Dancing With the Stars’ judge Carrie Ann Inaba couldn’t be more elated with the 3.68-carat oval-cut diamond engagement ring that actor Robb Derringer placed on her finger during a bonfire-lit proposal at the site of their magical first date.
The ring features a number of secret, symbolic, unseen elements, including an oval-cut ruby that is flush-set on the inside of the band. Also hidden from view are inscriptions of their first names and two flush-set birthstones, a ruby for him and a garnet for her.
The oval center stone — Inaba’s preferred diamond shape — is accented by an 18-karat rose gold band embellished with 120 round brilliant-cut diamonds.
“When Robb put it on my finger, it took my breath away,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “It is beautiful and elegant.”
Derringer collaborated with French-born celebrity jeweler Jean Dousset to create an amazing ring for his bride-to-be.
In an Instagram post directed at the jeweler, Derringer commented about the design process: “You made the experience of conceptualizing and creating Carrie’s ring, the symbol of my love and commitment to her, one of the most enjoyable and anticipated components of this most beautiful event in our lives.”
“Exhilarating is the best way to describe Robb’s dedication and thoughtfulness in creating the most perfect ring for Carrie Ann,” the great-great grandson of iconic jeweler Louis Cartier told People Style. “True love is alive and well!”
Celebrity stylist Michael O’Connor estimated the value of the ring at $100,000.
“We shared our desire to commit to one another for life by beginning that journey in a very intimate and private way, just the two of us, alone on the beach with a bonfire, a bottle of Aubert Chardonnay and the majestic Pacific Ocean that has always been an integral force in both our lives,” Inaba told People Style. “Getting engaged where we had that perfect first date, was really such poetic destiny.”
Noted Derringer on his Instagram page, “So overjoyed to share the best thing that has ever happened to me when @carrieanninaba made me the luckiest guy in the world in saying… yes.”
The 48-year-old Inaba, who is a dancer, choreographer, actress, game show host and singer, is best known for her work since 2005 on ABC-TV’s Dancing with the Stars.
Derringer, 49, played Kyle Sloane on ABC-TV’s General Hospital during 2014 and 2015 and will soon take the role of Scooter Nelson on NBC-TV’s Days of Our Lives.
Images by Carrie Ann Inaba; Instagram.com/robbderringer.