The ring's off! Angelina Jolie removes her extravagant engagement

It's hard not to miss Angelina Jolie's extravagant $250,000 engagement ring from her fiance Brad Pitt.
So it's even more obvious when the actress is seen not wearing the expensive jewel.
The 37-year-old star was spotted without her bling as she arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda with British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Sunday night. 

 

Swapping rings: Angelina Jolie has been spotted wearing a less expensive version of her wedding ring during her recent trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda

 

Instead The Girl Interrupted star wore a more modest gold band on her wedding finger.
While there is no news that the couple have in fact already tied the knot, it appears that Angelina had merely exchanged the jewellery for her official UN work duties.
In fact the brunette beauty had completely pared back her look for her arrival, wearing a very plain black suit and billowing black T-shirt.

 

 

Stunning: The ring in question (R) features an oblong-shaped rock which is inset into a thick ribbed band, but she has been wearing the plain ring (L) for the trip

She accessorised the conservative look with some leather loafers and several other pieces of simple gold jewellery.
The mostly make-up free star also wore her hair tied back into a basic ponytail.
According to USA Today, Angelina is in the African country acting as a representative for the UN's refugee agency.

 

 

A handout photo released on Philanthropist: Angelina sits next to Foreign Secretary William Hague as they listen to refugees during a visit to he Nzolo refugee camp

 

She's not showy: Jolie probably decided to leave the proper engagement ring at home to not parade her expensive jewellery items around

Hague and the star are planning to meet with survivors of rape and sexual violence, which is frequent in the country.
They will also speak to locals and UN groups who aid survivors.
Discussions on solutions to the conflict with political leaders are also set to take place.
Ahead of the G8 Summit in London in just three weeks time, according to Hague's office, the pair will ask Great Britain, USA, France, Canada, Japan, Germany, Russia and Italy 'to agree landmark measures to secure justice for survivors of sexual violence and deter perpetrators.

 

UN tasks: The Hollywood actress looked interested as she paid attention to what the refugees had to say

 

Going solo: She appears to be in the country minus fiance Brad Pitt and their large brood of children

'These include a new International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Rape and Sexual Violence, agreement that rape and sexual violence constitute grave breaches of the Geneva Convention so that universal jurisdiction can apply, and practical commitments to help affected countries.'
While Angelina travels on official UN duties, her $250,000 engagement ring, which took her fiance Brad a year to design, is most likely locked up in a safe. 

 

Joint efforts: Both Angelina and William wore lightweight white shirts for the visit on Tuesday as part of the special trip

 

Taking the role seriously: Jolie joined British Foreign Secretary William Hague on a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday in a bid to encourage world powers to do more to tackle rape and sexual assault in war zones

 

The ring in question features an oblong-shaped rock which is inset into a thick ribbed band.
Pitt designed the ring for the mother of his six children in collaboration with jeweller Robert Procop who broke the news of the engagement in a statement last year.
He said: 'Brad had a specific vision for this ring, which he realised over a year-long collaboration with Robert,' Procop’s team said in a statement.
'He wanted every aspect of it to be perfect.'

Ready for work: Angelina Jolie arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda on Sunday night with British Foreign Secretary William Hague for some official United Nations duties
The Hollywood power couple later confirmed their engagement in a statement - and their six children were said to be especially happy about the news.
Their spokeswoman said: 'It is a promise for the future and their kids are very happy. There's no date set at this time.'
Procop said: 'Brad had a specific vision for this ring, which he realised over a yearlong collaboration. He wanted every aspect of it to be perfect, so I was able to locate a diamond of the finest quality and cut it to an exact custom size and shape to suite Angelina's hand.

Big bling: Brad gave Angelina the stunning engagement ring in April last year
He continued: 'Brad was always heavily involved, overseeing every aspect of the creative design evolution.
'The side diamonds are specially cut to encircle her finger. Each diamond is of the highest gem quality.'
Experts estimate the ring cost around $250,000.
The couple are thought to have not yet tied the knot after several rumours emerged regarding planned dates in the last few months.
Angelina has been married twice before - to British actor Jonny Lee Miller between 1996 and 1999 and then Billy Bob Thornton, from 2000 to 2003.
Brad's marriage to Jennifer Aniston lasted five years before they announced they were divorcing in early 2005 - which came after he had met Angelina on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith.

 

Family affair: Brad and Angelina out with their brood in London back in December