Fans Are Divided Over Melissa Joan Hart’s ‘Upgraded’ Engagement Ring From Longtime Love
Melissa Joan Hart shot to fame as a teenager in the early ’90s. The sitcom star handled her public profile graciously. She dodged the scandals that often befall young actors and landed additional high-profile roles as she matured into her twenties. By 2003, the 27-year-old was ready for more. Hart announced her engagement to Mark Wilkerson, lead singer and guitarist for rock band Course of Nature, that same year.
Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Wilkerson wasted no time getting engaged and married
The pair began their marital commitment with a rather modest engagement ring by Hollywood’s standards. During the 2002 holidays, Wilkerson proposed with a platinum three-stone ring. Hart and her rocker beau had only been together for seven months after meeting at the 2002 Kentucky Derby. But they were ready for the next step. Hart’s original engagement ring featured round-cut diamonds with a larger stone in the center flanked by two smaller gems.
Over the years, Hart has paired her engagement ring with different bands, presumably in either platinum or white gold as they continue to match her main piece. She’s also grown her acting career although never reaching the “magic in a bottle” level of success of Clarissa Explains It All and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. From 2010 to 2015, Hart starred in Melissa & Joey on ABC Family. The New York native has also appeared in No Good Nick, Drive Me Crazy, Nine Dead, and God’s Not Dead 2.
With her many acting roles, Hart has amassed a comfortable net worth of $13 million, reports Celebrity Net Worth. This financial cushion has likely helped her accept acting roles only when they suit her — and upgrade her engagement ring after 22 years of marriage. On February 16, 2025, Hart posted a photo of her boosted bling on Instagram.
Melissa Joan Hart upgrades her engagement ring from husband of 22 years
She captioned the pic, “My handsome Valentine gave my engagement ring an upgrade with the help of the incredible, creative eye of @ericacourtneyofficial who made all of my wedding jewelry except my original engagement ring back 22 years ago. Kept my old stones and added some new ones along with a new setting. Her name is Sparkles!”
Still crafted from platinum, Hart’s engagement ring retains Wilkerson’s original three-stone design to represent their past, present, and future. However, the rocker collaborated with LA-based jeweler Erica Courtney to enhance the design, adding new stones and a higher, more refined setting. Steven Stone Jewelers estimated the new ring’s value at approximately $60,000 with about $5,000 worth of upgrades to Hart’s original piece.
Wilkerson’s new design features a new floral-inspired design with the original stones encircled by halos of smaller diamonds. After Hart took to social media to share her gift, followers gave the 48-year-old mixed reviews. One commented, “It’s definitely a required taste. As long as you love it, thats what matters most.” Others wrote, “It’s pretty hideous to be fair” and “I must be the only one who thinks this is ugly?” A more positive review from a follower commented, “Beautiful! Knuckle duster might be a better name!!”
After three decades in Hollywood, Melissa Joan Hart is likely used to unsolicited feedback. The mother of three credits her Presbyterian faith with keeping her grounded. She and Mark Wilkerson attend church every Sunday and pray nightly and before every meal, according to Just Mommies. The pair had their first son, Mason in January 2006. Braydon was born in March 2008, and their youngest son, Tucker, arrived in September 2012.
