7 Days Of Christ-musts: Day 3: Engagement

This Christmas, give her more than a gift; give her a promise.

You’re decking the halls; you’re listening to those sleigh-bells ringing; you’re even letting it snow, all because Christmas is right around the corner. Like so many people around the world, though, you’ve also realized how magical and romantic Christmas can be—all those holiday romantic comedies can’t be wrong, you know? So this year, you’ve decided to give her more than a present; this year, you’ve decided to offer her forever with an engagement ring. Easier said than done, of course, since Googling “engagement ring” alone gives you 433,000,000 results (we checked!). Here at Deutsch, we know what a nerve-wracking experience picking an engagement ring (and the promise of a future it represents) can be, so we’ve come up with a solution. We’ve researched some of history’s most iconic celebrity engagement rings, and compiled a list of engagement rings with the same timeless vibes because you can never go wrong with a classic. We know, we know; we’re definitely on the nice list this year.

Diana, Princess of Wales: sapphire swans a-swimming

Princess Diana was the one royal who dared to challenge the status quo and display her humanity, and for that, she earned her famous moniker: the people’s princess. Although her romance with Prince Charles was doomed from the start, Princess Diana’s unique sapphire engagement ring still became one of the most iconic pieces of jewelry in history. The 1981 engagement announcement made by Charles and Diana, where she donned a brilliant blue suit to match her famous Ceylon sapphire ring, cemented her status as a fashion icon. Overnight, the engagement ring, which featured a 12 carat royal blue oval Ceylon sapphire framed by a halo of 14 white diamonds, set in 18k white gold, became a cultural phenomenon. That iconic engagement ring has since spawned thousands of replicas, and marked the beginning of the resurgence of gemstone engagement rings, especially after it was presented to Kate Middleton in 2010. For the daring woman you love from head to mistle-toe, take a step away from tradition and present her with a bold sapphire engagement ring this Christmas. 

Replicate Diana’s distinctive engagement ring with Jye’s Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring, from Jye’s International. Taking inspiration from Princess Diana’s engagement ring and the Victorians’ predilection for floral-inspired gemstone rings, this stunner features a 5.41-carat center sapphire enclosed by a halo of 1.29 ct of round diamonds and .24 ct of baguette diamonds. 

Or, for a more geometric take on Diana’s sumptuous sapphire engagement ring, consider presenting your rein-dearest with the Kwiat Ashoka Diamond Engagement Ring with Sapphire and Double Diamond Halo. A spectacular example of New York jeweler Kwiat’s ingenuity, this sapphire engagement ring reflects the crisp lines and stark bursts of color that defined Art Deco design. A Kwiat exclusive rests at the center of this platinum beauty: a 1.51 ct Ashoka cut diamond encircled by one halo of white diamonds and another of blue sapphire. 

Priscilla Presley: yellow diamond yuletide 

Elvis and Priscilla Presley were fashion icons and rock ‘n roll royalty combined in one heavily-hairsprayed package with their matching mile-high black' dos, lavish style choices, and lavish lifestyle.  When the King asked Priscilla to be his Queen in an intimate, at-home proposal, he presented her with an engagement ring designed for royalty. The 3.5 ct yellow diamond engagement ring, which shimmered with a square halo of 20 detachable white diamonds, was perfectly suited to Priscilla’s personality. It was unique, spunky, and just extravagant enough to remain tasteful. Though their marriage failed to survive the 70s, Priscilla and Elvis remained in each other’s lives and loved each other deeply, each considering the other the love of their life. If the girl you’re smitten with burns bright with the adventurous spirit of classic rock ‘n roll royalty, ask her to Love You Tender this Christmas with a yellow diamond engagement ring.

Crown her your Queen with the Lovebright Diamond Ring with yellow diamond from premier diamond jewelers Ashi. Set in 14k white gold and 14k yellow gold, the centerpiece of this beauty is a glowing group of invisible set yellow diamonds arranged in the same rectangular shape that Priscilla rocked in the ‘60s. A halo of glittering white diamonds frames the yellow diamonds, while a 14k white gold band inlaid with even more white diamonds completes the radiant look of the engagement ring. This yellow diamond engagement ring is just as eye-catching as Priscilla’s, but due to the jewelers’ choice to use multiple dainty diamonds instead of one large one, it remains delicate enough for daily wear outside of Graceland. 

However, if your belle-of-the-Christmas-ball wants to shine brighter than any Christmas star while emulating the retro glam of Priscilla Presley, we suggest you slip the Rahaminov Diamonds Fancy Intense Yellow Oval Three Stone Ring into her stocking...or, more aptly, onto her finger! Flaunting a 3.86 ct fancy yellow diamond center stone flanked by two .50 ctw trapezoid cut diamonds and a jaw-dropping .26 ctw diamond melee, this glossy platinum, and 18k yellow gold engagement ring, masterfully crafted by Rahaminov, shines like a mirror. In the reflection of this marvelous mirror, you can glimpse all the glitz and glamor of the classic rock ‘n roll era at its peak—perfect for Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex: Three kings, Three stones

Meghan Markle’s ascent from Suits actress to actual Duchess—one married to the cutest English prince, no less—is the stuff of fairy tales. When Prince Harry decided to propose to the American, he went the sentimental route. In a proposal as down-to-earth as he is, the redheaded royal got down on one knee in the kitchen of the couple’s Nottingham Cottage home, offering his beloved a custom three-stone engagement ring that he personally designed. Meghan’s three-stone engagement ring features a center diamond sourced from Botswana, the place where the couple first fell in love, and two sidelong diamonds sourced from the collection of his mother, the late Princess Diana. The concept of a three-stone engagement ring is already so romantic since each stone represents a love’s past, present, and future encased in diamond, so Prince Harry’s tender additions make the ring simply swoon-worthy.