The Most Famous Engagement Rings of All Time

Let's start with the first ever diamond engagement ring...

Mary Of Burgundy

Commissioned in 1477 by Archduke Maximilian of Austria for his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy, the first ever recorded diamond engagement ring was set with flat diamonds in the shape of a letter "M". This ring sparked a trend for diamond engagement rings that endures to this day.

Napoleon and Joséphine

Napoleon Bonaparte presented his wife-to-be Joséphine with a unique diamond and sapphire engagement ring as a symbol of their love. Featuring a pear-shaped diamond and sapphire on a simple gold band, this iconic ring was recently sold at auction for $949,000.

Elizabeth Taylor

World-renowned for her love of fine jewels, this queen of the silver screen famously owned one of the most lavish engagement rings of all time. Known as the Taylor-Burton Diamond, this 69.42ct pear-shaped diamond was presented to Elizabeth Taylor by her husband Richard Burton. It became known as the world's first million-dollar diamond when it was purchased for a record $1.1m, and after their divorce was sold at auction for $5m by Elizabeth, who used the money to build a hospital in Botswana.

Princess Diana and Princess Kate

Prince Charles sparked a revival of the trend for coloured stone engagement rings when he presented Princess Diana with an oval sapphire engagement ring in February 1981. The 12 carat Ceylon sapphire and distinctive sparkling diamond halo remains famous all over the world, and is now proudly worn by Princess Kate.

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