The Most Spectacular Vintage Celebrity Engagement Rings (2024)

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Jackie Kennedy

The Most Spectacular Vintage Celebrity Engagement Rings (1)

Seventy years before Machine Gun Kelly's unusual engagement ring for Megan Fox made headlines, John F. Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier with a similar sparkler! Ahead of the trend before her time, the future first lady said yes to the interlocking emerald-cut emerald and diamond design – and her beau.

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Princess Margaret

The Most Spectacular Vintage Celebrity Engagement Rings (2)

In a romantic nod to her middle name, Rose, Antony Armstrong-Jones presented his princess with a three-ruby ring, flanked by six smaller diamonds – meant to mimic a rosebud, Brides reported.

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Marilyn Monroe

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Whether or not diamonds are a girl's best friend, the screen siren sure seemed pleased with the eternity band of baguette diamonds she wore as a wedding ring during her marriage to her second husband, Joe DiMaggio.

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Lucille Ball's Diamond

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Though she joked around on I Love Lucy, Ball's bling was no laughing matter! According to Town & Country, Desi Arnaz upgraded the brass ring from Woolworth's he gave to his wife when they eloped with an enormous cushion-cut diamond.

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Lucille Ball's Aquamarine Ring

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Ball was also known to wear an enormous, emerald-cut aquamarine on her left ring finger, rumored to also be from Arnaz.

The sparkling stone matched her light blue eyes, and Nicole Kidman even wore a lookalike while playing the star in the recent biopic Being the Ricardos.

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Mia Farrow

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The Rosemary's Baby star received a nine-carat, pear-shaped sparkler from her first husband, Frank Sinatra, whom she wed in 1966.

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Lana Turner

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The Old Hollywood icon might have gone through a divorce or seven, but this pear-shaped showstopper from one of her husbands is a keeper.

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Grace Kelly

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Though Prince Rainier III famously gave the American actress a $4.6 million, 10.47-carat, emerald-cut engagement ring for her to wear in the film High Society, her last movie before they wed, he first presented his bride-to-be with another piece of jewelry.

The royal initially gave Kelly an eternity band with rubies and diamonds – a salute to the colors of the Monaco flag, Brides reported.

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Wallis Simpson

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Another unforgettable royal ring was the rock King Edward VIII gave to the American divorcée who stole his heart.

The 19.77 carat emerald, encircled by diamonds in a gold setting, was scandalously engraved with the inscription "We are ours now 27 x 36" in honor of their engagement on October 27, 1936 – six weeks before he officially abdicated.

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Joan Crawford

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The Academy Award winner was another leading lady with a two-stone ring. Her fourth husband, Pepsi CEO Alfred Steele, wowed her with this unusual double band of baguette diamonds.

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Elizabeth Taylor

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Hotelier Conrad Hilton asked Taylor to marry him with a four-carat diamond, and they said "I do" in a 1950 wedding paid for by MGM, Vogue reported.

Diamonds are forever, but the union lasted just eight months.

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Elizabeth Taylor

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The Father of the Bride star headed to the altar again in 1952, after actor Michael Wilding popped the question with a megawatt sapphire surrounded by diamonds.

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Elizabeth Taylor

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Five years later, the actress looked blissful with producer Mike Todd, with a 29-carat diamond ring on her finger. The couple chatted with reporters before a flight to Mexico City, and Taylor insisted that the square-cut treasure was a "friendship ring." They would marry later that year.

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Debbie Reynolds

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The Singin' in the Rain lead was starry-eyed beside Eddie Fisher at their 1954 engagement party, where she flashed her seven-carat, square-cut rock.

All seemed well during their four-year union, which dissolved in 1959 – when Fisher famously had an affair with Taylor, Reynolds' childhood friend.

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Elizabeth Taylor

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The Queen of Diamonds found a lasting love with Richard Burton, whom she met on the set of Cleopatra and left Fisher for.

Here, Taylor shows off her diamond wedding bands from Burton, after they secretly wed in Montreal in 1964 ... just 10 days after she divorced Fisher.

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Elizabeth Taylor

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Richard Burton purchased this 33.19-carat, flawless gem (then called the Krupp Diamond, now called the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond) for his wife in 1968 — just some of the many jewels he bought for her during their 10-year first marriage and 10-month second marriage.

The Most Spectacular Vintage Celebrity Engagement Rings (2024)

FAQs

What is the most wanted engagement ring? ›

The most popular diamond cut/shape for an engagement ring is the round brilliant cut. It is a classic and timeless shape that has been popular for centuries. Round brilliant cut diamonds have a symmetrical shape with 58 facets, which maximizes their sparkle and brilliance.

