The world’s most expensive engagement rings… and the stories behind them

Thinking of popping the question this Valentine’s Day? Or do you have a sneaky feeling that you might need a fresh manicure ASAP? This February, we’re taking a look at some of the most eye-wateringly priced engagement rings in history and the stories behind them.

Worth £275 thousand in 1959, the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond (also known as the ‘Krupp Diamond’) was last sold at auction in 2011 for over $8.8 million¹. Its legendary 33.19‑carat stone has a rich past, with uncertainty surrounding its origins, believed to stem from either India or South Africa, and likely faceted around 1920.

The first public owner of the diamond was Vera Krupp, the wife of a German industrialist, who was gifted the ring by her husband. Even after their divorce, she continued to flaunt the ring until it was stolen directly from her finger during a robbery at her ranch. With help from the FBI, she managed to recover her beloved jewel.

When Krupp passed away in 1967, the ring went up for auction in New York where it sold for $307 thousand, purchased by actor Richard Burton as a gift for his future wife, Elizabeth Taylor. After her passing, it went up for auction for a second time – this time purchased by a Korean retail company. What’s in store for the future of this iconic ring? And how much will its third buyer pay?²

It appears that engagement rings are popular targets for heists, as Kim Kardashian’s was another that was stolen in the infamous 2016 Paris gunpoint robbery. Thieves disguised themselves as police before restraining Kim and taking millions of dollars’ worth of jewellery. The 16.2‑carat emerald-cut diamond was gifted to her by Kanye West (Ye) and is estimated to be worth around $8 million. It has never been recovered, and its location is currently unknown³.

Jackie Kennedy’s Van Cleef & Arpels ring was crafted in a ‘toi et moi’ design, translating to ‘you and me’. It featured two gemstones nestled side by side — a fitting symbol of her commitment to John F. Kennedy, and a bold style statement which helped reignite the design’s popularity⁴.

Selected by her future father‑in‑law, Joseph Kennedy, it was estimated at around $1 million when it was bought in 1953. After her death, the ring became part of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston and is estimated to be worth around $20 million if it were sold at auction⁵.

In 1955, Prince Rainier III of Monaco proposed to Grace Kelly with a 10.48‑carat diamond Cartier ring, now estimated to be worth a staggering $38.8 million. It is still regarded as one of the most legendary pieces of jewellery ever created.

It stands as the inspiration behind many elite celebrity engagement rings, including those belonging to Elizabeth Taylor, Beyoncé, Amal Clooney and Anne Hathaway. After Grace Kelly’s passing, the ring was passed down to the House of Grimaldi, the reigning family of the Principality of Monaco, where it belongs today⁶.

Beautiful rings deserve the best protection. An engagement ring is often one of the most expensive pieces in someone’s jewellery collection, and it needs cover that matches its value. At Everywhen, we offer tailored solutions for a wide range of needs, including non-standard and complex requirements.

Want to know more? Click here to visit our private clients page or get a direct quote here. 

Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems, we recommend that professional advice be sought. 

Sources:

1. The Elizabeth Taylor Diamonda Diamond Ring | Christie's

2. Elizabeth Taylor Diamond: The Legendary 33-Carat Stone

3. Robbery gang guilty of Kim Kardashian heist in Paris - BBC News

4. The Story Behind Jackie Kennedy’s Engagement Ring | Vogue

5. Jackie Kennedy's Engagement Ring: A Legendary American Ring

6. The Remarkable Tale of Grace Kelly’s Two Engagement Rings, 70 Years After Their Createion | Vogue