Nord Jewelers Blog

January’s birthstone is often celebrated for its rich color, durability and deep symbolism — but few garnets have ever made a statement quite like "The World’s Largest Polished Garnet." Carved into a jewel-encrusted egg by renowned German lapidary artist Manfred Wild, this extraordinary objet d’art elevates garnet from gemstone to sculptural masterpiece.



Reminiscent of the imperial jeweled eggs created for the Russian court by Fabergé more than a century ago, Wild’s "Garnet and Diamond Egg Creation" was fashioned from an immense rough almandine garnet sourced in Odisha (formerly Orissa), India — one of the world’s most important deposits for that garnet variety. Once polished, the garnet alone weighs an astonishing 5,696 carats and glows with the rich, wine-red hue prized in fine almandine.



The egg’s artistry extends far beyond its remarkable size. When opened, it reveals a rotating diamond-set cross mounted in 18-karat gold and platinum, set on both sides with 456 diamonds totaling approximately 8.50 carats. At its center sits a faceted octahedral brown diamond weighing about 5.74 carats, accented by five natural yellow diamond cubes totaling approximately 10.04 carats. The cross rises from a large, mirror-polished rock crystal quartz sphere measuring 125 mm in diameter, creating a striking contrast of transparency and brilliance.



Below the egg, an 18-karat gold “crown of thorns” functions as both collar and mechanism, allowing the egg to open and close when turned. The tapering stem features two precise rows of 46 calibré-cut almandine garnets separated by a faceted rock crystal spacer, while the base — another substantial rock crystal — has been embellished with 24 flat garnet inlays. In total, the piece incorporates 403 grams of 18-karat gold and 30.5 grams of platinum, standing approximately 12 inches tall.

Wild, whose family has been cutting gemstones in Idar-Oberstein since the 17th century, is celebrated for transforming rare materials into objects of fantasy and refinement. This garnet egg is widely regarded as one of his most ambitious and accomplished creations.

In November of 2014, the “Garnet and Diamond Egg Creation” was one of the top lots in a Bonham’s Los Angeles auction titled “Gems, Minerals, Lapidary Works of Art and Natural History.” Its pre-sale estimate was set at $300,000 to $400,000, but the piece remained unsold. Its current owner hasn't been publicly identified, adding to the mystique surrounding the piece.

While garnet is best known for its deep red varieties, it is one of the most diverse gemstone families in nature. Common garnets used in jewelry include almandine, pyrope, spessartine, grossularite, andradite, demantoid, tsavorite, rhodolite, hessonite, and uvarovite. Their colors range from fiery orange and vivid green to purple, pink, and near-black, depending on trace elements such as iron, manganese, calcium and aluminum.

As a January birthstone symbolizing protection, vitality and enduring love, garnet has long held a place of honor. In this amazing egg, it also claims its place among the world’s great lapidary achievements.

Credits: Images courtesy of Bonhams.

When Dove Cameron confirmed her engagement to Måneskin frontman Damiano David on Saturday, it wasn’t just the announcement that created an internet buzz — it was the ring. Front and center in a series of Instagram posts shared with her 47.3 million followers, Cameron’s vintage-inspired engagement ring instantly positioned itself as one of the most closely watched celebrity jewels of the new year.



Cameron revealed the news with a carousel of romantic images captioned simply, “My favorite part of being alive.” In nearly every frame, the ring glints prominently as the actress-singer poses with her fiancé.

The design aligns with the growing demand for vintage-inspired engagement rings, a trend supercharged by Taylor Swift. At the center of Cameron's ring is a substantial cushion-cut diamond — estimated at three to four carats — prized for its softly rounded corners and old-world elegance. The center stone is encircled by a full halo of smaller diamonds, amplifying its presence and brilliance. A split-shank band, lined with pavé-set diamonds, adds further sparkle and architectural interest. The metal — believed to be 18-karat white gold or platinum — keeps the look crisp and luminous, allowing the diamonds to command full attention.



