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John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. (Photo by Robin Platzer\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
John F. Kennedy Jr. took his girlfriend, Carolyn Bessette, out on a fishing boat at Martha\u2019s Vineyard on July 4, 1995. He had a pretty important question to ask her, and a ring in his pocket. He told her that everything was better with a partner. Fishing. Life. He told Carolyn he wanted her to be his partner. Carolyn\u2019s response to John\u2019s proposal? \u201cI\u2019ll think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe understood that the formality meant something, especially to John and his lifestyle,\u201d John\u2019s former assistant RoseMarie Terenzio wrote in her 2012 book Fairy Tale Interrupted. Carolyn waited about three weeks to give John\u2014you know, the wealthy, famous man many considered to be the most handsome man in the world during his lifetime\u2014an affirmative answer. \u201cI actually think that made John even more eager to marry her,\u201d Terenzio observed<\/a>.<\/p>\n When he proposed, John slid a platinum ring of diamonds and sapphires on her finger\u2014sapphires chosen to pay tribute to Carolyn\u2019s stunning blue eyes. Though Carolyn never met John\u2019s beloved mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis\u2014who died in May 1994\u2014her engagement ring was inspired by the former First Lady\u2019s \u201cswimming ring,\u201d a gold and emerald band, according to Carolyn\u2019s best friend Carole Radziwill, writing in her book What Remains. Carolyn told Radziwill\u2014who was married to John\u2019s cousin and best friend Anthony\u2014that her engagement ring was \u201ca copy of a ring [John\u2019s] mother wore.\u201d<\/p>\n John F. Kennedy Jr. and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. (Photo by Brooks Kraft LLC\/Sygma via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Brooks Kraft<\/p>\n Jackie\u2019s swimming ring was believed to be a gift from her longtime companion (and diamond dealer) Maurice Tempelsman, who was also thought to have helped design Carolyn\u2019s band. Carolyn, known for her minimalist style, now had an understated engagement ring to match. \u201c[Carolyn\u2019s] engagement ring epitomized the minimalism of that style moment,\u201d jewelry historian Marion Fasel told Vogue<\/a>. \u201cIt was understated elegance.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s also speculation that the inspiration behind Carolyn\u2019s engagement ring was a Schlumberger Sixteen Stone ring that also belonged to Jackie. It could have been a way of keeping Jackie involved, though she wouldn\u2019t be there to see John and Carolyn marry, which they ultimately did on September 21, 1996.<\/p>\n Fine jewelry designer and fan of Carolyn\u2019s Jessica McCormack said, per WWD<\/a>, \u201cCarolyn was so effortless, and had such grace and poise. I really admire that she had her own innate sense of style, the way she dressed was timeless\u2014that\u2019s why images of her feel so relevant and still modern after all this time.\u201d<\/p>\n John F. Kennedy Jr. gives his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy a kiss on the cheek during the annual White House Correspondents Dinner on May 1, 1999 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Tyler Mallory\/Liaison)<\/p>\n Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cI love Carolyn\u2019s ring, and I love the idea it was inspired by one of Jackie\u2019s,\u201d McCormack continued. \u201cLots of women come to us for eternity bands\u2014I think they often attract a bride that\u2019s more pared back in the way she dresses, but still wants a diamond ring.\u201d<\/p>\n Carolyn\u2019s unconventional engagement ring\u2014valued anywhere from $10,000 to $13,000, according to Brides<\/a>\u2014was eventually paired with a gold wedding band<\/a> cast from the rib of a rattlesnake and inscribed with John and Carolyn\u2019s initials and wedding date; John had a matching one, designed by jewelry designer Gogo Ferguson. In addition to her engagement ring, Terenzio wrote in her 2024 book JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography that John also gave Carolyn Jackie\u2019s original swimming ring after John got it from Jackie\u2019s close friend Bunny Mellon.<\/p>\n