Posted on March 11 2024
We have been working away on our YouTube channel and have been focusing on well known and celebrity engagement rings. We didn't just want to focus on trending rings but pieces that are unique and have interesting stories behind them. One in particular that we have been very excited about is recreating the famous Diana Princess of Wales engagement ring which now belongs to Kate Middleton Duchess of Cambridge.
One of the great things about creating jewellery is that the pieces we make will be around long after we are gone. Usually a piece of important bespoke jewellery will carry with it a lot of symbolism and sentiment. It will be passed down from generation to generation gaining a lot of provenance and history along the way.
Dianas ring was originally created by royal jewellers Garrards and the design was based on a brooch worn by Queen Victoria on her wedding day as her something blue. Diana chose the design as it reminded her of her mothers ring. After divorcing Charles she continued to wear the ring, maybe because she loved the ring or maybe because it reminded her of her marriage out of which her two sons were born.
The ring features a stunning Blue Ceylon Sapphire from Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Sapphires are regarded as some of the finest in the world. The 12 carat, deep blue gem is surrounded by 14 white Diamonds set into a Platinum wire cluster ring.
After Diana was tragically killed in 1997, her sons William and Harry both chose a piece of her jewellery to keep as a momentum. William chose his mothers 18ct yellow gold Tank de Francoise Cartier watch and Harry her engagement ring. Both brothers wanted to one day see the ring on the hand of the Queen of England. So when William announced he would propose to Kate Middleton, Harry gave him the ring .
William presented Kate with the ring whilst holidaying in Kenya and today she wears it proudly to all major events. William later said that it was his way of making sure his mother didn't miss out on any of the excitement.
This is the great thing about fine, well made, jewellery. It lives on and surpasses us all. It is reborn with every new owner and cherished all over again, each time adding more history and new stories to its journey as it is passed down to the next generation .