It’s a centre round diamond and one row of diamonds around it called micro pave

The hunky engagement ring that singer Carrie Underwood flashed Monday night at the Ottawa Senators game is likely custom-made and worth a fortune, depending on who you consult for authentication.

A representative at New York’s Diamond Information Center said the five-carat round diamond engagement ring with diamond sidestones cost more than $150,000. On the upper scale, a diamond expert and chief executive of myjewelrybox.com determined that, based on website photos, the engagement ring had about 12 carats and estimated it was worth more than $1 million.

However, Mo Charania, a gemologist and owner of Jubilee Jewellers at Bayshore Shopping Centre, said it appeared the ring was at least three carats, maybe more, and was definitely worth six figures.

“It’s a centre round diamond and one row of diamonds around it called micro pave,” Charania said after viewing photos of the ring on Underwood’s finger that were taken by a Citizen photographer at Monday’s game. Micro pave settings are intricate and use the smallest possible diamonds to achieve a uniform glitter on the ring’s surface. Sometimes, the tiny claws on the outside can hold 30 or more stones.

“I’d say the ring is worth well into six figures, but it depends on the quality of the stone,” he said.

There’s no evidence to suggest that Senators forward Mike Fisher bought the ring for his new fiancée at a local jewelry shop. The ring could have either been purchased through a private jeweller or at a U.S. jewelry store that specializes in fine-quality jewelry, Charania said.

He says Fisher didn’t purchase the ring at his store, although other Senators players, including Jason Spezza, have purchased jewelry there.

Fisher and Underwood were engaged Sunday after a year-long courtship and the Senators forward finally confirmed the news to reporters after Monday’s morning skate at Scotiabank Place. Underwood flashed the ring for the first time at that night’s game against the Boston Bruins.

Charania said Underwood’s ring could be compared to rings by Ritani, a world-renowned maker of diamond engagement rings and other jewelry.

“It has that (same) look to it. Ritani was one of the first to bring back micro pave to jewelry design, and it’s used extensively now,” he said.

Fisher could have purchased the ring while on a Senators road trip to the United States or when visiting Underwood in Nashville.

“They might have been strolling around and she might have said, ‘Oh, that’s a nice ring.’ You know the way women are: They are always dropping hints. A guy’s job is to be in tune with what your partner likes.

“Obviously, when he pops the question, he wants a ring that is going to wow her.”

Charania said Underwood had every right to show off her new ring to family, friends and even hockey fans.

“You want people to know you’re engaged, that’s part of the excitement. There’s romanticism to it and obviously a very special moment in their lives. I wouldn’t see why she wouldn’t want to show it off,” he said.