Some Famous Engagement Rings And Their Famous Recipients

Well known Diamonds and their famous owners
Diamonds are believed to have been originally found in the Deccan area of India and were initially only used to decorate religious idols. This ‘divine’ association led to the belief that diamonds bring good fortune. That could possibly be the origin for use of diamonds in the engagement ring. Royalty, and later the rich and famous as well, has used famous diamonds for their famous better half.
In 1972, Richard Burton made headlines by presenting his wife Elizabeth Taylor a pear shaped 69.42 carat diamond for her fortieth birthday which is still known by the Taylor-Burton name even though the ownership has changed since. Elizabeth Taylor subsequently also received a 30 carat emerald cut diamond engagement ring from her third husband Michael Todd.
Some other equally famous diamonds include Queen Elizabeth II’s engagement ring that was made from a tiara belonging to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh’s mother. Princess Diana’s engagement ring was an 18 carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds. For Camilla Parker-Bowles, Prince Charles chose a $1million ring that belonged to his beloved grandmother, The Queen Mother; a platinum ring with an emerald cut centre diamond and three diamond baguettes on each side.

The celluloid royalty liked to keep pace. Yesteryear actress Grace Kelly was gifted a 12 carat emerald cut diamond engagement ring by Prince Rainier of Monaco. Elvis wooed Priscilla with a 3.5 carat diamond ring nestling among 21 smaller diamonds. Joan Collins’ husband expressed his devotion with a heart cut diamond in a 19th century setting.

In recent times, Michael Douglas sealed his relationship with Catherine Zeta-Jones with a $2million 10 carat antique marquise cut diamond. Madonna was courted with an antique Edwardian 3 stone diamond Neil Lane ring. A 24 carat canary diamond ring worth $5million was Paris Hilton’s engagement ring. Ben Affleck gifted Jennifer Lopez a 6 carat radiant cut pink diamond. And Jordan Bratman stole the show with a 20 carat diamond ring for Christina Aguilera.

Admired and emulated the world over, the celebrities’ penchant for this precious stone has inadvertently sparked off a huge market for replicas of the originals. Of note is the claim of the New York Diamond Traders who profess that they sold more pink Diamonds post J Lo’s engagement than ever before!!! The 21st century has ushered in much more than a new era; it’s a whole new outlook. Where some decades ago the common man was shocked and sneered at such an obvious display of wealth while coveting such jewelry in private, today’s consumer man feels nothing in wanting and expecting to possess what his/her favorite idol wears. And flaunting a replica will do well enough in place of the original that few are lucky to be able to acquire.