Engagement news roundup: Celebs, blood diamonds & the geekiest "ring" ever

Maybe spring is in the air, but it seems like everyone is getting engaged lately, and each star has a different ring to prove it tailored to their personal style. Carmen Electra has been sporting a black diamond (see it here) and told People that it was "Different-it's our style," in reference to she and fiance Rob Patterson's alternative look. Leave it to Mariah Carey to show off a rock that looks heavier than her hand, reminiscent of J.Lo's ultra large pink diamond or TomKat's ostentatious eye catcher.

But Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson put all the others to shame by representing the voice of a new generation with their ethical, conflict-free diamond. He also told People, "It's something I care about,' Wentz added. 'I can't actually go [to Africa to pick it out] myself, but I trust [the jeweler]. He's a reputable person."




In case you're as stumped about conflict diamonds as I was about LOLcats yesterday, the term refers to diamonds sold to fund unlawful or illegal military, rebel and terrorist group operations, also known as blood diamonds. (Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly starred in a not so great film about the subject.)

I think Pete and Ashlee's decision is not only admirable, but it's a good reminder to think twice about buying anything these days, from household cleaners that pollute the environment, to clothes that might be manufactured by sweatshop labor, to diamonds that fund horrific violence. Go to the UN's site to learn more, and next time you're in the market for jewelry (especially with Mother's Day coming up), do your research! (For example, Tiffany & Co, one of my favorite jewelers, publishes information about their sustainability efforts and sources online.) But for all I know, they probably have their own skeletons in the closet when it comes to such practices...

And um, to go off on an incredibly random tangent, a USB Flash Drive Swarovski Crystal Engagement Ring is currently in development according to Gizmodo. Guys, if you can find a special lady that agrees to marry you when you present her with one of these bad boys, than consider yourselves lucky: She's a keeper.