Princess Kate’s Engagement Ring: A Cleverly Constructed Symbol of Love

When Prince William proposed to Princess Kate in November 2010, he presented her with a dazzling engagement ring that has since become an iconic symbol of their love.

The ring boasts a stunning 12-carat oval blue sapphire at its center, encircled by 14 magnificent round solitaire diamonds.

But what makes this ring truly special is its history and unique design.

Originally owned by Princess Diana, the late mother of Prince William, the ring was passed down to Prince Harry.

However, he graciously allowed his elder brother to use it when he proposed to Kate.

Despite its distinctive appearance, the ring was not custom-made.

In fact, the official manufacturer of the ring, Gerrard, claims that it was inspired by a brooch ordered by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1840.

To uncover the secrets behind the ring's design and worth, Express.co.uk had an exclusive conversation with diamond specialists from the renowned diamond store.

According to their representative, Princess Diana's ring features a 12-carat blue sapphire sourced from the island of Ceylon.

Known for their brilliant color and clarity, Ceylon sapphires are considered the finest in the world.

The ring also sparkles with 14 brilliant diamonds, each weighing between 0.40 and 0.50 carats, and boasting excellent color and clarity, most likely ranging from D to IF.

The stones are expertly set in white gold, and interestingly, the sapphire was originally held in place by only eight claws.

However, Princess Diana later had it changed to 14 claws, possibly to enhance security and prevent any mishaps.

The fact that the ring was once owned by Princess Diana further adds to its value.

Initially priced at around 40,000 pounds when Prince Charles proposed to her in 1981, the ring is now worth approximately 400,000 pounds due to its historical significance and decades of inflation.

While the sapphire is undoubtedly the focal point of the ring, it is the diamonds that surround it that contribute to its overall value.

According to diamond experts, the total weight of the 14 solitaire diamonds in Kate's ring is estimated to be around 6 carats.

In today's market, high-quality diamonds can cost up to 3,000 pounds per carat, making the 14 gems worth over 42,000 pounds.

Without these diamonds, the ring would have a lower value, ranging between 350,000 pounds and 380,000 pounds.

The diamond store also shed light on how the additional diamonds enhance the appearance of an already expensive ring.

Placing diamonds around a central gemstone in a halo or petal design achieves multiple effects.

Firstly, it increases the overall size of the ring.

Secondly, it adds more sparkle and glamour.

Lastly, it creates a striking contrast between the white diamonds and the colored gemstone.

These techniques can be applied to various gemstone shapes, including hearts, ovals, pears, and even geometric shapes.

For those looking to make their engagement rings appear more expensive, the experts suggest a few creative options.

Instead of opting for a single diamond ring, consider having three smaller diamonds or colored jewels set in it, similar to Meghan Markle's design.

This not only reduces the cost per carat but also creates an illusion of a larger and more luxurious ring.

Additionally, elongated gemstone or diamond cuts, such as oval, pear, marquise, or emerald cuts, can give the impression of a larger and grander stone compared to round cuts.

Another intriguing option is to explore lab-grown gems and diamonds.

Lab-grown sapphires, for instance, are genuine stones that are developed in a laboratory using a process that imitates nature's creation beneath the Earth's surface.

These lab-grown gems are significantly less expensive per carat compared to mined sapphires.

Therefore, for the same price as a smaller mined stone, one can acquire a larger lab-grown gemstone.

Not only are lab-grown gems more affordable, but they also offer a sustainable alternative that helps protect our planet.

In conclusion, Princess Kate's engagement ring is not just a beautiful piece of jewelry, but a symbol of love and history.

Its clever design, featuring a stunning blue sapphire surrounded by brilliant diamonds, adds to its allure and value.

Whether it's the craftsmanship, historical significance, or the additional diamonds, this ring truly captures the essence of a royal engagement.