Honestly, when Ariana Grande first flashed that ring on Instagram back in December 2020, the internet didn't just break—it got confused. We’ve all seen the massive celebrity rocks. Usually, it’s a giant, blinding emerald cut or a classic round solitaire that costs more than a literal mansion. But Ariana Grande’s engagement ring from Dalton Gomez was... different. It was tilted. It was asymmetrical. And it had a tiny white pearl just sort of hanging out next to a massive oval diamond.
People had thoughts. Some loved the "Toi et Moi" (You and Me) vibe, which was just starting to trend again. Others thought it looked like the diamond was falling off the band. But if you look past the aesthetics, the story behind this specific piece of jewelry is actually one of the most sentimental things to ever come out of a celebrity engagement.
The Grandpa Connection: More Than Just a Rock
You can’t talk about this ring without talking about Frank Grande. Ariana was famously close to her grandfather, and after he passed away in 2014, her Nonna (Marjorie) had a special ring made for her. That original ring used a pearl from Frank’s tie pin. Ariana even tweeted about it way back then, saying Nonna told her Frank appeared in a dream and said the pearl would protect her.
Fast forward to 2020. When Dalton Gomez went to Jack Solow of Solow & Co. to design the engagement ring, he didn't just want a big diamond. He specifically asked to incorporate a pearl.
Now, there’s been some debate among fans and jewelers about whether the pearl in the engagement ring is the actual pearl from the tie pin or a new one meant to represent it. Solow has mentioned in interviews that Dalton was "meticulous" about the sentimental value. Whether it’s the physical heirloom or a symbolic twin, the placement—nestled right against the diamond—was intentional. It wasn’t just a design quirk; it was a way to keep her grandfather’s protection as part of her new chapter.
Break Down the Specs: The Diamond and the Cost
If we’re looking at the raw data, this ring is a heavyweight. Most experts, including Michelle Demaree from Miss Diamond Ring, estimate the oval diamond is somewhere between 5 and 6 carats.
Here is the "vibe check" on the technical side:
- The Cut: An elongated oval. This is a smart move because ovals have a large surface area, making them look even bigger than a round diamond of the same weight.
- The Ratio: It has roughly a 1:45 ratio, which gives it that "skinny" look that's super flattering on the finger.
- The Setting: It’s set at a distinct angle—about 45 degrees. This is what makes it a "Toi et Moi" style, a design famously popularized by Napoleon Bonaparte in the 18th century.
- The Metal: A simple, thin platinum band. No pavé, no extra "noise." Just the two stones doing the talking.
Price-wise? You’re looking at a range of $200,000 to $350,000. While that’s a lot of money, it’s actually somewhat modest compared to, say, the $2 million rock Pete Davidson reportedly gave her (more on that in a second).
The Practical Nightmare: Why You Probably Shouldn't Copy This
I love the look, I really do. But as a piece of everyday jewelry? It’s kind of a disaster.
Diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. They are invincible. Pearls? They are a 2.5 to 3.0. They are soft, organic, and incredibly porous. If you wore a pearl ring every day—showering in it, putting on hand sanitizer, bumping it against a car door—that pearl would lose its luster, turn yellow, or literally crack within a year.
Also, the "Toi et Moi" style is notorious for snagging on sweaters. If the stones aren't perfectly seated, they act like little hooks for every knit garment you own. Ariana likely has the luxury of taking her ring off the second she gets home or having a "stunt double" ring for travel, but for a normal person, this design is high-maintenance.
The Pete Davidson Era: A Different Kind of Sparkle
We can’t mention the Dalton ring without acknowledging the 3.03-carat pear-shaped diamond Pete Davidson bought her in 2018. That ring was a whole different beast. It was designed by Greg Yuna (known as "Mr. Flawless") and cost around $93,000.
That ring was much more "traditional celebrity." It had a halo of smaller diamonds and a massive teardrop shape that fans joked looked like a literal "no tears left to cry" reference. When they broke up, reports swirled that she returned the ring to Pete. It was a whirlwind piece for a whirlwind romance.
The Dalton ring, by contrast, felt more "Ariana." It was quirky, vintage-inspired, and deeply personal. It felt like she was leaning into her "Nonna era" rather than the "Boca pop star" era.
Where Is the Ring Now?
Since Ariana and Dalton finalized their divorce in early 2024, the ring has—predictably—disappeared from her finger. In recent public appearances, like the Wicked press tours, she’s been seen wearing different jewelry, often themed around her character Glinda.
There was a moment at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards where fans thought she had "swapped" the pearl for a diamond in the same setting, but closer inspection suggests it was just a similar-looking stacked set. Usually, in high-profile divorces, the woman keeps the ring unless it’s a family heirloom from the husband’s side. Since the pearl was her family heirloom, it’s safe to say that piece of the ring is tucked away somewhere safe, even if the marriage didn't last.
How to Get the Look (Without the Celebrity Budget)
If you're obsessed with the asymmetrical look but don't have $300k lying around, you've got options. The "Toi et Moi" trend is huge right now, and you can make it way more durable.
- Swap the Pearl for a White Sapphire: If you want that milky white look but need the ring to survive a trip to the gym, a white sapphire or a bezel-set moissanite is a much better call.
- Go Lab-Grown: You can get a 5-carat oval lab diamond for a fraction of the price of a natural one. We’re talking $5,000 instead of $200,000.
- Tilt the Stone: Any jeweler can set an oval diamond at an angle. It’s a simple way to make a basic ring look custom and "edgy" without adding cost.
The legacy of Ariana Grande’s engagement ring isn't just about the carats or the celebrity drama. It’s the fact that she chose something that didn't look "perfect." It looked like her. It was a weird, sentimental, lopsided tribute to her family, and in a world of cookie-cutter celebrity jewelry, that’s actually pretty cool.
To make this style work for you, focus on the "Two Stone" or "Toi et Moi" category when searching for settings. Ensure the stones are set in a way that protects the softer gem—ideally with a bezel or protective prongs—and always prioritize the sentimental story over the price tag.
