Have I mentioned recently that Julianne Hough is a lucky, lucky girl? She really is. Last week, Julianne announced her engagement to a certified hottie, pro hockey player Brooks Laich. While she never hid the relationship and she seemed to announce the engagement as soon as it happened, she was playing coy about the engagement ring. But now, finally, she’s showing off her ring. OMG. SO BIG. And it doesn’t look like a quartz! While I think something is a little bit “off” about the setting, the diamond itself is really beautiful. Here’s Julianne’s close-up:
According to People Magazine, Brooks went to Lorraine Schwartz and picked out the oval-shaped, over-5-carat diamond himself. He wanted “the most perfect diamond” Schwartz could find and they worked for “months” to make the perfect ring. In case you’re in the midst of some kind of celebrity-engagement-ring déjà vu, I felt the same way. You know why? Because Julianne’s ring looks A LOT like the engagement ring Ryan Reynolds gave Blake Lively, only Blake’s diamond was bigger (7 carats) and a pink diamond. But otherwise, very similar setting, similar oval cut, similar pave diamonds in the setting.
When Julianne posted the “ring photos” yesterday on her website, she also posted her engagement story. She sounds a little bit extra here, but I think she’s really just giddy and happy.
Although I knew Brooks was the one the day I met him, I had no idea what to expect as far as when and how he’d pop the question. Well… let me tell you guys, it was magical and sweet. We were at home, romantic and relaxed, which is perfectly very “us.” We stood on the deck, watching the sun set over the lake and listening to our favorite songs. Not even for a second did I expect that beautiful, serene scene was about to become one of the most meaningful moments of our lives. In fact, I was so taken aback when Brooks got down on one knee I completely blacked out! It was like a rush of heat and a wave of uncontrollable emotion swept right through my body. I didn’t have any words at first (me! no words!). All I could do was explode into his arms and experience pure joy from head to toe.
Being engaged didn’t truly hit me until I started saying “fiancé” out loud. “My fiancé loves that song. Let me check my fiancé’s schedule. Have you met my fiancé?” It’s crazy! I have to say, being engaged actually does feel different. There is a sense of strength in us, a feeling of being further grounded but most of all, it just makes me really giddy!
The ring itself makes me feel very feminine and takes my breath away every time I look down, which I can’t stop doing, by the way. When it comes to taking it off, forget it. I’ll even wake up in the middle of the night to make sure it’s still there! I never thought I’d be the girl sticking her hand out to her friends and screaming in unison but here I am, shrieking all over Los Angeles.
Getting engaged has been about much more than the engagement itself. The rush of love from friends and family, plus the support from all of you has been overwhelming. The love being poured into this next step of our relationship is incredible, and I’m so very grateful.
I honestly prefer this kind of openness and “here is my engagement story in my own words,” as opposed to strategically leaking details from “sources” to People Magazine. This feels more authentic, like she’s not even pretending to be cool and aloof. She’s thrilled that she’s engaged, and she has every right to be joyful and excited.
Photos courtesy of Julianne’s website & Instagram.
Her fiancé is really hot and she’s cute too. She deserves that ring after bearding for Seacrest all those years!
Hahaha..laughed so hard at this (yrs of bearding for seacrest).
That man is the hotness, and that ring…? Dayuuuum. GORGEOUS!! Aniston and her halls mentholytptus ring need to take note. That’s how you do it right there.
Really happy for her, she seems like a good person, as does her brother. they had quite the childhood reportedly almost slave dancing for mark ballas’ family dance bizness…glad they’re successful and happy now.
She is very funny, congrats to her.
The ring is way too much, but then I dont live in LA, so it may just be a circumstance thing.
These beyond massive rings are totally impractical. It seems like people only have them for showing off purposes. I find this one just as gaudy as Aniston’s or Beyoncé’s.
Also, I find ring shots in general to be very tacky. No need to show off, people!
Agreed. How about just share your happy story (like she did), minus the ring pics, and let paps catch a glimpse without being showy about it? I think she is cute but she is LOVING all the attn.
I think it’s too much as well. I’d rather have something cute and tiny and then something that takes up a third of my finger, but to each its own, I guess. And I find that story extra too. i don’t like cheesy people, and she has so much cheese.
NY is like that too. My friend had one so big I kept thinking it belonged to one of those old ladies on Madison Ave not some young 30 y/o and most don’t end up wearing on a day to day basis so why spend $30k+ hers probably more just reminds me of old ladies with fur coats. He is cute though not sure who he plays for.
