Looking for a bit of romantic inspiration for your quest to find the most perfect of engagement rings ever to be found? Taking a journey back through the ages to see the rings worn by some of our most iconic women will give you just the inspiration you need.
From princesses to leading ladies, history has presented us with a number of women who stood out from the rest – especially in their beauty, poise and elegance. Whether you prefer to take a more modern approach to diamond engagement ring shopping, or you appreciate the sentiments and classic beauty of old fashioned style, these rings are every bit as memorable as the women who wore them.
Iconic Engagement Rings Throughout the Ages
We have selected some of our favourite famous engagement rings over the ages, to give you some ideas and inspiration for your ring quest. Without further ado, here are some of the rings that made history over the decades…
Queen Elizabeth
Married in 1947, Queen Elizabeth II of Windsor wore a simple yet exceptional three carat diamond solitaire ring, which was given to her by her husband, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. The stone in the ring was taken from the Prince’s mother’s tiara, adding even more history and tradition to its allure. The solitaire style remains one of the most popular choices for brides-to-be, offering just the right blend of timeless elegance.
Grace Kelly
After a fairy tale romance, Prince Rainier III of Monaco proposed to movie starlet Grace Kelly with a Cartier eternity band dotted with diamond and rubies. During a visit to Los Angeles however, the Prince noted that large rings where worn by nearly all of Hollywood’s beauties. In order to give his love only the best, he presented her with a new ring – a 10.47 carat emerald cut ring from Cartier.
Marilyn Monroe
Never one to bow down to convention or conforms, Marilyn Monroe married Joe DiMaggio at San Francisco City Hall in 1954. Rather than a traditional ring, she opted to wear an unusual eternity band made in platinum and set with 35 baguette cut diamonds as a symbol of her love for her husband.
Jacqueline Kennedy
Jackie O, otherwise known as Jacqueline Onassis wore a bold ring that featured a 2.88 carat diamond set next to a 2.84 emerald cut with tapered baguettes. After her wedding to John F. Kennedy, her ring was later updated with 0.66 carats of round diamonds as well as 1.46 carats of marquise cut diamonds, further adding to the rings bold yet timeless design. Perfect for the woman who forged a long-lasting legacy of style and glamour.
Princess Diana and Princess Kate
When Diana was betrothed to Prince Charles in 1984, the world was mesmerised by a Royal Wedding like no other. Her ring boasted 14 solitaire diamonds that were set around an oval 12 carat blue Ceylon sapphire, and set in an 18 carat white gold band. Decades later, the world was glued to another Royal Wedding, this time uniting Princess Diana’s oldest son with the lovely Kate Middleton. It was only fitting that Kate wore Diana’s ring – symbolising not only the young couple’s love, but also the bond that the late Diana had with her children.
These iconic rings may have been worn by famous women, and presented by equally famous men in famous proposals. But what they all have in common is a celebration of romance – something that every prosposal has to offer for both ring giver and bride-to-be. Let romance be your guide when choosing engagement rings, and you can find a touch of that magic in your own iconic moment