According to numerous reports, expensive gemstones have fallen out of favor with millennials and younger generations because they are not affordable for anyone except the ultra wealthy. The pinnacle of luxurious jewelry is engagement rings and the most expensive ones ever all belong to celebrities. Each of the engagement rings on this list costs millions of dollars, but almost all of these engagements did not end in wedded bliss.
As of September 2021, the information on this list is as accurate as possible and will be updated as needed.
Estimated Cost: $4,060,000 in 1956
Carats: 10.47 Carats
Cut: Emerald Cut
Gemstone(s): White Diamond
photo source: Cartier
American actress Grace Kelly, famous for her marriage to Prince Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, was engaged to the Prince in 1956, after a year of courtship. Prince Rainier initially proposed with a ring that was fashioned from two family heirlooms, forming intertwining diamond and ruby circlets. Because this ring was part of Monaco’s crown jewels, Prince Rainier also gave Kelly a second engagement ring, one she could wear out. The engagement ring was designed by Cartier and featured a 10.47-carat emerald cut flawless diamond. At the time, this ring reportedly cost over $4 million.
Kelly was a lifelong fan of Cartier jewelry and was first introduced to the design house by director Alfred Hitchcock.
Did you know?
Adjusted for inflation, Grace Kelly’s Cartier Engagement ring is now worth over $38 million!
Estimated Cost: $4 – $4.5 Million in 2004
Carats: 8.5 Carats
Cut: Unspecified
Gemstone(s): Blue Diamond
photo source: hellomagazine.com
This is Jennifer Lopez’s second appearance on this list, which isn’t that surprising since she reportedly has expensive tastes. Just a few months after breaking up with Ben Affleck, for the first time, in 2004, Lopez and singer Marc Anthony were hitched in secret. Anthony gave Lopez an 8.5-carat blue diamond engagement ring. The estimated cost of the ring was between $4 – $4.5 million. Lopez and Anthony were married for seven years and had twins, Max and Emme.
Did you know?
Jennifer Lopez’s engagement ring from Marc Anthony was by famed jeweler Harry Winston.
Estimated Cost: $1 to $5 Million in 2019
Carats: 15 – 20 Carats
Cut: Emerald Cut
Gemstone(s): White Diamond
photo source: hollywoodlife.com
Jennifer Lopez is another lady on this list who has been married and proposed to quite a few times. Although they did not end up tying the knot, one of Lopez’s most recent engagement rings was from Alex Rodriguez. While the details of the ring were never made public, experts estimate that the engagement ring was about 15 – 20 carats and cost at least $1 million and as much as $5 million. It was an emerald-cut diamond set on a platinum band. Lopez and Rodriguez split in early 2021 and she is back with her ex-flame Ben Affleck.
Did you know?
Despite the breakup, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez are reportedly still friends and she still has ownership of the engagement ring.
Estimated Cost: $4.7 Million – $5 in 2005
Carats: 24 Carats
Cut: Emerald Cut
Gemstone(s): White Diamond
photo source: Life & Style
Although she has been engaged four times, Paris Hilton has not yet said “I do.” Of all of Hilton’s engagement rings, the most impressive was the one from Greek shipping heir Paris Latsis – yes, the media absolutely went crazy over Paris x Paris. The engagement ring was a whopping 24-carats and reportedly cost around $5 million. Unfortunately, the Paris x Paris engagement was short-lived and the couple split six months after their engagement.
Did you know?
According to several reports, Paris Latsis initially proposed with a canary diamond engagement ring, but Paris Hilton did not like it. Latsis then presented Hilton with 15 rings and she ended up choosing the 24-carat diamond ring, that reportedly was too heavy.
Estimated Cost: $5 Million in 2008
Carats: 18 Carats
Cut: Emerald Cut
Gemstone(s): White Diamond
photo source: ringspo.com
Beyoncé and Jay-Z were secretly married in 2008, after dating since 2001. The 18-carat engagement ring that Jay-Z gave to Beyoncé made its first appearance on the red carpet for Fashion Rocks at Radio City Music Hall in NYC in September 2008. Reportedly, Beyoncé’s engagement ring cost $5 million. The 18-carat diamond is an emerald cut with a solitaire setting. Like a few of the other celebrity engagement rings on this list, Beyoncé’s ring was designed by Lorraine Schwartz.
Did you know?
Instead of getting matching wedding bands, Beyoncé and Jay-Z got matching IV tattoos on their ring fingers, because they were married on 4/4, and both Beyoncé and Jay Z were born on the fourth day of their respective birth months.
