Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom had a whirlwind romance that led to a wedding after only one month of dating in 2009. Their marriage was documented on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and fans were eager to get details about Khloe’s engagement ring after the news broke.
How Much Did Lamar Odom Spend on Khloe Kardashian’s Engagement Ring?
When Lamar Odom proposed to Khloe Kardashian in 2009, he presented her with a stunning 12.5 carat engagement ring reportedly worth $850,000.
The center stone was a radiant cut diamond weighing over 10 carats. The band contained over 100 smaller diamonds bringing the total carat weight to 12.5 carats. The ring was designed by celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz who has created engagement rings for many A-listers including Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, and Blake Lively.
How Did Lamar Afford Such an Expensive Ring?
In 2009, Lamar Odom was in his basketball prime playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He signed a 4 year contract in 2009 worth $33 million dollars. So he was able to easily afford the ring for Khloe.
Here is a table summarizing Lamar Odom’s career stats and earnings around the time of his proposal to Khloe:
| Year | Team | Contract Details | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-2009 | Los Angeles Lakers | $14.1 million | 15.3 ppg, 9.6 rpg |
| 2009-2010 | Los Angeles Lakers | $8.2 million | 10.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg |
| 2010-2013 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4 year $33 million contract |
As a rising NBA star, he was earning around $10 million per year at the time he proposed to Khloe. So an $850,000 ring, while huge, was within his budget.
How Did Khloe React to the Ring?
Khloe was completely surprised by Lamar’s proposal and absolutely loved the ring he chose. She said:
“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I’m so happy!”
She immediately began wearing the ring proudly. She referred to it as her “rock” and did not shy away from showing it off. It was prominently featured on their reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians after their engagement and wedding.
How Long Did Khloe Keep the Ring After the Divorce?
Khloe and Lamar divorced in 2013 after 4 years of marriage. Their relationship ultimately could not recover after Lamar’s substance abuse issues and infidelity.
Initially, Khloe kept wearing her engagement ring even after the separation. But by early 2014, she had stopped wearing the ring entirely.
Many speculated she finally removed it for good when she began dating French Montana in 2014. Lamar was reportedly upset about her new relationship and wanted the ring back:
“Lamar would love Khloe to return the ring and other gifts that he gave her. She’s moved on with her life in such a public way, and he feels she should give him back the ring and other items.”
But Khloe refused to return the ring and still has ownership of it today. As part of their divorce settlement, she got to keep all the jewelry Lamar had gifted her.
How Much is the Ring Worth Today?
While Khloe doesn’t wear the ring anymore, she still has it in her possession. Experts estimate the value of the ring has nearly doubled since Lamar originally purchased it.
In 2022, diamond experts valued Khloe’s engagement ring at approximately $1.5 million. The increase in value is thanks to the rise in diamond prices over the past decade.
While Khloe doesn’t wear it today, she could decide to auction off the ring in the future if she wanted to collect a pretty penny. When Kim Kardashian auctioned off her 20 carat engagement ring from Kris Humphries in 2013, she got $749,000 – much more than the original value.
Original Cost vs Current Value of Khloe’s Ring:
| Year | Original Cost | Estimated Current Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | $850,000 | $1.5 million |
Does Khloe Still Have Positive Feelings About the Ring?
Despite her difficult divorce, Khloe seems to still appreciate the ring Lamar gave her. She has referred to it as “beautiful” and has kept it in her possession long after the breakup.
In 2021, twelve years after getting engaged, Khloe was asked whether she still has the ring. She confirmed:
“I do still have my ring.”
She didn’t elaborate much, but the fact that she hasn’t sold or returned the ring shows she must have some positive sentiment towards it still.
While the marriage didn’t last, the ring clearly made an impression. Khloe seems content to hold on to this piece of her romantic history. For now at least, fans can continue to admire photos of the massive sparkler Lamar gave her when they were madly in love.
Conclusion
Lamar Odom spared no expense for Khloe Kardashian’s engagement ring, purchasing a $850,000 12.5 carat diamond ring in 2009. While their marriage ended in divorce, Khloe held onto the $1.5 million ring as a memento of their relationship. It remains one of the most expensive celebrity engagement rings of all time. Clearly Lamar pulled out all the stops when proposing to the woman he loved.