Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez (collectively, J-Rod) are known perfectionists, so it should come as no surprise that the former Yankees player spent a whopping seven months in search of the perfect engagement ring for his lady love.
According to Page Six, the former MLB player kept his search on the down low, wanting to keep the proposal a surprise for Lopez. “Alex had been shopping around for the right ring for the past seven months, he knew for a long time that he wanted to propose to Jennifer,” a source told the paper. “He wanted to get it right. The proposal has been a long time coming. Alex knew she was the one and has been painstakingly planning everything.”
Rodriguez, 43, ultimately settled on a stunning 16-carat, emerald-cut flawless diamond ring estimated to be worth between $1 million to $5 million, experts told The Knot this week. (This is more than the average celebrity engagement ring cost, clocking in at just under $1.3 million). Though the athlete hasn’t revealed the ring designer, the same source confirmed that he bought it abroad.
According to The Knot’s 2017 Jewelry & Engagement Study, the average amount of time spent looking for an engagement ring is around three-and-a-half months, meaning Rodriguez exactly doubled that time frame. Most suitors also look at an average of 26 rings before deciding on The One. (It is also highly possible that Rodriguez customized the ring for his bride-to-be, which approximately 45 percent of all proposers do).
The baseball star popped the question to Lopez, 49, over the weekend while the pair was on vacation on a private island in the Bahamas. Of the beachside proposal, a source told People that Lopez was completely taken by surprise.
“Jennifer is ecstatic and so are their families and friends,” the source said. “Very few people knew Alex planned on proposing. It was very much a surprise for Jennifer. It was just how Alex wanted it.”
Also noteworthy is the fact that Rodriguez, in preparation for the big moment, made sure to bring his World Series ring along as well, and wore it while he proposed.
He later posted a message of love and thanks to the couple’s fans. “There aren’t many words to share with you, only feelings. Gratitude. Excitement. And just … joy,” he wrote in his Instagram stories. “We know there is work to do to keep building a family and future we can be proud of, and we can’t do it without all of you. We are so thankful for all your messages of love and congratulations.”
Lopez, on her part, shared an a photo of her hand in Rodriguez’s, the sparkler up front and center. She captioned the image wordlessly, with eight heart-eyed emojis.
According to the same Jewelry & Engagement Study, Rodriguez’s proposal falls squarely in line with the trend toward public proposals, as opposed to private proposals, wherein the moment only takes place between two parties. Though there weren’t likely any other beachgoers on the sandy shores that day, a photographer was definitely on hand to capture the moment—and both stars’ looks of delight and joy.
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