Jennifer Hudson buys fiance diamond ring

Jennifer Hudson presented her fiance with a five-carat custom-made diamond ring for his birthday.

The singer-and-actress - who got engaged to David Otunga as she celebrated turning 27 in September - decided to return the gesture and spring her own proposal on the lawyer-turned-wrestler on his birthday last month.

Neil Lane - who worked with the 'Dreamgirls' star for several months to create the ring - said: "Jennifer wanted to give him something really special when she asked David to marry her. It was very sentimental and romantic. They are really in love."

According to the designer, the "architectural and geometric" platinum and diamond ring is "masculine, yet has a lot of sparkle".

Neil - who also designed the ring David gave Jennifer when he proposed - added: "Jennifer and I went through lots of different designs, talked about it a lot and she was very open."

Despite the care she took over the design, Jennifer was unsure of her fiance's ring size and so they spent last weekend getting it altered at Neil's Los Angeles store.

He added to People magazine: "They were so lovey-dovey and so sweet to each other. He was very protective of her and they were so in love."

Jennifer has not revealed when the couple plan to marry but has said she wants her three Pomeranian dogs - Dreamgirl, Oscar, and Grammy - to play a big part. She said: "I want my dogs to be in my wedding. I am so serious."

Jennifer also hinted her dress could be "the most untraditional thing" about the day, adding: "Everybody comes down the aisle in a white gown. Maybe I'll give it a twist."