EditorsFeb 14, 2022
We Need to Talk About Adele’s Incredible Diamond RingTrendsFeb 17, 2022
Simone Biles Goes for the (White) Gold
The Olympian debuted her 3-carat oval diamond engagement ring this week.
This Stephanie Gottlieb ring, similar to Simone Biles’ engagement ring, features a 2.5-carat G-color SI1 oval-shaped diamond set in the company’s signature platinum three-sided diamond pavé setting.
Houston—She has gold, silver, and bronze Olympic medals to her name, and now Simone Biles adds white gold to her roster of precious mementos.
The 24-year-old Ohio native and Houston resident announced her engagement to NFL player Jonathan Owens, a safety for the Houston Texans, on Instagram this week, satiating any ring curiosity with a detailed video of the sparkler among a carousel of loved-up pics with her betrothed.
Owens posted a near-identical batch of photos to his Instagram account, crediting Houston-based private jeweler @zofrost for the oval-shaped diamond engagement ring.
Zohaib Muhammad, head of ZoFrost & Co. is a go-to jeweler for professional athletes. He began working at a jewelry kiosk in college to help fund his education at the University of Houston, not knowing jewelry would become his ultimate career path.
After years of working for a local jeweler, he set out on his own in 2018, cultivating a clientele of the who’s who in sports.
“I’m beyond grateful to say that many of the top athletes in the NFL and NBA trust me with creating their jewelry and I’m lucky to call many of them close friends,” Muhammad told National Jeweler.
His Instagram is littered with pictures of elaborate custom works, from personalized pendants and grills to diamond-encrusted chains, blinged-out Cartier watches, and even diamond sunglasses.
With men’s jewelry his forte, diamond engagement rings aren’t his most common custom project.
But, he said, “At least a couple times each year, one of my clients will ask me to help them design and create a ring for their special day.”
Such was the case with Owens.
“Jonathan and I started the process together a few months ago to select the perfect diamond for Simone,” Muhammad said.
“After looking at a number of stones, he handpicked the 3-carat oval diamond. He wanted to add a special touch to the ring by adding a halo around the center stone.”
“After looking at a number of stones, he handpicked the 3-carat oval diamond. He wanted to add a special touch to the ring by adding a halo around the center stone.”
Visible in the Instagram video is the hidden halo, seen only in profile, a more sophisticated cousin of the traditional halo that is seen from above.
Muhammad said a stone of that size would start at about $70,000 and go up from there depending on the quality.
Biles’ 3-carat oval diamond center stone is F-color with VVS2 clarity, set on a 14-karat white gold shank with diamond pavé for maximum sparkle.
New York City-based jeweler and designer Stephanie Gottlieb estimated similar characteristics upon viewing pictures of Biles’ ring online. An oval diamond is extremely popular among her clientele.
“Oval-shaped diamonds are absolutely trending, and we’ve seen a ton of celebrity proposals with ovals over the last few years,” she said. (Kourtney Kardashian is one of the most recent.)
“This is a beautiful setting, with lots of bling!” Gottlieb continued. “When working with a three-sided pavé setting, it’s important to keep the scale of the center stone in mind, so that the band doesn’t overpower the star of the show.”
Shelly Brown, senior fashion and beauty editor at The Knot, confirmed that ovals are enjoying a wave of popularity.
She said, “According to The Knot Jewelry and Engagement Study, oval diamonds are the new ‘it’ diamond shape, up 17 percent since 2015. The elongated shape of ovals appeals to to-be-weds looking for a center stone that feels more fashion-forward than the classic round brilliant cut.”
Brown recalled Blake Lively as one of the earliest celebrity adopters in 2011. In addition to Kourtney Kardashian, Hailey Bieber and Ariana Grande are other oval diamond brides.
While on-trend, Brown said the style also has a classic and versatile feel.
“Simone Biles’ oval minimalistic diamond engagement ring in a pavé solitaire setting puts all the focus on the stunning center stone and illustrates one of the biggest wedding jewelry trends of 2022: oval diamonds,” she said.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Trends
The Latest
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair ServicesThe auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.
