The Most Expensive Engagement Rings Ever Bought

When you look at the highest-priced engagement rings ever bought, the list is filled with names and designs that keep coming back in style feeds. From rare pink diamonds to bold emerald cuts, the market value and story behind each piece set them apart.

The Pink Star: Price and Prestige

Topping all lists is the Pink Star Diamond Ring. This ring was sold at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong for $71.2 million, but with the commission included, the total reached about $83 million. The centerpiece is a 59.60-carat oval-shaped fancy vivid pink Type IIa diamond. Stones of this type are rare, with less than one percent of diamonds being fancy color. Even fewer are pink. Chow Tai Fook, a Hong Kong jewelry company, bought the ring in 2017. 

The price and rarity have made the Pink Star a common subject in news stories and auction overviews. It is not part of any celebrity collection, but its sale marked a record in auction history.

The Williamson Pink Star and Auction History

Next on the list is the Williamson Pink Star Diamond Ring. At an auction in October 2022, the ring sold for $57.7 million. This ring holds an 11.15-carat cushion-cut fancy vivid pink Type IIa diamond. The stone was cut from a rough diamond found in Tanzania. It holds the record for the highest per-carat price ever paid for any diamond at auction.

The Graff Pink Diamond Ring follows. With a 24.78-carat pink diamond, this ring sits at about $46 million in value. After recutting, the diamond became internally flawless, which added to its market position. Graff set this diamond in platinum with two shield-shaped diamonds on each side.

Royal Icons and Hollywood Ties

Some engagement rings gain added attention due to their famous owners. Grace Kelly’s engagement ring is a good example. Prince Rainier of Monaco gave her a 10.47-carat emerald-cut diamond in 1956. The estimated value now is about $38.8 million. Grace Kelly’s life as both an actress and royalty keeps this ring in the public eye. 

Elizabeth Taylor’s 33.19-carat Krupp diamond engagement ring, given by Richard Burton, stands out as one of the best-known jewelry pieces. With an estimated value of $12 million, the ring is part of the late actress’s well-documented jewelry collection.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis’s ring is another piece with a strong history. John F. Kennedy gave her a ring set with a 2.84-carat emerald-cut diamond and a marquise-cut diamond of equal size. This ring would now be valued at around $22 million.

Iconic Cuts and Their Price Tags

When you look at the most expensive engagement rings, some shapes appear again and again. For instance, Grace Kelly’s engagement ring featured a large emerald cut diamond. Mariah Carey and Jackie Kennedy also received rings with this shape. Cushion, oval, and radiant cuts are common, too, like Jennifer Lopez’s blue diamond and Paris Hilton’s canary diamond rings.

The choice of cut often connects with both style and value. The emerald cut diamond style stands out for its clean lines and clarity, making it a favorite for those who want a large stone that feels classic but not flashy. It’s a go-to for royalty and celebrities.

Modern Icons: Music and Reality Stars

Some engagement rings bring together style, color, and celebrity names. Jennifer Lopez’s ring, valued at $7.3 million, stands out because of its rarity and color. The main stone is an 8.5-carat blue diamond from Harry Winston, surrounded by smaller white stones. Blue diamonds, especially in this size, are rarely seen. 

Paris Hilton’s $7.3 million engagement ring also uses a bold color. The 24-carat canary diamond is in a modified cushion cut and was created by Greene & Co. The yellow tone and custom shape help define the ring’s style profile.

Mariah Carey’s ring from James Packer made headlines for its size. At 35 carats, the emerald-cut stone is estimated at $10 million. It was designed by Wilfredo Rosado and is known for its clarity and large profile, even among the top-tier stones on this list.

Auction Pricing and Design

Some rings earned their price tags through auction sales alone. The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond Ring, sold for $57.5 million in 2016, featured a 14.62-carat fancy vivid blue diamond. Buyers bid high because blue diamonds of this size remain rare. 

Design and craftsmanship are key. For instance, after being recut by Graff, the Graff Pink’s diamond moved from slightly included to internally flawless. These small details change how collectors and jewelers view the piece.

Rings and Market Shifts

Over time, the value of these rings changes. Grace Kelly’s ring was bought for $4 million in the 1950s, but estimates now place it above $38 million. Auction sales and new finds shift diamond prices and catch media interest. 

Provenance also matters. Rings by Harry Winston or Cartier, or given to icons, gain extra value through name alone. The stories around these rings keep them in news cycles and style conversations. 

These rings are more than stones — they are linked to public figures and high-profile events, anchoring them as benchmarks for price, rarity, and style.