Donald Trump’s Huge Harry Winston Engagement Ring To Marla Maples Sells For $300,000

The 7.45-carat Harry Winston diamond engagement ring that Donald Trump gave to his second wife, Marla Maples, sold at auction Wednesday for $300,000. 

The rectangular, steep-cut diamond on a platinum ring was sold to a private collector whose name was not immediately released during the “Fine Jewels & Timepieces” sale at the Joseph DuMouchelle auction house in Birmingham, Mich. The sides of the ring are channel set with 16 graduated, straight baguette cut diamonds.

The ring had an estimate of $300,000 to $350,000. DuMouchelle reportedly said prior to the sale that the estimate was based on the diamond ring’s intrinsic value. The celebrity significance did not enter into the price. 

However, in a statement following the sale, DuMouchelle said he was pleased with the price it fetched.

“We are thrilled that the ring sold for the estimated price,” he said. “We're happy that the Maples-Trump Diamond now has a new home. It's an extraordinary Harry Winston ring and we hope that the new owner will enjoy the rarity of its beauty.”

Marla Maples reportedly sold the ring to a collector in 1999 for $110,000, following their divorce in the same year. The couple married in 1991. 

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Valentine’s Day: Unique Diamond Bracelet By David Morris

Rare 60-carat center stone unearthed at legendary Cullinan Mine

It might be the ultimate Valentine’s Day jewelry gift this year. London jeweler David Morris is offering a diamond bracelet with a rare 59.89-carat cushion-cut diamond. The D-colored diamond was created from a 120-carat Type 2a rough diamond unearthed at the legendary Cullinan mine in South Africa, where some of the largest and most important diamonds in the world were found. 

The center diamond was paired with 10.62 carats of pink and white fancy-cut diamonds in an en tremblant (to tremble) petal design set in 18k rose and white gold. The design was created by Jeremy Morris, the managing director and principal designer of the brand. 

The 120-carat rough diamond took eight months to cut and the design of the bangle took another 100 hours of work to make the design come to life. The creation combines old-world hand-crafted techniques with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technology.

Jeremy Morris said he was inspired by the main diamond’s attributes, which he described as the “cool, limpid waters of a pond.” The trembling movement of the pink diamond petals reflects the “swaying of the lilies floating upon it.” 

The piece is available at the David Morris, The London Jeweller, at its Bond Street flagship. Or it will be transported by guard to any location in the world. As an added bonus, Jeremy Morris said he will grant naming rights for the diamond.

Price upon request. 

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Kanye Gives Kim Kardashian 15-Carat Diamond Engagement Ring

The news is out. Kanye West popped the question to Kim Kardashian. The more important part of the story is the 15-carat engagement ring he gave her. 

The diamond on the ring is more than a carat smaller than the center stone of the $2 million, 20-carat engagement ring given to Kardashian in 2011 by her former husband Kris Humphries. 

But what it lacks in size it may have been made up by the quality of the stone. The diamond is being described in reports as “flawless.” If the diamond is indeed “flawless” or “internally flawless” it could potentially be more valuable than the ring Humphries gave her. That ring was graded as I color and VS1 clarity, which is generally an above average grade. It sold at auction a week ago for $749,000, less than half of the original purchase price. 

Reports also describe the new ring as being much more expensive than the Humphries ring. 

“For a frame of reference, a 10 carat, D, Internally Flawless diamond cost about five times more than a 10 carat I, VS1,” said Joe Murawski of Joden World Resources, an antique and estate jeweler. 

David Cooper of Jeff Cooper Designs, a bridal jewelry manufacturer, said that while the improved grade of the diamond (if the reports are true) will add value, there are other more personal considerations that should go into a successful engagement ring purchase. 

“To me, what’s most importance when viewing any stone is what the stone says to you,” Cooper said. “A diamond like a person is unique and it should have a presence, personality and beauty all its own—regardless of color and clarity.” 

This ring, as the previous one, is designed by Lorraine Schwartz, jewelry designer to the Hollywood stars and a personal friend of Kardashian. The one photograph of the ring being circulated from the Instagram account of hairstylist Clyde Haygood, is difficult to see the diamond clearly. Cooper and I think it might be an emerald cut but a better view is needed. No matter the cut, Cooper approves of the design. 

“I honestly can't see the ring well but I can say the ring is clean and is designed in a very traditional style,” Cooper said. “I love how the metal is minimized and allows the diamonds to take the spotlight. Regardless of their clothing and other fashion choices, this is a 100 percent winner no matter the day, year or decade. Classic never goes out of style”

Meanwhile, Murawski says buying a serious diamond engagement ring is a question of “what you like and what makes sense.”

“The D, Internally flawless diamond is certainly more valuable, but the I, VS1 is more sensible, because there is a far greater market for that stone…. (However) There are those customers who would say, ‘Why would I have something that’s less than the best when I can afford the best?’ Then it is less about making a judgment of sensibility, and is more about making a judgment of preference--what the buyer likes. Both judgments are valid.”

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Nothing Says Valentine’s Day Like a 56-Ct. Heart-Shaped Diamond

Photo from Lorre White, “The Luxury Guru,” website

International auction house Christie’s will be offering a 56.15-ct. heart-shaped diamond at the Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale on May 18. The D color, internally flawless, exceptionally white diamond is expected to fetch from $9 million to $12 million. While the sale is well after Valentine’s Day, it certainly isn’t too late to promise the romantic gem to the special person in your life.

Neil Lane Engagement Ring Adds Sparkle to ‘The Bachelorette’ Finale

The ABC reality show, The Bachelorette, received some added sparkle when Roberto Martinez proposed to bachelorette, Ali Fedotowsky, with a hand-crafted Neil Lane diamond and platinum ring.

The ring (pictured above) is centered with an asscher-cut diamond and accented with 184 round brilliant cut diamonds in a fine handmade setting. Total diamond weight is 3.03 carats. The custom designed ring is signed Neil Lane.
In the romance reality series, a lucky woman gets the opportunity to find the man of her dreams—and her groom-to-be. Fedotowsky embarked on a romantic journey as she met 25 eligible men, getting to know each one as she narrowed the field. They traveled to exotic locations, introduced them to her family and met some of the bachelors’ families. At the end of her romantic voyage, she found “Mr. Right,” and a proposal with a Neil Lane diamond ring.

Los Angles-based Neil Lane is the favorite jeweler for Hollywood brides-to-be. The list of Hollywood celebrities who have received Lane’s engagement ring include Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, Sandra Bullock, Brooke Shields and Jennifer Hudson.