Estimated Cost: $5.4 Million in early 2000s
Carats: Unknown
Cut: Radiant Cut
Gemstone(s): Canary Yellow Diamond
photo source: Pinterest
Details about Anna Kournikova’s canary yellow diamond engagement ring from Engrique Iglesias remain a mystery. No one knows for sure when Iglesias gave the ring to Kournikova, but she was first spotted wearing it around 2009 along with what many speculated was an eternal wedding band. Experts estimate that Kournikova’s canary yellow diamond ring cost about $5.4 million. Iglesias and Kournikova never confirmed when they got married, but it reportedly was sometime in 2007.
Did you know?
Reportedly, Anna Kournikova received another engagement ring from Enrique Iglesias. It was a champagne and cognac 11-carat, pear-shaped diamond ring with an estimated value of between $2.5 million and $6 million.
Estimated Cost: $4 – $8 Million in 2013
Carats: 15 Carats
Cut: Cushion Cut
Gemstone(s): White Diamond
photo source: brides.com
No one knows for sure just how much Kanye West shelled out for Kim Kardashian’s engagement ring, but sources estimate it was between $4 – $8 million. The ring featured a cushion-cut 15-carat diamond and was designed by Lorraine Schwartz.
Just a few years later, Kanye gave Kim a second engagement ring with a 20-carat diamond. Again it was designed by Lorraine Schwartz. However, this second engagement ring was reportedly stolen, among other jewelry, just a few months later, when thieves broke into Kim’s private Paris Fashion Week residence in 2016.
Did you know?
Although Kim Kardashian’s second engagement ring featured a larger diamond, the originally diamond ring is worth much more because it Type IIa white diamond.
Estimated Cost: Sold for $8.8 Million in 2011
Carats: 33.19 Carats
Cut: Asscher Cut
Gemstone(s): Type IIa White Diamond
photo source: naturaldiamonds.com
Elizabeth Taylor, who rose to prominence as an actress, is probably better known for her off-screen life and her seven marriages. Throughout her lifetime, Taylor amassed an impressive jewelry collection, which of course, included engagement rings. Of all her engagement rings, Taylor’s most spectacular (and the most valuable) was The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond Ring, formerly known as The Krupp Diamond. The 33.19-carat diamond was given to Taylor by Richard Burton, which she wore as a ring.
Burton only paid $307,000 for the diamond in 1968, but Taylor’s estate sold The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond Ring for $8.8 million in 2011.
Did you know?
The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond has been determined to be a Type IIa diamond, the most chemically pure diamonds in the world.
Estimated Cost: Sold for $9.49 Million in 2014
Carats: 5.30 Carats
Cut: Cushion Cut
Gemstone(s): Blue Diamond with White Diamond Accents
photo source: debebians.com
Coming in at a close second on this list is the Bvlgari Blue Diamond Engagement Ring that was sold at auction in 2014 for $9.49 million. The stunning ring features a cushion-shaped fancy deep-blue center diamond that weighs 5.30 carats. The ring’s band is decorated with pave-set round brilliant and baguette cut white diamonds. The high price tag on the Bvlgari Blue Diamond Engagement Ring is due to the large blue diamond, which is one of the rarest types of diamonds in the world.
The Bvlgari Blue Diamond Engagement Ring was made in 1965 and was set in the jeweler’s signature Trombino style.
Did you know?
The Bvlgari Blue Diamond Engagement Ring was purchased by Graff Diamonds, one of the world’s best known collector houses of precious gems.
Estimated Cost: $10 Million in 2016
Carats: 35 Carats
Cut: Emerald Cut
Gemstone(s): Platinum Diamond
photo source: etonline.com
However, Carey and Packer called it quits in October 2016, but as part of their settlement, Carey was allowed to keep the $10 million engagement ring. Carey sold the ring for a rumored $2.1 million in 2018, which is a bargain compared to the ring’s original price tag.
Did you know?
Mariah Carey’s engagement ring was designed by her longtime friend and jewelry designer Wilfredo Rosado.
FAQs
What is the rarest ring ever? ›
The Bulgari Blue Diamond is one of the world's finest
Diamond industry expert JCK assessed the diamond online, writing that the stunning ring is "among the rarest in the world" because "only one in about 10 million possess a color pure enough to qualify as fancy vivid."
Without considering the provenance of having traveled on the last voyage of the Titanic, the ring would be worth £6,000 to £8,000 ($7,726 to $10,296), she said. If the ring's presence on the Titanic could be verified, its value could easily jump to £30,000 ($38,612) or more, Hardy added.
What is the most expensive engagement ring in the world? ›The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond ring is the most expensive ring in the world, priced at a mind-blowing $80 million. It is a stunning deep-blue 31-carat oval cut diamond ring. Many expensive rings are currently housed in collections around the world owned by some of the most wealthy.
