DAZZLING DIAMONDS
Houston jeweler supplies star Zac Brown with a Texas-sized diamond ring

Zac Brown proposed to Kendra Scott on July 24 with a custom-designed ring crafted by his longtime friend and Houston jeweler Franco Valobra.
When country superstar Zac Brown popped the question to jewelry mogul Kendra Scott on July 24, he didn't buy his ring from just any jeweler. He turned to Houston's own Valobra Master Jewelers, a longtime trusted source for custom pieces and one-of-a-kind showstoppers.
Scott is no newbie to bling. Married three times previously and the founder of a billion-dollar lifestyle brand with its own line of engagement rings, she knows a thing or two about finding the right stone. The pressure was on for Brown, who wanted something personal, symbolic, and extraordinary from his close friend and fourth-generation jeweler, Franco Valobra. The Houston-based jeweler has worked closely with Brown for years, crafting custom designs, including the engagement ring from his previous marriage.
In a recent interview with People, Brown said he knew he had to "bring his A-game" given Scott's reputation in the jewelry world. The result of the collaboration is a jaw-dropping 3.06 carat fancy pink diamond (GIA certified, VVS2 clarity), set in platinum gold and surrounded by 28 baguette-cut white diamonds totaling 3.17 carats.

When pressed on price, Valobra kept their client's confidentiality, but said it was "very special." The team at Valobra Master Jewelers commented that "Zac and Franco worked very closely to create a perfect piece, especially for Kendra."
Stones of similar size and quality range in price from $400,000 and up, minus the surrounding diamonds or ring itself, making it easy to surmise that a custom-made ring of this caliber would easily retail for over $1 million.
Brown, a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and musician, proposed just three months after the couple made their hard launch on the red carpet of the American Music Awards. The couple, who had been secretly dating for months, will be blending their families, which includes eight children ranging in age from 11 to 23 years old. Both Brown and Scott bond over their passion for philanthropy and the desire to give back to their communities, including the post-flood relief efforts in the Texas Hill Country.

Valobra, whose family business dates back to 1905 in Torino, Italy, has been a part of Houston's luxury jewelry landscape since 2006. Located in River Oaks, Valobra Master Jewelers also has locations in New Orleans and Switzerland, serving luxury clients from around the world, including Brown, who will take his "Love & Fear" tour to Las Vegas' Sphere in December.

The new FIGS store will offer a Color Clinic and Customization Station to let shoppers personalize their FIGS uniforms. Photo courtesy of FIGS/Instagram