I would like that for special occasions….but would want a new/smaller ring for every day.
But I actually LOVE the ring, but just think it’s too impractical to wear on a daily basis. The stone is really pretty, doesn’t look cheap, etc.
Yea for me personally I like smaller rings with creative bands. or diamonds on the band. IDK I’ve never been engaged
Anyways her posts reads like one from any of my newly engaged friends. Gushing and overflowing. Its cute
I don’t like them at all. They’re classless and noveau-riche.
It’s definitely a pretty diamond compared to JA’s cloudy quartz…but I still think it looks gaudy. Don’t know if it’s the size or the shape…but I don’t like it.
It’s the shape IMO it’s awkward. Think of all the celebs that have that size in round, princess and square that don’t seem so tacky ie faith hill.
Looks like anistons ring!!!
Julianne’s stone looks pretty and well worked/polished while JA’s looks like somebody just put the clearest marble in the net on a ring setting.
While I am one of the few on here who actually like Aniston, and her personal style, Hough’s diamond appears to be much nicer. Not sure why, maybe it is just in photographs, but, Jennifer’s ring always looks cloudy, or like a raw stone. Hough’s stone appears to look much clearer.
Like Aniston’s, Blake Lively’s and Amber Rose’s. Soap dish sized oval diamonds are the new black apparently.
It’s a pretty stone, for sure, but it seems to big for her hand. A smaller stone would have looked better…but I’m not the one who has to wear it. As long as she’s happy with it, that’s all that matters.
And her dogs are about the cutest things ever!
I find the ring a little odd looking – the band is so thin compared to the chunk of diamond.
Yes. And the diamond itself seems to list sideways …
I thought it looked sideways too! Maybe just the way she is tilting her hand?
oh come on, why so critical? who would say no to this? i think the ring is breathtaking. so beautiful.
I would say no to this ring unless it was a done deal and I felt it would hurt his feelings. I love beautiful jewelry very much, but I don’t find huge diamonds to be attractive.
Thank you! Why is no one being honest here?! We would all take that, it’s beautiful, and we all jealous (me included!)
I’d definitely say let’s go see what other options the shop has 🙂 Of coarse unless that would hurt his feelings but then again I am known for being blunt.
I would imagine that they both love the ring and that is her style.
I wouldn’t like the ring at all because I prefer a completely different style (and would hope that my fiancé knows this).
However it’s a beautiful ring for the style it represents and I think it’s a good fit for Julianne Hough.
I think it’s ugly and tacky.
Yeah – I love the diamond, but it seems like the setting is really unstable. How does it keep from flopping everywhere?
No thought on the ring itself ,BUT it is designed so that with a wedding band and potential anniversary band on either side it doesn’t look big and clunky.
That’s my problem with it. The setting should balance out the stone. It looks dinky and too fragile. Maybe the wedding ring will help, but it’s a shame to spend all that money and come up with that. He didn’t get very good advice.
A lot of people couldn’t pull off that much sugar coated giddiness but on her I think its authentically adorable……God knows girlfriends earned it!
love. love. LOVE it!
really liking the thin band 2-5 carat oval/pear trend that is happening now.
also, GO CAPS!
Yeah! Now that the shenanigans are over, LET’S GO CAPS!!!
She comes across as genuine and her happy enthusiasm is adorable, much better than the “sources close to the couple say they are over the moon.”
Very good looking couple, don’t care about the ring. If she likes it, it doesn’t matter what the rest of the universe thinks.
Her non-apology about wearing blackface just screamed genuine.
I clicked on this thread solely to see how long until someone brought up the mistake the girl made. One time, done out of cultural ignorance (not malice), and she certainly apologized. There is no pattern here, she seems like a good person, so really–I think moving on and not beating her up over via internet dogging for the rest of eternity and in the spirit of forgiveness is called for.
Just calling in like I see it.
@Dirty Martini.
It was not a mistake, it a choice made by an adult. An adult who knew exactly what she was doing, when she chose to do that publicity stunt. And it was a non-apology, it certainly was not heartfelt. It was a “let’s forget this all happened, just don’t forget my name” thing.
No one who has been in the industry as long as she has been, has any excuse for that behavior. But I forgot, she is blond and generic, so that fixes everything.
