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FAMOUS ENGAGEMENT RINGS Mary of Burgundy received the first documented diamond engagement ring from the Archduke Maximilian of Hamburg in 1477. Princess Mary may well be the youngest recipient of a diamond wedding ring. A tiny ring with a large diamond was placed on her finger when she was married (by proxy) to the Dauphin of France in 1518--at the tender age of two! Queen Victoria wore an engagement ring in the shape of a serpent, a popular nineteenth century motif whose coils symbolized eternity. Jean Harlow received a 150 carat cabochon sapphire engagement ring from William Powell, which she wore in her 1937 movie "Saratoga." The engagement ring given by Prince Philip to his fiancé, now Queen Elizabeth II, was created with heirloom diamonds from his mother's tiara. John F. Kennedy gave his future bride Jacqueline Bouvier a 2.88 carat diamond and emerald engagement ring from Van Cleef & Arpels. Prince Rainier presented Grace Kelly with a 12 carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring--a jewel befitting the beauty and elegance of the future princess. Prince Charles gave Lady Diana Spencer a sapphire and diamond engagement ring; Prince Andrew presented Sarah Ferguson with a ruby and diamond ring. Antique
engagement rings have graced the fingers of many modern-day starlets,
including Madonna, Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon and Catherine
Zeta-Jones. |