The 3 Worst Celebrity Engagement Rings Of All Time

Thank You, Next

Up first is Ms. Ariana Grande. This gem of a celebrity went for an unusual choice when it came to her engagement ring. Nestled up next to her oval diamond is a gorgeous pearl. Rumor has it the pearl comes from her late grandfather’s tie pin (cue heart eyes emoji). The contrast between the bright white pearl and the sparkly oval diamond is gorgeous, permanently bridal-esque, and fits her celebrity style so well.

But bad news—pearls are not durable enough for an engagement ring’s daily wear and tear. In fact, on the Mohs hardness scale, it comes in at just a 2.5 out of 10. That means scratches, cracks, and even the loss of this sentimental gem could be in her future. While beautiful, this oversight makes it one of the worst celebrity engagement rings in our book. 

Still love the Toi et Moi look? We get it; we’re seeing all kinds of celeb rings riff off this style. If you want it for yourself, opt for harder stones, like a classic diamond or a funky sapphire. Even though Emrata’s marriage didn’t last, her pear-cut and princess diamonds on a wide cigar band will withstand the test of time (in terms of style and durability!).

We’ll Leave Lily’s

Celebrity style can really differ from their on-screen character’s style. And based on Lily Collin’s engagement ring, she has absolutely zero in common with the ostentatious Emily Cooper of Emily in Paris. Her ring begs the question, “can clarity go too far?”

 …ok, the answer is no, but certain cuts can squander the beauty of a great diamond. Why? Well, Lily’s solitaire diamond is rose cut. Invented over 500 years ago, this cut ‘rose’ to popularity when rings were lit by candlelight, and clout came from clarity, not a cut’s sparkle.

This barely-there diamond sits in high contrast to the ring’s hefty band. This bezel setting would look fantastic with a brilliant, sparkly gemstone. When clients fall in love with our Breezy Bezel settings, we like to pair those with show-stopping diamonds to create a balanced look. Instead, Lily’s rock is so transparent we find our eyes drawn to the weighty band rather than the diamond.

“But Frank, darling, what’s old is new again, and a vintage look feels effortlessly chic!” you say. If you still love Lily’s ring, then we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Bledel’s. Alexis’s ring sports an octagonal diamond in an oh-so-clean bezel setting. The proportions are well-balanced, so you see it as one cohesive piece rather than two separate concepts. It’s like the elevated older sister of Lily’s ring. Pro tip: using a complementary metal like platinum or white gold with your sparkly diamond will make your ring pop.

Avoid Twinning With Mary Kate

In terms of famous engagement rings, Mary Kate Olsen’s is certainly out there. Since her fashion brand, The Row, is clean, simple, and chic, we would’ve expected the same from her engagement ring (seriously, anything from Frank Darling would’ve fit the bill). Instead, her ring is an ornate departure from her typically streamlined style. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this unique direction, but we do have a few reasons why you could consider it one of the worst celebrity engagement rings.

First off, let’s talk about the setting. Mary Kate’s ring sits high on a bed of golden petals adorned with small diamonds. These petals taper on each end, and when you look closely, you can see each is slightly separated from the ones that sit beside it. That means around the entire ring, at the top and bottom of the setting, there are tiny crevices for debris to build up. This is not a setting for those who use their hands. So like—all of us.

Second, we want to address the stone choices. The center gem is a whopping four-carat European-cut diamond, and its halo includes 16 sapphires. With its large petal motif, the diamond looks dwarfed, and the sapphires look dense. The overall visual strikes us as a right-hand ring rather than a celebrity engagement ring.

If you’ve fallen for MKO’s look but have hands that actually do things, we suggest paring down Mary Kate’s ornate ring. Celeb rings like Kate Middleton’s or Katy Perry’s could be just what you’re looking for. You’ll avoid accidental bumps, bends, or breaks by taking that high-set ring down a few millimeters. You’ll also have an easier time keeping your ring clean and sparkly!