Sorry Merritt, I disagree. Adults make mistakes every day. I do not believe she really understood the implications of what she was doing at the time. She understood after it was pointed out to her. And she did apologize. I choose to believe that her intentions were not mean, not meant to ridicule, and were done out of ignorance not hate…..because there is absolutely no evidence to the contrary. Name another time she has acted badly. SHe has absolutely positively no pattern of bad behavior whatsoever. THis was a single incident. As a result–yeah, she gets the benefit of the doubt from me.
Thank you, dirty martini, I dont think anyone is stupid enoughto do blackface for publicity. Naive, imo, racist, no. Love that she’s on social media with no makeup, no duckface.the good old days, lol. Can’t blame a gal for showing off her ring I know I did when I got engaged.
@dirty martini
Perhaps you need to stop whitesplaining racism.
I completely agree.
@Dirty Martini
And that might be believable, if she had been 15. But she was 25. There is no excuse for not having a clue about race relations and acceptable behavior at 25. If she was actually that stupid, then she is too stupid to be a public figure. She did it on purpose. And of course was forgiven because she is white and blonde and played the innocent card. Black women of any age, aren’t allowed to play innocent ever. But people like Julianne, get to get away that crap their whole lives, because people defend their racist choices.
Also, the proposal story reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where they’re all at a party and this lady keeps saying, in the most annoying accent, “let me check on my fiance, my fiance LOVES this, my fiance…”. LOL
HA! I was wondering if a fellow Seinfeld historian would be here. First thing I thought!
Personally, something with a setting that balances a ring out would be my preference, but happy for her and think her openness and excitement is endearing.
Too bad, so sad noncommittal Ryan!
“Maybe the dingo ate your baby”
Lol- I thought of that Seinfeld episode too.
She is so darned cute! Congrats!
(Love the teacup photo!)
yes, she is just adorable and lovely.
i’m very happy for her.
they are a sweet couple and the pups are too cute!
EDIT: that ring is spectacular! i love that the diamond is so out of proportion with the band. it’s unusual and makes the diamond the star. i do think that any diamond over 2 carats should have 6 prongs, though…
She’s very pretty and he’s gorgeous and I love those dogs. I don’t care for the ring. I think 2.5 carats might be my limit on size. But they seem very happy and I’m happy for them.
It’s her engagement ring, so if she likes it that’s all that matters.
But objectively, IMO the band is too thin for the size of the stone.
Agreed- to each their own, but I wouldn’t want a stone that large.
Someone above said it’s designed to not look clunky with the wedding band. Which I can …kinda see?
Wow, he could do a lot better. (I know. I’m a horrible person.)
OMG lololol massive shade! He really is sooooo hot though. Ugh. Im jealous.
It’s obviously a very beautiful diamond, but I agree that the band needs to look a bit more substantial for aesthetic balance–something was throwing me off from the first time I looked at it and it’s that.
Happy for them…they’re a darling couple.
I don’t like oval rings like that, not my cup of tea, but good for her I guess.
I wonder if she told her fiancee she was a beard to Seacrest and they laugh about it OR does she have to play like it was real love til the end.
her guy is cute
nice! I really like it (I like anything that sparkles, though), I love their pictures together, I like guys with beards and sweatshirts, and I love people with little to no make-up in woodsy settings. so, yay! p.s.: haha, she’s so smug in that tea cup picture! don’t know why, but I find even that endearing. happy for this couple… congrats!
That stone is pretty, I don’t like oval diamonds personally, but it is a beautiful diamond. I like how she told the story more then the typical source of a couple story.
However, if I had to deal with her and she was always saying my fiancé about everything I might have to run away dramatically screaming. That is just annoying.
I used to work in bridal so I’ve seen some rings(the band is too small for the monster rock so the proportion is off and it bugs me). I personally don’t like the oval shape so it’s not my thing but let me tell you, if my man gave it to me I’d still be REALLY happy. 🙂
I have always wanted an oval, and still do, so the envy is very much alive over here
The ring is gauche and vulgar. But then again so is she, so it fits. She’ll never be anyone other than the thirsty girl who wore blackface for publicity.
Ew, I forgot that was her.
LOL! I’m with @goodnamesalltaken, I totally forgot that was her
It looks like something from QVC.
Lol it does! Diamonique.
Meh. I’d rather have an original design or a gemstone. Giant diamonds just look like huge status symbols to me. There’s no craftsmanship to it.
The puppy dogs look adorable too!!
The hell with her ring! I just want to keep seeing pictures of her fiancee!
