The story of the jewel started round 1953 when Senator John Kennedy and Jackie made the announcement of their engagement to the press. Reporters requested to see the ring and there wasn’t one. “Jack and I’ve checked out dozens of them,” Jackie defined, based on Jay Mulvaney, the creator of Kennedy Weddings. “Some I didn’t like and others weren’t the proper kind.”
Senator John F. Kennedy poses with Jackie in Hyannis Port through the mid-Fifties. She is sporting her authentic engagement ring seen at proper. Photograph AP Photos and ‘Kennedy Weddings’ e book by way of
Nicely, finally they discovered a hoop at Van Cleef & Arpels in New York. The bypass jewel was composed of a 2.84-carat emerald-cut emerald and a 2.88-carat emerald-cut diamond. Baguette-cut diamonds and emeralds embellished the arms of the unique design.
It’s not clear precisely when Jackie acquired the ring. There are zero photographs of her exhibiting it off as so many brides do after they first obtain their engagement rings. Jackie nearly appeared to cover the jewel between her fingers. Generally she lined up her left hand in photographs. Usually, she was sporting gloves as ladies did on the time. There are lots of photos of her solely sporting a gold marriage ceremony band
Jackie Kennedy sporting her engagement ring with the emerald stone tucked beneath one among her fingers whereas she posed for a shoot in Hyannis Port through the summer season of 1960 together with her daughter Caroline. Photograph The Property of Jacques Lowe/Getty Photos
Jackie’s actions may recommend she thought the jewel was too flamboyant, however that doesn’t appear to be the case. When the First Woman started the now well-known 1961 renovation of the White Home with decorator Sister Parish, she additionally determined to revamp her ring. She took the piece again to Van Cleef & Arpels to truly make it fancier. The smooth baguettes within the authentic ring had been changed with extra formal marquise form diamonds. The gems seem form of like a laurel wreath holding the 2 most important stones. Spherical brilliant-cut diamonds cowl the remaining entrance half of the band.
Jackie Kennedy’s redesigned diamond and emerald engagement ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. Photograph Getty Photos
It’s not identified if Jackie had the redesigned ring when she went on the June 1961 state go to to Paris with the President. The brand new jewel definitely would have matched the type of the Van Cleef & Arpels jewels from her private assortment she wore through the journey. A few the items she had on for the dinner at Versailles included emerald and diamond earrings and diamond wheat sheaf clips she normal in her hair like a contemporary tiara.
After Jackie had her ring redesigned, she continued her sample of sporting it discreetly. At present, the jewel is among the many former First Woman’s possessions stored on the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. Often, the piece is placed on show.
President John F. Kennedy with First Woman Jacqueline Kennedy as they depart their residence at Quai D’Orsay, Paris, for a state dinner within the Corridor of Mirrors in Versailles on June 1, 1961. Jackie is sporting her Van Cleef & Arpels emerald and diamond earrings and clips in her hair. Photograph AP Photograph
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