We are all aware of how extravagant the lives of the rich and famous can be: personal jets, cars that cost the same as most of our houses, sprawling mansions, decadent jewelry, amazing vacations, etc. You name it, they’ve got it. These kinds of price tags are something that the average person cannot even begin to fathom! And so it comes as no surprise that when celebrities are planning on getting married, they also spare no expense.
Purchasing an engagement ring and getting married is one of the biggest decisions we make in our lives. Everyday working-class people often and save for years in advance in order to splurge for the special occasion. And of course, all the spending starts with the perfect engagement ring. This is one thing that celebrities and the average person indeed have in common. We all want the engagement ring to be perfect, and so, we often go a little above and beyond our intended budget.
When a celebrity goes all out on their engagement ring, the price tag can be incredibly startling and flat out jaw-dropping. Take for instance Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. This couple made tabloid headlines even before they were engaged because of the difference in their age (Tom is sixteen years older than Katie). When they got engaged it was also big news, but not just because of their ages, but because of the amazing 1.5 million dollar ring that the soon-to-be Mrs. Cruise received.
Katie’s ring is a five-carat Edwardian style oval-shaped diamond ring. It is set in a unique platinum-rose gold setting, and of course, the focus is on the large cut diamond-stone. The style of the ring has often been described as very “art-deco,” meaning it’s a classic early twentieth century European style ring. Therefore, it’s only fitting that Tom proposed to Katie in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France!
Many extravagant Hollywood jewels were given to loves that unfortunately did not last. The famed heiress Paris Hilton was given a 24-carat emerald ring from her then beau Paris Latis in 2005. The engagement only lasted five months and you can’t help but wonder who ended up with the 4.7 million dollar ring in the end!
And who doesn’t remember the infamous “Beniffer” affair? Actor Ben Affleck and singer/actress/performer Jennifer Lopez carried on a high-profile relationship that was a major topic in celebrity and tabloid news. The two were engaged in November 2002 but the marriage never came to fruition. Regardless, J.Lo received a five-carat pink diamond engagement ring, estimated to have cost anywhere from two to three million dollars.
Going all out for an engagement ring is not a new trend amongst Hollywood celebrities and public icons. In 1968, former first-lady Jacqueline Kennedy wedded the Greek shipping-tycoon Aristotle Onassis. The ring on her finger was auctioned off in 1996 for 2.6 million dollars, making it one for the most expensive engagement rings of all time. Jackie O’s famed ring was a 40 carat diamond ring, and rumor has it she only wore it twice and kept it locked away out of fear of losing and/or damaging the precious gem.
Bigger, better, and even more expensive than Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s engagement ring is the rock Donald Trump presented to his third wife, Melania Knauss. Melania’s ring is a 12 carat emerald diamond set in platinum. At the time of their engagement in 2004, Donald claimed that it was the most expensive engagement ring of all time, and he was right … until Jay-Z and Beyonce arrived on the engagement scene…
Jay-Z liked it so much that he did put on a ring on it. And when he did, it set him back a reported five million dollars. Beyonce’s 18 carat diamond ring is uniquely cut in a rectangle shape and also set in platinum. Jay-Z is one of the highest paid rappers and clearly he spared no expense for his main squeeze, Ms. Knowles.
Whether you are rich and famous, or saving every penny, finding that special ring is a huge decision that requires lots of shopping around until you find the perfect one. After you find the perfect partner, then the search for the perfect engagement ring begins!
