The New Princess with the Old Ring

[iLander]

I'm sure you all have heard that Prince William asked Kate Middleton to marry him, and she, because she is not a fool, accepted.

He has presented her with Princess Diana's beautiful sapphire (will that wrankle the Queen each time she sees it?), which is a beautiful tribute. It's pictured here.

Now, as PS CS experts, what do we think of this sapphire? Does anyone know the specs?

Is it just me or is it a little dark? Or is it just the lighting? Anyone have a better picture?

 

[missydebby]

great post. Seems dark. But it must be awesome, right? It's not really my taste, but I can sure appreciate it.

 

[JewelFreak]

It always seemed dark to me. The sapphire is 18 ct. Can't find offhand anything more about it -- i.e., heat treatment. Were they doing be diffusion in 1981?

--- Laurie

 

[iLander]

It always seemed dark to me. The sapphire is 18 ct. Can't find offhand anything more about it -- i.e., heat treatment. Were they doing be diffusion in 1981?

--- Laurie

I think it's kinda dark too. . . I think a lot of our PSer's would have sent it back.

I THINK it's an old family ring, but there seem to be conflicting stories on it. I thought it was an antique, very old, but not sure . . .

We need someone with an eagle eye (and the oval formula to work backward from 18 ct) to try to figure out the mm size on that puppy. Maybe one of the professionals can help?

Anybody know?

Where is an Anglophile when you need one?

 

[Treenbean]

"after she accepted a selection of engagement rings was presented for her consideration by Garrard Jewellers. Diana choose an oval blue sapphire engagement ring that weighed in at an astounding 18 carats and was surrounded by 14 small diamonds in an elegant cluster setting.

Unlike many celebrity engagement rings, when the public must hypothesize about an engagement ring's price and jewelers are sworn to discretion and secrecy about their client's privacy, the public knew the cost of Diana's engagement ring instantly. It was actually a piece in the regular Garrard catalog and therefore could be purchased by anyone, for the hefty price of 28,000 British pounds, or the equivalent of $65,000 (at 1981 exchange rates).

At first, the engagement ring caused a bit of a stir both among the royal family as well as the public when it was discovered that it had not been especially designed for Diana. As with any bride-to-be, however, Diana's preference overruled those concerns, and the rich blue sapphire became an elegant symbol of the couple's commitment."

Hummph? I think it's dark too but still beautiful.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I think it is way too dark, with just flashes of blue. You can't even tell if it has a window or not, since the pavillion facets aren't visible through all the ink.

I get the feeling that this ring was chosen more for size than the beauty of the stone.

 

[JewelFreak]

The story is that she picked it out of the tray of rings because it was the biggest. Since I doubt any reporters were there to watch, who knows if that's true.

I scoured the internet for more info on the sapphire & found no mention at all of treatment or not, but if it was part of the standard Garrard's catalog I'd assume it was heated. When she died it was appraised at 250,000 BP.

--- Laurie

 

[iLander]

Leave it to treenbean to find it!

I was under the impression that it was an antique All these years, I thought it was an old family heirloom, full of stories and provenance and history.

He just picked it up at the store?

What about the price? Seems kind of high for that color to me. Is it treated, do you think?

 

[iLander]

The story is that she picked it out of the tray of rings because it was the biggest. Since I doubt any reporters were there to watch, who knows if that's true.

I scoured the internet for more info on the sapphire & found no mention at all of treatment or not, but if it was part of the standard Garrard's catalog I'd assume it was heated. When she died it was appraised at 250,000 BP.

--- Laurie

Hi Laurie

Do you think it was appraised so high because it belonged to Diana, or because that's what 18 ct sapphires go for? I have no idea . . .

 

[Aoife]

"after she accepted a selection of engagement rings was presented for her consideration by Garrard Jewellers. Diana choose an oval blue sapphire engagement ring that weighed in at an astounding 18 carats and was surrounded by 14 small diamonds in an elegant cluster setting.

Unlike many celebrity engagement rings, when the public must hypothesize about an engagement ring's price and jewelers are sworn to discretion and secrecy about their client's privacy, the public knew the cost of Diana's engagement ring instantly. It was actually a piece in the regular Garrard catalog and therefore could be purchased by anyone, for the hefty price of 28,000 British pounds, or the equivalent of $65,000 (at 1981 exchange rates).

At first, the engagement ring caused a bit of a stir both among the royal family as well as the public when it was discovered that it had not been especially designed for Diana. As with any bride-to-be, however, Diana's preference overruled those concerns, and the rich blue sapphire became an elegant symbol of the couple's commitment."

Hummph? I think it's dark too but still beautiful.

You know, all the explanation you need about why their marriage turned out the way it did is contained in this story. Prince Charles not only didn't care enough to choose the ring, much less design it, himself, a tray of rings was presented to her by the jeweler to pick from. You can feel the romance, can't you? If she had been a little older and more experienced that would have been her first clue to run like a bunny and not look back.

And yes, it is much, much too dark.

 

[Fly Girl]

I'm sure William chose this ring for Kate because it belonged to his dearly beloved late mother. And, Kate knows it is all about the man and not the ring. I would not be surprised if she wears it less and less in future years as more and more gorgeous jewelry comes her way. Time will tell.

