What A Diamond Expert Really Thinks About The Bachelor's Engagement Rings
Over the years, The Bachelor has traditionally ended with an emotional proposal — and one stunning diamond ring supplied by jewelry Neil Lane. While some stars of The Bachelor choose not to get down on one knee during the anticipated finale, others have gone through the motions of picking out the perfect bauble for their brides-to-be. Some of these engagement rings have symbolized the beginning of a new union that will continue to flourish once the cameras stop rolling. And, well, other rings have been returned to ABC due to the couple splitting up, which are the rules.
As the years have gone by, the rings seem to only get better (and bigger!), so we're going to take a look at some of the most gorgeous sparklers that ever were. Some of these rings are sure to blow your mind, especially knowing that, according to Cosmopolitan, most of them retail for more than $45,000! Nicki Swift got some deets from gemologist Olivia Landau, a 4th generation diamond expert, and the founder and CEO of The Clear Cut. Landau helped us rank the top six Bachelor engagement rings of all time. Let's dive in!
#6 Ben Higgins & Lauren Bushnell: 4.25 carats
Holding down the number six spot is the engagement ring that Bachelor Ben Higgins gave to his season pick, Lauren Bushnell. "Lauren's ring is a radiant cut center stone with a halo, two straight baguettes on either side and a pave band," Olivia Landau tells Nicki Swift. The total weight of Lauren's art-deco style ring is 4.25 carats, according to People. The ring was the biggest ever given in the history of the Bachelor franchise, the report states, and Ben was super emotional while picking it out.
"This ring is for the person who loves a lot of sparkle, but it combines many different styles all in one ring," Landau says. And though Ben and Lauren didn't work out, they have both happily moved on. Lauren is married to country singer Chris Lane, and is pregnant with her first child, according to Us Weekly. Meanwhile, Ben got engaged to his girlfriend Jessica Clark in March 2020. He proposed with a classic ring (that was not anywhere close to 4.25 carats) that he helped design, according to Entertainment Tonight.
#5 Arie Luyendyk & Lauren Burnham: 3.65 carats
Lauren Burnham Luyendyk is one lucky lady! Coming in at the No. 5 spot, is Lauren's cushion cut diamond complete with "a halo, tapered baguettes, and a pave band," Olivia Landau tells Nicki Swift. The total carat weight of the ring clocks in at 3.65 carats, according to E! News. Neil Lane actually told the outlet that Arie originally picked the ring out when he was looking for something to give Becca Kufrin on The Bachelor finale. After Arie and Becca broke off their engagement, Arie went right back to this ring, which he felt was perfect for Lauren.
Landau rated this ring in the fifth spot because the "center stone gets a bit lost" with everything else going on. Things are going splendidly for Lauren and Arie these days; the couple tied the knot in January 2019, welcomed their daughter Alessi in May 2019 and announced on Instagram that they are expecting boy-girl twins in 2021.
#4 Sean Lowe & Catherine Giudici: 3.15 carats
Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici have one of the best Bachelor love stories — and one of the best Bachelor engagement rings. "Catherine's ring is a cushion-cut with a halo and multi pave band. Her ring is #4 because it is a traditional style that will always endure: a halo and a pave band," Olivia Landau explained. According to Bustle, the Neil Lane ring retails for a cool $75,000.
Catherine nearly stopped breathing when Sean revealed that he had chosen her at the end of Season 17. He presented her with a 3.15-carat diamond that she barely looked at due to her state of apparent shock. "Did you even notice the ring?" Sean recalls asking his bride-to-be for The Hollywood Reporter. When she looked at it, she "freaked out," he said. Sean and Catherine have been happily married since 2014, and they have three children together.
#3 Nick Viall & Vanessa Grimaldi: 3.75 carats
Next up we have the engagement ring that Bachelor Nick Viall gave to Vanessa Grimaldi. "Vanessa's ring [featured] a round brilliant with a halo, tapered baguettes and pave band," Olivia Landau says. The low-sitting center stone featured a whopping 3.75-carat diamond that was an easy choice for Nick. "I just closed my eyes and just envisioned her beautiful face. I knew immediately which one was perfect for her," he told People after proposing.
Landau placed this ring in the number three spot "because the round brilliant is a classic shape that will never go out of style!" Sadly, Nick and Vanessa's love story did — they broke up just five months after they got engaged, according to Cosmopolitan. Both Nick and Vanessa are happily dating other people these days, and Vanessa got engaged to her beau Josh Wolfe in August 2020. Her new engagement ring is a "1-carat oval diamond with two side stones, set on a 18K yellow gold band," according to People.
#2 Chris Soules & Whitney Bischoff: 4 carats
The engagement ring chosen by Bachelor Chris Soules comes in at number two. Chris chose quite an impressive bauble for Whitney Bischoff. According to Olivia Landau, the ring was an "emerald cut" that featured "tapered baguettes." The center stone was surrounded by a halo while the ring's band was encrusted in pave diamonds. "Whitney's ring is #2 because of the cut of the center stone: emerald cuts are elegant and timeless," Landau told Nicki Swift, adding that the center diamond had a weight of FOUR carats!
"[Chris] had certainty about the girl, and he had certainty with the ring," Neil Lane told People after the engagement. But, sadly, no matter how stunning the ring, Chris and Whitney's romance just didn't last. Despite the two having "tried hard" to make things work, the couple told E! News that they "mutually and amicably" decided to go their separate ways.
#1 Peter Weber & Hannah Ann Sluss: 3.27 carats
Your number one ring goes to Peter "Pilot Pete" Weber! Pete got down on one knee to propose to Hannah Ann Sluss on the finale of his season of The Bachelor. The unique ring that he chose for his leading lady was one of the most stunning (and surely one of the most expensive) rings in Bachelor franchise history! "This pear shape engagement ring with a halo and pave band is #1 for me!" Olivia Landau told Nicki Swift. "Out of all the rings, this style highlights the center stone's unique shape and size."
According to People magazine, the ring's center stone is a whopping 3.27-carat diamond. Jeweler Neil Lane told the outlet that Peter spent a good bit of time mulling over the selection of rings, but ultimately settled on this beauty. "He was super-enthusiastic, and definitely caught up in his feelings, in the whole process and excited to have found love — and he said that love was Hannah," Lane told People. Unfortunately, Peter and Hannah broke up shortly after the finale, according to Us Weekly. What can we say — at least diamonds are forever, even if every relationship isn't.