Jackie Kennedy's Iconic Toi et Moi Engagement Ring: A Symbol of Unconventional Elegance
Jackie Kennedy's engagement ring from President John F. Kennedy broke tradition with its unique two-stone design. The couple met in 1952 and announced their engagement in June 1953. JFK gave Jackie a stunning toi et moi ring from Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring a diamond and an emerald as center stones on a band of more diamonds and emeralds. This ring set a trend for unconventional designs, inspiring stars like Ariana Grande and Megan Fox to choose similar toi et moi rings. The couple tied the knot on Sept. 12, 1953, in a grand ceremony in Newport, RI.
Jackie's engagement ring was far from traditional, with a toi et moi design showcasing two side-by-side stones. The ring boasted a 2.88-carat diamond and a 2.84-carat emerald, both emerald cut, set on a band of baguette-cut emeralds and diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels, a renowned French luxury jewelry company, crafted this exquisite ring, valued at over $1 million at the time. The engagement was announced on June 24, 1953, with conflicting reports on where JFK proposed to Jackie.
Despite the announcement, Jackie was not seen wearing an engagement ring initially. It was revealed that JFK's father, Joseph Kennedy, selected the ring at Van Cleef & Arpels with the help of jeweler Louis Arpels' wife Hélène, a friend of Jackie's. Joseph also acquired other jewelry pieces for Jackie, including a ruby-and-diamond bracelet and a diamond leaf pin. In 1962, Jackie had her ring reset by Van Cleef & Arpels, adding round and marquise-cut diamonds to frame the center stones, symbolizing her evolving role as the first lady.
The redesigned ring was a statement of Jackie's growing confidence personally and in her family's public role. The new design reflected her elevated status as the first lady of the United States.