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Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring: The Ultimate Guide

Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring: The Ultimate Guide

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:

  1. What style Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring is
  2. What diamond shape is Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring?
  3. How many carats is Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring?
  4. How much did Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring cost & what’s it really worth?
  5. 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.

Gabrielle wearing her diamond engagement ring along with a large diamond necklace.
Solitaire Engagement Ring Embellished With a Classic Pavé Basket Head.

Solitaire engagement rings are the most popular setting among ring shoppers. Why? 2 main reasons:

  1. Solitaire engagement rings don’t distract from your center diamond! All the glitter is in your center stone.
  2. 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?

Three cushion cut diamonds shown from different angles.

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!

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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. 

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A “Copy” of Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring

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!

Pavé Basket Head Engagement Ring

Solitaire Engagement Ring Embellished With a Classic Pavé Basket Head

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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!

Pavé-Adorned Cathedral Engagement Ring

18K White Gold Pavé Adorned Cathedral Engagement Ring

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Gabrielle Union Engagement Ring Pictures 

We love a good photo dump, especially when it features an incredible engagement ring and a beautiful couple!

Gabrielle posing in her veil and holding up her ring finger to display her diamond engagement ring
Gabrielle brushing back her hair while she shows off her sparkling diamond ring.
Gabrielle and Dwayne laughing together. Her engagement ring hand rests on his shoulder displaying the diamond.
Gabrielle and Dwayne posing together on a bed. She rest her hand on his head showing off her diamond engagement ring.
Gabrielle at a fashion show resting her hand on her knee, her engagement ring is on clear display.

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

Rachel Hoar

Rachel is an unabashed linguistics fanatic who can identify the ancient Greek root of any word. She promises not to spray you with Windex.

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Earth Created vs. Lab Created Diamonds: A Guide

Lab grown diamond or earth created diamond? We’ve got all the info you need to live your best sparkling life with the perfect diamond for you!

fancy shaped diamonds sitting on a pink surface

Lab created 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 grown diamonds, but rest assured, they make for a perfect alternative to earth created 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 earth created diamonds.

A variety of loose fancy-shaped diamonds

The Key Difference Between Earth and Lab Created Diamonds

Earth created diamonds are sourced from below the earth’s surface, whereas lab created 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 created 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.

Several diamond engagement rings with different settings

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 earth created 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 created diamond that’s 30% larger than an earth created one but just as dazzling. 

14K White Gold Seven Stone Low Dome Basket Lab Created Diamond Ring (0.75 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)
14K White Gold Low Dome Basket Lab-Created Diamond Eternity Ring (2 CTW F-G / VS2-SI1)

Value

Earth created diamonds are the classic choice. Lab created diamonds are the fresh choice. 

There is no doubt that earth created 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 upon generations – paving the way for you to carry on the tradition.

Lab created diamonds, on the other hand, are the next step in diamond history. Technically speaking, they’re brand new. But traditionally speaking, diamonds are diamonds forever. Lab created diamonds give their wearer a unique chance to create new memories. 

Both earth created diamonds and lab created diamonds hold their sparkle forever, so they’ll be just as beautiful when you pass them on as heirlooms as they are when you wear them on a night out.

14K White Gold Four Prong Lab Created Diamond Tennis Bracelet (1.00 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)
14K White Gold Three Prong Lab Created Diamond Tennis Bracelet (3.00 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

Cuts & Colors

Both earth created and lab created 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, lab grown diamonds take on the same fancy colors as earth created diamonds.

Good news: any diamond can be cut into any shape. When it comes to diamond cuts, you truly are spoiled for choice!

14K White Gold Four Prong Basket Solitaire Lab Created Diamond Pendant (0.50 CTW - F-G /VS2-SI1)
14K White Gold Halo Lab Created Diamond Pendant (0.50 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

GIA Certified Lab Created Diamonds

Like all earth created diamonds, lab grown diamonds also come with their very own birth certificate (GIA Certification). 

Since lab grown diamonds are optically and chemically the same as mined diamonds, they come with their own certification. Today, most lab created 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. 

14K White Gold Halo Lab Created Diamond Stud Earrings (0.50 CTW - F-G / VS1-VS2)
14K White Gold Four Prong Round Brilliant Lab Created Diamond Stud Earrings (0.25 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

Should You Get a Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

The short answer is, why not? Here are 5 reasons to choose a lab created 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 created 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. 

