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Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. had their friend Gogo Ferguson design their wedding rings. Ferguson designed a ring cast from the ribs of a rattlesnake. The jeweler spoke with ELLE about Bessette Kennedy’s unconventional ring and its influence on wedding jewelry trends over the decades.
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy pioneered the quiet luxury trend by decades with her minimalist engagement ring, a sapphire and diamond eternity band, a sentimental link between the two to her husband’s late mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. For her wedding ring, the fashion publicist also chose a minimalist piece. It’s a gold ring made in a very unconventional yet meaningful way.
She and John F. Kennedy Jr. asked their longtime friend, jewelry designer Gogo Ferguson, to create their wedding rings for their September 1996 wedding.
In August 2025, Ferguson spoke to Garden & Gun magazine about the creation of the piece, recalling, “We both wanted something very, very simple.[Bessette Kennedy]loved simple design, and she was so beautiful that she didn’t need a lot of things.”
But Ferguson wanted to put a twist on it: “I’m not interested in just making wedding rings. That’s not adventurous at all,” she explained. “It has to be from Gogo, and it has to be from nature.” So she had a ring cast from a rattlesnake’s rib and engraved the couple’s initials and wedding date.
Like Bessette Kennedy’s engagement ring, this band has had a huge impact on wedding jewelry trends, Angie Kennedy, vice president of product merchandising at Zeals, now tells ELLE. “Her wedding bands helped pave the way for textured bridal designs inspired by nature,” she explains. “Today, there is a growing demand for organic silhouettes, sculptural gold and meaningful craftsmanship rather than purely traditional polished bands. Brides are increasingly drawn to pieces that feel personal, symbolic and slightly unconventional.”
Jewelers spoke to ELLE about Bessette Kennedy’s wedding ring design, how it complements her engagement ring, and how it still influences brides 30 years later.
Bessette Kennedy’s gold band was cast from the ribs of a rattlesnake, which has multiple symbolisms.
Bessette Kennedy’s engagement ring had a platinum setting, but her wedding ring was gold. The choice of metal and the decision to cast the ring from a rattlesnake’s ribs has deep meaning, notes Logan Hollowell, founder and CEO of Logan Hollowell Jewelry.
“Gold has always symbolized vitality and permanence, and is often associated with the sun and things that give life,” says Hollowell. “The snake motif adds even deeper symbolism, as it has symbolized eternity, transformation and protection for centuries due to its ability to shed its skin and regenerate itself.”
Clear Cut founder and CEO Olivia Landau’s choice to combine Bessette Kennedy’s metals was also very progressive. “Pairing metals is very trendy today, but she was ahead of her time and a trendsetter when she decided to pair her platinum eternity band with a gold wedding ring.”
The wedding ring contrasted with Bessette Kennedy’s engagement ring, giving her flexibility in choosing which one to wear.
After Bessette Kennedy got married, she was often photographed wearing only her wedding ring. Jewelers have all noted the contrast with her cool-toned, more formal engagement ring.
“The simple gold band beautifully complements the sparkle of her sapphire and diamond eternity ring,” says Alexandra Samit, founder and CEO of Alexandra Beth Fine Jewelry. “This gives her the flexibility to wear either a bold, jewel-forward look or a clean, minimalist gold band on its own. Many clients today appreciate having both options so they can switch up their look depending on their mood or occasion.”
Alison Chemula, creative director and designer at Alison Lu, highlights Bessette Kennedy’s tendency to wear just the band, saying, “The contrast makes the engagement ring feel sophisticated and the wedding band feel intimate. She seemed to wear them more often.”
Regarding the design, Hollowell says, “The gold wedding ring brings warmth to the cool tones of the sapphires and diamonds, creating a natural contrast that feels balanced and grounded. When paired with an eternity band, the symbolism overlaps, continuity and renewal, sophistication and elemental. The combination is both sophisticated and primitive, creating a beautiful tension.”
Bessette Kennedy’s wedding ring was minimalist, yet it highlighted her personality.
Comparing it to Bessette Kennedy’s symmetrical engagement ring, Annie Chen, Brilliant Earth’s senior vice president of merchandising, says, “The rattlesnake rib band brings an organic texture and warmth that feels almost wild…Together, they read like two chapters of the same woman, a sophisticated public figure and someone who made a personal choice to be very unconventional and vibrant.”
