Weddings can be exceptionally expensive, but so can the engagement process. After all, engagement rings typically cost anywhere between a few thousand dollars to several million! But what are the most expensive engagement rings in the world?
The most expensive engagement ring in the world is The Pink Star, which sold for $71.17 million when it went to auction in 2017. This ring is also the most expensive ring ever sold at auction! This ring gets its name from its bright pink diamond (59.6 carats), set in sparkling platinum.
If you’re curious to learn more about the costliest engagement rings ever created, this ranking will offer some useful insight.
Here Are the Top 10 Most Expensive Engagement Rings:
- The Pink Star – $71.17 million
- Grace Kelly’s Engagement Ring – $38.8 million
- De Beers Millennium Jewel Diamond Ring – $32.01 million
- Bulgari Blue Diamond Ring – $18.3 million
- Wilfredo Rosado Engagement Ring – $10 million
- Krupp-Taylor Diamond Ring – $8.8 million
- Anna Kournikova’s Pink Diamond Engagement Ring – $5.4 million
- Beyoncé’s Emerald-Cut Engagement Ring – $5 million
- Paris Hilton’s Canary-Yellow Diamond Ring – $4.7 million
- Lopez-Rodriguez Engagement Ring – $4.5 million
10. Lopez-Rodriguez Engagement Ring – $4.5 Million
Jennifer Lopez (J Lo to fans) has enjoyed multiple engagements, so she’s no novice at sporting expensive engagement rings.
But the most expensive engagement ring Lopez ever owned was the one given to her by baseball star Alex Rodriguez in 2019. Since then, the couple has split, but her $4.5 million remains timelessly beautiful.
Why It’s Expensive
Like several other high-value celebrity engagement rings, this ring features a gigantic emerald-cut diamond that would look comically large on the average person’s finger.
This substantial 20-carat diamond, coupled with the fact that a celebrity once owned it, ensures that the ring is worth a decent amount of money.
9. Paris Hilton’s Canary-Yellow Diamond Ring – $4.7 Million
Paris Hilton was born into wealth, and it should come as no surprise that she would end up owning one of the most expensive engagement rings.
But what is slightly surprising is that the ring in question, a canary-yellow diamond ring given to her by Paris Latsis in 2005, is the costliest of them all (she’s received multiple engagement rings, just like Jennifer Lopez).
After all, colored diamonds typically retail for less than transparent ones. So why is this ring valued at $4.7 million?
Why It’s Expensive
Apart from the fact that this ring’s yellow diamond weighs 24 carats, the primary reason behind its value is that Paris Hilton owned it.
Several of the costliest engagement rings ever made are celebrity rings.
8. Beyoncé’s Emerald-Cut Engagement Ring – $5 Million
Beyoncé owns multiple engagement rings, all of which were given to her by her equally famous husband, Jay-Z. But the costliest of the bunch is her emerald-cut diamond ring, a massive piece that’s easy to spot due to its size.
While Beyoncé’s relationship with her husband might be a point of controversy, there’s no arguing that her $5 million emerald-cut ring is truly magnificent.
Why It’s Expensive
The emerald cut is one of the most expensive diamond cuts money can buy, but it’s not the primary reason Beyoncé’s wedding ring is so valuable.
Instead, the size of the diamond itself is likely why this ring is worth millions. Well, that and it’s owned by one of the most beloved celebrities in the world!
Remember, anything owned by a celebrity can end up selling for thousands or millions of dollars more than its initial value due to its association with fame and fortune.
7. Anna Kournikova’s Pink Diamond Engagement Ring – $5.4 Million
The store behind Anna Kournikova’s engagement ring is a little complicated. Now, there’s nothing incredibly complex about the ring itself.
It features an 11-carat pear-cut pink diamond that glitters beautifully and is well worth its $5.4 million estimated price.
The real mystery is the true status of the tennis star’s relationship status, as since showing off this ring in 2004, Kournikova and long-time beau Enrique Iglesias have remained unmarried.
Still, many consider the pink diamond ring an engagement ring, and its value earns it a place on this ranking.
