Christmas arrived in sparkling fashion for Jordyn Woods and Karl-Anthony Towns. On Christmas Eve, the New York Knicks center proposed to the fashion icon during an intimate rooftop celebration overlooking the Manhattan skyline. By Christmas Day, the couple made things official — announcing their engagement on Instagram and giving jewelry lovers their first close look at Woods’ showstopping emerald-cut diamond ring as she appeared courtside at Madison Square Garden.
The proposal took place at Overstory, a sleek rooftop bar perched 64 stories above New York City in the Financial District. Against a backdrop of the vast cityscape, Towns dropped to one knee and presented Woods with a dramatic emerald-cut diamond estimated at 10 carats or more. Family members were reportedly present for the milestone moment, keeping the Christmas Eve proposal both personal and celebratory.
The following day, after Towns played in the Knicks’ Christmas Day matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers — a nail-biting, come-from-behind victory — the couple shared their engagement publicly. In a joint Instagram post captioned “Marry Christmas” (punctuated with emojis of a Christmas tree, red heart and engagement ring), Woods and Towns included images from the proposal where the ring was front and center.
Woods later debuted the ring in person while supporting her fiancé courtside at Madison Square Garden, pairing the massive diamond with a wintry white look that echoed the icy brilliance of the stone. The elongated emerald-cut diamond is set on a slim platinum pavé band, a design that places full emphasis on the center stone while allowing it to sit elegantly and proportionally on the hand.
Emerald cuts are a favored choice for diamonds of this size — and for good reason. Unlike brilliant cuts that prioritize sparkle through numerous facets, emerald cuts feature step-cut facets and a broad, open table that showcase a diamond’s clarity and color. This “hall of mirrors” effect creates long, elegant flashes of light rather than glittering fire, making emerald cuts especially striking in larger, high-quality stones. Their elongated shape also gives the illusion of greater size while flattering the finger with clean, architectural lines.
Jewelry experts estimate Woods’ ring could be valued well into seven figures if the diamond is natural, depending on clarity and color.
The engagement marks a new chapter for Woods, 28, and Towns, 30, who began dating in 2020 after years of friendship. Their relationship deepened during the pandemic, as the couple supported each other through significant personal loss, forming a bond they’ve often described as rooted in friendship first.
Woods, 28, is a model, entrepreneur and media personality known for her work in fashion, acting and her inclusive activewear brand, Secndnture. Towns, 30, is an NBA All-Star and widely regarded as one of the league’s most versatile big men.
Credits: Images via Instagram / jordynwoods and karltowns.