It is no secret that Biltmore Loan has a deep-rooted passion for sharing the latest information about jewelry, and our organization adores helping people choose the best jewels for their special someone. Previously, we discussed tips for choosing the right engagement ring, and we delved to determine whether palladium, platinum, or white gold is the better metal to wrap around your significant other’s finger. In today’s article, adding to our growing archive of wedding-related content, allow us to introduce seven high-end engagement ring brands to help you pick the perfect proposal ring.
Leading Luxury Brands for Engagement Rings
If you want the love of your life to say “yes” with wide-opened eyes and the most radiant smile, propose with a ring from these renowned jewelers.
1. Tiffany & Co.
Very few people in the world are unaware of the household name that is “Tiffany & Co.” Originally a stationery and fancy goods emporium located in Brooklyn, Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young founded the brand in 1837. In 1853, Tiffany took full control of the company and decided to focus on jewelry. The rest was history.
The second you get down on one knee and pull out an iconic Tiffany blue box, a fair warning—your lover may swoon. Tiffany & Co. is the genius behind the traditional engagement ring setting: a solitaire diamond held in place with six equidistant metal prongs. This remarkable setting is among the most sought-after across the globe.
According to InStyle USA, Nick Jonas shut down Tiffany & Co. in London to search for the ideal engagement ring for his now-wife Priyanka Chopra. She said yes to a beautiful cushion-cut diamond flanked by two diamond baguettes. Who wouldn’t?
2. DeBeers
DeBeers is the reason diamond engagement rings are a thing. Although the tradition of wearing a wedding or engagement ring existed long before DeBeers did, their triumphant marketing campaign in 1947 is what made diamond engagement rings an enduring pre-wedding custom. Have you ever heard of the slogan “A Diamond Is Forever”? Yes, that was from DeBeers’ successful advertising campaign.
3. Cartier
An engagement ring from Cartier is a pure embodiment of Parisian luxury. Louis Francois Cartier and his family owned the company until the 1960s. The brand has a long-standing relationship with royal family members and celebrities, including the Duchess of Cambridge, Wallis Simpson, and King Edward VII who commissioned 27 tiaras from Cartier for his coronation in 1902.
Most women long for the day they receive an engagement ring, and one from Cartier is a dream come true. Their 1895 engagement ring collection honors timeless pieces, but they also offer contemporary and avant-garde designs to accommodate modern brides-to-be.
4. Graff
Princess Charlene of Monaco is among Graff’s many royal customers. The founder, Laurence Graff, is a British jeweler based in London. The creative artisan has handled more diamonds of notable beauty and rarity than any other jeweler. The magnificent Wittelsbach-Graff blue diamond is a prime example, which has been in the possession of European royals since 1644.
Furthermore, Graff makes unique, first-class diamond engagement and wedding rings that only royalty and multi-millionaires can afford.
5. Harry Winston
Harry Winston’s first boutique opened its doors in 1932 in New York City, and the brand has been a favorite among America’s rich and famous ever since. Mr. Harry Winston himself gained prominence after buying Arabella Huntington’s extraordinary jewelry collection in 1926 and redesigning her old-fashioned jewels into modern pieces.
Harry Winston’s extravagant engagement rings have adorned the hands of many, including Donald Trump’s first wife. Reports say Marla Maples auctioned her 7.5-carat diamond ring for $300,000 in 2016. Ben Affleck is another celebrity client who purchased a stunning 6.1-carat pink diamond ring for his former flame Jennifer Lopez in 2002.
6. Van Cleef and Arpels
Van Cleef and Arpels is the beloved jeweler behind some of the biggest style icons in the world, including Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly. The Parisian brand is the product of love between Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef. Among the company’s claims to fame is creating the majestic crown for Iranian empress Farah Pahlavi’s coronation in 1997. Van Cleef and Arpels is also the creative mastermind behind the “Mystery Setting” — an innovative design where multiple gemstones are set with no visible prongs. Instead, a skilled artisan facets each stone onto tiny metal rails. It requires hundreds of hours of work, but the results are otherworldly.
7. Chopard
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland since 1860, Chopard gained fame for creating luxury timepieces for women. Their signature design involves a free-floating diamond behind sapphire glass, which eventually segued into diamond jewelry. As a whole, their jewelry collection is contemporary and alternative in style, but their assortment of engagement rings delivers balance with traditional designs. A round, solitaire diamond with a unique yet simple setting is their signature engagement ring style.
The Bottom Line
Shopping for an engagement ring can be a tedious and overwhelming task. There are many different cuts to choose from, a handful of metals to pick, a selection of styles to review, and, of course, you need to consider the all-important step of finalizing the brand. Does your girlfriend want a timeless, dainty sparkler from Cartier? Would she prefer something more vintage-inspired from Van Cleef and Arpels? Or maybe she wants to forgo tradition and opt for a blue sapphire like Lady Diana and Kate Middleton?
Starting with honing in on the best engagement ring brands in the world, hopefully, our collection of articles for engagement ring shopping makes your quest for the perfect proposal ring more manageable. We also wish you the best of luck as you get down on one knee and pop the big question.
It’s Time to Move on From an Unexpected Turn of Events
Instead of holding on to something that symbolizes a relationship gone wrong, consider selling your engagement ring for the most money, safely through Biltmore Loan and Jewelry — and use the cash for a positive new start. When you are ready to move on from a painful past, you can bring your engagement ring to our locations for a free market appraisal.