What’s A Divorce Ring… & Why Is It Iconic That Em Rata Has One?

American model, actress and podcaster Emily Ratajkowski (AKA Em Rata) debuted her new piece of jewellery on her Instagram this week and we couldn’t be more obsessed.  

The 32 year old, repurposed her engagement ring into two separate diamond “divorce rings” by Alison Lou. Following allegations of cheating, Em Rata left her former husband Sebastian Bear-McClard.

The exes share one child, Sylvester aged 3, and have been separated since 2022. Many are speculating that these divorce rings are a celebration of her divorce being finalised.  

 

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A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata)

The original ring gifted to her by her ex husband, was a two-diamond pear shape and square ring that still lives on the manifestation boards of many hopeful brides to be. This style of ring is known as Toi et Moi which means you and me, symbolising two becoming one.

But now the proudly single model has become one again creating two separate rings and casting two new diamonds on to the square ring – j’adore.  

Em Rata and her ex husband Sebastian were not a couple who followed tradition. Emily received her engagement ring on their honeymoon.

Sebastian originally proposed with a paperclip ring from their dinner bill in a French restaurant in New York. Emily found this romantic and accepted. The pair tied the knot in City Hall, New York and Emily wore a mustard suit from Zara. 

 

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A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata)

While most of her following was supportive about her decision to repurpose her iconic ring, some were not impressed and took to the comments wondering what the point of the divorce ring was, with one person commenting, “Bit sad really, especially when you have a child that is affected by divorce. Nothing to celebrate in my eyes but I guess we are all different!” and another commenting, “Why the f are we glamourising divorce ??? Marriage is hard y’all.”  

In an exclusive interview with Vogue Em Rata explained, “The rings represent my own personal evolution.” She continued, “I don’t think a woman should be stripped of her diamonds just because she’s losing a man,” and we couldn’t agree more! 

Why should women be expected to give up their gifted jewels after a breakup? After all, if it was a car her ex-husband bought her, we wouldn’t expect her to stop driving that, would we?

Let’s be realistic here, not all relationships work out, not all marriages last, and repurposing your engagement ring isn’t “glamourising divorce”, if anything it’s a symbol of an important time in people’s lives and represents so much more than a divorce.

We can’t expect someone to keep her diamond ring estimated to be worth between $50,000 and $90,000 in her bedside drawer.  

 

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A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata)

Break ups are tough so treating yourself is a must. It’s easy to wallow after a split but Em Rata is the perfect example of someone who has embraced single life and is thriving since leaving her ex.

She knows how to treat herself and has proven you don’t need a partner to wear a beautiful ring, and even if your jewels were a gift from your ex they are still yours to do what you wish with.  

All hail Em Rata.

Words by Abby Sammon 

• Breakups
• em rata