by Lindsay Robertson · April 27, 2009
Last week, breathless fans of "The Twilight Saga" were treated to a glimpse of Bella Swan's engagement ring in the final trailer for "Eclipse." Now they can own a replica of the diamond-encrusted oval ring co-designed by "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer and Infinite Jewelry Co. The ring matches the one described in the books, and is already available in three prices: "fashion" for $35, "fine" for $479, and "genuine," for a real diamond ring priced at $1979 -- and presumably intended to serve as a real engagement ring for "The Twilight Saga"'s most ardent fans. Infinite Jewelry describes the ring on its website:
"Experience your romance with Edward Cullen in a whole new way when you slip on Bella's Engagement RingTM! You'll love showing off the radiant stones in this elegant, domed-oval, gold ring. In true Victorian-era design, your ring is created by master artisans with an open-work gallery and a finely polished edge that surrounds the brilliant faceted stones. How exciting for you to own the only, Original [sic], Bella's Engagement RingTM in the world!"
Other, less expensive "Twilight"-inspired jewelry is available on the site, such as watches and necklaces, but the engagement ring is the only one that takes "Twilight" fandom to a potentially life-changing (and lifelong!) level. Will brides-to-be ask their potential husbands to give them a ring based on a series of teen novels about vampires and werewolves? Will boyfriends be comfortable proposing with a ring described as a way to "experience your romance with Edward Cullen?" And when the "Twilight" phenomenon gradually fades from our cultural memory, as all things eventually do, will wives look down at their movie tie-in rings with a twinge of embarrassment? One can only imagine the family-heirloom possibilities: "Honey, let's not tell our grandson the ring was based on a vampire movie."
