Wait. Stop. Forget the $5 million price tag for a second. We need to talk about why that specific hunk of carbon actually exists, because the story behind the jennifer lopez engagement ring ben affleck gave her in 2022 is honestly weirder than a Hollywood script.
Most people see a big green rock and think "money." But in the world of high-end gemology, green diamonds are basically the unicorns of the earth. They shouldn't really exist. They’re a freak accident of nature caused by—get this—billions of years of exposure to uranium and thorium radiation.
Basically, the ring is a radioactive miracle that doesn't actually emit radiation anymore.
The 8.5-Carat "Lucky" Gamble
When Ben Affleck popped the question the second time around (while she was in the bathtub, no less), he didn't just go to a jeweler and ask for "the biggest one." He went hunting for a specific color. Green.
JLo has been vocal about green being her lucky charm for decades. Remember the Versace dress? Exactly. But finding a natural green diamond that weighs 8.5 carats is like finding a needle in a haystack, if the needle was made of solid gold and the haystack was the size of Rhode Island.
Why it’s actually rarer than her first ring
Back in 2002, Ben gave her a 6.1-carat pink diamond from Harry Winston. It cost about $2.5 million and started a global craze for pink stones. People still talk about it.
But gem experts like Mike Fried, CEO of The Diamond Pro, have pointed out that this green stone is in a completely different league. While pink diamonds are rare, natural green diamonds are almost unheard of in these sizes. Only about 0.07% of diamonds graded by the GIA over a decade were green, blue, or red.
- The Stone: 8.5-carat natural green diamond.
- The Shape: Radiant cut.
- The Accents: Flanked by two trapezoid-shaped white diamonds.
- The Metal: A classic platinum band.
The Secret Message Nobody Could See
There’s a detail most fans missed because it was tucked inside the band. Ben had three words engraved: “not. going. anywhere.”
Why? It wasn't just a romantic sentiment. It was a callback. When the couple first started talking again in 2021—seventeen years after their first breakup—Ben would sign off his emails with that exact phrase. It was his way of saying that this time, he wasn't running away from the media circus or the pressure.
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It’s kind of heartbreaking in hindsight, considering Jennifer filed for divorce in August 2024. But at the time, it was the ultimate "full circle" move.
The jeweler behind the curtain
While many assumed it was another Harry Winston piece, the 2022 ring was actually sourced by Beverly Hills diamantaire Ilan Portugali. Ben worked closely with him to find a stone that had "strong green fluorescence."
This is a technical term that basically means the diamond glows under certain lighting. In the California sun, JLo’s ring doesn't just sparkle; it practically vibrates with a neon-green energy. Some experts, like Brian Denney of Gems of Note, suggested it might even be a "fancy intense green-yellow" stone, which gives it that highlighter-vibe that sets it apart from a standard emerald.
What Happens to the Ring Now?
Divorce is messy. Celebrity divorce is a legal battlefield. But thanks to court documents filed in early 2025, we actually know what’s happening with the jewelry.
Jennifer is keeping it.
The settlement, mediated by the famous "dissector of marriages" Laura Wasser, confirmed that Jennifer retains all jewelry in her possession. This includes the $5 million green rock and, reportedly, the original pink one from 2002.
Ben apparently didn't fight for it. Honestly, what’s he going to do with a custom-engraved green diamond? He’s done this twice now; he knows how the gift-giving rules of engagement work.
The Investment Angle
If you’re wondering if she should sell it—well, she probably won’t, but if she did, the price would be astronomical. Natural colored diamonds have outpaced the stock market in terms of value growth over the last twenty years.
Because the Argyle mine in Australia (the primary source for pink diamonds) closed in 2020, her old pink ring is worth way more now than it was in the early 2000s. The green one is even more of a "white whale" for collectors. It’s not just jewelry; it’s a portable bank account.
Actionable Takeaways for Diamond Lovers
You probably aren't in the market for an 8.5-carat green diamond (unless you just won the Powerball). But the jennifer lopez engagement ring ben affleck chose teaches us a few things about buying jewelry that actually holds value:
- Color over Clarity: In the world of "Fancy" diamonds, the intensity of the color matters more than the internal flaws.
- Fluorescence is a Feature: Usually, fluorescence is seen as a negative in white diamonds (it makes them look milky). In colored stones, it can make them "glow" and increase the price.
- The Paperwork is King: If you ever buy a colored stone, you need a GIA report that explicitly states the color is "Natural." Lab-grown or irradiated green diamonds are worth a fraction of the price.
- Meaning Trumps Trends: Ben didn't buy a trendy "Toi et Moi" ring or a standard round cut. He bought her favorite color.
The Bennifer 2.0 era might be over, but that green diamond is a permanent part of jewelry history. It’s a reminder that sometimes, nature creates something so rare and weird that it perfectly mirrors a Hollywood romance: high-value, highly scrutinized, and totally one-of-a-kind.
Expert Insight: If you're looking for the "JLo look" without the $5 million debt, look into Green Sapphires or Tsavorite Garnets. They offer that same vivid forest-green punch but are physically durable enough for daily wear on an engagement ring.