Lucille Ball's Jewelry: From Brass to Aquamarine - A Look at the Iconic Rings of a Hollywood Legend
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz eloped just six months after meeting on the set of Too Many Girls in 1940. Arnaz initially gave Ball a brass ring from Woolworth’s as an engagement ring. Later, he upgraded her ring to a cushion-cut diamond and platinum ring. Additionally, Ball was frequently seen wearing a 40-carat aquamarine ring on her left ring finger, which was also a gift from Arnaz.
In her memoir Love, Lucy, Ball shared that Arnaz’s business manager purchased her wedding band at a five-and-dime store on the day of their elopement. Despite receiving a platinum ring from Arnaz later on, Ball cherished the original brass ring. The aquamarine ring, which was Arnaz’s birthstone, was a significant piece in Ball’s jewelry collection.
Unfortunately, Ball’s aquamarine ring, along with other jewelry pieces, was stolen from a Chicago hotel room in 1950. The theft, which included over $6,000 worth of jewelry, was never solved. Ball was devastated by the loss of her engagement ring and other valuable items. Despite the burglary, she continued to wear the original cushion-cut diamond ring given to her by Arnaz.
In the 2021 biopic Being the Ricardos, Nicole Kidman wore a similar aquamarine ring to portray Lucille Ball. The costume designer for the film, Susan Lyall, extensively researched Ball and Arnaz’s personal and professional lives to accurately depict their characters. The aquamarine ring was a key element in Kidman’s portrayal of Ball in the movie.