Some rings are just jewelry. And then there are rings that change history. Jackie Kennedy’s engagement ring is one of those rings.
It has been talked about, studied, and admired for over 70 years. And for good reason. The ring was bold, beautiful, and completely ahead of its time.
In the 1950s, most women wore a simple single diamond ring. Jackie wore something nobody had ever really seen before. Two stones, side by side, full of meaning.
But the story behind the Jackie Kennedy engagement ring goes much deeper than just the design. There are secrets, a surprise redesign, and not one but three engagement rings in her lifetime.
Who Gave Jackie Kennedy Her Famous Engagement Ring?
John F. Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier in June 1953.
He gave her a stunning ring from the famous French jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels. The ring featured a 2.88-carat diamond and a 2.84-carat Colombian emerald placed side by side on a bypass-style band of yellow gold and platinum.
This style is called a Toi et Moi ring, which is French for “you and me.” The two stones represent two people coming together as one. It was a bold and romantic choice.
In the 1950s, most women received a simple single-stone ring. Jackie’s ring was anything but simple. It stood out and perfectly matched her elegant and unconventional personality.
Fun Fact: JFK did not actually pick this ring himself. It was his father,Joseph Kennedy, who chose it.
Jackie Kennedy Engagement Ring Before and After: The 1962 Redesign
The ring JFK gave Jackie in 1953 was beautiful, but she made it even better. The original ring had baguette diamonds on the sides. In 1962, while she was living in the White House, Jackie went back to Van Cleef & Arpels and had the ring redesigned.
She replaced the baguette diamonds with round and marquise-cut diamonds arranged in a laurel wreath pattern.
This added around 0.66 carats of round diamonds and 1.46 carats of marquise diamonds to the ring. The overall look became more glamorous and grand.
The two center stones, the emerald and diamond, stayed exactly the same. Only the surrounding details changed. Think of it like renovating a beautiful old home.
The foundation stays the same, but everything around it gets a fresh and stunning upgrade.
Jackie Kennedy’s Other Engagement Rings You Didn’t Know About
Most people only know about the JFK ring. But Jackie Kennedy had three engagement rings in her lifetime.
| Field | Ring 1 | Ring 2 | Ring 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giver | John Husted Jr. | John F. Kennedy | Aristotle Onassis |
| Year | 1952 | 1953 | 1968 |
| Stone | Sapphire & diamond (disputed) | 2.84ct Colombian Emerald + 2.88ct Diamond | 40.42ct Marquise Diamond (Lesotho III) |
| Jeweler | Unknown | Van Cleef & Arpels | Harry Winston |
| Fate | Returned to Husted | JFK Presidential Library, Boston | Sold $2.58M at Sotheby’s, 1996 |
Each ring reflects a different chapter of her life, from a quiet first engagement to America’s most iconic love story to one of the wealthiest marriages in the world.
Disclaimer: Ring 1 details are based on limited historical records. Vanity Fair describes it as a sapphire-and-diamond ring, though some sources simply refer to it as a modest solitaire. No verified jeweler or carat weight has been officially documented.
Why Jackie Kennedy’s Ring Still Matters Today
Jackie Kennedy’s engagement ring was not just a piece of jewelry. It was a statement. The Toi et Moi style she wore in 1953 was considered unconventional at the time.
Today, it is one of the most requested ring styles in bridal jewelry. Celebrities like Ariana Grande and Emily Ratajkowski have worn Toi et Moi rings, bringing the style back into the spotlight.
The emerald-and-diamond combination is also trending again in modern engagement rings. Jackie did not follow popular trends. She wore what felt right to her.
That confidence is exactly why her choices still inspire brides today, more than 70 years later. Great style does not expire. It just waits for the world to catch up.
Fact: The Toi et Moi ring style actually dates back to 1796 when Napoleon Bonaparte proposed to Josephine with a two-stone ring.
Where Jackie Kennedy’s Engagement Ring is NowAfter Jackie’s passing in 1994, her famous JFK engagement ring was not sold. It is preserved at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts, where it remains a highly viewed piece. History and jewelry enthusiasts can learn more on jfklibrary.org. |
Final Thoughts
Jackie Kennedy’s engagement ring is more than a beautiful piece of jewelry. It is a story. A story of love, change, and timeless style.
From the iconic Toi et Moi ring JFK gave her in 1953 to the White House redesign in 1962, every detail had meaning. She wore what felt true to her, and that is exactly why people still talk about it today.
Three rings, three chapters, one unforgettable woman. Her choices in jewelry, just like her choices in life, were always ahead of their time.
If this piece of history fascinated you, share it with someone who loves jewelry or history as much as you do. And if you could wear any one of Jackie’s three rings, which one would you choose?
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Jackie Kennedy Change Her Engagement Ring?
Yes. In 1962, she had it redesigned at Van Cleef & Arpels. She replaced the baguette diamonds with round and marquise-cut diamonds in a laurel wreath pattern.
How Much was Jackie Kennedy’s Engagement Ring Worth?
The exact purchase price is unknown. But given its history and design, experts estimate its value at over $2 million today.
What Happened to Jackie Kennedy’s Rings After She Died?
The JFK ring is preserved at the JFK Presidential Library in Boston. The Onassis ring sold at Sotheby’s in 1996 for $2.58 million.
