Aidan Carrie Engagement Ring: What Most People Get Wrong

Let’s be real for a second. If you grew up watching Sex and the City, you probably have a visceral memory of the "hives" episode. It wasn't just about the commitment issues or the fact that Carrie Bradshaw basically broke out in a physical rash at the mere thought of a white dress. It was about the jewelry. Or, more specifically, the absolute disaster that was the first Aidan Carrie engagement ring—and the high-end redemption arc that followed.

People still argue about this. They argue about whether Carrie was a "brat" for hating a diamond. They argue about whether Aidan was "clueless" for picking it. But looking back from 2026, the whole saga of the Aidan Carrie engagement ring is actually a perfect case study in how a piece of jewelry can signal exactly why a relationship is doomed before the "I do" even happens.

The Ring That Made Carrie Vomit

It’s the scene every fan remembers. Carrie is snooping through Aidan Shaw's gym bag (classic toxic behavior, let’s be honest) and finds a small velvet box. She opens it, expecting... well, she doesn't know what. But she definitely wasn't expecting what she found.

The first ring was a pear-shaped diamond on a yellow gold band.

Now, in today’s world, pear-shaped diamonds are actually pretty trendy. You see them on Instagram constantly. But back in the early 2000s? To a fashion-forward New Yorker like Carrie Bradshaw, that ring looked like something out of a 1980s catalog. It was dated. It was "country." It was, as Carrie famously told the girls over brunch, "not me."

She literally threw up.

The physical reaction wasn't just about the aesthetics, though. It was about the fact that Aidan—the man who lived with her, the man who wanted to marry her—didn't see her. Or so she thought. We later find out that Miranda Hobbes actually helped him pick it out. Which, honestly? That explains a lot. Miranda is pragmatic; Carrie is a peacock.

The Harry Winston Upgrade

Aidan eventually figured it out. Well, actually, Samantha Jones figured it out for him.

After the first ring debacle, Samantha stepped in to play "ring consultant." When Aidan finally got down on one knee on a moonlit sidewalk with his dog, Pete, he wasn't holding the pear-shaped "mistake." Instead, he presented Carrie with a 3-carat Asscher-cut diamond from Harry Winston.

This ring was a total 180.

• The Cut: Asscher cuts are known for their "hall of mirrors" effect. They are vintage-inspired, sophisticated, and scream "old money Manhattan."
• The Metal: It was set on a platinum or white gold band, ditching the dated yellow gold.
• The Value: Experts estimate that in today’s market, a 3-carat Harry Winston Asscher cut would easily clear $50,000 to $100,000 depending on the clarity.

Carrie said yes. She loved the ring. But then things got weird.

Why She Wore It Around Her Neck

You remember the "ring on a chain" phase. Carrie claimed she wore the Aidan Carrie engagement ring on a necklace because it was "closer to her heart."

Kinda sweet, right? Wrong.

It was a giant red flag. Even Aidan knew it. If you’re engaged and you refuse to put the ring on your finger, you’re not really engaged; you’re just holding onto a very expensive deposit. She wore that stunning Asscher cut around her neck like a leash, a constant reminder of a commitment she was terrified to actually make.

The necklace look became iconic in its own right, but it symbolized the distance between them. Aidan wanted a wife in a farmhouse; Carrie wanted a diamond on a chain in a brownstone. The ring was beautiful, but it was a misfit for her life.

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Aidan’s Ring vs. Big’s Black Diamond

It’s impossible to talk about the Aidan Carrie engagement ring without mentioning the other one. You know, the 5-carat black diamond ring Mr. Big gave her in the second movie.

People love to compare them. Big’s ring was "different" because, as he said, Carrie is "not like anyone else." It was a statement piece. It was theatrical. But if we’re talking about actual jewelry craft and timelessness? Aidan’s Harry Winston Asscher cut actually wins for many gemstone purists.

Black diamonds are essentially "industrial" diamonds that have been treated. They are cool, sure. But a high-quality, natural white Asscher cut from a legacy house like Harry Winston? That’s a serious piece of jewelry history. It’s ironic that the "safe" guy (Aidan) actually picked the more traditionally high-fashion, high-value investment piece in the end.

The Lingering Legacy of the Asscher Cut

Because of Sex and the City, the Asscher cut saw a massive resurgence in the mid-2000s. Suddenly, everyone wanted that square, step-cut look. It felt architectural. It felt like something a writer or an artist would wear.

Even now, when fans talk about the Aidan Carrie engagement ring, they aren't just talking about a plot point. They're talking about the moment Carrie tried to force herself into a life that didn't fit. The ring was perfect. The guy was (mostly) perfect. But as we saw in And Just Like That..., the history between these two is as complex as the facets on that diamond.

What You Should Take Away From the Aidan-Carrie Jewelry Drama

If you’re currently ring shopping or just obsessing over SATC reruns, there are a few real-world lessons here.

1. Trust your gut, not the gem. If the ring makes you want to barf, it might not just be the setting. It might be the situation.
2. Helpers matter. If your partner is shopping, make sure they talk to the friend who actually shares your style, not just the friend who is "good with money." (Sorry, Miranda).
3. The Asscher cut is timeless. If you want a ring that won't look "80s" in twenty years, step cuts like Asscher or Emerald are almost always a safe bet for staying classy.

The Aidan Carrie engagement ring saga ended when Carrie had to move out of her apartment and use the ring (well, Aidan’s generosity) to help buy her place back. It turned from a symbol of love into a literal down payment.

Honestly? That might be the most "Carrie" ending possible.

The next time you see a pear-shaped diamond on a gold band, don't immediately think it's "bad." Trends cycle. What was "barf-worthy" in 2002 is "vintage-chic" in 2026. Just maybe keep the Tums handy, just in case.

Actionable Next Steps: If you’re looking to recreate the Carrie look without the drama, search for "vintage Asscher cut settings" or "platinum step-cut rings." Just make sure that if you buy a chain to wear it around your neck, you’re doing it for the fashion—not because you’re afraid of the guy holding the box.