What is the rarest than diamond? ›1.)
The Guinness Book of World Records claimed that in 2005, painite was the rarest gemstone in the world, even rarer than diamonds. The color can vary anywhere from pink to reddish, and even brown in color, but can even appear green under certain lighting.
The couple also chose Graff for Melania's wedding band when they wed in 2005, a year before their son Barron was born. The 13-carat ring that went on her finger after they exchanged vows in front of a star-studded guest list contains 15 emerald-cut diamonds.
What is the most wanted engagement ring? ›According to The Knot 2021 Jewelry & Engagement Study, the most popular engagement ring shape is a round-cut center stone. We found that 41% of respondents have this style, and it's not a new trend—rounds have been the most popular engagement ring shape for quite some time.
Who technically owns an engagement ring? ›In most states where engagement rings are considered conditional gifts, the recipient remains the owner of the ring only if the condition of marriage is met. In most cases, the ring goes back to the purchaser if the couple breaks up.
What is the most famous ring in the world? ›The ring Prince Charles offered Lady Diana when he asked for her hand in 1981 was to be the most famous engagement ring in the world. The world-famous ring was an extraordinary choice – made by Lady Di herself. The piece was neither custom-made nor a design individually created for her.
How much is Cardi B ring worth? ›Cardi B isn't kidding when she raps about liking diamonds, stunting, shining and million-dollar deals -- enter Offset with her whopping 20-carat birthday gift, which IS worth over SEVEN FIGURES!!!
Who owns the Hope Diamond now? ›On November 10, 1958, they donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution, and almost immediately the great blue stone became its premier attraction. The Hope Diamond has left the Smithsonian only four times since it was donated.
How big is Cardi B engagement ring? ›
The ring is a double halo setting in what is either white gold or platinum. The center stone is an 8-carat pear cut diamond surrounded by 2 carats worth of pink and white rare diamond melee stones. The ring was custom-made to Offset's specific instructions by Pristine Jewelers NYC in the Diamond District of Manhattan.
Who owns the Pink Star diamond? ›Henry Cheng Kar-Shun, chairman of the jeweler Chow Tai Fook bought the remarkable stone for HK$553 million. This equals no less than 71.2 million US dollars. Dr. Henry named renamed the Pink Star Diamond to “CTF Pink Star” in memory of his father, the late Dr.
How much is Princess Diana ring worth? ›Princess Diana's Engagement Ring Worth
According to official records, this ring cost approximately £47,000 or $65,000 if you like. And this was quite a fortune at the time. Today, this ring is currently valued at approximately £300,000 or around $413,000.
The proud new owner of the the Pink Star diamond, the most expensive gem stone in the world is Hong Kong jeweller Chow Tai Fook that paid $71.2 million for the 59.60-carat stone. The company chairman has christened the jewel the CTF Pink after the company's initials.
Is Black diamond the rarest? ›Like other types of fancy color diamonds, black diamonds are extremely rare. Black diamonds are much more rare than colorless diamonds, which may come as a surprise if you're familiar with these diamonds' price points– black diamonds are much less expensive than colorless diamonds.
What is the most cursed diamond? ›Over its 350-year history, the Hope Diamond has become one of the most famous cursed diamonds. After being stolen and recut, it is said to have contributed to the downfall and death of its owners. Discovered in India in 1673, it was originally a 115-carat blue diamond.
What is the most sought after diamond? ›THE KOH-I-NOOR — UNKNOWN
Topping our list of the most expensive diamonds in the world is the legendary Koh-I-Noor. Weighing in at a massive 105.6ct, the most expensive diamond in the world is oval shaped. Steeped in mystery and legend, the stone is believed to have been mined in India in the 1300s.
Meghan Markle´s engagement ring is thought to have approximately 3.8 carats in total, with a 3-carat cushion-cut center stone.
How many carats is Jennifer Lopez ring? ›“It was just—it's the most magnificent thing.” Valued at an estimated $1 million at the time, the 6.10-carat stone inspired a trend for colored diamond rings—even impressing the likes of Barbra Streisand, a diamond fanatic.
How many carats is Adele's ring? ›The Adele features 0.50 carats of brilliant round diamonds in an 14k white gold setting.
What engagement ring never goes out of style? ›
Gold is a timeless, traditional option for engagement rings. At one time, yellow gold was the standard for engagement and wedding rings, but in the mid-90s, it went out of style. That's when white metals, like white gold and platinum, became the popular choice for modern brides.