Why It’s Expensive
This ring’s incredible value is the result of its rare pink diamond. It’s also valuable because it’s owned by one of the most recognizable tennis stars in the world.
6. Krupp-Taylor Diamond Ring – $8.8 Million
Elizabeth Taylor was and is a Hollywood icon, and many of her engagement rings have sold for millions. That’s right—this famous actress was engaged no less than ten times.
Each engagement garnered a new and more impressive ring.
But the most valuable of these engagement rings is the Krupp-Taylor Diamond Ring, also called the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond Ring. This ring entered a Christie’s auction in 2011 and sold for a staggering $8.8 million.
Why It’s Expensive
One of the things Elizabeth Taylor is still remembered by is her elaborate jewelry collection and glamorous style. Her fame and reputation are partially responsible for this ring’s value.
Still, this ring’s gigantic diamond (the Krupp Diamond) is another reason it’s worth millions.
5. Wilfredo Rosado Engagement Ring – $10 Million
Better known as the “Mariah Carey/James Packer” ring, the Wilfredo Rosado Engagement Ring is a platinum engagement ring given to the famous pop star during her engagement to entrepreneur James Packer.
The highlight of this ring is its 35-carat diamond, a massive emerald-cut beauty that is as clear as glass. Of course, its $10 million value is also quite notable.
Though Mariah Carey owned this ring for several years (even after she and Packer split up), she’s since parted with the iconic ring, selling it for far less than its initial value.
If you’re fortunate, you might be able to track down its current owner and make it your own!
Why It’s Expensive
Without a doubt, this engagement ring’s value stems from its huge diamond and previous celebrity ownership.
4. Bulgari Blue Diamond Ring – $18.3 Million
Bulgari (or BVLGARI) is one of the world’s premium Italian luxury brands, making everything from high-value wristwatches to opulent engagement rings. Still, their blue diamond takes the cake in terms of price, selling for an astounding $18.3 million at a Christie’s auction in 2018.
Like other top-selling diamond rings, the gorgeous blue stone in this ring features a brilliant cut (cushion, not round). But its cut isn’t the main reason behind its multi-million-dollar value.
Why It’s Expensive
When a luxury brand releases a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, you can bet that that piece will sell for an incredible price. Brand reputation and recognition can do wonders in raising an item’s price, and this ring is no exception.
But apart from branding, this ring sold for such an exorbitant price because it features a rare, flawless blue diamond. These diamonds are exceptionally scarce, especially ones of this size and quality.
That said, this isn’t the costliest blue diamond ring ever sold.
3. De Beers Millennium Jewel Diamond Ring – $32.01 Million
De Beers is a name permanently associated with luxury gemstones and jewelry pieces. But their costliest item is undoubtedly the De Beers Millennium Jewel Diamond Ring, a blue diamond piece that sold for $32.01 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2016.
This ring, which features the fourth of 11 high-quality blue diamonds belonging to the De Beers Millennium collection, is a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
Still, its materials are the primary reason it sold for such an incredible price.
Why It’s Expensive
Transparent diamonds are generally considered the most desirable. But on rare occasions, colored diamonds outsell their clear counterparts by millions of dollars.
This ring is a fantastic example of this phenomenon. It’s also a De Beers item, a fact that easily boosts its price.
After all, the De Beers name is associated with wealth and luxury. So De Beers jewels can sell for top dollar prices!
2. Grace Kelly’s Engagement Ring – $38.8 Million
Grace Kelly has made headlines for multiple reasons. She was a top-billing actress, married into royalty despite her humble beginnings, and her engagement ring is one of the most valuable in the world.
When Kelly got engaged in 1956, her massive, emerald-cut diamond ring immediately drew attention from the general public.
Though it cost about $4 million to create (at the time), it enjoys a current value of about $38.8 million. This value makes it easily worthy of royalty, which might be why it’s still part of the House of Grimaldi’s private collection.
Why It’s Expensive
There are three reasons Grace Kelly’s engagement ring is one of the most valuable ever made.