The overall effect is bold, glamorous and unapologetically maximalist, yet rooted in classic design cues. It’s a style that resonates with today’s couples who want a ring that feels both timeless and fashion-forward — an aesthetic Cameron herself, now widely regarded as an emerging style icon, embodies effortlessly.



Cameron, 29, and David, 26, first met at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, reconnecting a year later and officially confirming their relationship in early 2024. After nearly two years together, they made their red-carpet debut at a pre-Grammy gala and have since shared glimpses of a deeply supportive partnership. Cameron has described their bond as healthy and grounding — sentiments echoed by David in interviews.

Professionally, both are riding high. Cameron rose to fame on Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie and the Descendants franchise before reinventing herself as a pop artist with hits, such as “Boyfriend” and “Breakfast.” She continues to expand her career with new music and an upcoming Prime Video series. David, meanwhile, became an international star as the charismatic lead singer of Måneskin following the band’s 2021 Eurovision win and has since launched a solo career, all while establishing himself as a global fashion figure.

With Cameron’s ring now circulating across social feeds and style pages, its influence is just beginning. For couples exploring design ideas this engagement season, Cameron's vintage-inspired ring may deserve a closer look.

Credit: Images via Instagram.com / dovecameron.

As the calendar turns from Christmas toward New Year’s Eve — two of the most popular proposal dates of the year — engagement season is well underway. But new survey data suggests that while the timing of proposals may remain traditional, attitudes about who pays for the ring are rapidly evolving.



According to DatingAdvice.com’s recent "Holiday Engagement Survey," more than 70% of women say they’re willing to contribute to the cost of their engagement ring, signaling a notable shift from long-standing expectations that the financial burden falls solely on men.

Nearly 19% of women surveyed said they would pay for the ring in full, about 23% would contribute partially, and another 29% would chip in if needed — underscoring a growing view of the ring as a shared investment rather than a solo purchase.

The findings reflect broader cultural changes. With more dual-income couples, later marriages and heightened awareness around debt and budgeting, many partners are approaching engagement ring shopping more pragmatically.

As The Knot reported, the average engagement ring costs about $5,200, and in an era of rising prices, couples appear increasingly comfortable discussing cost — and sharing it — openly.

Financial shifts are only part of the engagement-season story. The DatingAdvice.com survey also explored how pressure to propose varies by age, revealing a clear generational divide.

Nearly one in three Gen Z respondents (29%) and millennials (27.6%) reported feeling some level of pressure to get engaged during engagement season, compared to just 20% of Gen X and 8.3% of boomers. Younger couples, often juggling career-building, financial strain, and social-media expectations, are far more likely to feel the heat as holiday proposals flood Instagram feeds.

Interestingly, men reported higher levels of intense proposal pressure than women. About 11.5% of men said they felt “a lot” of pressure to propose, nearly three times the rate of women. The findings suggest that expectations around planning, financing and executing the “perfect” proposal — especially during peak engagement season — may be weighing more heavily on male partners.

When it comes to how proposals unfold, however, spectacle appears to be losing ground. While social media has popularized elaborate, public moments, the survey found that nearly a third of respondents prefer a private proposal. That preference increases sharply with age: more than half of boomers said they favor a private engagement, compared to just over 20% of Gen Z and millennials.

Taken together, the results paint a picture of engagement season in transition. Rings are still deeply symbolic, Christmas and New Year’s remain prime proposal moments, but today’s couples are rewriting the rules — sharing costs, easing pressure, and prioritizing authenticity over performance.

The "Holiday Engagement Survey" survey was conducted by DatingAdvice and Prodege and includes responses from 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 to 79 who reported being in a committed relationship. The sample includes a broad distribution across gender, age and US regions. Fieldwork was completed in December 2025.

Credit: Image by BigStockPhoto.com.

