How Big is TOO Big?

he engagement ring. A sign of things to come.  A promise worn for the world to see.  A way to solidify your celebrity status forever. Wait….what?

It seems these days in pop culture that the engagement ring is no longer just a symbol of love, fidelity, and a man’s intent to make you his bride.  Celebrities are suddenly in the never-ending cycle of bigger and better, seemingly to “one-up” each other in the diamond department.  Now, most ladies wouldn’t turn down a 2 million dollar Lorraine Schwartz engagement ring, but many blogs are tearing apart Kim Kardashian’s new bauble.  Weighing in at 20.5 carats and reported to be “the  highest color and clarity”, beau Kris Humphries proposed to Kim this week. It’s no secret that Kim loves big diamonds (Liz Taylor was a reported idol,) and her new love wanted it to measure up. After sister Khloe Kardashian received her sparkler from hubby Lamar Odom two years ago (a cool nine carats), the world knew their televised sibling rivalry would mean at least one other Kardashian would have to beat that number.

With royal Princess Kate wearing 18- carats and stars like Beyonce sporting an 18-carat stunner, it’s starting to become the norm that bigger is better-at least for appearance sake.  With the rate of Hollywood marriages ending in divorce remaining steadily high over the course of time, you have to wonder: is it worth the $2 million dollar gamble for your bride to be sporting the best? What many want to know is-how does one protect that investment? Body guards at all times? Wearing a CZ while the real deal remains in a safety deposit box? As one reader of the Star Tribune wrote in, “”Who on earth needs to be wearing a 20-carat, $2 million engagement ring? Kris could be making one of his ‘philanthropic’ donations to the people of north Minneapolis, who need homes after the tornado!”

According to the volley ball-sized ring’s designer, “He knew he wanted that ‘wow’ big, and he could have gone bigger.”