George Boyle
In 2003, Kobe Bryant presented his wife, Vanessa Bryant, with an 8-carat purple diamond ring worth $4 million. This ring was given to Vanessa after Kobe admitted to cheating on her and was charged with sexual assault. Following Kobe and his daughter Gianna's tragic death in 2020, Vanessa wore a wraparound ring with Kobe written on it in place of her wedding and engagement rings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ring type | Wedding ring/Engagement ring |
| Cost | $4 million |
| Diamond colour | Purple |
| Diamond carats | 8-carat |
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What You'll Learn
Vanessa Bryant's $4 million wedding ring
In 2003, Kobe Bryant bought his wife, Vanessa Bryant, a $4 million wedding ring. The ring was an 8-carat purple diamond set in a glimmering band. The ring was a grand gesture of apology from Kobe to Vanessa after he admitted to cheating on her.
During a press conference at the Staples Center in LA, Kobe publicly apologised to Vanessa, saying:
> "You're my backbone. You're a blessing. You're a piece of my heart. You're the air I breathe. And you're the strongest person I know, and I'm so sorry for having to put you through this and having to put our family through this."
At the time, Kobe was facing charges of sexual assault, which he denied, and the couple was under intense media scrutiny. Despite the scandal, Vanessa stood by Kobe, and the two presented themselves as a happy family. They went on to have four children and remained one of the most celebrated couples in basketball.
Following Kobe's tragic death in a helicopter crash in 2020, Vanessa paid tribute to him by wearing a wraparound ring with the name "Kobe" on her wedding finger in place of her engagement and wedding bands.
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8-carat purple diamond
Vanessa Bryant's wedding ring is a stunning 8-carat purple diamond set in a glimmering band. It was given to her by her husband, Kobe Bryant, in 2003, and is reportedly worth $4 million.
Purple diamonds are among the rarest coloured stones in the world. They are so rare that they are almost unheard of, with most purple diamonds being lighter in tone and vivid and dark purple diamonds being even rarer and more expensive. To put the rarity of coloured stones in perspective, there is one coloured diamond for every 10,000 near-colourless ones. The colour in these diamonds comes from a subtle distortion in the atomic structure of the stone, called graining, which changes light absorption.
Due to their rarity, purple diamonds often attract headlines, especially when large diamonds of this type are discovered. For example, an 11.06-carat fancy deep purple-pink stone reported by diamond industry publication Rapaport when it went up for sale by Hong Kong-based M&B Limited. Another example is a 0.42-carat Fancy Pink Purple Diamond Round Cut from Leibish & Co., priced at $15,210.
Adding smaller stones to a purple diamond engagement ring can offer additional carat weight and style. A pavé setting, for instance, includes smaller stones lining the band, while a halo setting surrounds the centre diamond to increase the surface area of the ring.
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Kobe Bryant's 'apology ring'
In 2003, Kobe Bryant was charged with the rape of a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort where he was staying. He admitted to cheating on his wife, Vanessa Bryant, and publicly apologised to her, saying:
> "You’re my backbone. You’re a blessing. You’re a piece of my heart. You’re the air I breathe. And you’re the strongest person I know, and I’m so sorry for having to put you through this and having to put our family through this."
Three days after the charges were announced, Kobe presented Vanessa with a $4 million ring. The ring, dubbed the "apology ring" by the media, features an 8-carat purple diamond set in a glimmering band. It was designed by the jeweller Raffi, who also made the couple's wedding rings.
While the timing of the gift may suggest that it was an apology gift, reports indicate that the ring had been commissioned two weeks prior to the charges being announced.
Following Kobe's tragic death in a helicopter crash in 2020, Vanessa paid tribute to him by wearing a wraparound ring with the name "Kobe" on her wedding finger in place of her engagement and wedding bands.
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Vanessa's tribute ring to Kobe
In December 2020, Vanessa Bryant revealed a sparkling diamond ring as a tribute to her late husband, Kobe Bryant, and their daughter, Gianna, who died in a helicopter crash in January 2020. The ring, which reads "Kobe", is worn on her wedding finger in place of her engagement and wedding bands.
Kobe was known for his romantic gestures towards Vanessa. In 2003, he presented her with an 8-carat purple diamond ring worth $4 million. This ring was often referred to as the "apology ring" as it was given to Vanessa after Kobe admitted to cheating on her and was facing charges of rape. During a press conference, Kobe publicly apologised to Vanessa, calling her his "backbone" and expressing his remorse for putting her and their family through a difficult situation.
The size and value of Vanessa's tribute ring to Kobe are not publicly known. However, it is believed to be a valuable and meaningful piece of jewellery, just like the "apology ring" Kobe gave her in 2003. The size and carat weight of the diamond in the tribute ring have not been disclosed, but it is described as a dazzling and stunning diamond ring that caught the eye of many.
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The ring's history
In July 2003, Vanessa Bryant received an 8-carat purple diamond ring from her husband, Kobe Bryant. The ring, valued at $4 million, was dubbed the "apology ring" as it was given to her after Kobe admitted to cheating on her and was charged with the rape of a 19-year-old employee. During a press conference at the Staples Center in LA, Kobe addressed his wife, saying, "You're my backbone. You're a blessing. You're a piece of my heart. You're the air I breathe. And you're the strongest person I know, and I'm so sorry for having to put you through this and having to put our family through this."
Following Kobe and his daughter Gianna's tragic death in a helicopter crash in January 2020, Vanessa paid tribute to them by wearing a wraparound ring with the name "Kobe" on it in place of her engagement and wedding bands. This tribute was in line with the tradition in many Western countries, which traces back to the Ancient Romans, of wearing an engagement ring on the fourth finger on the left hand, believed to have a vein that ran directly to the heart, the "Vena Amoris" or "vein of love".
Vanessa's decision to stay in her marriage to Kobe despite his infidelity and charges of sexual assault sparked varied reactions from the public. Some criticised her choice, while others defended her right to make her own decisions and emphasised the importance of men taking responsibility for their actions.
In addition to the $4 million apology ring, it is speculated that Vanessa received a 7-carat engagement ring from Kobe when she was still in high school.
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Frequently asked questions
Vanessa Bryant's wedding ring is an 8-carat purple diamond set in a band.
The ring is estimated to cost $4 million.
Kobe Bryant bought the ring for his wife as an "apology" after he admitted to cheating on her.
Yes, Vanessa accepted the ring. However, it is unclear if she wore it as she was spotted with a different ring after Kobe and their daughter Gianna's death in 2020.
Yes, Vanessa received an engagement ring from Kobe Bryant when she was 17. This ring was 7 carats.