Nature appears to have impeccable timing — and a sense of humor — when it comes to Alrosa's most unusually shaped rough diamonds. Just as the holiday season approached this year, miners at the Severalmaz processing plant in Russia’s Arkhangelsk region unearthed two remarkable rough diamonds that look uncannily festive: a 17-carat crystal shaped like a Christmas ornament and a 2.7-carat stone that resembles a playful puppy.



The discoveries were made at the M.V. Lomonosov diamond deposit, part of Severalmaz, an Alrosa subsidiary known for producing some of the company’s most visually distinctive stones. The larger crystal’s rounded silhouette and natural symmetry evoke a classic holiday bauble, while the smaller gem’s contours bring to mind floppy ears and a wagging tail.

According to Ilya Zezin, chief geologist at Severalmaz, there is a geological explanation behind these fanciful forms. The Arkhangelsk deposit consists of six kimberlite pipes containing more than 250 million tons of diamond-bearing ore. Diamonds from this region often display unusual morphological features, including rounder shapes and a higher number of natural facets than stones from other deposits.

“Severalmaz’s mining operations are distinguished by the discovery of diamonds of rare shapes and colors,” Zezin explained, noting that these crystals are valued not only for their scientific significance but also for their aesthetic appeal. In other words, the geology itself encourages diamonds to grow with softer outlines and unexpected personalities.

This isn’t the first time the Lomonosov deposit has delivered stones that seem perfectly timed to the calendar. Earlier in 2024, miners recovered a rough diamond shaped like a Christmas tree. In 2023, the same deposit produced the 38-carat “Cloudberry” diamond, named for its resemblance to the northern berry. And in 2022, a nearly 40-carat gem-quality diamond emerged with wings spread wide, unmistakably butterfly-shaped.



That sense of coincidence will sound familiar to our longtime readers. In 2019, we wrote about Alrosa's now-famous “Matryoshka” — a diamond encased within another diamond.



That same roundup included rough stones resembling a soccer ball, a skull, a fish, and a Valentine heart. Remarkably, many of those discoveries surfaced at fitting moments: a soccer-ball diamond just days before Russia’s dramatic World Cup match in 2018, a heart-shaped diamond revealed ahead of Valentine’s Day in 2019 and a skull-shaped stone unearthed just before Halloween.



Whether coincidence or cosmic choreography, Alrosa’s unusual diamonds continue to blur the line between geology and whimsical storytelling. This month, Mother Nature knew exactly when to deliver a little extra holiday sparkle.

Credits: Diamond images courtesy of Alrosa Diamonds and via Alrosa/Instagram.

Christmas arrived in sparkling fashion for Jordyn Woods and Karl-Anthony Towns. On Christmas Eve, the New York Knicks center proposed to the fashion icon during an intimate rooftop celebration overlooking the Manhattan skyline. By Christmas Day, the couple made things official — announcing their engagement on Instagram and giving jewelry lovers their first close look at Woods’ showstopping emerald-cut diamond ring as she appeared courtside at Madison Square Garden.



The proposal took place at Overstory, a sleek rooftop bar perched 64 stories above New York City in the Financial District. Against a backdrop of the vast cityscape, Towns dropped to one knee and presented Woods with a dramatic emerald-cut diamond estimated at 10 carats or more. Family members were reportedly present for the milestone moment, keeping the Christmas Eve proposal both personal and celebratory.



The following day, after Towns played in the Knicks’ Christmas Day matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers — a nail-biting, come-from-behind victory — the couple shared their engagement publicly. In a joint Instagram post captioned “Marry Christmas” (punctuated with emojis of a Christmas tree, red heart and engagement ring), Woods and Towns included images from the proposal where the ring was front and center.



Woods later debuted the ring in person while supporting her fiancé courtside at Madison Square Garden, pairing the massive diamond with a wintry white look that echoed the icy brilliance of the stone. The elongated emerald-cut diamond is set on a slim platinum pavé band, a design that places full emphasis on the center stone while allowing it to sit elegantly and proportionally on the hand.



