A lifetime pledge, sealed with an engagement ring befitting the world's most recognised football player and wealthy athlete, has marked an important milestone in Ronaldo's courtship with Georgina Rodriguez. A dazzling diamond on Rodriguez's hand was the focus of attention when the photo surfaced on Instagram. Even just one picture had the media and fans going gaga over the importance of this landmark for the most influential couple in sports, wondering how much it would be worth, and marvelling at the design's elegance.
With Ronaldo’s expensive pledge of everlasting love for his now fiancée, let’s explore the most expensive celebrity engagement rings of all time!
The most expensive celebrity rings of all time
Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez
The ring's focal point is an oval-shaped diamond, a popular cut that adds sparkle and makes a stone seem larger than it really is. The two secondary stones, which give symmetry and sparkle, surround the white diamond and weigh an estimated one to three carats apiece. With the "double claw" setting—pairs of symmetrical prongs—securing the centre stone, the band is fashioned in platinum or white gold. This construction is both sturdy and elegant, highlighting the skill of the builder. The central diamond is most likely in the D-F colour range, which is the purest white with almost no imperfections. Depending on its quality of craftsmanship and its origin, the stone, which is estimated to be 15-30 carats, might fetch a price ranging from $2 million to more than $10 million.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 27, 2017, the world became aware of the engagement of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and it was equally sparkling as the beautiful ring! Markle debuted a three-stone diamond ring that had been crafted by Prince Harry and jeweller Cleave & Company. The ring reportedly features two round diamonds from Princess Diana's collection as side stones, along with a three-carat cushion-cut centre stone that the couple purchased from Botswana, which holds great significance for them. Experts predicted that the ring would cost $350,000. With their two children in tow, the happy couple tied the knot the following May and now call California home.
Prince William and Kate Middleton
In 2010, when the royal couple announced their engagement, Kate Middleton wore a blue outfit that complemented her one-of-a-kind 12-carat sapphire, which was encircled by diamonds. Though it isn't the most costly ring on the list, the emotional significance of the $500,000 heirloom makes it worth considerably more. This ring was worn by Princess Diana during her engagement to Prince Charles.
Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco
The engagement ring that Hollywood actress Grace Kelly wore when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956 cost an exorbitant $4.06 million. However, with its current value of almost $38.8 million, the diamond easily surpasses all others as the most expensive engagement ring owned by a celebrity. Cartier crafted the 10.47-carat ring set with emerald-cut diamonds, and to date, it is one of the most expensive engagement rings in the world!
Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis
For landing one of the most expensive spots on the list of famous engagement rings, Jackie Kennedy Onassis may credit her second proposal. The former first lady was engaged to Aristotle Onassis, one of the wealthiest men in the world at the time, with a Harry Winston design, Lesotho III. This 40.42-carat sparkler, which belonged to Kennedy Onassis, was sold at auction in 1996 for $2.6 million, or almost $20 million in today's money.
Mariah Carey and James Packer
The 35-carat jewel that Mariah Carey received from her ex-fiancé James Packer is the most costly celebrity engagement ring of the contemporary era. Before proposing in 2016, the businessman spent $10 million on the Wilfredo Rosado-designed emerald-cut gem. They broke up a few months later, but she kept the ring on her finger. A jeweller in Los Angeles paid her $2.1 million for the gem in May of 2018. She held on to it for a long time.
Paris Hilton and Carter Reum
Carter Reum, founder of M13 Ventures, proposed to Paris Hilton in February 2021, and soon after, Hilton disclosed a month, that Reum collaborated with Jean Dousset, great-great-grandson of Louis Cartier, to create the ring. Talk about history and tradition! An emerald-cut centre stone and baguette-cut and trapezoid accent diamonds make up her ring's three stones. The ring's design also incorporates elements from the classical and Art Nouveau periods. The geometric patterns on this ring are reminiscent of the Paris Grand Palais, which is apt, given its location. The ring reportedly cost two million dollars.
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton
Elizabeth Taylor – Hollywood royalty and fashion icon – had been engaged several times; nonetheless, the jewel she received from Richard Burton remains one of the most expensive engagement rings ever sold. The Krupp diamond, an Asscher cut 33.19-carat stone that formerly belonged to actress Vera Krupp, was presented to her by him in 1968, four years after their wedding. To level the playing field, people take into account the $8.8 million price it sold for at a Christie's auction in 2011, even though he paid $305,000 for it at the time.