Firstly, this ring was purchased by Prince Rainier of Monaco. As such, it was partially designed by royalty, a man who could afford to spend millions on an engagement ring.
Secondly, this ring features not one but three high-quality diamonds, the central one weighing in at 10.5 carats.
Lastly, this ring belonged to one of the most famous American actresses of the 20th century. Her fame alone would have made any engagement ring far more valuable, even if it were flimsy plastic.
1. The Pink Star – $71.17 Million
The most expensive engagement ring in the world is The Pink Star. This ring sold for $71.17 million in 2017 at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong.
Notably, this pink-diamond ring is also the costliest ever sold at auction! Unfortunately, it isn’t known if the buyer ended up proposing with this ring.
But because it’s a diamond ring (one of the most common types of rings used for engagements), we feel it qualifies as an engagement ring.
Why It’s Expensive
The Pink Star is the most valuable diamond ring in the world because of its rare, flawless gem. Though transparent diamonds generally sell for the highest prices, diamonds featuring rare and attractive colors can be just as valuable.
The size and weight of this ring’s diamond also make it incredibly pricey. After all, the average engagement ring features a diamond weighing between one and two carats.
But The Pink Star’s diamond weighs a whopping 59.6 carats!
Why Are Some Engagement Rings So Expensive?
Now that you’re familiar with the most expensive engagement rings, you might wonder, “Why are some engagement rings so expensive?”
After all, most engagement rings feature luxurious materials like gold and diamonds, so why do some cost a few thousand dollars while others cost millions?
In most cases, the costliest engagement rings feature:
- Top-quality precious materials
- Famous current of previous owners
- Stellar brand reputation
Top-Quality Precious Materials
Nearly all engagement rings are made of precious materials and gemstones. But it’s crucial to note that not all luxurious materials are equally expensive.
For example, some loose diamonds only cost a few hundred dollars. But others can cost millions. The difference between these stones comes down to carat (weight), clarity, and color.
Essentially, the quality of a precious material significantly impacts its value. The costliest engagement rings feature the best of the best in terms of luxurious materials.
These rings might feature rare and uniquely large gemstones, high-carat precious metals, or (more likely) a combination of two. Still, apart from quality, the most significant factor impacting engagement ring value is an association with famous people.
Famous Current or Previous Owners
As you’ve likely noticed while exploring this ranking, nearly all of the priciest engagement rings belong to (or once belonged to) celebrities. This is no accident or coincidence!
Not only can the world’s most famous musicians and actors afford the most lavish jewelry, but they can also sell these pieces for big bucks due to their famous status.
So, suppose you’re looking to invest in a truly valuable engagement ring. In that case, you’ll want to check the list of the ring’s previous owners to see if it once belonged to a celebrity or famous historical figure.
Stellar Brand Reputation
Engagement rings created by the world’s most expensive brands or top-tier designers will almost always sell for higher prices than those created by mass-market jewelry producers.
That’s why you might find comparatively affordable engagement rings at your local chain jewelry store (like Zales or Jared’s) but feel your jaw hit the floor when browsing celebrity engagement rings.
After all, bespoke (made for a specific person) engagement rings generally require more time and energy to produce. Depending on the client’s requests, they might also feature high-quality components not often found with run-of-the-mill rings.
Besides, brand reputation can allow retailers to sell certain items at much higher prices. Customers are generally willing to spend more on an item perceived as “luxurious” than an item considered “mass-produced.”
This concept is one of the reasons why the Bulgari Blue Diamond Ring sold for more than $18 million in 2018.
What Is the Most Expensive Engagement Ring?
The most expensive engagement ring is the Platinum and Pink Diamond Ring the sold at a Sotheby’s auction in 2017 for $71.17 million. Called The Pink Star, this is also the most expensive ring ever sold at auction!
Still, it’s unknown whether this ring’s buyer used it to propose. So, in terms of the priciest ring ever validated as an engagement ring, that honor belongs to Grace Kelly’s diamond engagement ring.
Check out these related articles for the low down on the world’s most expensive natural items!