Stephanie Rice reveals lavish details about her 18-carat gold engagement ring – after her boyfriend Mark Lassey popped the question following whirlwind seven-month romance

Stephanie Rice thrilled fans earlier this week by announcing her engagement to Australian pastor Mark Lassey, after a whirlwind seven-month romance.

But it wasn’t just the news of their Dubai proposal that had everyone talking: her stunning 18-karat white gold engagement ring stole the show.

The 36-year-old swimmer shared the news of her engagement on Instagram on Thursday, showing off her sparkling ring, designed by famed Perth jeweller Charles Edward.

More details have now been revealed about the extravagant piece of jewellery, which was specially made for the sporting legend at the request of her partner Lassey.

The price is unknown, but the intricate piece features a band of 18-karat white gold with a large center stone and is flanked on each side by eight sparkling diamonds.

Jeweler Charles Edward, who shares the same name as the workshop’s original founder although he took over the shop in 1999, told the fascinating story behind the dazzling, one-of-a-kind ring.

He said he was introduced to Rice’s partner through a fellow pastor at Kingdomcity Church in Canning Vale, where Lassey works, but at the time he had no idea who the special ring was for.

“He mentioned Stephanie Rice and I said, ‘Oh my God!’ Is this the lady you were talking about?” Edward said. PerthNowas he thought back to the moment he heard about the Olympian’s participation.

The intricate, bespoke piece, created by Charles Edward Jewellers, features an 18-karat white gold band with a large centre stone and is flanked on each side by eight stunning diamonds

The stunning engagement ring, which Edward describes as “individually crafted,” is a one-of-a-kind design, made exclusively for Rice.

“This is a one-off, as I haven’t done it for anyone else before,” Edward confirmed, proud of his craftsmanship on such an important assignment.

Lassey, 46, spoke enthusiastically about working with the jeweler to create the custom ring, particularly noting the shared trust that made the smooth collaboration possible.

“It was a unique design that we were able to develop together step by step, and that was really important to Steph and me,” Lassey said.

Rice confirmed on Instagram on Thursday that she and Lassey are engaged, just weeks after first going public with their romance in July.

She shared some sweet snaps of the moment pastor and Australian father of three Lassey proposed to her at the luxurious Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai.

The couple, who met about seven months ago, looked overjoyed as they beamed from ear to ear and kissed, while Rice flashed her diamond sparkler.

The stunning engagement ring, which Edward describes as ‘individually crafted’, is a one-of-a-kind design, made exclusively for Rice

Rice confirmed on Instagram on Thursday that she and Lassey were engaged, just weeks after they first went public with their romance in July

Rice wrote in the caption, “Here’s to new beginnings and second chances… Yes, to a life with you.”

She concluded her message with a Bible verse: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4.

Rice quietly dated the Australian pastor for five months before officially confirming their romance in early July.

“When we met almost 5 months ago, we both knew this was different,” she enthused in an Instagram post at the time, along with cozy snaps of her and Mark.

“From the beginning, there was a deep connection between us. Because our lives are so complex, we wanted to spend the first few months only with close family and friends. We wanted to enjoy the miracle of falling in love.”

Lassey has been the Lead Pastor of Kingdom City Church in Perth since June 2015 and is ‘committed to creating a thriving community and nurturing people who have been transformed by the gospel’

They were introduced through a mutual friend and subsequently began a long-distance relationship. Lassey lives in Perth and Rice moved to Dubai in November.

The couple bonded through their faith. Rice joined the church when she moved to Dubai late last year and is now heavily involved with Kingdom City.

Lassey has been the lead pastor at Kingdom City Church in Perth since June 2015 and, according to an online profile, is “dedicated to creating a thriving community and mentoring people transformed by the gospel.”

The energetic pastor is the father of three adult sons — Tyler, Joel and Luke — from his first marriage, which ended in early 2021 after 25 years.

He is also active on social media, regularly sharing photos of himself giving sermons on Instagram, along with heartfelt posts about his faith.

Although he currently lives in Perth, he regularly flies around the Asia Pacific region for work, and earlier this year he met Dubai Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice.