Jackie Kennedy Redesigned Her Engagement Ring (2024)

Engagement Rings

The revamp took place at the same time as the White House renovation

by Marion Fasel

I was fascinated to learn the costume team for Crazy Rich Asians, originally designed an engagement ring for the matriarch of the movie inspired by Jackie Kennedy’s engagement ring from President Kennedy. They didn’t end up using the splashy Jackie jewel, but it got me to thinking about the intriguing story behind the iconic design. The one that is so well-known was actually a redesign of the First Lady’s original ring.

The story of the jewel began around 1953 when Senator John Kennedy and Jackie made the announcement of their engagement to the press. Reporters asked to see the ring and there wasn’t one. “Jack and I have looked at dozens of them,” Jackie explained, according to Jay Mulvaney, the author of Kennedy Weddings. “Some I didn’t like and others weren’t the right type.”

Jackie Kennedy Redesigned Her Engagement Ring (1)

Senator John F. Kennedy poses with Jackie in Hyannis Port during the mid-1950s. She is wearing her original engagement ring seen at right. Photo AP Images and ‘Kennedy Weddings’ book via

Well, eventually they found a ring at Van Cleef & Arpels in New York. The bypass jewel was composed of a 2.84-carat emerald-cut emerald and a 2.88-carat emerald-cut diamond. Baguette-cut diamonds and emeralds decorated the arms of the original design.

It’s not clear exactly when Jackie acquired the ring. There are zero photos of her showing it off as so many brides do when they first receive their engagement rings. Jackie almost seemed to hide the jewel between her fingers. Sometimes she covered up her left hand in photos. Often, she was wearing gloves as women did at the time. There are many images of her only wearing a gold wedding band

Jackie Kennedy Redesigned Her Engagement Ring (2)

Jackie Kennedy wearing her engagement ring with the emerald stone tucked under one of her fingers while she posed for a shoot in Hyannis Port during the summer of 1960 with her daughter Caroline. Photo The Estate of Jacques Lowe/Getty Images

Jackie’s actions might suggest she thought the jewel was too flamboyant, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. When the First Lady began the now famous 1961 renovation of the White House with decorator Sister Parish, she also decided to revamp her ring. She took the piece back to Van Cleef & Arpels to actually make it fancier. The sleek baguettes in the original ring were replaced with more formal marquise shape diamonds. The gems appear sort of like a laurel wreath holding the two main stones. Round brilliant-cut diamonds cover the remaining front half of the band.

Jackie Kennedy Redesigned Her Engagement Ring (3)

Jackie Kennedy’s redesigned diamond and emerald engagement ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. Photo Getty Images

It is not known if Jackie had the redesigned ring when she went on the June 1961 state visit to Paris with the President. The new jewel certainly would have matched the style of the Van Cleef & Arpels jewels from her personal collection she wore during the trip. A couple of the pieces she had on for the dinner at Versailles included emerald and diamond earrings and diamond wheat sheaf clips she fashioned in her hair like a modern tiara.

After Jackie had her ring redesigned, she continued her pattern of wearing it discreetly. Today, the jewel is among the former First Lady’s possessions kept at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. Occasionally, the piece is put on display.

Jackie Kennedy Redesigned Her Engagement Ring (4)

President John F. Kennedy with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as they leave their residence at Quai D’Orsay, Paris, for a state dinner in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles on June 1, 1961. Jackie is wearing her Van Cleef & Arpels emerald and diamond earrings and clips in her hair. Photo AP Photo

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Jackie Kennedy Redesigned Her Engagement Ring (2024)

FAQs

Did Jackie Kennedy redesign her engagement ring? ›

Not afraid to put her own stamp on the design, the First Lady actually redesigned the piece nearly a decade after their wedding, replacing the baguettes with flashier marquise-cut diamonds that tapered to round-cut diamonds on the side.

What did Jackie Kennedy do with her ring? ›

In 1961, as First Lady, Jackie decided to renovate the White House and her engagement ring also. She took the ring to Van Cleef & Arpels to replace the baguette diamonds with a series of marquise diamonds.

Did Jackie Kennedy put her wedding ring on JFK? ›

I nodded and watched as she moved close to the President's body. 'She leaned across him to reach for his left hand, removed his wedding ring and placed it on one of her fingers, and then she simply held her husband's hand in a final goodbye.

Who made Jackie Kennedy engagement ring? ›

History of Jackie Kennedy's engagement ring

The Emerald ring had a flowery look and was created by Van Cleef & Arpels of the French jewelry company.

Did JLo give any of her engagement rings back? ›

Though Lopez gave the ring back when they ended the engagement in 2004, she recalled how much she "loved getting it" in a 2020 interview with Apple Music host Zane Lowe.

