Chrissy Teigen's Engagement Ring from John Legend Is Worth an Estimated $200K—Here's What We Know About It

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend have a relationship that’s straight out of a fairy tale—and it gets better year after year. The couple just celebrated a decade of marriage in Lake Como, returning to the site of their 2013 wedding to renew their vows surrounded by their friends, family, and four children. In honor of that milestone, we're reflecting on how it all began—and taking a closer look at the diamond Legend used when he asked Teigen to become his wife.

After four years of dating, the “All of Me” singer proposed on Christmas in the Maldives with a cushion-cut diamond sparkler that’s been perched on the cookbook author and model's left ring finger ever since 2011. Zack Stone, a leading diamond expert at United Kingdom-based fine jewelry company Steven Stone, reveals that the rock cost Legend an estimated $150,000 to $200,000. 

According to Stone, the middle gem is about five or six carats and radiates different colors when light strikes each facet. The jewelry expert notes that the cushion-cut diamond is set on a pavé band; the shank is lined with small diamonds, adding even more sparkle to the radiant piece of jewelry. Not only is the bauble monetarily valuable, but it also holds sentimental value. According to Stone, cushion-cut gems symbolize eternal love, representing Legend’s commitment to Teigen and a promise of lifelong happiness in their marriage.

Although Legend put a lot of thought into the engagement ring and the proposal itself, the TSA almost ruined the surprise. The “In My Mind” singer told Oprah Winfrey on Oprah’s Next Chapter in 2013 that he was going through airport security on the way to the Maldives when an agent asked to specifically search through the box where the ring was stashed in his carry-on bag. “Chrissy was standing right next to me, and I was, like, ‘Oh, my God. I’ve hid it so well this whole time. Now as we’re just about to get to the Maldives, she’s going find out I have a ring in this box, and it’s going to ruin the surprise, and I’ll have to get on my knees in the airport in front of security,’” he recounted. Thankfully, TSA let him go without opening the ring box, so Legend managed to keep his plan a secret.

The artist ended up proposing to Teigen at a romantic dinner during their getaway. Today reports that Legend hid the ring in a dessert that the waiter brought out for the model. “I see the little box, and then, you know, your heart stops, and you get so excited,” Teigen told Oprah. “There was no big grand speech or anything. I think it was just very lovely and sweet.” Teigen also admitted to InStyle that she didn’t know much about the ring before Legend popped with question with it. “All I know is that it’s a cushion cut, and I had never even heard of it before,” she said to the outlet. Since the proposal, Teigen regularly wears her engagement ring with two matching pavé diamond bands.