Emerald cuts are a favored choice for diamonds of this size — and for good reason. Unlike brilliant cuts that prioritize sparkle through numerous facets, emerald cuts feature step-cut facets and a broad, open table that showcase a diamond’s clarity and color. This “hall of mirrors” effect creates long, elegant flashes of light rather than glittering fire, making emerald cuts especially striking in larger, high-quality stones. Their elongated shape also gives the illusion of greater size while flattering the finger with clean, architectural lines.

Jewelry experts estimate Woods’ ring could be valued well into seven figures if the diamond is natural, depending on clarity and color.

The engagement marks a new chapter for Woods, 28, and Towns, 30, who began dating in 2020 after years of friendship. Their relationship deepened during the pandemic, as the couple supported each other through significant personal loss, forming a bond they’ve often described as rooted in friendship first.

Woods, 28, is a model, entrepreneur and media personality known for her work in fashion, acting and her inclusive activewear brand, Secndnture. Towns, 30, is an NBA All-Star and widely regarded as one of the league’s most versatile big men.

Credits: Images via Instagram / jordynwoods and karltowns.

Each year, a new Norway spruce is specially hand-picked to stand at the heart of Rockefeller Center, ultimately becoming one of the most photographed Christmas trees in the world. While the tree itself changes annually, one constant crowns it from above: the dazzling Swarovski Star — a 900-pound, crystal-studded masterpiece that once again tops the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a beloved symbol of the holiday season in New York City.



The monumental ornament spans more than nine feet in diameter and glistens with over 3 million precisely cut crystals. Designed in 2018 by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the three-dimensional star features 70 radiant spikes, each illuminated from within to amplify the crystal’s refractive brilliance.



Libeskind originally described the Star as a modern symbol of hope, unity, and peace — an interpretation that continues to resonate as it shines nightly above Rockefeller Plaza. The design replaced an earlier Swarovski star introduced in 2004 that weighed 550 pounds and featured just 25,000 crystals, underscoring how dramatically the scale and ambition of the current topper have evolved.



Installed in mid-November, the 75-foot-tall spruce traveled roughly 150 miles from East Greenbush in Upstate New York to Midtown Manhattan. Donated by the Russ family, who had cared for the tree on their property for more than 60 years, this year’s spruce carries a deeply personal story. Judy Russ has said the family offered the tree in memory of her late husband.

"As my husband has passed away, I know he would have loved to have been here for this moment," Judy Russ told NBC correspondent Joe Fryer on TODAY. "We always talked about it being the (Rockefeller Center) tree. It's so special that my family’s tree gets to be America's, if not the world’s, Christmas tree.”

Placing the Swarovski Star on top of such a majestic tree is no small feat. Each year, a specialized crew hoists the massive ornament by crane, delicately positioning it nearly eight stories into the air. Once secured, the Star completes a dazzling display that includes more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights woven throughout the tree using nearly five miles of wire.

The tree officially lit up Manhattan during the nationally televised Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 3, marking the ceremonial start of the city’s holiday season. The tree and its Swarovski Star will remain illuminated nightly through mid-January 2026, welcoming millions of visitors from around the globe.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree tradition dates back to 1931, when Depression-era construction workers erected a modest tree adorned with handmade garlands. The first official lighting ceremony followed in 1933, and since 1951, the event has been broadcast nationwide, transforming a simple spruce into a global holiday icon.

When the season concludes, the story doesn’t end. Since 2007, Rockefeller Center has donated the tree’s lumber to Habitat for Humanity, where it is milled and repurposed into building materials for homes across the country — a fitting final chapter for a symbol rooted in generosity and renewal.

Credits: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree photo by Anthony Quintano from Mount Laurel, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photo of Nadja Swarovski and Daniel Libeskind with the Swarovski Star in 2018 by Bryan Bedder Getty for Swarovski (PRNewsfoto/Swarovski). Screen capture of Swarovski Star via YouTube.com/Swarovski.

