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
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
