Martin Katz Turns His Red Carpet Sparkle Toward the Bridal Aisle

The Beverly Hills, Calif.–based jeweler Martin Katz is best known for making a splash on the red carpet. His extravagant, diamond-centric designs have graced celebrities since 1992, when he famously dressed Sharon Stone for the premiere of Basic Instinct. Bridal jewels, while always a part of Katz’s repertoire, have typically taken a back seat.

Not anymore. In late January, Katz added his first-ever wedding-specific post to the “Studio Insider” blog he introduced last March as part of a digital rebranding. The bridal content was prompted by growing interest in his natural diamond engagement and wedding rings, which he attributed to a development that many people might find surprising.

Danielle eternity band in 18k yellow gold microset with 260 diamonds, $12,000

“Lately, one of the reasons we’re doing more bridal is thanks to lab-grown,” Katz tells JCK. “Young women are coming to me and they’re just thrilled their fiancé is not going to buy them a lab-grown diamond. Lab-growns have actually boosted my business for natural diamonds. I noticed the shift in the last eight to 12 months.”

Katz decided to create more engagement and wedding jewelry content after he heard the same refrain among his clientele. “After we got three or four women in two months saying the same thing—‘I’m glad he didn’t buy me lab-grown’—it occurred to me that I’d better pay more attention to the bridal market,” he says.

Ring in platinum with 6.5 ct. oval diamond and 118 microset diamonds, price on request

The trends he’s seeing in the marketplace—antique diamonds, elongated cuts such as movals, and unconventional cognac hues—are nothing new for Katz. “I’ve always liked unusual stones and diamond cuts,” he says. “I’ve been in this game forever.” As proof, he singles out the “magnificent champagne rose” cushion-cut diamond engagement ring he made for the actress and writer Erin Foster in 2019.

“After Swiftie got engaged, I texted Erin and said, ‘Tell Swiftie you had it first,’” Katz says.

Ring in 18k rose gold with 6 ct. champagne rose cushion-cut diamond and microset diamonds designed by Martin Katz for Erin Foster

By and large, however, he says most 20-somethings are looking for white diamonds in white metal settings. One thing that stands out as new to him: the desire for personalized details. Says Katz: “I’m offering to create their initials in the baskets of the rings.”

Top: Ring in 18k rose gold with 7 ct. moval-cut cognac diamond, epaulet diamonds, and microset diamonds, price on request; Martin Katz