I’m one of those girls who is obsessed with all things weddings. And much to my boyfriend’s dismay, I’ve known what engagement ring I’ve wanted since I was little. I jokingly say to my friends that if the ring isn’t big enough, no matter how much I love the guy, I’m going to have to say no. Shallow? Maybe. But don’t pretend like you’d be thrilled with a ring that was less than a carat. Because of this obsession fascination with weddings, whenever I hear of anyone getting engaged, my first question is, “what does the ring look like?” This is why celebrity engagements are so exciting because you know the ring ain’t gonna be small and neither will the price tag. So, here is a list of the most expensive celebrity engagement rings. I promise they will not disappoint.
1. Mariah Carey
Starting this list off of expensive celebrity engagement rings with a bang (and the most expensive one) is our girl Mariah. Being the diva she is known to be, we all know she wouldn’t accept a ring less than fabulous. Her then-fiancé, James Packer (an actual billionaire), proposed with a 35-carat emerald cut engagement ring designed by Wilfredo Rosado. Its estimated value is $10 million. Although the engagement was called off seven months later, Carey got to keep the diamond ring. BRB, gonna go slide into James’s DMs.
2. Kim Kardashian
Kimmy has had her fair share of most expensive engagement rings in her day. When Kris Humphries popped the question in 2011, he gave her a 16.21-carat engagement ring, estimated at $2 million. After that marriage fizzled (rather quickly, might I add), Kanye West popped the question to Kim 2013 with a 15-carat engagement ring that rung in at $4.5 million. However, after her ring was stolen in Paris in 2016, Kanye upgraded her v expensive ring to a vvv expensive ring (below). KKW’s most expensive engagement ring? A whopping 20-carat ring that is estimated to cost $8.5 million. And who designed these three rings? The queen of expensive engagement rings, of course: Lorraine Schwartz. Kanye, do you have a younger brother? Just asking for a friend.
3. Paris Hilton
As an heiress to a successful hotel-chain, you bet Paris Hilton is going to have one of the most expensive celebrity engagement rings. Her fiancé, Paris Latsis, proposed with a 25-carat ring that set him back casually cost him $4.7 million. However, after their split, her ring was auctioned off to help raise money for Hurricane Katrina. TBH, I’m v impressed. Nice work Paris.
4. Beyoncé
Jay-Z needed to make sure the engagement ring he bought was fit for a queen. And he did just that. Her 18-carat, $5 million ring is the envy of everyone (especially me). The emerald-cut designed by Lorraine Schwartz is amazing.
5. Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth has had her fair share of expensive engagement rings (8 marriages, to be exact—smh some people have all the luck). In 1957, she received a ring from Mike Todd was 29.4 carats. However, after that marriage ended and she met and married Richard Burton in 1964, she was gifted with another spectacular ring. He proposed with an 18.61-carat ring (that could also be removed from the band and worn as a brooch) that was surrounded with diamonds. After the first 5 years of their marriage, he gifted her with a MASSIVE ring, now known as the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond. Ringing in (lol) at 33.19-carats and worth $8.8 million, Elizabeth Taylor’s ring from Richard Burton is one of the largest on this list.
6. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
In 1968, 5 years after the death of John F Kennedy, Aristotle Onassis proposed to Jackie with a 40.42-carat engagement ring. Yes, you read that correctly. Although her ring is the biggest on this list, it isn’t the most expensive. The estimated value was $2.59 million. However, Jackie only wore this ring twice before it was stored in an NYC bank vault until she died.
Images: @jewelryjournall, @kimkardashian, @daralyaqza, @thewedlist, @elizabethtayor/Instagram; Wikimedia
Engagement ring trends are a funny thing. Mostly because they symbolize eternal love blah, blah, blah, but also because they’re something you’re (hopefully) going to be flaunting for decades to come. These aren’t regular trends in shoes that come and go—these are like, v serious trends that you often can’t afford to f*ck up. Obviously, these precious jewels are expensive af and unless you’re, say a celebrity like Ariana or Pete, you can’t afford to buy a giant rock of a diamond and then change your mind a few months later (too soon?). While we’re on the topic of Ariana and Pete, in addition to mistaken early engagements, jewelers have been seeing a spike in colored diamonds and gemstones. Thanks to trendsetter Kate Middleton, tons of people have been wanting to rock a stunning sapphire or more recently, like Lady Gaga, a blinding pink diamond on their hand. If you’re one of those who are obsessed with colored engagement rings (hi, same here) but are looking for a much, much more affordable option, you’re in luck. No need to thank me. Here are some recently engaged celebs who have worn a one-of-a-kind colorful gem and the matching dupes you can buy for yourself without breaking the bank.
1. Lady Gaga
The singer’s rock is said to be a “6-7 carat pink sapphire with a diamond halo totaling 3-4 carats,” according to the president of WP Diamonds.
The Dupe
1CT Emerald Cut Pink Topaz And Diamond Ring Crafted In Solid 14K White Gold, $299
2. Gwyneth Paltrow
According to TIME, experts say this “rare blue sapphire” could be anywhere from 10 to 13 carats and be worth up to a whopping $500,000. Must be nice, am I right?
The Dupe
Jared Lab-Created Sapphire Ring Blue & White 10K White Gold, $579
3. Hilary Swank
Although Hilary and (now ex-fiancé) Ruben Torres split just a few months after their engagement in 2016, she flaunted an emerald-cut emerald stone on a gold band.
The Dupe
Kay Jewelers Lab-Created Emerald Lab-Created Sapphires Sterling Silver Ring, $229
4. Iggy Azalea
First things first, Iggy is the realest. She broke up with her ex-fiancé Nick Young a year after their engagement when she caught him cheating. Then, she tweeted about it and later stated on TV that she burned his clothes in a literal bonfire. Honestly, well-deserved, IMO. As for the ring, People says Young designed the 10.43-carat ring himself. It consists of an 8.15-carat yellow diamond and a white diamond halo set into white gold.
The Dupe
1 1/4 Carat Oval Shape Citrine And Two Diamond Ring In 14 Karat Yellow Gold, $499
5. Eva Longoria
When now-husband José Bastón popped the question in 2015, he presented this massive ruby and diamond engagement ring and it’s seriously impossible not to stare at it.
The Dupe
Zales 7.0mm Cushion-Cut Garnet and Lab-Created White Sapphire Ring in Sterling Silver, $109
Photo: Jose Martinez / Unsplash; Instagram (5); Super Jeweler (2); Kay Jewelers; Jared; Zales
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