The $2.59 Million Secret: Uncovering Jackie Kennedy's Two Legendary Engagement Rings

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis remains the quintessential American icon of style and grace, a legacy cemented by her time as First Lady and her subsequent life as a global figure. On this day, December 12, 2025, the fascination with her personal life, particularly her legendary jewelry collection, continues to captivate the world.

The most intensely scrutinized pieces are undoubtedly the two engagement rings she received from the two most important men in her life: John F. Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis. These rings are not merely jewelry; they are historical artifacts, telling a complex story of love, tragedy, immense wealth, and a style that defined an era. From the elegant, custom-designed Toi et Moi ring from JFK to the colossal, headline-grabbing Lesotho III Diamond from Onassis, the details and ultimate fate of these treasures are far more dramatic than most people realize.

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: A Biographical Profile

Known universally as Jackie O, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a pivotal figure in 20th-century American history, celebrated for her elegance, dedication to the arts, and her transformative role as First Lady.

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• Full Name: Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
• Born: July 28, 1929, in Southampton, New York
• Died: May 19, 1994, in Manhattan, New York (Aged 64)
• Parents: John Vernou "Black Jack" Bouvier III and Janet Norton Lee
• First Marriage: John Fitzgerald Kennedy (Married 1953; Widowed 1963)
• Second Marriage: Aristotle Onassis (Married 1968; Widowed 1975)
• Children: Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr.
• Notable Roles: First Lady of the United States (1961–1963); Book Editor at Viking Press and Doubleday (post-White House)
• Legacy: Known for her restoration of the White House and her profound influence on fashion, culture, and historic preservation.

The JFK Engagement Ring: A Custom-Made Toi et Moi Masterpiece

The first ring, given by then-Senator John F. Kennedy in 1953, was a distinctive piece that broke from traditional solitaire designs. It was a Toi et Moi (French for "You and Me") style, symbolizing the union of two souls.

The Original Van Cleef & Arpels Design

The ring was sourced from the prestigious French jewelry house, Van Cleef & Arpels, on Fifth Avenue in New York. Interestingly, it was reportedly JFK's father, Joseph Kennedy, who selected the ring, opting for a bold, unconventional design.

• Design House: Van Cleef & Arpels
• Style: Toi et Moi, with a distinct Vintage Art Deco influence.
• Primary Stones: A 2.88-carat emerald-cut diamond and a complementary 2.84-carat emerald—a combination that was both unique and elegant.
• Setting: The two main stones were set on a platinum band accented with tapered baguette-cut diamonds.
• Estimated 1953 Value: Over $1 million, a staggering sum for the time.

The Controversial 1962 Redesign

In 1962, while serving as First Lady, Jackie decided to renovate not only the White House but also her engagement ring. She sent the ring back to Van Cleef & Arpels for a major transformation.

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The original baguette-cut diamonds were replaced with a more intricate arrangement of marquise-cut and round brilliant-cut diamonds. This created a wreath-like, more ornate setting around the central diamond and emerald, giving the ring a fuller, more modern look that was arguably better suited to her evolving style. This redesign is a fascinating footnote in jewelry history, demonstrating Jackie’s personal touch and willingness to adapt even the most sentimental pieces to her own aesthetic.

The Aristotle Onassis Ring: A 40-Carat Diamond of Unimaginable Scale

Five years after the tragic assassination of President Kennedy, Jackie married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1968. The ring she received from him was a piece of jewelry history that dwarfed her first ring in sheer size and value.

The Lesotho III Diamond

Onassis proposed with a magnificent ring known as the Lesotho III Diamond. This stone was the third-largest cut from the original Lesotho rough diamond, a massive 601-carat stone discovered in South Africa in 1967. The ring was a testament to Onassis's colossal wealth and his desire to give his bride a truly unique treasure.

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• Stone Name: The Lesotho III Diamond
• Carat Weight: An astounding 40.42 carats.
• Cut: Emerald-cut, which highlights the stone's clarity and size.
• Color and Clarity: It was an L-color, VS2 clarity diamond.

Despite its immense size, Jackie reportedly wore the ring only twice during her lifetime, perhaps due to its impracticality or the constant security attention it would have drawn.

The Shocking Auction and Current Location of the Rings

The ultimate fate of both rings provides a definitive answer to the question of their current location and value, cementing their place in the annals of history.

The Record-Breaking Sotheby's Auction

After Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's death in 1994, her estate decided to auction off many of her personal belongings, including her extensive jewelry collection. The 1996 Sotheby's auction in New York was a global event, drawing frenzied bidding and setting records.

The Lesotho III Diamond ring, the 40.42-carat behemoth from Aristotle Onassis, was the star of the show. It had been estimated to sell for a high of $600,000. However, the intense media attention and historical significance drove the price far higher. The ring ultimately sold for an astonishing $2.59 million. The buyer was a private individual, and the ring has remained out of the public eye ever since, likely locked away in a private collection.

The Fate of the JFK Ring

In contrast to the Onassis ring, the iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Toi et Moi ring from JFK was not sold at the 1996 auction. It was instead gifted to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, where it is held as part of the family's historical collection. While it is not on permanent, continuous display, the ring occasionally makes an appearance as part of special exhibitions honoring the legacy of the Kennedy family and the First Lady's influential style.

The fact that the JFK ring was preserved for historical and public viewing, while the Onassis ring was sold for a massive sum, speaks volumes about the differing emotional and historical value Jackie and her family placed on these two legendary pieces of jewelry. The Lesotho III remains a symbol of unparalleled wealth, while the redesigned Toi et Moi is a priceless artifact of American history and the enduring elegance of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.