Whether you favor Natalie Portman's antique stone or Megan Fox’s toi et moi style, the most famous engagement rings in history all tell fascinating stories. Those belonging to past and present British monarchs, award-winning actresses, models and muses all topped our list of must-see rings.
The classic diamond ring is the most popular among choices and sure to never go out of style. Queen Elizabeth II’s engagement ring is a perfect example of such a classic; the round diamond cluster ring was conceived by Prince Philip, created from a tiara that had belonged to his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg. The ring has been passed down through the royal family and will now be given to one of her children or grandchildren.
The striking emerald-cut engagement ring has long been favored by celebrities, with its rectangular step-cut facets shining endlessly like a hall of mirrors. Famously worn by Liz Taylor and Grace Kelly in the mid-century, the emerald cut is instantly recognizable donned on Paris Hilton and Jennifer Lopez. And when Beyoncé sang for gentlemen to “put a ring on it,” somebody listened—Queen Bey’s dramatic 18-carat ring from Jay-Z is estimated to be worth over $5 million.
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian aced it when he proposed to Serena Williams with a mesmerizing 14-carat oval engagement ring. Oval shapes have a shallower cut, thereby increasing the appearance of size without adding more carat weight. Ohanian had the central diamond set on a smooth platinum band, flanked by two accent diamonds to add even more sparkle to this Art Deco engagement ring. The oval shape has no corners to snag on fabric—perfect for women with active lifestyles.
Vintage jewelry has experienced a resurgence due to its personal history and craftsmanship, while avoiding ethical issues over mining new diamonds. Additionally, vintage rings can act as heirlooms, passed down from one generation to the next, as a familial celebration of the happy couple. Natalie Portman’s antique diamond center stone was carefully sourced in a monthslong search by designer Jamie Wolf.
The September birthstone is a standout choice for engagement rings, offering a surprising range of colors including blue, yellow and pink. Of the fifteen engagement rings owned by Victoria Beckham, David Beckham had picked out an oversized oval-cut blue sapphire in 2010, set on a platinum band. No engagement ring is more storied, however, than the one worn by the Duchess of Cambridge. Bought by Prince Charles in 1981 from royal jeweler Garrard, it was initially regarded as a “commoner’s ring” by the media questioning Diana’s style as a “modern princess”; today, the 12-carat blue oval sapphire haloed by white solitaire diamonds on Kate Middleton’s hand is one of the most iconic rings in the world.
Dubbed the “Megan Fox” ring, the toi et moi style was the sensation of 2022. The actress received the ring from musician Machine Gun Kelly, sealing the deal with a pear-shaped emerald (Fox’s birthstone) and a pear-shaped diamond (Kelly’s birthstone). Designed by Stephen Webster, the ring was infamously set on magnetic white gold bands shaped as thorns, allowing the two stones to converge, subtly forming the shape of a heart. As Kelly elegantly stated on his Instagram feed, the side-by-side gems symbolize two halves of the same soul.
