The engagement ring used by Machine Gun Kelly to propose to actress Megan Fox is a modern adaptation of a design originally conceived by a promising 26-year-old officer named Napoleon Bonaparte more than 200 years ago.
Back in 1796, Napoleon — then still eight years removed from the French throne — presented to his beloved Josephine on the occasion of their marriage a unique bypass-style ring that featured two tear-shaped gemstones, one diamond and one sapphire, set in opposite directions. The “Toi et Moi” ring symbolized two souls becoming one. (The French phrase “toi et moi” means “you and me” in English.)
Kelly, whose birth name is Colson Baker, posted photos and short clips of the proposal on his Instagram page. The 31-year-old rapper-singer-actor explained to his 9.4 million followers how he collaborated with British jewelry designer Stephen Webster on a special two-part ring that reflected true connections to both Fox and himself.
He wrote, "I know tradition is one ring, but I designed it with Stephen Webster to be two: the emerald (her birth stone) and the diamond (my birth stone) set on two magnetic bands of thorns that draw together as two halves of the same soul forming the obscure heart that is our love. 1-11-2022."
Unlike Napoleon's ring, Kelly's interpretation has the main stones oriented in the same direction.
On his own Instagram page, Webster further clarified how the normally non-magnetic 18-karat white gold rings became magnetic.
"The resulting ring actually consists of two rings, which by the use of magnets buried within the gold, are attracted to each other and sit together perfectly on the finger; a detail that is both modern and quite extraordinary," he wrote.
Webster also shared photos of the rings from multiple angles, revealing the intricate diamond detail on the gallery of each piece.
Fox told her 18 million Instagram followers how Kelly proposed under a banyan tree. It was the same tree where they first professed their love in July of 2020.
Jewelry-industry experts believe the pear-shaped emerald and diamond each weigh about 4 to 5 carats. The value of the ring is upwards of $400,000, they say, depending on the quality of the stones.
Webster noted that the diamond is a D-color antique cut and that the emerald is an "extraordinary completely untreated Colombian gem." The bands are pavé set with colorless natural diamonds.
Credits: Proposal images via Instagram / MachineGunKelly. Ring closeups by Instagram / stephenwebsterjewellery.