So… about that ring. Glee actress Lea Michele is known for her showmanship, so it only makes sense that her engagement ring mirrors her bubbly personality.
The multi-hyphenate, 31, announced her engagement to beau Zandy Reich in a post to Instagram Saturday featuring her 4-carat diamond ring front and center. Jeweler Greg Kwiat, the CEO of Kwiat, tells The Knot the must-know details about Michele’s ring, including the estimated value, the specific cut, its significance and more.
“The diamond halo design is a classic and popular style,” Kwiat says. Michele’s stone weighs in at four carats, and is classified as a rectangular radiant cut. The piece itself includes a diamond halo and is set on a single, pave diamond band. “A ring [of this caliber] would likely have a value in the range of $100,000 to $150,000,” he adds.
“While it has its roots in antique and vintage jewelry designs, it continues to have a timeless allure,” he adds. “The radiant cut diamond tends to appeal to a woman with a contemporary sense of style. The straight edges and cut corners that are the defining characteristics of the shape speak to a modern design sensibility.”
Michele and Reich, 35, first went public with their relationship last summer, but have largely kept their romance out of the spotlight. (Michele’s previous high-profile relationship, with former Glee costar Cory Monteith, was splashed across the headlines following Monteith’s tragic death back in July 2013).
Reich popped the question after just over a year of dating, and according to People, because the groom-to-be wanted to make sure the ring was just right, he actually personally designed it with Leor Yerushalmi and The Jewelers of Las Vegas. The process, Kwiat tells The Knot, is not an uncommon one.
“At Kwiat, we regularly work with clients to design custom rings,” he says. “The first step is a detailed brainstorming discussion to learn about the bride and groom… We listen to what is most important to both partners and try to incorporate special touches to make the piece truly unique.”
“The shape of the center stone can say a lot about a person, and we work to make sure that the choice is thoughtfully made,” he continues. “Once a diamond and a design are selected, we will sketch the different options and ultimately refine the selection. After the design is finalized, the ring will be created by hand in our New York City workshop, a process that can take three to four weeks.”
Something else that can be interpreted through the shape and cut of the ring, he adds, is what the wedding itself may be like.
“Based on this style of ring, I’d envision a wedding in a contemporary style, surrounded by a large group of family and friends,” Kwiat says. And can an engagement ring predict the success of a marriage?
“Lea is a beautiful woman,” Kwiat tells The Knot, “and this ring and all that it represents will no doubt bring her great joy. We wish her the very best.”