pronged closure, this ring is nearly identical to Union’s stunning ring. All you have to do is choose your own diamond to complete this stunner!
Another Gabrielle Union-inspired engagement ring is this four-prong solitaire setting with a pavé-decorated basket. The accent diamonds add extra glitter to your center cushion-cut diamond!
We love a good photo dump, especially when it features an incredible engagement ring and a beautiful couple!
We’re Here To Help
Designing your perfect ring isn’t always the easiest task! That’s why you can contact our customer service team and chat with non-commissioned expert gemologists 24-7 regarding any questions you have about the ring-buying process or visit our website at JamesAllen.com.
When the gorgeous thing that is the Hilary Duff Engagement Ring first appeared on Instagram on May 9th, 2019, her followers went crazy for it. The large-carat cushion-cut diamond marked the engagement of Hilary Duff and singer-songwriter Matthew Koma. The two had already had a whirlwind of a year, having recently welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in October 2018.
Upon getting engaged, Hilary captioned her Instagram post by writing: “He asked me to be his wife♥️,” flashing a huge smile and a large cushion-cut diamond set in a solitaire white gold or platinum band.
Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma originally met when collaborating on her 2015 album “Breathe In. Breathe Out.” They began dating in 2017 and eventually, the two made it official in December 2019 by tying the knot in a sweet, intimate backyard wedding.
But you’re here for Hilary Duff’s engagement ring! And you’re in the right place.
You’ll find out:
What Diamond Shape is Hillary Duff’s Engagement Ring?
Hilary Duff’s ring looks to be a large, colorless, cushion cut diamond. Its slightly elongated shape isn’t out of the ordinary for cushion cuts, which aren’t beholden to any standard industry measurements. The longer shape also has the advantage of making the stone look even bigger!
The cushion cut is the chic descendant of the historic old mine cut, which was a highly-faceted cut popular in the Victorian and Georgian eras. Jewelers made a few improvements over the centuries, resulting in today’s modern 58-facet cushion-cut diamond. This cut is prized for its squarish shape with rounded corners, as well as its many delicate facets which sparkle fantastically.
How Many Carats is Hillary Duff’s Engagement Ring?
It looks like Matthew Koma popped the question with an approximately 4-carat stone that’s extremely colorless. It seems to be at least an F or higher on the color scale.
What Style Setting Is Hillary Duff’s Engagement Ring?
Hilary Duff’s engagement ring is set in a simple split-shank solitaire ring. The classic 4-prong setting is a perfect choice for a cushion-cut diamond; it allows as much light as possible to enter the stone, letting it sparkle as much as possible.
Is Hilary Duff’s setting white gold or platinum? At a glance, there’s no knowing. The difference between white gold and platinum only becomes apparent 5-10 years down the road; due to daily wear-and-tear, white gold will need to be refinished with rhodium, while platinum will always keep its original sheen.
Solitaire engagement rings are also the most popular ring setting in the US! A 2019 survey by theknot.com showed that over 25% of the respondents owned solitaire engagement rings. There are a few good reasons for that:
Solitaire engagement rings place all the focus on your center diamond. There are no stones on the band to distract from your main sparkle.
Solitaire settings are affordable! You’ll have more of your remaining budget to put toward a truly incredible center diamond.
Nearly all of this ring’s value is in its center diamond. That’s because, as a solitaire ring, there’s no need to take into account the cost of any stones on the band.
This particular center diamond, assuming it’s an earth-created diamond, is probably valued between $50,000 to $100,000.
However, if it’s a lab-created diamond, it could have cost just half of that. That’s because the process of producing lab-created diamonds is much less resource-intensive, and thus they’re sold for much more affordable prices.
If you’re inspired by Hilary Duff’s engagement ring and want to mimic her style, you’re in luck. Due to its simplicity, this ring is actually quite easy to replicate for yourself! We’ve put together two options to get you started.
The first is a very close match – a white gold split shank solitaire. This elegant band splits slightly as it approaches the center diamond, adding some intrigue to the classic solitaire. It’s just 2 mm in width, which means its thin size will make any diamond appear even larger in comparison.
You can customize this with any diamond shape; stick with Hilary Duff’s cushion cut, or go for another square shape – like princess-cut or emerald!
The next option leans more heavily into the “split shank” side of Hilary Duff’s engagement ring setting. In this setting, two parallel bands run alongside each other for the entire length of the shank, finally twisting as they approach the center diamond. This ring setting is wider, measuring 3.1 mm, making it a more comfortable and secure setting for larger diamond carats.
Have a look at these gorgeous pictures of Hilary Duff’s engagement ring.
We’re Here To Help
Designing your perfect ring isn’t always the easiest task! That’s why you can contact our customer service team, chat with non-commissioned expert gemologists 24-7 regarding any questions you have about the ring-buying process or visit our website JamesAllen.com
Lab grown diamond or natural diamond? We’ve got all the info you need to live your best sparkling life with the perfect diamond for you!
Lab grown diamonds have become increasingly popular and are pretty much the new kids on the jewelry block. Like many new unknowns, people are a little skeptical at first when they hear about lab diamonds, but rest assured, they make for a perfect alternative to natural diamonds. Let’s start with some basic facts so you can decide with 100% confidence which sort of sparkle sets a twinkle in your eye.
What Is A Diamond?