After more than a decade of bold, expressive hues — from 2012’s Tangerine Tango to 2022’s digitally inspired Very Peri — the Pantone Color Institute surprised the design world by selecting "Cloud Dancer" (PANTONE 11-4201) as its 2026 Color of the Year. Instead of a vibrant splash of color, Pantone landed on a billowy, ethereal shade of white — its first-ever white selection — prompting both reflection and debate across fashion, design and creative circles.



Described by Pantone as a “lofty, balanced white,” Cloud Dancer is meant to feel airy rather than stark. The institute said the shade symbolizes calm, renewal and quiet focus at a time when many consumers feel overwhelmed by visual noise, digital saturation and constant stimulation. According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer acts as a blank canvas — inviting creativity to breathe rather than compete for attention.

Still, the choice sparked discussion. Some critics questioned whether white qualifies as a “color” at all, especially in the context of paint and pigment, where white is often described as the absence of color. Social media commentary ranged from playful skepticism to genuine disappointment, with some wondering whether Pantone had sidestepped its role as a color authority.

Pantone leaders addressed those concerns directly. Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman emphasized that Cloud Dancer was not a default or minimalist cop-out, but a conscious choice. She described the hue as a symbol of clarity and simplification — one that opens new avenues of thinking rather than closing them. Vice President Laurie Pressman echoed that sentiment, noting that Cloud Dancer reflects a cultural moment defined by transformation and a desire for fresh starts.

As with previous Color of the Year selections, Pantone’s decision reflects the broader global zeitgeist. While earlier choices leaned into optimism, vibrancy or digital expression, Cloud Dancer speaks to a collective yearning for stillness and balance. In that sense, it’s less about making a loud statement and more about creating space for lightness and well-being.

For the jewelry industry, Cloud Dancer offers a particularly elegant source of inspiration. Its soft, luminous quality pairs naturally with gemstones that share a sense of lightness and serenity. Cultured pearls are perhaps the most intuitive match, with their creamy glow and timeless appeal echoing the shade’s cloudlike softness. From classic strands to modern pearl-accented earrings, pearls align seamlessly with Cloud Dancer’s understated elegance.

White diamonds also shine in this palette, especially when set in platinum or white gold. Their crisp brilliance complements Cloud Dancer’s clean aesthetic while still delivering sparkle and luxury. For jewelry-lovers seeking something more ethereal, moonstone brings a subtle, internal glow reminiscent of drifting clouds, while white opal adds gentle flashes of color within a milky base.

Even mother-of-pearl finds a natural home here, offering quiet luster and organic beauty that suits minimalist and contemporary designs alike. Paired with soft pastels or warm neutrals, these gemstones allow Cloud Dancer to serve as a sophisticated foundation rather than a blank void.

As with every Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer is likely to influence product development, merchandising and consumer tastes well beyond fashion, extending into jewelry, interiors and branding. Whether viewed as controversial or calming, Pantone’s 2026 choice underscores a powerful idea: sometimes the most meaningful statement can be communicated with a whisper, not a shout.

Here are the Pantone Colors of the Year dating back to 2011…



PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse (2025)
PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz (2024)
PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta (2023)
PANTONE 17-3938 Veri Peri (2022)
PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray (2021)
PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating (2021)
PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue (2020)
PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral (2019)
PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet (2018)
PANTONE 15-0343 Greenery (2017)
PANTONE 13-1520 Rose Quartz (2016)
PANTONE 15-3919 Serenity (2016)
PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala (2015)
PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid (2014)
PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald (2013)
PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango (2012)
PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle (2011)

Credits: Color swatch images courtesy of Pantone.

What Chanel West Coast thought was an opportunity to capture a holiday-themed social media clip turned into a life-changing surprise — and a very glittery one. Last week, longtime boyfriend Dom Fenison popped the question beneath the towering Christmas tree installation at Beverly Cañon Gardens in Beverly Hills, catching the TV personality, rapper and entrepreneur completely off guard.