What is the most classic style of engagement ring? ›

Four prong or claw solitaire engagement ring

Prongs and claws are timeless. Since the early days of jewellery craftsmanship, metal has been used to secure stones in place and when you think of the iconic solitaire engagement ring style, you'll always think of the classic four or six claw/prong setting.

Which celebrity has most expensive ring? ›

The most expensive celebrity engagement ring on our list is Mariah Carey's enormous 35 carat emerald-cut ring from billionaire fiancé James Packer. The ring was created by New York jeweler Wilfredo Rosado, who designed the ring to be as large and extravagant as possible.

Do vintage engagement rings keep their value? ›

Antique engagement rings hold their value very well if kept in good condition. Rarity is an important factor in jewelry pricing since inevitably some pieces will be damaged or lost over the years.

What is Meghan Markle engagement ring? ›

Meghan's engagement ring is a valuable and sentimental design with a three-carat cushion-cut diamond from Botswana—where the duo went on their third date and fell in love—as the center stone, flanked by two round-cut diamonds, at about one carat each, sourced from the jewelry collection of Harry's late mother, Princess ...

What is the most expensive engagement ring in the world? ›

The World's Most Expensive Diamond Rings
  • The Blue Moon of Josephine: $48.4 million. ...
  • Graff Pink: $46.16 million. ...
  • Grace Kelly's Engagement Ring: $44.3 million. ...
  • Bleu Royal: $43.8 million. ...
  • Eternal Pink: $34.8 million. ...
  • The Pink Promise: $32 million. ...
  • The Cullinan Dream: $25.3 million. ...
  • The Infinite Blue: $25.3 million. SOTHEBY'S.
Feb 2, 2024

What is considered a vintage engagement ring? ›

"Vintage" refers to anything at least 20 years old, while "antique" refers to anything at least 100 years old. When it comes to engagement rings, "vintage" usually signifies the ring's style rather than its age.

Why are vintage engagement rings so cheap? ›

Older rings are, by their very nature, used, secondhand pieces. This can give couples some surprising bargains and lower prices to choose from when compared to new, modern rings, especially when comparing prices per carat of the ring's stones.

Who gave JLO the most expensive engagement ring? ›

Jennifer Lopez

The $4 million emerald-cut blue diamond marks Lopez's first entry on the list. It was given to her by singer Marc Anthony, Lopez's husband from 2004 to 2014.

How much is Meghan Markle's engagement ring worth? ›

In the whirlwind of royal romance, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's engagement captured the world's attention. The dazzling engagement ring, estimated to be upwards of $200,000, that graced Meghan's finger was not only a symbol of their love but also a testament to timeless elegance.

What did Jackie Kennedy's wedding ring look like? ›

Flanking Jackie's large diamond and emerald were numerous marquis shaped diamonds, fanned out in a floral arc, typical of Van Cleef & Arpels hallmark style. Baguette shaped diamonds finished the look.

Is a vintage engagement ring a good idea? ›

Vintage engagement rings are often unique because they have intricate engravings, millegrains, enamel, and calibre set stones. These details aren't as common in modern jewellery. Because each ring is handmade, there are no exact copies. Vintage rings are a great choice for someone looking for something unique.

Do Tiffany rings lose value? ›

Pieces of Tiffany jewelry you have outgrown and no longer want can easily become another person's favorites—and for a price that will make everyone happy. Because Tiffany jewelry is simple, exquisite, and holds its value very well, it's a true classic that will always be sought after, both new and at resale.

What is the best diamond ring to invest in? ›

According to a well known diamond trade organization the ideal diamond for investment is a Round Brilliant from 1.01 to 1.49 carat, D-H in color and from IF (internally flawless) to VS2 (very slightly included) clarity.

Which engagement ring is the best investment? ›

Art deco style rings and old mine cut or old European cut stones are stand-outs and you really can only find them in antique rings. You'll also get more value for your money. A previously-owned engagement ring will cost you less money up-front and will keep its value even after years of use.

What is the most desired diamond cut? ›

1. ROUND BRILLIANT DIAMOND. By far the most popular cut is the Round Brilliant, with it's fifty-seven perfectly aligned facets it's brilliance really does out-shine the others. Total internal reflection is the key here; light travels through the stone giving optimum sparkle and scintillation.

What is the most desirable cut of diamond? ›

1. Round- Still takes the top spot. According to GIA, more than 60% of couples choose a round diamond for their center stone. The round cut has been around since the 1800's making it by far the most popular year after year.

Is $20 000 too much for an engagement ring? ›

An engagement ring budget of $20,000 is much higher than the median amount spent on diamond rings. While $6,000 is the national average cost of a ring, everybody's financial situation is different.

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