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A diamond ring has been spotted on the left index finger of tattoo artist Kat Von D

American tattoo artist and television personality Kat Von D has been spotted with a diamond ring on the all important finger, hinting at a possible engagement, it has been reported.

The glittering ring was seen on her left index finger when she turned up to sign copies of her new book, The Tattoo Chronicles, at Barnes and Noble in New York, stated USA Today.

When asked by the newspaper's Andrea Mandell if it was an engagement ring, the 28-year-old was non-committal, simply saying: "I don't know if I really feel comfortable talking about it."

However, she confirmed that it was "actually a ring from the 1900s" and also used the opportunity to pour cold water on rumours that she had parted ways with Jesse James in favour of her past partners.

Tennis star Maria Sharapova was also recently spotted showing off her diamond engagement ring during a walk in Los Angeles with future husband Sasha Vujacic, the LA Lakers basketball player.

Organic designs are replacing formal styles as popular items among buyers of wedding rings, one writer has observed.

Buyers of wedding rings are shunning traditional designs in favour of items that feature warm colours and unusual shapes, it has been claimed.

In an article for Diamond News, a writer known as Katy explained "formal designs are out", with organic styles growing in popularity.

Speaking to the news source, Sandro Erl of jeweller Furrer Jacot stated "new designs are narrower and more feminine", adding the trend for wider items "has stopped".

And growing numbers of couples are opting for a combination of metals, jeweller Maximilian Dieterle observed, remarking "striking surface structures" – which enable the reproduction of a tiger skin design, for example – are also seeing increasing demand.

Men who are in the market for a diamond engagement ring need to consider the four C's – cut, clarity, colour and carat – when making their choice, Scott Hannah of the Province recently noted.

He commented it is important to find a balance between the size of the diamond on the ring and its sparkle.

New research has revealed a third of British women would ask for a different engagement ring if they did not like the design, while nearly half would like to pick the ring themselves.

A third of British women would ask their partner to change their engagement ring if they did not like the one used for the proposal, new research has revealed.

The study, from shopping channel QVC, showed 64 per cent would ask their other half to return the engagement ring in favour of another one, while 41 per cent would like to pick the jewellery themselves.

Over one-in-ten (13 per cent) said an engagement ring is seen as an indication of their partner's wealth and their own social status, with singer Katy Perry – who is engaged to Russell Brand – said to have the most desirable engagement ring.

Commenting on the findings, relationship expert Jo Barrett said celebrities have a big influence on people's expectations.

"We see celebrities flashing their big diamond rings and everyone wants to be like a celebrity," she remarked.

Kimberley Selwood, a jewellery designer, recently told the Aberdeen Press and Journal men need to prioritise clarity over size when selecting a diamond engagement ring.

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