As Chanel walked into the center of the hollowed-out tree — part of the city’s annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration — Fenison kept the camera rolling. Moments later, the real reason for the “content” became clear.



“Wait. What? Are you serious?” Chanel exclaimed, visibly stunned, before breaking into happy tears. “I love it. It’s so beautiful.”

Fenison handed her the ring — a large pear-shaped diamond halo set on a pavé band — and asked her to try it on. In an awkward moment many jewelry lovers instantly recognized, Chanel initially slipped the ring on with the point of the pear facing her wrist. She paused, laughed, and quickly flipped it around.

“Oh, wait. It’s the wrong way, I think,” she said, instantly settling the age-old pear-shape debate in favor of the traditional point-toward-the-fingertip look.

Despite joking about dry hands and wishing she’d applied lotion beforehand, Chanel couldn’t stop admiring the ring.

"Oh my god, I love you," she said to her new fiancé, and then turned her attention to the most important onlooker of all — the couple’s two-year-old daughter, Bowie Breeze — pulling her in for a hug and telling her, “I love you.”

Chanel later shared the moment on Instagram, writing, “Best day of my life was today!” She praised Fenison for being her “rock, best friend and biggest supporter.” A day later, she posted close-up selfies of the ring, this time properly oriented, admitting she “can’t stop looking at” it.

The engagement marks a joyful milestone for a couple whose relationship has grown steadily over the past four years. Chanel and Fenison, a fashion model signed to DT Model Management, officially began dating in early 2022 after reconnecting through her music career. They welcomed Bowie in November of that year and have since balanced parenthood with busy professional lives.

Chanel, who departed MTV’s Ridiculousness in 2023, is currently exploring a new musical chapter that blends country and hip-hop, while Fenison continues working with major fashion brands and supporting Chanel’s creative ventures.

As for the proposal buzz online — including commentary about Fenison filming the moment himself or skipping a knee drop — Chanel’s response has been clear: she’s thrilled, deeply in love and absolutely obsessed with her ring.

Credits: Image via Instagram / chanelwestcoast.

Welcome to a special Yuletide edition of Music Friday, when we spotlight songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today’s pick is Toby Keith’s playful 1995 holiday tune “Christmas Rock,” a song that finds the future country superstar portraying a cash-strapped husband heading to the jewelry store after his wife makes it clear that pots, pans and practical gifts simply won’t do.



Released on Keith’s first holiday album, Christmas to Christmas, the song opens with the narrator's wife poring over Christmas catalogs, zeroing in on the jewelry pages, and she’s made her wishes clear: She wants “something shinin’ on her hand,” preferably set with a diamond or an emerald.

Keith’s narrator protests that the budget is tight and that his “billfold doesn’t have a prayer,” but a single tear from his wife seals his fate. Soon enough, he’s heading “down to the jewelry store,” where even the clerk greets him with a festive “ho, ho, ho.” The refrain drives the joke home: she wants a Christmas rock, but Santa’s pockets “ain’t got no roll.”

The irony, of course, is that Toby Keith himself was anything but broke. Over the course of a three-decade career, he became one of the most successful figures in country music, releasing 19 studio albums, two Christmas albums, and five compilations, with worldwide sales topping 40 million units. He scored 20 #1 hits on the Billboard country charts. Keith's success extended well beyond music, earning him recognition as a savvy entrepreneur with ventures spanning touring, publishing and hospitality.

Born in Clinton, OK, Keith’s path to stardom was far from smooth. He grew up around live music at his grandmother’s supper club, picked up his first guitar at age eight, worked oil fields by day and played honky-tonks by night. After years of grinding, a chance connection led to a record deal in Nashville — and the rest is country music history.

Keith passed away in February 2024 after a battle with stomach cancer, leaving behind a towering legacy as a singer, songwriter, performer and patriot who remained deeply connected to his Oklahoma roots. Even in a humorous holiday song about a man sweating a jewelry purchase, his storytelling shines with warmth, wit and authenticity.