Diamonds are carbon atoms. When they’re arranged in a very particular structure, you get the tough and beautiful stone we know and love. Producing this special carbon arrangement in nature demands conditions that are intense. We’re talking high heat and super-high pressure. Needless to say, very few places in the world are capable of producing mined diamonds.
The Key Difference Between Natural and Lab Grown Diamonds
Natural diamonds are sourced from below the earth’s surface, whereas man-made diamonds are created in simulated “below-ground” conditions in a lab.
To put it simply, their origin is the only difference between these two types of diamonds.
Technology has advanced to the point that we don’t always have to go digging for our precious stones; we can simulate the necessary extreme conditions in specialized pressure chambers in a lab.
Lab grown diamonds are grown from tiny carbon “seeds” that develop in these chambers over months, as scorching gasses deposit carbon atom-by-atom onto the original seed. Lab created diamonds even develop their own unique characteristics (inclusions, clarity, etc.) along the way, and once they’re fully grown, they’re cut into the shape that suits their qualities best.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Your Diamond
Picking a diamond isn’t easy, there’s your budget to consider, your partner’s preference for cut, clarity, carat, and color, and its rarity factor.
Cost
One of the biggest upsides to lab grown diamonds is that they’re generally about 30% more affordable than natural diamonds.
Why?
The diamond-growing process is less resource-intensive than the diamond-mining process. It simply costs less to grow a diamond in a lab than it does to mine a diamond from the earth, and those savings are passed along to diamond shoppers. That means that for the same cost, you can purchase a lab grown diamond that’s 30% larger than a natural one but just as dazzling.
Value
Natural diamonds are the classic choice. Lab grown ones are the fresh choice.
There is no doubt that mined diamonds contain millennia of history, tradition, and romance. They are one of nature’s most incredible products. Drawn from deep within the earth, these sparkling treasures have been proudly flaunted by generations, paving the way for you to carry on the tradition.
Do Lab Grown Diamonds Have Resale Value?
Lab grown diamonds generally have lower resale value compared to mined diamonds. Natural diamonds can retain or even appreciate in value over time, while lab diamonds may not hold their value as well in the secondary market due to their lower production cost.
Cuts & Colors
Both natural and lab grown diamonds are available in nearly every shape and color – even fancy colors!
Colorful diamonds, like canary yellow ones, are quite rare. Their shocking hues are caused by trace amounts of non-carbon elements, like nitrogen. By adding these elements to a growing diamond in its pressure chamber, man-made diamonds take on the samefancy colors as mined diamonds.
Good news: any diamond can be cut into any shape. When it comes to diamond cuts, you truly are spoiled for choice!
GIA Certified Lab Created Diamonds
Like all diamonds, lab grown diamonds also come with their very own birth certificate (GIA Certification).
Since lab diamonds are optically and chemically the same as mined diamonds, they come with their own certification. Today, most of these diamonds are certified by IGI, International Gemological Institute.
Additionally, these diamonds are being accepted and certified by the GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, which has developed sophisticated devices that are used to screen and identify the difference between natural diamonds and lab-grown ones.
Should You Get a Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring?
The short answer is, why not? Here are 5 reasons to choose a lab grown diamond engagement ring:
1: Budget-Friendly
You’re able to maximize your budget and walk away with a bigger center stone for your engagement ring if you choose a lab diamond. Furthermore, it might not even be about the size of the ring, but more about being able to get the diamond of your dreams for a third of the price.
2: An Ethical Choice
Lab grown diamonds are an ethical choice because they are guaranteed to come conflict-free since they’re not mined.
3: Stress-Free Shopping Experience
Most online jewelry retailers with customization options, like our very own ring studio, allow you to choose your preferred center stone. That means you’re able to inspect your diamond options (often in real-time), and browse at your own pace.
4: Lab grown diamonds are REAL
This can’t be emphasized enough, both lab diamonds and mined diamonds have the same chemical, optical, and physical properties. A lab created diamond is not a diamond alternative like moissanite, it’s the real deal.
5: Unique
Lab grown diamonds are unique in their own right. Not only can they be cut and shaped to your heart’s desire, but they can be cut to absolute perfection. Our True Heart™ diamonds are a premier collection of perfectly cut diamonds, known for their flawless internal symmetry and proportions.
FAQs
Are lab diamonds as durable as natural diamonds?
Yes, lab diamonds have the same level of durability as natural diamonds. Both types of diamonds rank 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them highly resistant to scratching and suitable for everyday wear.
Can you tell the difference between lab grown and natural diamonds with the naked eye?
No, it’s impossible to differentiate between the two types of diamonds with the naked eye. They share the same physical and optical characteristics, making visual identification nearly impossible without specialized equipment.
Are lab grown diamonds available in various sizes and shapes?
Yes, these diamonds come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, just like natural diamonds. Whether you’re looking for a classic round brilliant cut or a unique fancy shape, you can find lab diamonds to suit your preferences.
Do lab grown diamonds require any special care or maintenance?
Lab diamonds, like natural diamonds, do not require special care. You can clean them using mild, soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Regular maintenance, such as checking the setting, is recommended to ensure the diamond stays secure in its setting.
To Sum It Up
Choosing the stone that suits your lifestyle is an important part of designing meaningful jewelry that will last you throughout your life. And if you choose to buy either lab grown diamonds or natural diamonds, you can choose from 500,000 beautiful options at James Allen.
Jessica is a seasoned content writer with four years of experience and a qualified gemologist. She enjoys educating new shoppers on the best practices for buying jewelry.
