Jessica Simpson's Red Hot Engagement Ring

Not a week has gone by since Vanessa Minnillo started flashing her huge Asscher-cut engagement ring from Nick Lachey, and that wily Jessica Simpson goes and one-ups her with her own ring finger news - namely, a ruby red engagement rock from her beau of six monhts, Eric Johnson.

Meow!

Another 'shocker'? Simpson's ring comes from celebrity designer, Neil Lane, who seems to have a monopoly on newsworthy engagement rings these days. And this one is a real tongue-wagger.

Here's the blingy backstory:

 “Eric wanted the most romantic, beautiful, special ring for Jessica,” Lane tells PEOPLE. The result? A three-stone Lane sparkler with a stunner of a central ruby flanked by two pear-shaped diamonds - each stone weighing over 5 carats. Estimates put the ring at around $100,000, (which is a bit less than the rock Vanessa got. But who's counting?)

While the ruby just so happens to be Simpson’s birthstone (she was born in July), the gem “represents love,” says Lane. “The ruby is a stone of love and it is the most romantic gem and it’s very rare and very, very special.”

Stealing the spotlight from your ex? Also special.

Who's dreaming of a 'red' Christmas? You know who you are! Here are a few affordable buying options:

Still not sold? Click here to see the other singing celeb who recently got hitched with a ruby on her ring finger.

Ruby Lore – Learn About This Month’s Birthstone

Perhaps no gemstone has been as prized throughout history as the ruby. Celebrated in ancient Sanskrit writings as the most precious of all gemstones, rubies have adorned emperors and kings and inspired countless legends and myths with their rich, fiery hues.

As the ultimate red gemstone, rubies have symbolized passion and romance for centuries. Ruby is the birthstone for July and is also the recommended gem for couples celebrating their 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.

Also the color of blood, the stone is symbolic of courage and bravery. Warriors were said to have implanted rubies under their skin to bring them valor in battle and make them invincible. The stone has also been used as a talisman against danger, disaster, to stop bleeding, and a number of other ailments. Its intense color was thought to come from an undying flame inside the stone - or, as some legends would have it, a piece of the planet Mars.

Ruby is the red variety of corundum, a sister of sapphire. Like sapphire, ruby rates a "9" on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it the second hardest material known after diamonds.


The most important factor to consider when buying a ruby is its color. It comes in a variety of shades ranging from purplish- and bluish-red to orange-red. Like sapphire, there is also a translucent variety of ruby that can display a six-point star when cut in a smooth domed cabochon cut.


Rubies are rarely found perfect in nature - which is why many are heat-treated to intensify or lighten their color or improve their clarity. Heat enhancement is a permanent, stable process. Some rubies also have surface fractures and cavities that are filled with glass-like materials to improve their appearance.

For both treated or untreated stones, the safest cleaning method is to just use soapy water or a mild commercial solvent and a brush.

Ruby Ring Brings in Millions

Jewelry hounds, I've found the 'covet of the day' bling for your drooling pleasure.

Recently both Christie's and Sotheby's held successful jewelry auctions, with diamonds, emeralds and pearls exchanging hands for millions. But this particular gem caught my eye - a stunner of a ruby ring once owned by philanthropist (aka: filthy rich) eccentric, Isabella Stewart Gardner.

Mounted in platinum, the cushion-cut ruby ring weighs 8.66 carats and is flanked by single-cut diamonds weighing approximately .12 carats. The piece sold at Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels sale for (wait for it....) $2.098 million (!) with a pre-sale estimate of only $1 million to $1.5 million.

According to Luxist, Gardner was a visionary patron of the arts whose personal collection of fine jewelry and decorative art is housed in her former home, now an esteemed Boston museum, called the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. She was strong-minded and intellectually curious and enjoyed her reputation in Victorian era Boston for leading an avant-garde lifestyle - with a particular penchant for rubies.

This particular ruby was originally purchased with a $50,000 inheritance given to Gardner by her brother when he died as a token of remberance. Now many decades (and quite a few zeros) later, some lucky bidder walked away with her sentimental stone - and let's hope a few body guards for good meausre.

What kind of jewelry would you buy with $50,000? Are you a diamond diva or a gemstone kinda gal? Weigh in!

Diane Kruger's Tangerine Dream

SAG Awards jewelry is still dancing in my head, but before I get to my overall impressions (will post tomorrow), can I just take a moment to applaud Diane Kruger for once again killing it on the red carpet?

Taking a cue from Michelle Obama's penchant for young designer Jason Wu, Kruger stunned the crowd with a Wu (is it mustard-yellow, burnt-sienna, rustic-orange?) off-the shoulder gown accessorized with Harry Winston gold and ruby drop earrings and a series of ruby and diamond bracelets and bangles.

It's the perfect mix of 'make an impression' meets 'taste' in my book. Do you guys agree? Weigh in! And stay tuned for more SAG snark - including what could possibly be the worst necklace I have ever seen on display during Awards Season.

Rock it in Rubies for the 4th

Can it be possible that it’s already time to July 4th our way through the weekend? Aside from strategic blanket placement at the fireworks display and avoiding drunk Uncle Joe at the family BBQ, the only thing you really have to worry about is adding a little red, white and blue to your wardrobe.

Luckily, the JI has your back.


Nothing says July more than the month’s birthstone – the rockin’ red ruby. And I say rockin’ because these days the stone is finding it’s way on more hip jewelry styles than your traditional cross necklace and simple pair of studs (the blood-thirsty Twilight vampires would surely agree).



Now, rubies are generally not thought of as an ‘affordable’ stone. They fall into the precious gemstone category along with sapphires and emeralds so are often found in higher price points than the frugalista budget allows.

But with your super secret code to the Friends and Family site, JewelClub, you have access to a whole host of ruby styles at 60% - 70% off the suggested retail price.



I just did a search through their stash, and there are plenty of cool styles that would go perfectly with your Americana garb this weekend – from bold cocktail rings to fun fashion pieces like this ruby purse pendant that is only $60 with their special July discount on selected ruby merchandise. And the original price? $279!!



So whether you’re in the market for the 4th or want to get a meaningful gift for the July birthday girl in your life, take a gander at the JewelClub treasure chest (www.jewelclub.com), enter the special code: INSIDER and walk away with savings you won’t get anywhere else.

Happy birthday to America, happy birthday to you.