14K Rose Gold Bypass Marquise Array Diamond Engagement Ring
14K White Gold Bypass Marquise Array Diamond Engagement Ring

2: An Ethical Choice 

Lab grown diamonds are an ethical choice because they are guaranteed to come conflict-free since they’re not mined. 

14K White Gold Woven Solitaire Engagement Ring
14K White Gold Woven Solitaire Engagement Ring

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. 

14K White Gold Marquise Diamond Accents Pave Basket Engagement Ring
14K White Gold Marquise Diamond Accents Pave Basket Engagement Ring

4: Lab created diamonds are REAL

This can’t be emphasized enough, both lab grown 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. 

A variety of diamond engagement rings on a white surface

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. 

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 created diamonds or earth created diamonds, you can choose from 1000’s beautiful options at James Allen.

A variety of loose fancy-shaped diamonds on a white surface

Keep up on your diamond reading:

  1. How To Take Care Of Your Diamond Jewelry
  2. True Hearts™ Lab Created Diamonds
  3. Lab Created Diamonds vs. Moissanite

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Jessica Thomas

Jessica feels too much anxiety trying to come up with a cool bio. Read her awesome blog post instead.

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The Last Dance’s All-Star Engagement Rings

Is Michael Jordan the GOAT? We know what we think after watching “The Last Dance,” but there’s no doubt about these basketball couples’ engagement rings: they’re clearly among the all-time greats.

We’ve binged “The Last Dance” and the truth is, we’ve got basketball on the mind. With no live sports currently in sight, who could resist revisiting those legendary plays? The giants on the court clearly don’t skimp on showmanship off the court, either. We’ve found NBA greats who have proposed with some seriously impressive bling. These NBA couples’ engagement rings are just like Michael: they turn it on, and never turn it off!

You’ve seen “The Last Dance,” now check out these NBA look-alike engagement rings:

Michael Jordan & Yvette Prieto

We love celeb engagement rings, but His Airness took proposing to the next level. The star of “The Last Dance” – proposed with a split-shank pavé stunner, graced with a clear-as-ice emerald-cut center diamond. Wow. Now that’s our kind of championship ring.

Split-Shank Engagement Ring
with Emerald-Cut Diamond

Scottie Pippen & Larsa Pippen

Scottie Pippen gifted more than a few diamond rings to his then-wife Larsa Pippen, and one of our favorites is definitely this unbelievably sparkly three stone engagement ring with a HUGE 14 carat, pear-cut center diamond. And the best news is – you can score this lookalike for yourself.

Round-Cut Three-Stone Engagement Ring

Scottie Pippen & Larsa Pippen
14K White Gold Three Stone Pear Shaped Engagement Ring

Magic Johnson & Cookie Johnson

Magic & Cookie celebrated their 25th anniversary with a truly hefty ring featuring a 25 carat, emerald-cut center diamond. That’s one carat for each year of marriage. If you adore Cookie’s bling but, like us mere mortals, have your sights set on a diamond a few carats smaller, this lookalike ring is for you: the halo makes the center diamond look bigger than it actually is! 

Vintage Square Halo Pavé Engagement Ring

Vintage Square Halo Pavé Engagement Ring

LeBron James & Savannah Brinson

Four-time NBA MVP LeBron James proposed to high school sweetheart Savannah Brinson with a beautifully simple three stone engagement ring. This star couple put their own unique engagement ring with a diamond in a variety of trending shapes: a shining pear-shaped diamond flanked by two baguette-shaped diamonds for backup.

Pear-Shaped Tapered Baguette Engagement Ring

Platinum Tapered Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring

Steph Curry + Ayesha Curry

Another couple that goes way back is Steph and Ayesha, who first met each other in a high school church youth group. Excuse us for a second while our hearts melt. Ayesha’s diamond-encrusted engagement ring is totally #twinning with our sparkling Petite Pavé Crown ring.

Petite Pavé Crown Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Petite Pave Crown Diamond Engagement Ring

Dwayne Wade + Gabrielle Union-Wade

This NBA/Hollywood power couple got engaged with a flat-banded solitaire engagement ring featuring a positively enormous, 8.5-carat cushion-cut diamond.

Fun fact: cushion-cut diamonds display impressive fire and, thanks to their many facets, hide inclusions particularly well.

