Beyonce surprises fans by swapping her rarely seen $5M engagement ring for a new one

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA: Beyonce turned heads Monday night, December 9 at the premiere of 'The Lion King: Mufasa' for a surprising change, her engagement ring.

Fans noticed the 43-year-old singer swapped her iconic $5 million emerald-cut diamond engagement ring for a new, extravagant design featuring three massive diamonds.

Beyonce's replacement ring

Beyonce's dazzling replacement ring first caught attention in an Instagram video by gem expert and influencer Julia Chafe on Tuesday, December 10.

Chafe speculated that the singer began wearing the new ring in September, potentially as a birthday gift, as she celebrated her birthday on September 4.

The centerpiece of the new ring is a super-elongated emerald-cut diamond, flanked by unique trapezoid-shaped side stones.

Chafe, intrigued by the rarity of the side stones, questioned how the designer sourced the materials, describing them as "unlike anything seen before."

The new ring might have been recut from the original 18- or 24-carat diamond or crafted entirely anew, according to Daily Mail.

While the original ring was designed by Lorraine Schwartz, who continues to collaborate with Beyonce, it remains unclear if Schwartz also designed this latest piece.

Beyonce's history of going ring-free

Beyonce’s decision to showcase her new ring at the premiere is notable, as she rarely wears engagement rings in public.

Safety concerns and the impracticality of wearing such a large stone daily were previously cited as reasons she avoided her original ring, according to The Mirror.

Even when not wearing a ring, Beyonce’s commitment to her marriage is symbolized by the Roman numeral “IV” tattooed on her ring finger.

The number holds special significance for the couple, representing their birthdays, both on the fourth of the month, and their wedding date, April 4.

Internet divided over Beyonce's ring upgrade

Despite the ring's undeniable opulence, reactions from fans were mixed and many took to social media with negative comments about the design.

Some fans also speculated on the timing of the new jewelry, coming shortly after a lawsuit accused Beyonce’s husband, Jay-Z, of participating in a disturbing incident in 2000 alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Jay-Z, 55, has vehemently denied the allegations in a public statement.

One user on Instagram commented on Chafe's post, writing, "Looks a little bit like Angelina Jolie's old engagement ring...but on STEROIDS!!"

Another wrote, "It just looks like costume jewelry. Like the design is also giving costume. She could’ve done something better."

"I gotta say I think this piece looks kinda strange-it almost makes it look fake because it's so huge," a netizen opined, while someone else penned, "Jewels brought to you by illegal activities."

"This is a sad attempt from her husband to say I am sorry," an individual remarked, and another user commented, "It better be new given what he’s gonna be putting her thru!!"

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