The most intriguing and iconic engagement ring that was ever given belonged to Princess Soraya. Although the diamond never lost its shine, unfortunately, Shah and Princess's spark dulled. 

It all seemed like a fairy tail. She was half-German, half-Iranian, born and raised in a noble family, well-known in the diplomatic circles. She had astonishing looks, Soraya "had the most captivating eye in the world... They had such a rare intensity, deep green like the rarest of emeralds". According to Van Cleef & Arpels, "Princess Soraya was among the most photographed women in the 1950s. A survey of photographs from the time demonstrates the power of her exotic beauty." Recently divorced Shah Mohammed Reza was the most eligible bachelor of Iran. He was charmed by her looks ever since they were introduced to each other in 1948. Like in a fairy tale, they fell in love at first sight, and a year later the King proposed with the most incredible ring. The ring was made by the King of Diamonds, Harry Winston.  The ring featured a massive 22.37 carats emerald cut diamond with two tapering baguette diamonds set horizontally onto the platinum band. Princess Soraya’s engagement ring is noted as one of the most famous engagement rings of modern history.

Their courtship was bliss, a romance for the ages. The royal family announced their engagement on 11th October 1950, and on 25th December 1950 the wedding to take place. Unfortunately, a severe bout of typhoid fever and grippe assailed Soraya just before her wedding. According to Van Cleef & Arpels, Shah Reza would leave a jewelled gift on the pillow every morning, like this multi-colored brooch adorned with three cabochon rubies and diamonds, depicting birds perched on a yellow gold branch with a sapphire flower. There are no words to describe the beauty of all the gifts, each one of them was unique and more elegant than the other. Princess had a collection full of the most exquisite pieces.

Overwhelmed with all fancy jewels, Soraya grew stronger, and the new date for the wedding was set. They got married on the 12th of February 1951, although their nuptial was very touching, nobody expected their romantic love story to end so soon. The Shah and his Queen found themselves in a predicament: Soraya could not have children, and the Shah needed an heir to continue the dynasty. Like many royals, the last Shah of Iran and his Queen made the hard choice to exchange their happiness for civic duty in service to their country. In 1958, the Shah tearfully announced their divorce. Given the title HIH Princess Soraya of Iran and generous funding, she lived the rest of her life as a jet-setting socialite in Europe, but she never managed to find real happiness. She became known as "sad-eyed princess". Soraya died on October 26, 2001, and all her belongings were put up for auction.

Princess Soraya loved jewellery, making her one of the regular customers in the famous jewellery houses. Her collection had several statement necklaces; there is a gorgeous 18 carat gold necklace with flowerlike clusters of emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds. The piece sits in the Bulgari Archive and has been lent to Keira Knightly for Oscars in 2006. 

She owned a lot of diamond cluster earrings and bracelets. 

One of the bracelets was decorated with ivy leaves in platinum and diamonds by Van Cleef & Arpels. The large main leaf hides a watch with a round case and mechanical movement.

Zhanna @ IGR London