What is the most popular diamond shape for 2022? ›While there are many unique and beautiful engagement ring shapes and styles to choose from, the oval diamond remains the most popular engagement ring shape for 2022.
What are the 3 rings of engagement? ›Three stone engagement rings are also known as trilogy rings or trinity rings because they can represent the Holy Trinity. Per this symbolism, the three stones in the ring represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Who keeps the engagement ring after a divorce? ›Courts have ruled that engagement rings are conditional gifts, typically made by the husband-to-be to his fiancee. If the parties marry, then “the condition has been met,” and it becomes a “completed gift.” Therefore, the wife gets to keep the engagement ring as it is her non-marital property.
Can you get sued for keeping an engagement ring? ›The "No-Fault" Approach to Conditional Gifts
In states that treat engagement rings as conditional gifts, most courts have held that the recipient must return the ring to the donor no matter who was responsible for the couple's breakup.
The ring is kept by the recipient, even if the marriage never occurs and no matter who broke the engagement. Once the marriage occurs, most states view the gifting of the ring as complete. In the event of a divorce, the recipient of the ring is entitled to keep the gift.
What is Princess Diana ring called? ›Still, there is some truth to be found in certain scenes — like the tension that was present as Lady Diana picked out her engagement ring. The white gold ring, called the Marguerite, featured a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire that was surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds.
Why did Diana choose a sapphire ring? ›Charles chose to include the sapphire and diamond ring in the collection because it reminded him of the brooch he often saw his mother and grandmother wear. Diana reportedly picked the sapphire ring because it matched her blue eyes.
What is the oldest ring ever found? ›The Vyne Ring or the Ring of Silvianus is a gold ring, dating probably from the 4th century AD, discovered in a ploughed field near Silchester, in Hampshire, England, in 1785.
How much is Jay Z wedding ring? ›Weighing in at 24 carats, Jay reportedly paid around $5 million (now worth $6.89 million) for Bey's flashy emerald-cut ring back in 2008.
How much is Megan Foxs ring worth? ›
Two magnetic pave diamond-studded bands of platinum are straddled by two pear-shaped gemstones of over 2 carats, a diamond on the left and an emerald on the right. The ring is worth well over £50,000 ($67,000),” the expert assures.
What is Megan Fox ring? ›The engagement ring, which is part of the Thorn Embrace Collection, features both Megan's and MGK's birthstones and is an intricate and personal design with two interlocking thorn bands embedded together with hidden magnets.
How much is the heart of the ocean diamond worth? ›It was a 171-carat sapphire shaped like a heart and flanked by 103 diamonds set in a platinum necklace. An unknown collector bought it for $2.2 million.
What diamond was on the Titanic? ›The Heart of the Ocean in the Titanic film is not a real piece of jewellery, but is hugely popular nonetheless. The jewellery is, however, based on a real diamond, the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond. The Hope Diamond is one of the world's most valuable diamonds; its worth is estimated at around 350 million dollars.
Who was the last person to wear the Hope Diamond? ›Pierre Cartier designed the current setting for the Hope in 1910 to be worn as both a necklace and a bandeau, or head ornament. 9. The last famous person to wear the Hope? Actress Michelle Pfeiffer, who put it on for Life magazine in 1996 1995.
What is Rihanna's ring size? ›We would estimate that Rihanna's ring size is around average, like Kate Winslet's at a size 6.
How big is Blake Lively ring? ›The Zoe Report estimates that Lively's ring comes in at a whopping 12 carats, which explains why it's always the center of attention. The ring is estimated to cost around $2 million.
How many carat is Hailey Bieber ring? ›Hailey's engagement ring carries 10-carat oval-shaped diamond and round diamond bands.
Who owns the rarest red diamond? ›The rough stone weighed 13.9 carats (2.78 g). The diamond was purchased and cut by the William Goldberg Diamond Corp., where it went by its original name, the Red Shield. It was purchased in 2001 or 2002 by Shlomo Moussaieff, an Israeli-born jewelry dealer in London. It is currently owned by Moussaieff Jewellers Ltd.
Who owns the highest diamond in the world? ›| The rough diamond | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3,106.75 carats (621.350 g) |
| Cut by | Joseph Asscher & Co. |
| Original owner | Premier Diamond Mining Company |
| Owner | Charles III in right of The Crown |
Who owns the most red diamonds? ›
The largest red diamond in the world, the 5.11 carat Moussaieff Red, was discovered in Brazil in the 1990s and is currently owned by jeweler Moussaieff.
How much is Adele's ring worth? ›So we consulted our trusty gem experts, one of whom tells us Adele's rock could be worth “close to the $1 million mark.” “This one looks sparkly on all fronts, and makes us believe it would be very high quality indeed,” says Rare Carat COO Apeksha Kothari, who estimated the stone at 10 carats.
