When Ariana Grande posted that blurry slideshow on Instagram back in December 2020 with the caption "forever n then some," the internet basically hit a wall. We’ve seen celebrity rocks before. We’ve seen the massive, blinding solitaires that cost more than a literal zip code. But the Ariana Grande engagement ring was different. It wasn’t just a big diamond; it was a weird, beautiful, asymmetrical "Toi et Moi" design that had everyone squinting at their phone screens.
Was that a pearl? Beside a diamond?
Yes. Honestly, it was a move that felt very Ariana—blending high-glamour pop star energy with something deeply, almost painfully, sentimental.
The Specs: What We Actually Know
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way because people always want the numbers. The ring Dalton Gomez (her now ex-husband) helped design is a custom piece from Solow & Co. It features a massive, elongated oval-cut diamond. Experts, like Jack Solow himself, have suggested the diamond is somewhere between 5 and 8 carats.
It’s tilted.
That’s the first thing you notice. Instead of sitting straight up and down, the diamond leans at a jaunty angle, making room for a small, round white pearl nestled right next to it. The band is incredibly thin, likely platinum or white gold, which makes the stones look like they’re just floating on her finger.
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The Price Tag
Estimates on the value vary wildly because, well, it’s a custom celebrity piece. Most jewelry experts place the Ariana Grande engagement ring value between $250,000 and $350,000. Some high-end appraisals have even pushed it toward $800,000 depending on the specific clarity of that oval stone. But here’s the kicker: the most valuable part of the ring might actually be the part that costs the least on paper.
The "Nonna" Connection
You’ve probably heard the rumors that the pearl isn't just a pearl. This is where the story gets heavy. Back in 2014, Ariana tweeted a photo of a gold ring her "Nonna" (grandmother) had made for her. The pearl in that ring came from her late grandfather’s tie pin.
Nonna told her that her grandpa appeared in a dream and said the pearl would protect her.
While the jeweler haven't explicitly confirmed if that exact pearl was moved into the engagement ring, the placement is too specific to be a coincidence. It’s a "Toi et Moi" style—French for "You and Me"—which traditionally symbolizes two souls joining. By putting her grandfather's pearl next to a new diamond, the ring basically bridged her past with her future.
The Risky Business of Pearl Rings
If you’re thinking about copying this look, you need a reality check. Pearls are soft. Like, really soft.
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On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, diamonds are a 10. They’re the toughest things out there. Pearls? They sit at a 2.5 or 3. That means if you hit your hand against a granite countertop or a car door, that pearl can crack, chip, or lose its luster.
Most jewelers actually advise against pearls for everyday engagement wear. They absorb oils, they hate hairspray, and they can dissolve if they get too much vinegar on them (don't ask why you'd have vinegar on your ring, just know it's a thing). Ariana's ring was a fashion statement and a sentimental tribute, but for a normal person who does dishes and goes to the gym, it’s a high-maintenance nightmare.
Comparing the "7 Rings" History
Ariana’s jewelry history is honestly a bit of a saga. Remember the Pete Davidson era? That was a 3-carat pear-shaped diamond that cost about $93,000. It was classic, flashy, and very "New York."
Then there were the actual "7 rings" from Tiffany & Co. she bought for her friends after a boozy afternoon of champagne.
But the Ariana Grande engagement ring from Dalton was the one that sparked a massive trend in the jewelry world. Suddenly, everyone wanted two-stone rings. We saw similar styles pop up on Megan Fox and Kylie Jenner. It shifted the "dream ring" conversation from "how big is the center stone?" to "how unique can we make the pairing?"
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What Happened to the Ring?
Since the divorce from Dalton Gomez was finalized, people have been wondering where the ring ended up. Usually, in these high-profile splits, the jewelry stays with the woman, but when there's a family heirloom involved (like that pearl), things get complicated.
Interestingly, at recent events like the Wicked press tour and the Critics Choice Awards, fans noticed she was wearing a different "Toi et Moi" style ring. Some speculated she had the pearl swapped for a second diamond, but others pointed out the setting was different. It seems she still loves the aesthetic of the two-stone look, even if the marriage didn't last "forever n then some."
How to get the look (safely)
If you're obsessed with the asymmetrical vibe but don't want to break a pearl within six months, here is what the pros suggest:
- Swap the pearl for a white sapphire: It gives you that milky, opaque look but is much more durable.
- Try a "Moonstone": It has that ethereal glow but is slightly (only slightly) tougher than a pearl.
- Go Lab-Grown: You can get a massive 5-carat oval like hers for a fraction of the $350k price tag if you go the lab-grown route.
- Angle the stone: The "East-West" or tilted setting is what makes her ring look modern. Tell your jeweler you want a "bypass" setting.
The Ariana Grande engagement ring remains one of the most discussed pieces of celebrity jewelry because it felt human. It wasn't just a display of wealth; it was a weird, fragile, beautiful tribute to her family. Whether you like the look or not, you have to admit—it's a lot more interesting than a standard solitaire.
To start your own search for a similar style, look for "Toi et Moi bypass settings" and prioritize a high-quality oval cut, as that provides the most surface area and sparkle for the "tilted" look.