< Engagement Rings & Weddings / Celebrity
Why the Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring Is the Most Famous Engagement Ring Ever
A Hollywood star who became a Princess popularized the eternally elegant style.
Actress Grace Kelly wore her own Cartier diamond engagement ring in High Society, 1956. (Getty Images)
There is an endless list of famous celebrity engagement rings that have inspired brides to sport similar looks, but not one has endured quite like Grace Kelly’s emerald cut diamond.
The 10.48 carat Cartier diamond engagement ring she received from Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956 is arguably the most influential diamond engagement ring of all time.
The emerald cut is a rectangular step-cut diamond characterized by large, parallel facets that create a mesmerizing “hall of mirrors” effect. Unlike brilliant cuts designed for fire, this silhouette favors sophisticated clarity and broad flashes of light over intense sparkle.
Boasting a massive emerald cut diamond flanked by tapered baguette diamonds set in a platinum ring, the design—compounded with Kelly’s sensational style and the fairy tale quality of the couple’s union— was instantaneously cemented as the ultimate in glamour and elegance for brides. Of course, it didn’t hurt that when they walked down the aisle, Kelly was an Oscar-winning actress at the height of her career, and Rainier was the dashing young ruler of a principality on the French Riviera…
Meet the Expert
- Marion Fasel is an esteemed jewelry expert, author, curator, and trend forecaster.
- She is the founder and Editorial Director of The Adventurine online jewelry magazine.
- She is the author of several books, including The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance
Find out more about some of the most famous diamond rings influenced by Grace Kelly’s engagement ring.
Famous Vintage Emerald Cut Diamond Rings
Later in the same year that Grace Kelly received her engagement ring from Prince Rainier, Elizabeth Taylor was given an even bigger emerald-cut diamond ring. When asked about the jewel, her fiancé, movie producer Mike Todd, joked with the press, “it was not quite 30 but twenty-nine and a half carats.”
Taylor called the ring, “my ice-skating rink.”
On March 22, 1958, Taylor’s marriage tragically ended when Todd was killed in a plane crash. Heartbroken, the star continued to wear the diamond engagement ring for years after.
When legendary singer Frank Sinatra proposed to Barbara Marx in the mid-1970s, he had a very Rat Pack way of doing things; four years into their relationship, Sinatra tossed two huge diamond rings on their bed and told Marx to pick one. After she chose the 20.60 carat emerald-cut diamond flanked by trilliant side stones in a platinum setting, Sinatra asked which finger she was going to wear it on. Ol’ Blue Eyes formally proposed when she said the third finger of her left hand.
The giant jewel was sold at Sotheby’s in the Lady Blue Eyes: Property of Barbara and Frank Sinatra sale on December 4, 2018. Experts who analyzed the stone reported it was best of the Best, which, in gemological terms, translates to D Color, VVS1 Clarity, Type IIa. It sold for $1,695,000.
Modern Emerald Cut Diamond Rings
When Jay-Z finally and famously “put a ring on it,” Beyonce’s engagement ring was a giant emerald-cut diamond set in a micro pave split shank ring by Lorraine Schwartz. Its openwork split shank could easily be interpreted as a modern spin on the tapered baguette diamond side stones in Grace Kelly’s jewel.
Experts have estimated that the stone in Queen Bey’s ring weighs anywhere from 18 to 24 carats. And the price was most likely in the stratosphere of over a million.
After years of saying he would never get married again, George Clooney surprised his fans when he proposed to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in 2014 with an emerald-cut diamond ring flanked by tapered baguette diamonds—the exact style of Grace Kelly’s diamond jewel.
While the diamond ring designer has never been revealed, it has been reported that George himself was involved in its creation. For such a classic diamond engagement ring, this probably means that the actor participated in selecting details such as the center stone. And it goes without saying that he did well.
From the picture alone, it’s clear that Amal Clooney’s engagement ring is stunning; its carat weight is believed to be somewhere in the seven to ten range.
On March 9, 2019, the emerald-cut diamond catapulted back into headline engagement ring news when Jennifer Lopez received one from Alex Rodriguez. The couple’s proposal photos included a close-up shot of Jennifer Lopez’s engagement ring with tapered baguettes flanking the center stone.
Months later, Rodriguez tagged Vivid Diamonds on Instagram, the Miami-based jeweler who made it. Though neither the couple nor the diamond jeweler have spilled the details of cost or carat weight, it’s easy to see the ring is right up there in the size of Grace Kelly’s jewel.
Bethenny Frankel confirmed her engagement to longtime partner Paul Bernon in 2021, after months of quiet speculation. Her natural diamond ring is an extraordinary example of classic glamour: an approximately 20-carat emerald cut center diamond with VS clarity or better, flanked by two trapezoid cut diamonds of at least 2 carats each. Mounted in platinum, the ring follows the timeless three-stone silhouette and is valued at a minimum of $2 million—an heirloom in the making.
In 2023, Saoirse Ronan joined the lineage of modern style icons choosing emerald cut diamonds. Her engagement ring, elegant in its restraint, features a natural emerald cut diamond set simply in platinum. It’s a design that nods to old-Hollywood elegance, while staying true to Ronan’s quiet, sophisticated aesthetic.
Most recently, Justin Theroux proposed to actress Nicole Brydon Bloom in 2024 with a quietly luxurious emerald cut diamond ring created by Stephanie Gottlieb. The design, set in a mix of platinum and 18-karat yellow gold, features a refined 4-carat center stone. Tucked inside the band are the couple’s birthstones—an intimate, bespoke touch that speaks to the thoughtfulness of the piece as much as its beauty.
It’s a thoroughly modern love story—yet one that echoes the timeless elegance of Grace Kelly’s own emerald cut diamond engagement ring, reminding us that true classics never go out of style.
Buying Considerations for an Emerald Cut Diamond
Clarity: Because of its large, open table and step-cut facets, the emerald cut showcases inclusions more readily than brilliant cuts. Opt for eye-clean stones, typically VS clarity or higher, to maintain the crisp, glass-like effect the shape is known for.
Color Sensitivity: Emerald cuts tend to reveal body color more easily due to their broad facets. If you prefer a bright, icy look, consider choosing a higher color grade (H or above), especially in larger carat weights.
Versatile Settings: From classic three-stone designs with tapered baguettes to modern solitaire or east-west settings, the emerald cut adapts beautifully. Its architectural lines make it equally at home in vintage-inspired platinum mountings or sleek, contemporary designs in yellow gold.
Emerald Cut vs. Radiant Cut: Which is Right for You?
While both share a rectangular outline, the emerald cut and radiant cut are optical opposites. The emerald cut offers a “watery,” architectural glow, whereas the radiant cut (a brilliant cut) is designed for “crushed ice” brilliance and maximum fire.
Why the Emerald Cut Endures
Unlike trend-driven shapes that surge and fade, the emerald cut has maintained a steady presence for nearly a century. Its clean lines complement both vintage platinum mountings and contemporary yellow gold settings. It flatters the finger with its elongated silhouette and rewards high-quality stones with a crystal-clear, mirror-like glow.
More importantly, it carries cultural memory. From Grace Kelly’s royal romance to Beyoncé’s modern fairy tale, the emerald cut has become shorthand for sophistication. Choosing one is choosing a legacy.
