Melania Trump’s engagement ring from Donald Trump has been the subject of much curiosity and speculation over the years. As the wife of a wealthy real estate mogul and reality TV star turned President of the United States, Melania’s ring would be expected to be exceptionally large and luxurious.
Quick Facts
- Melania’s ring appears to be around 12-15 carats.
- The center stone is believed to be a D color, VVS1 clarity emerald cut diamond.
- The ring likely cost around $1-3 million.
- It was designed by Graff Diamonds.
- The ring features a huge emerald cut center stone flanked by two baguette cut diamonds.
So in summary, Melania Trump’s engagement ring looks to be approximately 12 to 15 carats with an emerald cut diamond as the main stone.
Determining the Carat Size
Determining the exact carat size of Melania’s ring is difficult since the Trumps have not publicly confirmed the details. However, experts can make reasonable estimates based on photographs and Donald Trump’s known taste for opulence.
Based on photographic analysis, most estimate the stunning ring to be between 10 and 15 carats, with many leaning towards 15 as the most likely carat weight. At this size, her diamond would be exceptionally rare and valuable.
To the naked eye, it appears comparable in size to rings that are confirmed to be 13 or 15 carats. Given Trump’s history of grandeur and penchant for flaunting wealth, most believe he would have opted for the upper end of the scale.
How Carat Weight is Calculated
A diamond’s carat refers to its weight, not size. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams. Larger diamonds are increasingly rare and valuable. Prices jump at milestone carat weights like 1, 2, 3 and 5 carats.
The price per carat also increases dramatically for larger stones. While 1-carat diamonds may sell for ~$5,000-$10,000, 10-carat diamonds go for $300,000+ and 15-carat diamonds can cost millions.
Factors Beyond Carat Size
However, carat weight is just one aspect affecting a diamond’s value. The 4Cs – Cut, Color, Clarity and Carats – all play a role.
Melania’s diamond appears to be a very high quality emerald cut stone with a D color rating (colorless) and a VVS1 clarity rating (virtually flawless). Diamonds with exceptional color and clarity are much rarer and more expensive.
So while a 15 carat diamond with poor color and lots of inclusions may cost ~$100,000, a D/VVS1 diamond of the same carat weight could easily demand over $3 million.
Estimated Value of Melania’s Ring
Given the exceptionally high quality apparent in photos of Melania’s ring, most estimates place the value between $1-3 million.
On the lower end, if the ring contains a 10 carat emerald cut D/VVS1 diamond with two 2 carat baguette diamonds, it would likely have retailed around $1-1.5 million.
On the upper end, a 15 carat D/VVS1 emerald cut center stone flanked by two 3-carat baguettes could have a retail price of $2-3 million.
Of course, Donald Trump may have received a discount on the ring given his celebrity status and history of purchasing extremely expensive jewelry from Graff Diamonds. But based on typical retail pricing, Melania is wearing a ring worth seven or even eight figures on her finger.
How Does Melania’s Ring Compare to Other Celebrity Engagement Rings?
Celebrity | Ring Details |
---|---|
Melania Trump | 15 carat emerald cut D/VVS1 center with baguette sides |
Beyonce | 18 carat emerald cut D/VVS1 center |
Kim Kardashian | 15 carat emerald cut |
Ciara | 15 carat emerald cut |
Paris Hilton | 20 carat emerald cut |
Melania’s ring is firmly in the upper echelon of celebrity engagement rings. Her enormous center diamond is similar in size to those given to Kim Kardashian, Ciara and Beyonce by their celebrity suitors.
Interestingly, emerald cut diamonds seem to be the favored shape for modern celebrity rings, given their classic elegance. While some like Paris Hilton have received even larger stones, Melania’s diamond and platinum ring from Donald still stands out as one of the largest and most expensive celebrity engagement rings.
History of Melania’s Engagement Ring
Donald Trump famously proposed to Melania Knauss in 2004 after dating her for several years. Their lavish wedding with hundreds of guests was held in 2005 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Melania’s ring was created by elite jewelry house Graff Diamonds. The London-based company is known for its exceptional gems and celebrity clients like Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lopez.
Donald has purchased major pieces from Graff over the years, including a $1.5 million emerald cut ring for Melania’s 10th anniversary. Even amongst Graff’s elite clientele, Melania’s engagement ring stands out as an especially important piece.
Upgrades Over the Years
There has been speculation that Melania has upgraded her ring over time. Her enormous center stone now appears larger than in photos from the mid-2000s. This aligning with Donald Trump’s preference for flaunting wealth whenever possible.
However, any upgrades were likely minor changes. The ring has maintained the same emerald cut diamond and baguette side design. Melania may have opted to reset the center stone in a larger platinum head to give it more prominence.
Significance as First Lady
Melania Trump’s showstopping engagement ring has only gained more attention since Donald Trump became President in 2016. As First Lady, Melania is expected to wear American jewelry brands.
However, she has continued to flaunt her 25+ carat Graff Diamonds wedding set at White House events and in front of the camera. This has led some to criticize her choice as ostentatious and insensitive.
But Melania has never been traditional as a First Lady. Her ring captures the Trumps’ knack for unapologetic displays of wealth. To some, Melania’s ring displays the American Dream. For others its extravagance is a symptom of inequality in the country.
Regardless, it remains one of the largest and most talked about jewelry pieces worn by a First Lady in modern history.
Conclusion
Melania Trump’s enormous emerald cut engagement ring has sparked curiosity and debate for over a decade. The ring contains an estimated 12-15 carat D color, VVS1 clarity emerald cut diamond flanked by baguette side stones.
The total cost likely ranged from $1-3 million depending on the final carat weight and quality factors. It was designed by elite jeweler Graff Diamonds in London.
While massive celebrity engagement rings have become more common, Melania’s stands out for its exceptional quality and size. The ring suits her lavish lifestyle as wife of Donald Trump. It remains one of the most expensive and stunning engagement rings sported by a First Lady in the White House.