After being proposed to in 2013 by Kanye West, Kim Kardashian West was presented with her first engagement ring. A few years later in 2016, West gifted his wife another engagement ring, which was later stolen in Paris. But before we get into the world-famous robbery, let's start at the beginning.
The first engagement ring
Choosing Kardashian West's birthday, October 21, to propose to his girlfriend, West shut down AT&T Park in San Francisco for the moment. Hiring a live orchestra, inviting her closest friends and family and lighting up 'PLEASE MARRY ME' in huge letters, West spared no expense. Choosing a ring by Lorraine Schwartz, West sealed the deal with a simple 15-carat ring. No big deal at all. The ring, which was a cushion cut diamond worth an estimated US$2 million (AU$2.8 million), was later posted to Instagram with the simple caption of 'YES!!'.
The second engagement ring
Being a Kardashian, Kim wasn't complete with just one engagement ring. In 2016, West gifted his wife with another engagement ring (after their wedding in France and after Kardashian received a bespoke wedding band). The second ring, also from Lorraine Schwartz, featured a 20-carat emerald cut diamond, worth an estimated US$5 million (AU$7 million). The diamond ring was huge, and its class and clarity was one of the rarest in the world. It was, even for a celebrity engagement ring, one of a kind.
The robbery
In early October in 2016, the reality TV star was the victim of a targeted robbery. Staying in Paris for Paris Fashion Week, Kardashian West was robbed by a group of men posing as police officers. They stole an estimate US$10 million worth of jewellery from the hotel room she was staying at, as well as gagging Kardashian West and binding her hands while keeping her trapped in the bathroom. As part of the Paris robbery, Kardashian West's second engagement ring was taken. According to one of the thieves, Aomar Ait KIhedache, all other jewellery was melted down and taken to Antwerp, Belgium, to be sold — except the 20-carat engagement ring, which was apparently too risky to sell thanks to its unique and rare characteristics. It has not been recovered yet.
The replacement ring?
"I truly don’t know if I’d ever feel comfortable, I truly don’t know if I’d ever wear real jewellery again," Kardashian West was quoted saying in the months following the robbery. However, she was spotted in September of 2018 wearing what looked to be another diamond engagement ring. Although it hasn't been confirmed as to what carat the ring is made from, there is reason enough to believe Kardashian West got another one made. Kardashian West has seriously cut down on posting about her jewellery to social media, as the thieves admitted seeing her extravagant photos was part of the reason they decided to rob her. She has also beefed up her security team, thanks to advice for her family and mother, Kris Jenner.
And while we can't be sure if the new, second ring is authentic, we do know that it's fit for a celebrity royal — move over, Meghan Markle!
