Complete History of Kim Kardashian’s Engagement Ring
January 22, 2020 – Posted in: Jewelry BlogThe story of Kim Kardashian’s wedding ring is straight out of the movies.
Exclusive diamond, famous jeweler, astronomical prices, a proposal aimed at setting new trends. Then the ring got swiped from Kim’s hotel room in Paris.
Just when everybody forgot about the ring and the heist, it came back to make headlines in late 2019. But what makes the ring so special?
Of course, most of the stardust comes from Kanye and Kim. Adding to the face value is the fact that this isn’t just any ring and has a turbulent history to prove it.
- Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
- Kim Kardashian’s 1st Engagement Ring
- Kim Kardashian’s 2nd Engagement Ring (& Robbery)
- Shopping Tips for an Emerald-Cut Diamond
- Browse Kim Kardashian-Style Rings (Shop Inspiration)
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Yes, Kanye West went above and beyond to impress his flame, but are there really two engagement rings?
Per traditional engagement etiquette, there needs to be only one ring. But Kim’s got two and the second one stole the spotlight because of the Paris robbery.
How does this work?
Back in 2013, Kanye proposed to Kim in San Francisco and presented her with the first ring. It is a stunning 15-carat gem of an oval design. Three years later and Kim received another, bigger engagement ring.
This time it was a 20-carat diamond ring with an emerald cut. Just thinking about the 4Cs of these gems is enough to get any gemstone buff excited.
Kim Kardashian’s 1st Engagement Ring
The 15-carat jewel was on Kim’s finger on her 33rd birthday and it’s as exclusive as they come.
To begin with, the ring was the work of celebrity jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz. And it seems as if no expenses were spared in its creation.
Aside from a carat-weight few people can afford, the stone is, as you might expect, flawless. It’s a Type IIa cushion-cut diamond with a D color rating.
In fact, the designer herself described the cut as perfect and it’s not for self-marketing purposes either.
Understanding the Rating and the Type
As you might know, flawless diamonds are exceptionally rare. Some estimate that only about 0.001% of all diamonds are flawless. This means an absence of inclusions when the diamond is under 10X magnification.
When considering the color, D color isn’t just the whitest. But rather, it’s an indicator that the diamond is the clearest.
It’s the microscopic traces of non-carbon elements that affect the color. Nitrogen is the most common culprit that gives diamonds a yellowish tint. For D diamonds, there’s usually no color even under magnification.
What about the type?
Again, a diamond’s type has to do with its purity. According to GIA, Type IIa diamonds are free of boron or nitrogen impurities and the most chemically pure gemstones.
That said, there are Type IIa diamonds that show colors. They may be light pink or yellow, gray, or light brown. Of course, Kim’s engagement ring doesn’t have any color.
How much does Kim Kardashian’s Ring Cost?
Due to its exclusivity and pedigree, it’s hard to put a number on Kim’s engagement ring. Some estimates put a tidy $4 million price tag on her ring.
But then, it’s possible to take a guess if you know the color, cut, and size. For example, the International Gem Society prices flawless D color diamonds at more than $620,000 for a 5-carat stone.
Multiply that by three and Kim’s diamond would start in the $2 million range and up. That’s where the rarity of large diamonds comes in.
Elements such as the cut, the type, and the band also add to the value, as well as the jeweler and the designer.
But, can anybody afford a flawless D diamond? Yes, but you’d have to settle for something smaller. You may only have to spring $20,000 for a 1.0-carat flawless D, for instance.
Kim Kardashian’s 2nd Engagement Ring (& Robbery)
Despite being much bigger than the first one, the stolen second ring isn’t more valuable. According to those in the know, it might be worth somewhere in the region of $1.5 million, though it can be tricky to pinpoint the actual price save from the source itself.
The thieves got away with a few other pieces of jewelry and you’re not going to find a publicly available report that details what’s what. That said, the price is secondary to the ring’s exclusivity, cut and style, and the status of the previous owner.
Back to Loraine Schwartz
Impressed with Schwartz the first time, Kanye went back to see what else the designer could come up with.
The official description of the second ring is hard to find. But one could assume that Kanye didn’t settle for anything less than flawless, D, and Type IIa.
