In the 1700s, simple poesy rings were popular in Europe, while in New England, Puritan men-shunning frivolous rings-were thought to have given thimbles to their betrothed (though women often cut off the tops and wore them as rings anyway). Fast-forward to 1947 and De Beers’s famous slogan, “A diamond is forever.” The rest is history. Now we have everything from Elizabeth Taylor’s 33-carat diamond from Richard Burton (though it was just a gift, not an engagement bauble) to Kim Kardashian West’s 15-carat diamond from Kanye and Olivia Wilde's brilliant emerald from Jason Sudeikis-ring inspiration galore from some of the dazzling gems sported by stars.