Oh, the glitz and glamour of celebrities. Their lives are exaggerated, and incredibly public, so it’s only reasonable that their engagement rings be just as extravagant and larger-than-life, too, right? After all, the bigger the ring, the longer the marriage . . . right?
Below, we take a look at some of the most jaw-dropping celebrity engagement rings. While some of these stunners didn’t even make it down the aisle, they still entered the hall of fame of exceptional jewels. Go ahead and start filling out your secret Pinterest board of dream rings. We won’t judge.
Elizabeth Taylor
No jewelry article would be complete without the queen of engagement rings (and marriages), Dame Elizabeth Taylor. The actress, who was engaged eight times, was known for her exceptional jewelry collection, which was later sold at Christie’s in a 2011 auction for a record breaking $115.9 million—the highest haul ever for a private jewelry collection. Her most notable engagement ring, dubbed the Elizabeth Taylor diamond, was a 33.19-carat Asscher cut flawless diamond that was designed by Krupp. The ring, which was given to her by her two-time husband Richard Burton in 1968, sold for $8.8 million. Remember readers, that was just one of her eight rings!
Jackie Kennedy
A style icon in every way, the First Lady received a 40-carat ring from her longtime friend turned husband, Aristotle Onassis in 1968. The storied ring was a Marquise cut Lesotho III diamond from Harry Winston, which Jackie supposedly only wore twice before locking it up in a bank vault in New York. After she passed away in 1996, the ring was sold at auction for $2.59 million by the brand, and was then cut into eighteen gems.
Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco
The movie star turned princess was every bit the elegant bride. Her 10.47-carat Cartier emerald-cut ring was the second stunner that she received from Prince Rainier in 1956. (The first was a modest ruby and diamond band ring also by Cartier.) She wore the ring for her last screen appearance in High Society, before relocating and marrying in Monaco. The ring was later recreated by Cartier for the 2014 film, Grace of Monaco, in which Nicole Kidman played the titular role.
Victoria Beckham
There’s a reason why the Spice Girl turned fashion designer was known as “Posh,” her collection of extravagant rings runs the gamut. For starters, she has reportedly received fourteen engagement rings from her husband of 20 years, David Beckham. While each are spectacular and story-worthy in their own way, the one most discussed is the one most often worn and photographed: A vintage-cut, pear shaped diamond estimated at about 15-carats and set on a diamond platinum band.
Beyoncé
In 2008, Jay Z proposed to the music superstar with a flawless 18-carat, Lorraine Schwartz-designed, emerald-cut diamond solitaire, which is valued at more than $5 million. Now that’s how you put a ring on it.
Mariah Carey
The elusive chanteuse actually holds the title for owning the largest celebrity engagement ring. The whopping 35-carat, emerald-cut diamond was designed by Wilfredo Rosado and given to her by her billionaire ex-fiancé, James Packer. Unfortunately the engagement only lasted for seven months, and while Mariah supposedly kept the ring, we sadly won’t be getting another glimpse of it any time soon.
Anna Kournikova
The former tennis star and her husband, singer Enrique Iglesias, have kept a relatively low profile after they started dating in 2001. She first surprised her fans by wearing her giant engagement ring while on the court. An unusual 11-carat pear-cut Australian Argyle pink diamond is flanked by two colorless diamonds, this spectacular ring is estimated at $2.5 million. Since then, she has been spotted wearing another canary and diamond stunner, too.
