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
Ding ding ding! I’m here to judge you again for your choices! This time I’ve set my sights on engagement rings. I get that having an engagement ring at all from the person you love and want to marry blah blah is amazing. But I and others are still totes allowed to think your giant yellow on yellow ring is a travesty and should be exchanged for literally anything else. The thing is, everyone loves classy engagement rings. But the problem is that not everyone understands what “classy” means.
Trendy is not classy, and bright, loud, or obnoxiously large engagement rings do not for good taste make. If you’re wondering whether your ring falls in the hot or not category, you should probs consult our list. Oh, and be sure to tell me what a bad person I am in the comments. Love ya, mean it!
Tacky Engagement Rings
Sry fam.
Heart-Shaped Rings
Sorry, but it’s true. Lady Gaga’s pink heart engagement ring worked for her because she’s Lady Fucking Gaga. You, on the other hand, likely work a corporate job, spend a lot of time at home or in sweats (same), and are MUCH less edgy than you think. The heart doesn’t really work for you, Lisa Frank. On the other hand, you may be a backwoods moonshiner who loves the heart shape because you’re actually 14 and this ring means the start of a new life outside Crusty Acres, Alabama. Good for you!
Disney-Inspired Engagement Rings
Zale’s Enchanted Disney Belle 1/10 CT. T.W. Diamond Rose Ring in 10K Rose Gold
If you want something Disney-inspired for an engagement ring, you’re probably too young to get married. We’ve already discussed why Disney weddings are just unacceptable, but now apparently y’all have decided to test our limits with Disney engagement rings, and just no. Do you really need the ring that Belle would have worn to signify her devotion to the Furry movement? Or the diamond for which Princess Jasmine def would have let Aladdin show her a whole new world with? What about the engagement ring Pocahontas wouldn’t have had because the early English settlers were terrible human being and would have stolen it and given her a smallpox blanket instead? Let’s think this through and embrace adulthood.
Giant Rings
Baby West Holds Kim & Kanye's Ring – https://t.co/C5hGbvZRA8 @KimKardashian #northwest #babywest #kimkardashian #kim #kardashian #kanyewest #kanye #west #diamond #engagement #wedding #ring #therock #cute #style #design #women #woman #jewelry #marriage #propose #proposal #newyear pic.twitter.com/YRCRH4JNs4
— UnusualRingsReview (@ringsreview) January 2, 2018
Yes, that’s so amazing and you’re so #blessed that your fiancé spent last year slaving away selling car insurance or whatever he does to buy you a four- to six-carat ring. However, it’s so big it looks fake. You know what I mean. Unless you’re Beyoncé or the owner of a yacht, chateau, and small island, the giant diamond looks a lil off on your un-manicured finger. Maybe be a tad more modest.
Bright Pink Anything
YIKES. Jeulia Flower Design Round Cut Created Pink Sapphire Engagement Ring 6.34CT TW
If your ring looks like a mashup of Claire’s (RIP) and Care Bear feelings, it may not be a good choice for you, friend. Not only will a bright pink diamond or gemstone look fake, but it’s hella tacky and ultimately not a solid choice. Look at that shit. Are you gonna want to rock this at age 55? Maybe if you’re weird and into motorcycles, but likely not.
Overly Trendy Shit
Monroe York Diamonds Noire – Black Diamond Engagement Ring 3.40ct
Just because halo rings or black rings or charcoal shit or twine is in style, that doesn’t mean it’s a good choice for an engagement ring that you’ll (hopefully) wear forever. Trends don’t last, and unless you remain v weird, artsy, and into fringe electronica dance music well into your 60s, this may not be a great fit for you down the line.
Classy Engagement Rings
The Tiffany Cut And Setting
YAAAAAAS. The Tiffany® Setting
Girl, yas. I don’t care how against the patriarchy/corporations you are or claim to be, everyone fucking loves Tiffany’s. The fact that there is a specific and special Tiffany cut just goes to show that when you operate an amazing business for like, over 100 years, it pays off. Getting engaged with a classic Tiffany cut solitaire on a platinum band is a gift in and of itself. That shit will never go out of style, and the beauty of the diamond will never go out of style.
Vintage, Estate, Or Inherited Rings
Sofia Kaman La Jolie-Vintage Engagement Ring
I’m not going to shit on anything that was a hand-me-down, inherited, estate, or vintage piece. Any ring that has a story behind it is awesome. You have my blessing. And yeah, the yellow gold band with the miner’s cut may be a little outdated, but you can make that shit look good. Hell, you can even have it reset once your mother-in-law dies!
Gemstone Diamond Combos
Rings that use gemstones as the center stone or incorporate both gems and diamonds are inherently betchy. They’re just different enough to be noticeable, but they don’t go overboard. I mean, shit, if it’s good enough for Kate Middleton, it’s good enough for us. It’s also a great way to incorporate birthstones if you’re into that sort of thing. Diamonds are classic, but a splash of color from a ruby, emerald, or sapphire lends something special.
Classic Cuts And Simple Bands
Ritani Solitaire Diamond Cathedral Engagement Ring With Surprise Diamonds
Classic is classy, end of story. A classic solitaire, or an emerald cut with surrounding diamonds, a cushion cut—they’re all timeless. That’s probably the biggest takeaway for classy rings—they won’t age. They won’t seem trendy in three years (I see you, halo rings), and that’s kind of the point.
Images: Bridget Flohe / Unsplash; Giphy (2)