DITTO
I don’t like it.
Then again I’m weird about rings. My husband and I went ring shopping and I had to make sure I could slide my hand into my pocket without it catching.
I just wear a gold band. I have to wear gloves and do toileting for OT and I don’t want my ring tearing the glove and getting poop smeared in the crevices.
When I see big rings IRL I assume they’re fake. Same with designer purses.
I’m more interested in seeing her home. It looks beautiful.
Are you saying that (about her home) based on the kitchen photo? If so, I agree – it looks lovely. The subway tiles look lovely in kitchens and bathrooms and I think they’re going to stay on trend for a while yet. I notice in just about every celeb ‘home’ setting (if that is her home), that they nearly always have potted orchids.
I’ve known a few girls with fake rings, which is fine as long as you’d be willing to admit it, but really tacky to try and pass off as the real thing, IMO. There’s no shame in a small ring, especially if you plan on wearing it often, honestly I prefer them, but that said I live near a rich area and I’ve seen some gorgeous, paperweight-sized diamonds (usually on older women), and they are soooo pretty and sparkly, so if a couple can afford it, and the girl’s into that, why not?
Yes! I love the tile! It looks like her home would be cozy and clean.
I offended a salesperson when I tried on a 35k ring and said it looked fake. She said a fake wouldn’t sparkle as much. The bigger diamonds just look like costume jewelry to me. I live in a poor area so no one around here would have a ring that big anyway.
I would actually prefer a fake diamond but my husband doesn’t want me to have one. I just don’t feel responsible enough to have a real one. Real isn’t that important to me and I wouldn’t be afraid to admit it. If I had more disposable income like Julianne and her husband that might be a different story. I could afford something nicer with my new job but I would much rather save for a house or retirement.
I think the band is stunning; the diamond is lovely too, but I’d be too scared to wear it (that I’d damage it doing ‘stuff’ and/or someone might try to steal it off me!).
I love oval gemstones, so I really like her ring; although it instantly reminded me of Blake lively’s which is probably my favorite celeb ring (followed closely by Amal clooneys). Most of Lorraine Schwartz’s stuff is absolutely gorgeous, and honestly, much more exciting than her engagement ring designs.
Congrats to Julianne, her fiancé is handsome and they look cute together!
I’ve never reallly been a JH fan, but her enthusiasm and happiness, are making me like her more and more! I think the ring is gorgeous! It’s not like she is going to be scrubbing toilets and folding her own clothes, so for those that think it’s impractical, yeah, for a “normal” person it is, not for someone who doesn’t do anything but exercise and dance. Ahh..to be rich!!!!
I LOVE that ring – so jealous! I’d love a honking big rock to wear! She does sound really excited and happy in the announcement. Good for them. Nice to read.
Love her and I’m happy for her.
What’s with the hate on quartz?! Not all of us want diamonds!
Am I going crazy here? It looks VERY cloudy to me – I saw the pics last night and thought maybe they didn’t go with a diamond and went with something like a white sapphire or some other non-diamond stone, because of how cloudy the diamond looks. I would have said that maybe her camera just didn’t take a great pic of the ring, but in the close up shot of her hand, everything seems perfectly in focus.
This is her THIRD engagement since the age of 18 and she’s only 27. She doesn’t follow through on any of them. I think she just likes collecting rings.
The ring is pretty, but people who gush si much about Amore end up divorced. (Slithers back into dark cave.)
So true!
She has really unique eyes, I am jealous, in a good way.
I like the stone by itself but as a ring it is impractical, reminds me of royal jewels, only worn for occasion.
I am a fan of simple gold bands, no stones myself. Too big of a stone – it looks like you are trying too hard, too small – it looks cheap and sad. I can’t say I have seen many rings I like.
I like princess Diana’s ring that Kate got but it also is way too big to be practical.
The stone doesn’t look very clear. It’s milky. I hate Lorraine Schwartz’s designs. They’re all about big and glitzy and very Las Vegas. The setting looks flimsy. One ding and that stone can chip or crack. If there are stones pavéd all the way around the band I will put money that she will lose stones. They’re impractical. Who’s going to see diamonds on the underside of the band.
The stone looks milky. It’s not a clear stone. The setting is really flimsy. One wrong ding and the stone will chip or crack. I’m not a fan of Lorraine Schwartz’s designs. They’re all gaudy and showy.
Now THAT is a proper engagement ring!!