It’s been a decade since we learned that Brangelina was no more.
On Sept. 20, 2016, news broke that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had split. The former couple had been together for a total of 12 years and married for two of those years. When Pitt proposed in 2012, he did so with a stunning diamond ring, which he designed with the help of Beverly Hills jeweler Robert Procop. Jolie’s rock was reportedly valued around $250,000 at the time. But how much is that ring worth today? Here’s the answer to that question and more about the impressive sparkler.
Neil Dutta, jewelry expert and Managing Director at Angelic Diamonds, told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “What I find particularly interesting about this ring is just how involved Brad was in creating it. He didn’t simply go to a jeweler and choose a diamond. He worked with Robert for almost a year and was involved in everything from the cut of the center diamond to how the smaller stones were set.
“Robert already knew Angelina and her jewelry style incredibly well, too. The center diamond was actually cut to a shape and size specifically suited to Angelina’s hand, while the smaller diamonds were graduated in size and faceted to match.”
Dutta added, “The result is a 6-carat elongated emerald-cut diamond at the center, with baguette-cut diamonds continuing around the platinum band. Overall, the ring totals an impressive 16 carats of natural diamonds. So, while the size and value obviously make it impressive, I think the story behind its creation is what makes it stand out. It was designed for Angelina down to the smallest details, rather than simply being an expensive diamond ring.”
When it comes to how much the ring is worth these days, Dutta said, “The price tag was already impressive, but it is no surprise that it could have gone up so much when it’s such a famous ring. The bespoke nature of the piece is an obvious factor. It’s a one-of-one design that took almost a year to create, with the diamonds cut specifically for Angelina’s hand. You’re not going to find another ring exactly like it.
“Then you have the 16 carats of diamonds themselves … so the quality, size and rarity of the diamonds all contribute to what the ring could be worth today. But you also can’t ignore who wore it. This is Angelina Jolie’s engagement ring from Brad Pitt, from a time when they were one of the most famous celebrity couples in the world.
“That celebrity connection can add considerably to the value because someone isn’t simply buying a diamond ring. They’re buying something with a story and a piece of Hollywood history attached to it. When you take that history, the bespoke design, the quality and carat weight of the natural diamonds, and wider price changes since 2012 into account, I’d estimate it could be worth somewhere between $1 million and $1.35 million today.”
As for where the famous ring is today, no one really knows.
“It’s difficult to determine where the ring could be now, but the California connection makes it particularly interesting. Under California law, an engagement ring can be classed as a gift given in contemplation of marriage and, in some circumstances, can be returned to the person who bought it if the marriage doesn’t go ahead,” Dutta explained. “Brad and Angelina did marry, so we can’t say that means the ring was returned to Brad when they later divorced.
“But given their marriage license came from California and their divorce was handled there, it does raise an interesting question around what happened to the ring afterwards. Neither of them has publicly confirmed who has it today. So, somewhere out there could be a piece of Hollywood history now worth as much as $1.35 million.”