How much is Meghan Markle's ring worth? ›Meghan Markle
Duchess Meghan's dazzling trilogy ring boasts a large central diamond which Prince Harry sourced in Botswana and it is flanked on either side by two smaller jewels which are from his late mother Princess Diana's personal collection. Her incredible five-carat gem is thought to be worth £134,500.
We estimate that the engagement ring would cost around £200,000 to create today, although the association with HRH and its historical provenance would make the ring priceless.
Who owns 90% of the diamonds? ›| DeBeers store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California | |
|---|---|
| Key people | Mark Cutifani (Chairman) Bruce Cleaver (CEO) |
| Products | Diamonds |
| Services | Diamond mining and marketing |
| Revenue | US$6.08 billion (2018) |
Dubai—The 555-carat black diamond initially dubbed “The Enigma” just sold for $4.3 million at auction. Richard Heart, founder of cryptocurrency company Hex, tweeted Wednesday that he's the one who purchased the diamond. He said he will rename the stone the “Hex.com” diamond.
How many carats is Beyonce's ring? ›Beyonce's Engagement Ring
Designed by Lorraine Schwartz, Beyonce has a mahoosive 24-carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring with a split shank setting. Jay Z clearly had to fork out for this sparkler, with the ring estimated to have cost around $5 million.
The Sovereign's Ring has been used by all monarchs from William IV in 1831 to Elizabeth II in 1953, with the exception of Queen Victoria, whose fingers were too small to retain it. In the centre is an octagonal sapphire overlaid with a cross made of rubies. Around the sapphire are 14 brilliant diamonds.
What is the most famous ring? ›Kate Middleton's blue sapphire engagement ring is likely the most famous engagement ring of all time. The Duchess of Cambridge wears the ring that once decorated the finger of Princess Diana, and the famous, royal ring contains an 18-carat diamond and sapphire stone that was purchased in 1981 by Prince Charles.
Is the One Ring cursed? ›Like the Nine Rings, the One Ring physically corrupted mortals who wore it, eventually transforming them into wraiths. Hobbits were more resistant to this than Men: Gollum, who possessed the ring for 500 years, did not become wraith-like because he rarely wore the Ring.
What is the oldest ring? ›
The most ancient rings found to date belong to the Paleolithic period and come from the site of Pavlov in the Czech Republic. They are made of mammoth bone and are 21,000 years old. Experts have stated that in the beginning rings were used as an exchange unit with an easy and secure “storage” on the fingers.
What is a Princess Diana ring? ›The now iconic ring features a 12-karat oval Ceylon sapphire set in 18-karat white gold and is surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds. When Charles proposed to Diana in 1981, the piece was valued at $37,500.
Does any of Queen Elizabeth 1 jewelry still exist? ›Under guard and still in use
You'll find the Crown Jewels under armed guard in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. These gems are a unique working collection of royal regalia and are still regularly used by the monarch for important national ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament.
The X-Ring is said to be, after Super Bowl and Papal rings, the third most recognized ring in the world.
What shape of diamond looks the biggest? ›Wondering which diamond shapes look the largest per carat? The four shapes that look the largest per carat are (in order of which looks the largest): marquise, pear, oval, and emerald diamonds.
Who is the true owner of the One Ring? ›| The One Ring | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Primarily: Sauron, Isildur, Gollum, Bilbo and Frodo |
| Appearance | Plain gold ring with Black Speech inscription made visible by heat |
| Creator | Sauron Mount Doom, c. S.A. 1600 |
| Destroyer | Frodo/Gollum Mount Doom, T.A. 3019 |
The Elven rulers are given three rings, the Dwarf-lords are given seven, and the kings of men are given nine.
Why does the Ring turn you invisible? ›In the spiritual world, beings are invisible to those in the physical world. This is why Isildur, Bilbo, and Frodo become invisible when they wear the Ring—because they are no longer in the physical world.
Who wore the first engagement ring? ›The first diamond engagement ring can be traced back to 1477 when Archduke Maximillian of Austria proposed to Mary Burgundy.
What does the Bible say about rings? ›Although wedding bands aren't directly mentioned in the Bible, other types of rings are mentioned throughout many passages, particularly in Genesis. Abraham's servant gave Rebekah a nose ring to claim her as Isaac's bride (Genesis 24:22).
What does the Bible say about marriage rings? ›
The use of wedding ring is not commanded in the Bible, and there is no indication that it was ever practised in the New Testament. The use of finger ring in the Bible was as a symbol of authority.