Were Jackie Kennedy pearls real? ›

She wore them when she greeted the high and mighty and when she was looking after the children. Believe me – you know those pearls! But what you may not know is that the pearls were fake. Jacqueline Bouvier purchased them at Bergdorf Goodman in the 1950s for about $35.

Where is Jackie Kennedy engagement ring now? ›

After Jackie had her ring redesigned, she continued her pattern of wearing it discreetly. Today, the jewel is among the former First Lady's possessions kept at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

Why did Jackie Kennedy wear a veil to the funeral? ›

For high-profile mourners – such as those present at a state funeral – veils also helped to mask tearfulness, which might have been considered inappropriate or humiliating. See Jackie Kennedy at JFK's 1963 funeral, wearing a nearly opaque veil with her Givenchy suit.

Why did Jackie keep the engagement ring? ›

' However, Jackie said she would be keeping the diamond ring, replying: 'Well, I'm gonna keep the ring because I accepted it because I wanted to marry you. Everything I told you in that pod was real. '

Did they ring the bell when Kennedy died? ›

The queen at the time of John F. Kennedy's assassination, Elisabeth II, decreed that the bell of Westminster Abbey ring for the fallen President of the United States. This is contrary to the tradition of the English because they only ring the bells of Westminster Abbey for the mourning of a domestic figure or leader.

Why did Grace Kelly have 2 engagement rings? ›

But why did Grace get the first ring replaced by another? It was Rainier's idea, not Grace's: the Prince gave his bride-to-be a second ring because of the actress' role in the 1956 film High Society.

What was Jackie Kennedy wearing when her husband was shot? ›

Immediately, comparisons were drawn to another infamous political pink suit, worn by Jackie Kennedy the day her husband, John F. Kennedy, was assassinated. On the fateful day of November 22, 1963, Jackie famously wore a pink Chanel suit—at the time, it was imperative that First Ladies wore clothing made in America.

Who gave JLO the most expensive ring? ›

Marc Anthony gave J-Lo the most expensive ring overall, worth a staggering £3,000,000 today, however Mr Ben Affleck didn't disappoint us either, as the rare pink diamond he gifted to Jen is soaring in value right now – worth more than double it was at the time he proposed.

Who has the most expensive ring? ›

The most expensive engagement ring is the Cartier ring once owned by Grace Kelly. The $38.8 million ring now belongs to the House of Grimaldi and is considered the most expensive engagement ring in the world. What is the most expensive ring in the world in 2023?

How big is Melania Trump's engagement ring? ›

1. Melania Trump's show-stopping bling. When Melania got engaged to Donald in 2004, he offered her a 15-carat diamond ring he is believed to have paid US$1.5 million for after securing a 50 per cent discount from Graff – though not everyone believed it.

How many engagement rings has JLo kept? ›

See All of Jennifer Lopez's Six Engagement Rings and Her Wedding Ring Too. Here, a look back at all of her engagement baubles, and a peek at the new fancy green diamond as well as her wedding band from Ben Affleck.

Did Jennifer Lopez keep Ben Affleck's ring? ›

It was the most magnificent thing.” J-Lo's former publicist, Rob Shuter, revealed in an interview with Access Hollywood in 201 that J-Lo never returned the ring to Ben.

Why did Ben get JLo a green engagement ring? ›

The diamond's natural hue is the result of being exposed to radiation near the earth's surface. And as for why Affleck has picked green over pink this time? The colour holds a special meaning for Lopez. “I always say the color green is my lucky color,” Lopez revealed in her newsletter.

Did Jackie Kennedy wear sleeveless dresses? ›

Jackie was known for wearing classic, tailored suits and ladylike dresses in strong, solid colors—especially pink, yellow, red, and ivory. Her daywear generally consisted of simple sleeveless dresses, wrist-length gloves, and strands of pearls or a brooch.

What designer did Jackie Kennedy wear most? ›

Oleg Cassini

Because Jackie had to wear clothing by American fashion designers while she was First Lady, she formed a close bond with the designer. Cassini crafted many of Jackie's iconic skirt suits and dresses—as well as this shearling number she wore to JFK's inauguration—that were inspired by European trends.

Who got the Queen's pearl necklace? ›

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne has inherited her mother's favourite piece of jewellery.

What were Jackie Kennedy's last words? ›

He had no way of knowing what was about to happen. It's been reported that Jack's final words were, “My God, I've been hit,” but physicians have said this was impossible given Jack's injuries. Well, historians have now clarified that the last words Jack spoke before the fatal shot were, “No, you certainly can't.”

Did Jackie Kennedy like her wedding dress? ›

According to fashion historian Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, who is the author of the recently released book “The Way We Wed: A Global History of Wedding Fashion,” Kennedy was no fan of the dress she wore to walk down the aisle.

