Eva Longoria wed Tony Parker on their lucky day, 7-7-07. Details of her engagement ring were reported to include the fact that the enormous rock totaled 5 carats in all of its emerald-cut glory. The couple’s wedding bands were turning Possession bands. Eva’s boasted two rows of 80 round cut diamonds and one row of emerald cut stones. Both rings are made of 18k white gold, and the couple had the rings inscribed with personal messages to each other.The bride also wore 17 carats of round, marquise, cushion and oval cut diamonds on her lobes. These earrings are said to be worth a whopping $500,000. As a wedding gift, Eva gave Tony a diamond-encrusted watch. A notable wedding gift to the couple – from another starlet no doubt – was a pair of watches engraved with their wedding date and names, accented by 1.25 carats of white diamonds.

The new Mrs. Parker also adorned her hair with 15 carats of diamonds in four clips. Her $100,000 diamond bracelet boasted several rows of diamonds, setting a new standard for today’s brides. Her long drop earrings were had 17 carats of marquise, oval, cushion and round diamonds.

Longoria also wore a $75,000 wedding gown with a 10-foot train, made of silk and organza. Her bouquet consisted of pink calla lilies and white orchid stems. The couple’s five-tier wedding cake and rose bushes surrounding the guests carried out the classic, red-color theme of the day.

Other recent celebrity weddings, like Howard Stern’s nuptials with Beth Ostrosky, also touted huge stones. Stern purchased a 5.3 carat emerald cut diamond for his sweetie, and it is said to be worth nearly $300,000. The design was commissioned for the occasion, and the center stone is flanked by two smaller emerald cut versions, as well as pavé borders.

Stern had dated Ostrosky for several years, and always claimed he would not marry. However, the couple recently strolled down the aisle during a high-dollar New York ceremony. Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa’s husband, officiated the ceremony, and other guests included Joan Rivers, Billy Joel, Barbara Walters and Sarah Silverman.

Many celebrities are personally designing their own engagement or wedding rings today, and utilizing the option of multiple stone designs. The trend started a few years ago with the infamous wedding of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. The darlings of Hollywood at the time, the couple designed their matching wedding rings with rows of round cut diamonds and a personal inscription on the inside of the bands.

New engagement buzz is surrounding Jessica Simpson and NFL star Tony Romo, who were recently seen shopping for trendy diamond rings. Rumors are flying that the couple will wed this winter, post-football season. It is also being speculated that Giselle Bundchen and Tom Brady are secretly engaged, and may possibly be planning a secret wedding to surprise us all.

Gisele and Jessica are perhaps hiding or wishing for one of the current trendy designs that Hollywood is sporting. Most new brides are wearing larger carat weights than the last set, and these two are sure to be included in that group. Christina Aguliera boasts a 5 carat ring, and Brandy sports an 11.5 carat monster. Melania Knauss, not to be outdone, wears a 13 carat emerald cut diamond, given to her by her husband Donald Trump.

Rare platinum metals are an absolute must when celebrities shop for new wedding rings. The shiny metal may be seen on hands belonging to rich and famous brides such as Jennifer Lopez, Mariska Hargitay, Ashley Judd and Heidi Klum.

The multiple stone trend is reflected in rows of baguette and emerald cut diamonds, making the wedding band as exquisite as the engagement ring that sits next to it. Pavé diamonds and trillion cut stones set on either side of a huge centerpiece diamond is also popular this year.

Colored and fancy cut diamonds stand out above the rest. Heidi Klum wears a canary yellow diamond ring. Kelis dons a large oval stone flanked by two pink, heart-shaped diamonds. Colored diamonds are much more rare and expensive than their white or colorless counterparts, and coveted by many. Typically, only 1 carat of colored diamonds is found for every 100,000 carats of colorless diamonds mined.

Heart-shaped, oval, emerald, rose and cushion cut diamonds are also popular. Mixing two or more cuts within a setting is standard with Hollywood jewels. Many celebrities also choose to incorporate vintage and colored metal settings, effectively upping the ante. Personal inscriptions and commissioned designs ensure that each time the stone gets larger, so does the personal meaning of the ring.

Related Posts:

• Celebrity Tastes Drive Diamond Engagement Ring Trends
• Uma Thurman Engaged
• Diamonds Galore at the 60th Annual Golden Globes
• Mariah Carey’s Diamond Engagement Ring Sparks Questions and Controversy