Maybe it shouldn’t be surprising when a couple from the reality show The Bachelorette actually gets engaged, but based on the poor performance of the couples from past seasons, an actual off-air proposal does tend to raise some eyebrows. And so will the gorgeous engagement ring that show’s winner Jef Holm gave to Bachelorette Emily Maynard.
Holm was the man Maynard, 26, selected to be her mate on the most recent season of The Bachelorette and, judging by the ring, she picked a winner. Holm, 27, presented his bride-to-be with a beautiful 2.5 carat emerald cut ring. The ring is even more dazzling thanks to the 87 small, pave diamonds that surround the center stone and continue on to the platinum band. The center stone and surrounding stones add up to an impressive 3.5 total carat weight.
The ring, designed by Neil Lane, was selected by Holm with no input from Maynard. The proposal took place during a vacation to Curacao. With the beautiful tropical scenery as a backdrop, and an amazing ring, it is certain that this engagement played out just like a scene from the show, but it was actually a private moment for the couple.
Holms is keeping mum on the exact cost of the ring, but experts estimate the value to be about $68,000. While that is more than many people could spend on a ring, finding a ring with the exact same style and “wow factor” is easy. By choosing a smaller center stone, you can purchase a ring similar in design to Maynard’s stunner starting at about $3000.
Unfortunately, the odds are not stacked in favor of Holm and Maynard staying together for the long haul. Out of all of the seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, only two couples have exchanged vows. Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter married in 2003 following their meeting on the very first season of The Bachelorette. The only other marriage occurred in 2010 when bachelor Jason Mesnick married Molly Maloney.
Rehn’s engagement ring featured a gorgeous princess cut diamond, but Sutter had to buy her a new one when she lost the first ring (OUCH). Mesnick’s proposal to Maloney was also sealed with a 1.2 carat Neil Lane diamond ring.
Of course, top-notch bling isn’t enough to keep a relationship together, but a gorgeous rock like Maynard’s sure provides one more reason for the happy couple to try and make it work.