How much did Jax spend on Brittany's engagement ring? ›

Cartwright's enormous blue sparkler was far from the only jewelry she wore on her big day; she also exchanged diamond wedding bands with Taylor (hers were worth about $10,000) and wore her cushion-cut engagement ring (estimated at $70,000), both also designed by Chan.

Was Jackie Kennedy embalmed in her apartment? ›

She is embalmed in her own master bathroom under the direction of the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel. Jackie is placed in the same model casket that was used for JFK.

Why did Jackie Kennedy jump on the trunk? ›

Q: Why did First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy climb onto the back of the car after the shooting? A: Jacqueline Kennedy climbed on the back of the car to retrieve fragments from the president's head, though she had no memory of it afterward.

Who chose Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress? ›

Yet, there's one dressmaker who hasn't received nearly enough credit for her work: Ann Lowe, the designer who made Jackie Kennedy's bridal gown in 1953. While Kennedy's ivory portrait-neckline dress quickly skyrocketed into bridal fame, Lowe received no recognition.

Did Marshall pay for Jackie's ring? ›

But in the breakup talk with Marshall, she said she had met with Josh on her own. She capped off the story saying, “As for the ring, Marshall did not pay for the ring, Love Is Blind paid for all the rings.”

Did Jackie give Marshall his ring back? ›

This one was forged in the explosive breakup of one of Love Is Blind's most toxic couples: Marshall and Jackelina. When the two ended things after an exhausting fight, fans were shocked when Jackie refused to give Marshall back the ring he proposed to her with.

Who pays for Love is Blind rings? ›

Yes, the engagement rings on Love is Blind are paid for by the show. The men are reportedly able to choose from a limited selection of natural diamond engagement rings before they enter the pods.

What did the Queen Elizabeth write in a condolence letter to Jackie Kennedy? ›

According to this book, Queen Elizabeth's condolence letter to Jackie Kennedy read, “I am so deeply distressed to learn of the tragic death of President Kennedy. My husband joins me in sending our heartfelt and sincere sympathy to you and to your family.”

Is Jackie Kennedy buried next to John F Kennedy? ›

Kennedy was buried in an adjacent plot after his death in August 2009. There is a memorial marker for JFK's eldest brother, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Former first lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was laid to rest next to President Kennedy on May 23, 1994.

Who is buried at the Kennedy memorial? ›

President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie are buried at Arlington National Cemetery along with their two children who died as infants. JFK's brothers, Bobby and Ted, are also laid to rest nearby. What is this?

Did Meghan Markle change her engagement ring? ›

Meghan's yellow gold engagement ring band, which Harry said he had chosen because it was her favorite, had been replaced with a thin micro-pavé band.

Why does Megan Fox engagement ring have thorns? ›

I know tradition is one ring, but I designed it with Stephen Webster to be two: the emerald (her birth stone) and the diamond (my birth stone) set on two magnetic bands of thorns that draw together as two halves of the same soul forming the obscure heart that is our love.

How much was Mila Kunis wedding ring? ›

EXCLUSIVE: 'Bad Moms' Cast Shares Tough Parenting Moments

While Kunis keeps the 5-carat, Tiffany, solitaire diamond ring reportedly worth $250,000 hidden away, she still wears her thrifty $90 wedding band.

Did Jackie Kennedy wear makeup? ›

New York makeup artist Pablo Manzoni told Vanity Fair in 1995 that Onassis often used the iconic Elizabeth Arden's Flawless Foundation. The foundation covered up the sunspots she had gotten from her many summers in Rhode Island, France, and Greece and made the former first lady's skin look fresh.

What happened to JFK's clothes? ›

The apparel worn by President Kennedy on November 22, 1963, is in the legal and physical custody of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The President's apparel was used as evidence during the Warren Commission investigation into the assassination during the years 1963 through 1964.

Where is Jackie Kennedy buried? ›

After a funeral at St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church on Park Avenue, she was buried in Arlington National Cemetery beside John F. Kennedy and the two children who had predeceased them.

How much did Jay Z pay for Beyonce ring? ›

Beyoncé It should come as no surprise that Queen Bey herself totes one of the world's highest-valued diamonds. Weighing in at 24 carats, Jay-Z reportedly paid around $5 million (now worth about $6.89 million) for Bey's flashy emerald-cut ring back in 2008.

Who took a ring back from JLo? ›

TMZ reported Jennifer Lopez does not plan to give back the huge sparkler to Alex Rodriguez.

How much did Beyonce's engagement ring cost? ›

Beyonce's Engagement Ring

Designed by Lorraine Schwartz, Beyonce has a mahoosive 24-carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring with a split shank setting. Jay Z clearly had to fork out for this sparkler, with the ring estimated to have cost around $5 million.