However, the general consensus is that the second ring is more or less half the price of the first one. Could Kanye and Schwartz have perhaps cut some corners in the color and type?
To put this in context, nearly flawless D diamonds start at around $13,000 per carat. Add to that the rare size of Kim’s diamond and its cut and you’re looking at potentially another $5,000 to $10,000 per carat.
But then, you still won’t be able to tell the difference in color with the naked eye. The second ring is in fact much bigger, which makes it easy to attract all the wrong attention.
Kim’s followers on social media surely sounded off about the glow and size of the second ring. Needless to say, she shared the gift on Instagram with friends and thieves alike.
What Makes This Ring Different?
Judging by the looks, it’s all in the cut. As indicated, this one is emerald-cut in the most exotic and classy fashion.
Emerald-cut diamonds are rectangular and trimmed at the corners. In addition, Kim’s diamond has step-cut facets, which may lessen the brilliance but not necessarily so with the one in question.
Since the ring is so big, the large flat plane accentuates the natural crystalline shape. Its brilliance and sparkle are more subtle as a result. The stone flashes like a hall of mirrors, which is a hallmark of the emerald-cut.
If you were to peer into Kim’s ring, you’d be able to see pronounced flashes of light radiating along the lines. This is the feature that lends class and elegance to the ring.
In addition, top-range emerald-cut diamonds require a thick girdle and without any culet. Kim’s ring is also more rectangular than square such that it likely falls in the ideal ratio of 1.40 to 1.50 to one.
Shopping Tips for an Emerald-Cut Diamond
Most people aren’t going to shoot for 20 carats, but the emerald cut on its own is within reach. Here are the features that you should aim for regardless of the size.
- The diamond must have even corners.
- There shouldn’t be any inclusions that you can see unmagnified.
- The girdle has to be the right size (neither too thick or too thin).
- Avoid diamonds with blue fluorescence.
- Purchase only rings that come with AGS and GIA certifications.
On this front, Estate Diamond Jewelry offers a great selection of emerald-cuts for putting a smile on the face of your future spouse.
Browse Kim Kardashian-Style Rings
-
Piccadilly Ring$45,000 -
Claverton Ring$4,500
-
Tivoli Ring$6,000
-
Deansgate Ring$60,000
-
Porto RingContact Us For Price
-
Burbank Ring$62,000
-
Wicklow Ring$96,000
-
5.14 Carat Tiffany RingContact Us For Price
-
Hamilton Ring$4,500
Of all the rings in Estate Diamond Jewelry’s emerald-cut collection, here are a couple of examples for all styles and budgets.
Weybridge Ring Circa 1945
If money is not an issue, you can’t go wrong with the Weybridge ring. This beauty sports a 2.15-carat emerald-cut diamond of VVS1 clarity and F color. Of course, the ring comes with a GIA certificate.
What makes it even more special is the original vintage ring design. It is set in platinum and features a tank-scroll motif.
Emerald-Cut Sapphire Halo Engagement Ring
The Art Deco style served as an inspiration for this ring. Beyond that, the sapphire halo accentuates the beauty of the central diamond.
In terms of the 4 Cs, the weight is 1.53 carat, the clarity VS1, and the color J. Another outstanding feature is the openwork filigree in the under-gallery.
Callington Ring
If you’re looking for a ring that may pass for Kim’s, the Callington diamond engagement ring could be perfect. As you set eyes on it, you’re not going to wander past the generous 2.6-carat diamond. Or at least not beyond the surrounding row of old-cut diamonds.
Topping off the inherently classy look are two pear-shaped sapphire cabochons. As for the color and the clarity, this ring has been GIA certified as H and VS2.
Nothing Exceeds Like Excess
The histories of celebrity rings are full of trivia, flash, and intrigue. These factors alone make the rings newsworthy. But are they important as in changing somebody’s life?
You can be the judge. In any event, it’s perfectly fine to get your loved one a ring that resembles Kim’s. But maybe not, perhaps it’s the surprise and the foundational relationship that matter more? You’re the one who knows how best to impress your future bride, hopefully.
