Editor’s Note
This article discusses the reported engagement ring of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, using it as a starting point to explore the most expensive engagement rings of the 21st century. The valuation and details of the ring are based on expert analysis of available information.
The news of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s engagement, revealed yesterday on Instagram, sparked a wave of curiosity about the most expensive engagement rings of the new millennium. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end designed a ring with jeweler Kindred Lubeck featuring an old mine diamond on a gold band.
This vintage piece is spectacular, but when compared to the most opulent jewels of the 21st century, it doesn’t make it into the Top 10.
A study by Dinero.mx aimed to create a ranking based on the highest values paid for engagement rings since the year 2000. The list is topped by Mariah Carey, who in 2016 received a 35-carat diamond set in platinum and designed by Wilfredo Rosado from James Packer. The piece cost $10 million and, although the wedding was canceled, the singer ended up selling the jewel years later.
Beyoncé ranks second, whose husband Jay-Z acquired a 24-carat emerald-cut diamond for her for $5 million; the market values it today at over $9 million.
Kim Kardashian occupies the third position with a 20-carat ring designed by Lorraine Schwartz and valued at $8 million.
Other notable figures in the ranking include Jennifer Lopez, who received a rare 8.5-carat green diamond valued at over $5 million from Ben Affleck, and Georgina Rodríguez, fiancée of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose oval ring of approximately 37 carats is estimated at up to $5 million. Also appearing are Paris Hilton, with a 25-carat canary diamond ($4.7 million); Vanessa Bryant, who after a marital crisis received an 8-carat purple diamond valued at $4 million from Kobe Bryant; Jennifer Lopez again, this time with the 8.5-carat blue ring that Marc Anthony gave her in 2004 ($4.1 million); Serena Williams, who wears a 17-carat ring valued at $3 million; and Anna Kournikova, whose 11-carat pink diamond is valued at $2.5 million.
Beyond the figures, the Dinero.mx research highlights how these jewels reflect trends and symbolism. Colored stones have become a statement of individuality:
Vintage cuts, like the old mine cut in Taylor Swift’s piece, connect with nostalgia and 19th-century craftsmanship. On the other hand, the emerald or cushion cuts of Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian represent the preference for cleaner and more contemporary stones, which maximize brilliance and on-camera presence.
The magnitude of these gems—between 8 and 35 carats—speaks of a market where extravagance is used as a tool for differentiation and status.
The phenomenon of million-dollar rings also reveals how celebrities and sports magnates seek to perpetuate their legacy through tangible symbols. The costs include not only the central diamond but also the accompaniments: gold or platinum bands, pavé diamonds on the sides, and secondary stones in the shape of half-moons. Each element adds value and emotional weight.
The mix of love, luxury, and display explains why every engagement is scrutinized by the press and fans.