Cushion-Cut Flat Edge Solitaire

14K White Gold Flat Edged Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring

Got that celeb craze? You’ll want to check out these star-studded lineups:

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Rachel Hoar

Rachel is an unabashed linguistics fanatic who can identify the ancient Greek root of any word. She promises not to spray you with Windex.

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Princess Cut Vs Cushion Cut Engagement Rings: Which One’s More Your Style?

These sparkling squares have earned themselves die-hard popularity among the engagement ring crowd. They’re beloved by everyone from divas to dreamers – so which are you?

Princess Cut Vs Cushion Cut

There’s a reason (well, quite a few!) why princess-cut diamonds and cushion-cut diamonds are two of the most beloved cuts. In fact, after the round brilliant, they’re the most popular diamond shapes for engagement rings.

Princess-cut:

  • The princess-cut diamond is bold and square/rectangular, with beveled edges that resemble a pyramid turned on its peak. 
  • The princess cut’s square shape takes up room, looking larger for its carat weight than other cuts.
  • The modern princess cut skyrocketed to popularity in the 1980s
  • Princess-cut and round diamonds begin as the same brilliant shape. To create a princess cut, cutters create sharp corners rather than smoothing out a diamond’s edges as they would for a round cut.
  • The number of facets can vary between individual princess cut diamonds, making each diamond undeniably unique. 

Cushion-cut:

  • The cushion-cut diamond is, as the name implies, pillow-shaped
  • Its squarish shape, rounded corners, and large facets combine to give off an air of soft elegance
  • The many facets of a cushion cut engagement ring hide inclusions without sacrificing brilliance. In fact, word has it that the cushion cut’s large facets came from its predecessor, the Old Mine Cut, so that it could shine even in the low candlelight of the mines in which it was developed.
  • This classic goes way back – nearly 200 years!

So- bold and brilliant, or soft and romantic? Have a look at the five trending settings below and see whether princess-cut or cushion-cut best suits your personal style.

SPLIT-SHANK SOLITAIRE

Princess-Cut

Cushion-Cut

14K Rose Gold Classic Split Shank Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

CATHEDRAL PAVÉ

Princess-Cut

Cushion-Cut

EMBOSSED BEZEL

Princess-Cut

14K Yellow Gold Embossed Diamond Engagement Ring

Cushion-Cut

14K Yellow Gold Arched Scroll Diamond Engagement Ring

CHANNEL-SET

Princess-Cut

14K White Gold Channel Set Round Diamond Engagement Ring

Cushion-Cut

14K White Gold Channel Set Princess Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring

OCTAGON HALO

Princess-Cut

14K White Gold Octagon Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

Cushion-Cut

14K White Gold Octagon Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

Do princess-cut diamonds make you royally flush? Are you swooning over cushion-cut engagement rings? Read more below!

Read on…

Obsessing over one (or more) of the wedding rings in this post? Share the love on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or in the comments below!

Pin it & show off your diamond-cut style!

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Rachel Hoar

Rachel is an unabashed linguistics fanatic who can identify the ancient Greek root of any word. She promises not to spray you with Windex.

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A Match Made In Heaven: Cushion-Cut Halo Engagement Rings

Take classic glamour to the next level with a cushion-cut halo engagement ring.

Cushion Cut Halo Engagement Rings

The cushion cut diamond has been beloved for over a century! With its rounded edges and soft square shape, the cushion-cut is experiencing a resurgence in popularity as couples throwback to the classics.

And what’s the perfect way to modernize a cushion-cut diamond? A halo! FYI: the now-obsessed-over halo engagement ring rose to popularity in the opulent Roaring Twenties as a glitzy way to show off a gorgeous center diamond.

A Cushion-Cut:

  • Shows off the clarity of your diamond
  • Radiates gentle grace and class
  • Gives engagement rings a romantic feel

A Halo:

  • Adds striking sparkle to any engagement ring
  • Draws attention to its center stone
  • Makes its center stone appear larger

Keep scrolling for our expert picks – the cushion-cut halo engagement rings at the crux of old-style charm and fresh glam:

Marquise Cluster

14K Yellow Gold Marquise Cluster Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

“The ring I purchased looks one-of-a-kind.”
– Michael A.

14K White Gold Navette Leaf Halo Engagement Ring

“The stone looks even bigger on my hand than expected!”
– Ashley T.

