When you're purchasing new jewelry, it can be helpful to see what celebrities are wearing for ideas and inspiration. You can often find interesting styles or elements that help clarify what exactly you like in regard to jewelry and gemstones. Looking at celebrity pieces is a fun way to explore your own sense of style. If you're looking for a little jewelry inspiration, here are some descriptions of distinct pieces of jewelry worn by celebrities.
Princess Diana's Engagement Ring
Image via Flickr by France1978
Today, this famous ring is now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's engagement ring. Prince Charles gave this stunning 12-carat oval sapphire-and-diamond ring to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 at the time of their engagement. Prince William then proposed with this same ring to Kate Middleton in 2010. The ring cost $60,000 originally, and today it might be one of the most beloved and famous jewels in the world.
Elizabeth Taylor's 33-Carat Diamond
Diamonds were a part of Elizabeth Taylor's glamorous image, as was were her long-lashed violet eyes. Richard Burton bought the Krupp Diamond, a beautiful 33.19-carat diamond, for Elizabeth Taylor in 1968. The elegant Taylor wore this Asscher-cut diamond as a ring, claiming it was her favorite jewelry item. She even wore this stunning stone in several films and television movies and frequently wore it for guest appearances. After Taylor passed away, the stone officially became "The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond."
Liberace's Piano Ring
Although he passed away over 30 years ago, many baby boomers remember the flamboyant performer Liberace. Liberace will never be accused of being subtle, and his iconic piano ring is a testimony to his outrageous taste. The 14-karat gold ring is a replica of a grand piano with a lid that actually opens and closes, and it has 260 diamonds decorating the piano on the ring. Hotel heir Barron Hilton gave Liberace the ring in the 1970s when Liberace lived at the Las Vegas Hilton. The one-of-a-kind ring was a treasured addition to Liberace's extensive jewelry collection.
Grace Kelly's Engagement Ring
Grace Kelly's 10.48-carat engagement ring may be one of the most famous rings in the world. Kelly wore this ring in the film High Society, her final film before she retired from acting and moved to Monaco with Prince Rainier. This incredible emerald-cut diamond has two baguette-cut side stones. The ring and the proposal led to their 26-year marriage.
What many people don't know is that Prince Rainier's original engagement ring for Kelly was an eternity band containing rubies and diamonds. The red rubies and white diamonds represented the colors of the flag of Monaco. Rainier purchased the 10-carat ring when he learned Kelly's character in High Society was going to wear a fake ring in the film. Instead, Kelly wore the enormous emerald-cut diamond ring. The ring is now worth more than $4 million. Both of Grace Kelly's engagement rings are now at the House of Grimaldi in Monaco.
Meghan Markle's Engagement Ring
While Meghan Markle's ring wasn't directly passed on from Princess Diana, Prince Harry had her engagement ring custom-made in 2017. It features two diamonds that once belonged to Princess Diana on each side of a 3-carat center stone. In 2019, Markle replaced the ring's original band with a dainty diamond-studded band.
Wallis Simpson's Panther Bracelet
Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor who passed away in 1986, was famous for her stunning collection of jewels. Her panther bracelet is legendary for its unique design. The bracelet's unusual design, in the realistic shape of a panther, features beautiful artistry and talent. The bracelet comprises diamonds, onyx, and green emeralds for the panther's eyes. It sold for $6.2 million at auction, which makes this the most expensive bracelet in the world.
Nicole Kidman's Dripping Diamonds
Nicole Kidman wore a unique multi-strand diamond necklace to the 2008 Academy Awards. The necklace, estimated to be worth $7 million at the time, featured over 7,500 diamonds. What's even more amazing is that the diamonds were handcrafted onto the necklace, which took over 6,200 hours to complete. This impressive diamond necklace is definitely one of a kind.
The Heart of the Ocean
Actress Gloria Stuart wore this exquisite necklace to the 1998 Academy Awards. This custom piece is a replica of the necklace worn by Kate Winslet in the film "The Titanic," featuring a 15-carat blue diamond cut into the shape of a heart. It is the most expensive item of jewelry worn at the Oscars, valued at $20 million at the time of the event. The beautiful necklace is easily recognizable because of its importance in the film. The Heart of the Ocean, the diamond in the film, is a fictitious gemstone, but the replica worn by Stuart contains a genuine blue diamond.
Beyonce's Millions of Diamonds
Beyonce wore breathtaking chandelier diamond earrings and other diamond jewelry with a total value of over $10 million to the 2014 Grammy Awards. In 2017, Beyonce wore an estimated $12 million in jewelry. The unique necklace contains over 400 carats of diamonds, with a ring of large diamonds circling her neck and a long strand of diamonds hanging down in front like a glittering diamond tie.
Sofia Vergara's Ruby, Sapphire, and Colombian Emerald Earrings
Sofia Vergara wore over $7 million worth of jewelry to the 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards including a lovely pair of ruby, sapphire, and Columbian emerald earrings. Vergara also wore two extraordinary rings, a 40-carat Columbian emerald-and-diamond ring that matched the earrings, and a 21-carat Asscher-cut diamond ring.
Kim Kardashian's 15-Carat Diamond Engagement Ring
Kanye West proposed to Kim Kardashian in 2013 with a flawless 15-carat cushion-cut diamond estimated to be worth $4 million, one of the most expensive celebrity engagement rings. In 2015, West gave Kardashian another engagement ring. The second ring was an emerald-cut 20-carat diamond with an estimated value of $1.5 million. Unfortunately, both of Kardashian's distinctive engagement rings were stolen in a 2016 robbery in Paris.
Martin Busch Jewelers enjoyed sharing this list of distinctive celebrity jewelry items with you. What's your favorite piece of celebrity jewelry? Let us know if your favorite celebrity pieces are on our list.