Did Diana choose the most expensive ring? ›

It has also been said that she chose it, quite simply, because it was the biggest ('it's the most expensive,' Charles quips in the scene) and a style that was fashionable in 1980s high society (it went on to be widely imitated, Diana was and still is the ultimate influencer).

What is the rarest type of ring? ›

The rarest and most expensive of all diamonds, red diamonds cost at least hundreds of thousands per carat. The largest red diamond in the world, the internally flawless (IF), 5.11-ct Moussaieff Red, cost $1.32 million per carat. That also makes it the most expensive diamond in the world!

How many carats is Hailey Bieber's ring? ›

Hailey's engagement ring carries 10-carat oval-shaped diamond and round diamond bands.

How many carats is Michelle Obama's engagement ring? ›

What is the carat weight of the diamond in Michelle Obama's engagement ring? Michelle's current engagement ring is a 3-carat princess or cushion cut diamond set in a white gold, pavé style setting. Her original engagement ring was a one-carat solitaire set in yellow gold.

How big is Meghan Markle's engagement ring? ›

The cushion-cut center diamond of Meghan's engagement ring is estimated to be roughly three carats and was sourced from Botswana — a country that is very important to Prince Harry and where the couple took their first vacation together.

How big is Hailey Bieber's diamond ring? ›

Hailey Bieber's engagement ring is a stunning piece of jewelry that features a breathtaking oval cut diamond that is estimated to be between 6 to 10 carats in size. The diamond is set in a classic yellow gold band with a very delicate and tucked away peek-a-boo hidden halo.

What happened to the queens engagement ring? ›

The Queen's rings may now be passed to one of her children or grandchildren, meaning the message – which we imagine is very heartfelt – will become more widely known among the royals. The Duke designed the Queen's engagement ring himself using diamonds that were handed down from his mother.

Where is Jackie Onassis engagement ring? ›

To celebrate their engagement, Onassis gave Jackie a 40-carat Marquise cut Lesotho III diamond ring from Harry Winston—which she kept in a bank vault. After she passed away in 1996 the ring was sold at auction for $2.59 million.

What did Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's engagement ring look like? ›

Close-up views of Carolyn's ring reveal it was set with little round diamonds and smaller, possibly oval shaped, sapphires. By jewelry definition, it's an eternity band, a ring with stones going all the way around.

Who will inherit Queen's engagement ring? ›

It is likely that these jewels will be passed down to members of the Windsor family and if the Queen follows tradition, she will leave the majority of them to the next monarch, which in this case is King Charles III.

Did Princess Diana stop wearing her engagement ring? ›

The late princess continued to wear her engagement ring even after she and Prince Charles divorced in 1996. After her death, Prince William inherited the sapphire sparkler, eventually using it to propose to Kate Middleton in 2010.

Will the Queen's wedding ring be buried with her? ›

According to royal expert Lisa Levinson, the only jewelry Queen Elizabeth II will be buried with will be the Welsh gold wedding ring she received at her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947 and a pair of pearl earrings.

Where is Jackie Kennedy's engagement ring from JFK? ›

After Jackie had her ring redesigned, she continued her pattern of wearing it discreetly. Today, the jewel is among the former First Lady's possessions kept at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. Occasionally, the piece is put on display.

How much did Jackie Kennedy inherit from Onassis? ›

According to reports, however, the marriage soon became troubled, and she continued to spend considerable time in New York, where her children attended school. Although the bulk of his estate went to his daughter after his death in 1975, Jacqueline inherited a sum variously estimated at $20 million to $26 million.

Did J-Lo keep the ring? ›

Besides, as you may have heard, the high-profile couple reunited in 2021 and married in 2022. The second engagement ring Affleck gave Lopez is reportedly worth $5 million – probably double that of the first one. J. Lo gets to keep that huge, rare green diamond forever now that she's saying her name is Mrs.

What was Meghan Markle's engagement ring? ›

Meghan Markle's engagement ring features three diamonds

Meghan's engagement ring boasts three stones, a style known as a trilogy ring. Three-stone rings typically represent a couple's past, present and future, with the largest stone symbolizing the present and the importance of being in the moment together.

Did Kate alter her engagement ring? ›

However, just before her and Prince William's iconic wedding day on April 29, 2011, “Kate actually had the ring altered—as she found the band was too big and 'turning on her finger,'” according to The Mirror. The outlet added that the ring was ultimately taken to royal jeweler G.

What kind of ring did Tiffany Trump get? ›

WATCH: 10 of the most dazzling celebrity engagement rings

Designed by London jeweller Samer Halimeh, Tiffany's original ring was made up of a central 13-carat emerald-cut diamond flanked by smaller stones – a design much like Queen Consort Camilla's royal heirloom from King Charles' grandmother.

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