Steph Mazuela, who founded her eponymous brand of bespoke engagement rings, says Bessette Kennedy’s wedding rings “don’t seem intended as a matching set, but they share a similar sense of restraint and individuality. Both rings are delicate but thoughtful. Although they may appear simple at first glance, such designs typically include a surprising amount of craftsmanship and careful detail, both of which reflect a coherent rather than a coordinated perspective. bridal set. ”
Angie Kennedy agrees, saying, “What impresses me most is their distinct personal style. In an era when statement solitaires were king, Carolyn chose symbolism, emotion, and design integrity over spectacle. Even decades later, that quiet confidence still resonates. Her rings reflect a modern bridal philosophy that continues to shape today’s trends: timeless, personal, and thoughtfully selected.”
The current value of the band is estimated to be between $1,000 and $20,000.
Jewelers had a wide range of estimates for how much Bessette Kennedy’s band would cost today. Mr. Summitt took a lower position: “The price of a comparable gold band today would probably be in the $1,000 to $3,000 range, depending on the weight of the gold and the craftsmanship.”
Chen agrees. “Material-wise, a custom yellow gold band like this didn’t cost much, probably anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, depending on the weight of the gold,” she says. (Kemra also estimates the ring’s material value to be about $2,000, based on today’s gold prices.)
Mazuela points out that it’s the craftsmanship, not the material, that determines a ring’s value. “Currently, a comparable hand-cast gold ring by an independent designer can range from approximately $4,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity of the casting and finishing,” she says.
Angie Kennedy added, “While the practical value of a handmade gold band can be in the range of several thousand dollars depending on weight and gold purity, the bespoke artistry and cultural relevance greatly increase its value. Like an engagement ring, its historical and sentimental value exceeds the cost of materials.”
Mr. Hollowell has the highest estimate given his technical ability. “If recreated today as a solid gold band with carved details, a similar piece would probably cost in the $10,000 to $20,000 range, depending on weight and craftsmanship,” the jeweler says. “However, as with her engagement ring, the symbolism woven into the design ultimately determines its true value more than the market price.”
Bessette Kennedy influenced multiple jewelry trends with her wedding rings.
Similar to her engagement ring, Bessette Kennedy set the wedding ring trend with her nature-inspired gold rings, encouraging more people to choose more personal bridal jewelry in the decades following her wedding.
“Carolyn was known for wearing very little jewelry, but her style influence is long-lasting. Her approach emphasized well-made essentials over statement pieces, and that mindset has shaped the approach of those building jewelry collections today. There’s a growing appreciation for rings that feel intentional and personal, rather than overtly decorative,” explains Mazuela.
“Her wedding ring reflects that idea,” she added. “It’s unique without being flashy, and that’s what continues to resonate with today’s customers. In some cases, it doesn’t need to share a story or meaning; just being known by the wearer is enough.”
Mr. Hollowell echoed Mr. Mazuela’s opinion, saying, “In recent years, bridal events that feel intimate and symbolic, rather than purely decorative, have become more popular.” There was a growing trend towards jewelery, with textured gold, sculptural shapes and organic motifs increasingly sought after, reflecting a desire for pieces to convey meaning and individuality.Carolyn’s wedding rings were ahead of the curve, embodying timeless personal symbolism rather than being dictated by trends.
Chen cites Bessette Kennedy’s influence on the couple’s choice of more nature-inspired pieces. “In choosing Go Go Ferguson’s nature-themed band, she and John were quietly anticipating the shift we’re seeing now toward personal work rooted in stories rather than status,” says the jeweler. “Today, organic, nature-inspired wedding rings are a real trend and extremely popular with Brilliant Earth customers.”
All in all, Bessette Kennedy’s wedding ring says a lot about her and continues to be timeless and trend-setting as well. Nearly 30 years later, Hollowell says, “What resonates most is their quiet confidence, because I don’t think either ring was designed to make an impression in the traditional way.” “They feel layered with purpose, chosen for symbolism rather than scale, and it is that restraint that makes them enduring. In a culture that often equates size with significance, her rings remind us that the most powerful jewelry is the kind that conveys a story, lineage, and meaning within it.”
Learn more about Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