This season, as engagement rings and diamond jewelry once again top holiday wish lists, “Christmas Rock” feels as timely as ever.

Please check out the audio track of Keith performing “Christmas Rock.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“Christmas Rock”
Written by Lewis Anderson. Performed by Toby Keith.

My billfold doesn’t have a prayer
There’s Christmas catalogs everywhere
She keeps looking at the jewelry section
Cutting pictures out of her selections

I said, “We need to hold it down this year”
And in her eye she got a big ol’ tear
She wants a Christmas rock
But Santa’s pockets ain’t got no roll

She don’t want pots and pans
Just something shinin’ on her hand
With an emerald or a diamond on it
I had a budget but she’s gone and blown it

Down to the jewelry store, here I go
Hear the clerk say, “Ho, ho, ho”
She wants a Christmas rock
But Santa’s pockets ain’t got no roll

She don’t want anything from Sears
No tools or garden shears
There’s something special on her mind
And I can’t even afford the shine

I wish she’d settled for a long nightshirt
No, I’ve got to give till it hurts
She wants a Christmas rock
But Santa’s pockets ain’t got no roll

She don’t want pots and pans
Just something shinin’ on her hand
With an emerald or a diamond on it
I had a budget but she’s gone and blown it

Down to the jewelry store, here I go
Hear the clerk say, “Ho, ho, ho”
She wants a Christmas rock
But Santa’s pockets ain’t got no roll

She wants a Christmas rock
But ol’ Santa’s pockets ain’t got no roll



Credit: Photo by US Army - Rob McIlvaine, FMWRC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

There’s a very good reason your social feeds fill up with sparkling rings this time of the year. Welcome to Engagement Season — the stretch from late November through mid-February when nearly half of all marriage proposals take place.



According to The Knot’s 2025 Real Weddings Study, about 47% of couples get engaged between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, making it the most popular proposal window of the year. December remains the standout month, with Christmas Day consistently ranking as the most popular day to pop the question, followed closely by Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day.

So why does this time of year inspire so many proposals? Romance is built right in. The holidays bring cozy settings, twinkling lights, and time off from work—plus family gatherings that make celebrating an engagement feel instantly meaningful. There’s also the emotional pull of fresh starts. For many couples, the New Year represents a natural moment to commit to the future and turn a relationship milestone into a lifelong promise.

Engagement Season also offers practical advantages. Proposing during the winter gives couples plenty of runway to plan weddings for peak seasons, such as late-spring through early-fall. It’s no coincidence that jewelers, planners and venues all see a surge in inquiries starting in December and January.

Once the “yes” is official, rings take center stage — and almost everyone is participating. The Knot reports that 94% of couples exchange at least one engagement ring. Among LGBTQIA+ couples, ring exchange is also common, with 65% exchanging one ring and 29% exchanging two, compared with just 5% of heterosexual couples opting for two rings.

Today’s engagement rings reflect evolving tastes. Four shapes now account for nearly three-quarters of all designs: round (28%), oval (25%), emerald (10%) and princess (10%). Notably, oval cuts have nearly caught up with the once-dominant round brilliant, signaling a shift toward slightly more distinctive silhouettes.

In terms of settings, a newer favorite has emerged: the hidden halo, featured in 18% of engagement rings, surpassing the classic halo style. Traditional prong-set solitaires still reign supreme, appearing in 35% of designs.

According to The Knot, the average engagement now lasts about 15 months, giving couples time to savor the moment before wedding planning hits full swing.

With an estimated 2.8 million couples getting engaged each year in the U.S., it’s clear why Engagement Season has become a cherished — and glittering — tradition. Between the romance, the symbolism and the sparkle, it’s no wonder so many couples choose this time of year to ask the biggest question of all.

Credit: Photo by BigStockPhoto.com.