Grace Kellys iconic diamond ring

Grace Kelly’s natural diamond engagement ring has a legacy all its own, featuring a 10.48-carat emerald-cut diamond, flanked by a pair of tapered baguettes. The ring, designed by Cartier, has been credited with inspiring the famous emerald-cut diamonds of Elizabeth Taylor, Beyoncé, Amal Clooney, Anne Hathaway, Paris Hilton, and Sofia Richie.

The story of Kelly’s engagement ring began when Prince Rainier III of Monaco presented her with a more modest eternity band, before later replacing it with the iconic Cartier emerald-cut diamond. The switch reflected not only Rainier’s devotion but also the Hollywood spectacle that surrounded their engagement.

Grace Kelly met her future husband, Prince Rainier III, at the 1955 Cannes Film Festival, where she was promoting her film The Country Girl. After her big win at the Academy Awards, Kelly attended a photoshoot at the Palace of Monaco, where she met her prince. By Christmas of that year, Prince Rainier traveled to Philadelphia to propose to Kelly at her family home, presenting her with a natural diamond and ruby eternity band.

The eternity band, widely believed to have been designed by Cartier, was modest but meaningful, with its red and white gemstones symbolizing the colors of the Monaco flag. Kelly debuted the ring publicly in January 1956, when she and Rainier formally announced their engagement to the press in Philadelphia.

Only a month later, Prince Rainier replaced the understated eternity band with the 10.48-carat emerald-cut diamond from Cartier. The upgrade was made to reflect both Kelly’s stature as a Hollywood star and the grandeur expected of a future princess. The ring’s platinum mount, designed by Cartier jewelers, featured baguette-cut diamonds on either side of the center stone.

At the time of their wedding in 1956, the engagement ring was priced at $4.06 million. Today, it’s estimated to be valued at $38.8 million, earning its place as one of the most expensive celebrity engagement rings ever. According to Pierre Rainero, Cartier’s Image, Style, and Heritage Director, the ring is “an arrangement emblematic of Cartier.”

In comparison to other celebrity engagement rings, Kelly’s Cartier emerald-cut diamond stands out for its timeless design and exceptional craftsmanship. The ring’s influence can be seen in the engagement rings of other celebrities, such as Elizabeth Taylor and Beyoncé, who have also opted for emerald-cut diamonds.

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Kelly filmed her final movie, High Society, before retiring from Hollywood to become a royal. Starring opposite Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, she shared the screen with another dazzling co-star—her new emerald-cut diamond engagement ring.

Kelly’s new sparkler commanded attention in the film.

Shortly after wrapping up the film in Los Angeles, Kelly headed to Monaco to marry her prince. The couple tied the knot in a quiet civil ceremony at the palace before their lavish religious ceremony at Monaco’s Saint Nicholas Cathedral on April 19, 1956. The nuptials were watched by over 30 million viewers worldwide.

MGM, which had been Kelly’s studio, filmed the extravagant affair with a guest list filled with royals and Hollywood A-listers. The studio even gifted Kelly her ivory lace bridal gown, designed by Academy Award-winning costume designer Helen Rose. Kelly was known to wear the jewel and her Cartier engagement ring up until her untimely death in 1982.

After Kelly’s death, both of her engagement rings were entrusted to the House of Grimaldi, the royal family of Monaco. Reports confirm that the Cartier emerald-cut diamond engagement ring and the eternity band remain in their collection today. On occasion, the royal family has loaned the rings, along with other Cartier jewels from Kelly’s archive, for special exhibitions.

The Cartier flagship in New York features a dedicated room honoring Kelly and her legendary jewels, ensuring that her iconic natural diamond engagement ring continues to inspire admirers around the world. Kelly’s engagement ring remains one of the most iconic and influential pieces of jewelry in history, much like Chloë Sevigny’s jewelry moments.