Side-stone

14K Rose Gold Sidestone Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

“SHE LOVES IT, I LOVE IT, WE LOVE IT!”
– Zachary K.

Tear Drops

14K Rose Gold Tear Drops Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

“This setting makes a one-carat stone look like a two-carat!”
– Acon L.

Perfect Pavé

14K White Gold Pave Halo Diamond Engagement Ring (Cushion Emerald, Radiant)

“I have never seen anything sparkle so much!”
– Mallarie P.

Regal Frame

14K White Gold Regal Frame Diamond Engagement Ring

“I could not be more pleased with my purchase!”
– Troy V.

Vintage Octagon

14K White Gold Octagon Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

“My fiancee loved its antique yet modern look.”
– Brian M.

Split-Shank 

14K Yellow Gold Round Split Band Diamond Halo Engagement Ring

”All the diamonds are set perfectly and catch everyone’s attention.”
– Kyle K.

Curious about other popular engagement ring styles? Read more below!

Obsessing over one (or more) of the engagement rings in this post? Share the love on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or in the comments below!

Shout out your style with this pin:

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Rachel Hoar

Rachel is an unabashed linguistics fanatic who can identify the ancient Greek root of any word. She promises not to spray you with Windex.

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Cushion Cut Diamonds with a Classic Glow

Cushion cut diamonds are the chic descendant of the historic old mine cut. A square shape with rounded corners, these pillow-shaped diamonds are a total dream.

cushion cut diamonds halo engagement ring

Browse Cushion Cut Diamonds

Why Cushion Cut Diamonds?

The cushion brilliant cut features 58 facets that reflect and refract light, carrying its antique romantic charm into the 21st century.

Fleur De Lis Pavé Engagement Ring

14K Rose Gold Art Deco Inspired Fleur-De-Lis Pavé Engagement Ring

Originally, cushion cut diamonds were designed to catch the beauty of candlelight in the 18th century (A.K.A. when every dinner was a candlelit dinner).

Princess Channel-Set Engagement Ring

14K Yellow Gold Channel Set Princess Shaped Engagement Ring

Looking for a fancy colored diamond? Look no further than the cushion cut! Cushion cut fancy colored diamonds are especially vivid.

Cross Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring

14K Pink Gold 3.3mm Cross Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring

View Cushion Cut Diamonds in 360°

Who Rocks Cushion Cut Engagement Rings?

Almost every engagement ring featured a sparkling cushion cut diamond until the early 1900s. In the century that followed, cushion cut diamonds went through a gorgeous renaissance.

Comfort Fit Solitaire Engagement Ring

14K Rose Gold 1.5mm Comfort Fit Engagement Ring

Among those who have chosen cushion cut allure for their engagement rings? Celeb powerhouses including Sofia Vergara, Kelly Rowland, Jessica Biel, Kim Kardashian, and Bar Refaeli.

Cushion Outline Halo Engagement Ring

Sofia Vergara's 14K White Gold Cushion Outline Pavé Engagement Ring

Shop Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Rings

What to Know About Cushion Cut Diamonds

Make sure the corners and sides of the diamond are symmetrical to achieve ideal sparkle! For surefire harmony, choose a True Hearts cushion cut from our premier collection of perfectly symmetrical diamonds.

Frame Halo Vintage Engagement Ring

14K Yellow Gold Vintage Inspired Antique Frame Halo Engagement Ring

Standard or Modified Cushion Cut Diamonds?

Modified cushion cuts have an extra row of facets on their pavilion, which gives them a kind of “crushed ice” look. To the untrained eye, standard and modified cushion cut diamonds look mostly identical.

Petite Diamond Accent Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Petite Diamond Accent Engagement Ring

More Dreamy Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Rings

Baguette Three-Stone Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Tapered Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring

Lotus Basket Pavé Engagement Ring

14K Yellow Gold Pave Knife Edge Lotus Basket Engagement Ring

Ready to cushion the glow? Create your Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring.

If you’re obsessed with one (or more!) of these rings, let us know in the comments below, or on our social channels: Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or Twitter.

Learn more in our diamond shapes blog series!

Pin this image to return to vintage sparkle:

cushion cut diamonds pin pinterest

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Tova Kamioner

Tova is a lover of fantastic stories, and although she is skeptical of romantic comedies, she can quote most of the classics by heart.

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