Note: This article contains spoilers for episode five Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Caroline Bassett.
in episode four love story, John F. Kennedy Jr. (Paul Anthony Kelly) and his sister Caroline Kennedy (Grace Gummer) oversee the cataloging of family heirlooms in preparation for auction. Looking at the art and other items that filled the table, Caroline picked up her mother Jackie’s “swimming ring” and explained, “She would wear this when she swam so she wouldn’t lose her engagement and wedding rings.”
Later in the episode, John puts the ring in his pocket – and in episode five, he uses it to propose to Caroline Bassett (Sarah Pidgeon). In real life, the stories behind engagement rings and proposals are a little different.
In fact, JFK Jr. was indeed inspired to create an engagement ring by his mother’s swimming ring, but he did not propose with his mother’s actual ring. According to Carole Radziwill’s memoir, Bessette-Kennedy’s engagement ring, made of round-cut sapphires and diamonds on a platinum band, was a replica of the gold and emerald ring Jackie wore. What’s left.
The First Lady’s swim ring is believed to have been a gift from her diamond dealer and long-time partner Maurice Tempelsman, although there is speculation that Bessette-Kennedy’s engagement ring was inspired by a sixteen-stone Schlumberger ring that also belonged to her mother-in-law. “I can’t pinpoint which ring was Jackie’s swim ring,” says jewelry historian and founder Marion Fasel. adventurer,Tell Fashion, Although Templesman is credited with helping engineer Bessette Kennedy’s band.
However, what yes What’s immediately apparent is that Bessette-Kennedy’s minimalist ensemble perfectly embodies her style. You only have to compare it to her mother-in-law’s own dazzling Van Cleef & Arpels engagement ring (a toi et moi composed of 2.84 carats of emerald and 2.88 diamonds) to see how simple the design is. “[Carolyn’s] The engagement ring embodies the minimalism of the era,” Fasel continues. “It’s understated elegance. “
Bessette-Kennedy isn’t the only fashion muse to wear an eternity ring as an engagement ring; Audrey Hepburn received a baguette-cut diamond ring from Mel Ferrer in the 1950s. Sofia Coppola recently wore a Cartier eternity ring, a gift from her husband Thomas Mars. “I’ve always wondered why eternity rings weren’t more popular; they are so easy to wear, beautiful and modern,” Fasel comments. “They’re a great alternative to playing cards, but have never been more popular.”