 

[Imdanny]

The story is that she picked it out of the tray of rings because it was the biggest. Since I doubt any reporters were there to watch, who knows if that's true.
--- Laurie

I've never believed that gossip. BTW, I think this has been documented early in the royal jewels thread- it's not 18 cts. It's much less.

I'm delighted he gave her his late mother's ring.

His late mother is still very popular. I think it was a brilliant thing to do.

 

[JewelFreak]

I'm with you, Danny. It's a lovely gesture showing he still loves his mother & as he said this aft., is a way to make her present at the marriage.

iLander, I read that appraisal value in an article today about the engagement -- that would be an appreciation of ten times in 30 yrs, kind of extreme for a big but far from special stone, so if that figure is true (no proof of it), it would have to be from its association w/Diana.

Danny, got to look up in the archives -- what is the weight, then?

--- Laurie

 

[somethingshiny]

"Prince Charles initially proposed without an engagement ring, insisting that Diana consider the implications of the role of his wife - being a couple under constant camera barrage and the pressure to provide the next generation's heir - before accepting. Diana, however, needed little encouragement, and after she accepted a selection of engagement rings was presented for her consideration by Garrard Jewellers."


This is the whole first line of treenbeans research. I've posted it because I think it shows that Prince Charles did in fact care enough to have her consider the great role she would have for millions of people before swaying her with something sparkly.

I love that Kate got it. She may not even wear it often, but the fact that she has it is wonderful.

How do the UKers feel about her having the ring? Does it make her more accepted?

 

[T L]

I'm sure you all have heard that Prince William asked Kate Middleton to marry him, and she, because she is not a fool, accepted.

He has presented her with Princess Diana's beautiful sapphire (will that wrankle the Queen each time she sees it?), which is a beautiful tribute. It's pictured here.

Now, as PS CS experts, what do we think of this sapphire? Does anyone know the specs?

Is it just me or is it a little dark? Or is it just the lighting? Anyone have a better picture?

In the royal jewels thread, many people have commented on how dark the stone is, but it could be that there's never been a decent photo of it. I'm glad he gave it to her, it will be a reminder of his mother to everyone when Kate wears it. What a lovely tribute. The sapphire is around 8 carats I believe. I also believe the more secure setting was done at a later time, with more prongs.

The sapphire itself probably isn't the most valuable sapphire in the world per carat, but it's valuable, priceless actually, because of the story around it, and the first owner, the most famous and loved woman in the world at one time.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Do you think that's an LOGR halo setting?

 

[SB621]

I'm sure you all have heard that Prince William asked Kate Middleton to marry him, and she, because she is not a fool, accepted.

He has presented her with Princess Diana's beautiful sapphire (will that wrankle the Queen each time she sees it?), which is a beautiful tribute. It's pictured here.

Now, as PS CS experts, what do we think of this sapphire? Does anyone know the specs?

Is it just me or is it a little dark? Or is it just the lighting? Anyone have a better picture?

In the royal jewels thread, many people have commented on how dark the stone is, but it could be that there's never been a decent photo of it. I'm glad he gave it to her, it will be a reminder of his mother to everyone when Kate wears it. What a lovely tribute. The sapphire is around 8 carats I believe. I also believe the more secure setting was done at a later time, with more prongs.

The sapphire itself probably isn't the most valuable sapphire in the world per carat, but it's valuable, priceless actually, because of the story around it, and the first owner, the most famous and loved woman in the world at one time.

Well said TL

 

[T L]

Do you think that's an LOGR halo setting?

Kind of like this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...6&si=Vm2EvFKAUQJivlFCiDYuaGgwjtw%3D&viewitem=

 

[iLander]

Do you think that's an LOGR halo setting?

No, but I think Kate may be calling you looking for a recut . . .

She wants an asscher . . .

 

[iLander]

Do you think that's an LOGR halo setting?

Kind of like this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...6&si=Vm2EvFKAUQJivlFCiDYuaGgwjtw%3D&viewitem=

I stand corrected, maybe it is a LOGR

 

[iLander]

I'm sure you all have heard that Prince William asked Kate Middleton to marry him, and she, because she is not a fool, accepted.

He has presented her with Princess Diana's beautiful sapphire (will that wrankle the Queen each time she sees it?), which is a beautiful tribute. It's pictured here.

Now, as PS CS experts, what do we think of this sapphire? Does anyone know the specs?

Is it just me or is it a little dark? Or is it just the lighting? Anyone have a better picture?

In the royal jewels thread, many people have commented on how dark the stone is, but it could be that there's never been a decent photo of it. I'm glad he gave it to her, it will be a reminder of his mother to everyone when Kate wears it. What a lovely tribute. The sapphire is around 8 carats I believe. I also believe the more secure setting was done at a later time, with more prongs.

The sapphire itself probably isn't the most valuable sapphire in the world per carat, but it's valuable, priceless actually, because of the story around it, and the first owner, the most famous and loved woman in the world at one time.

Well said TL

Completely agree, a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady.

 

[GliderPoss]

Yeah tad too dark for my liking but very sweet of him to give her his mothers ring.

 

[Imdanny]

I'm with you, Danny. It's a lovely gesture showing he still loves his mother & as he said this aft., is a way to make her present at the marriage.

iLander, I read that appraisal value in an article today about the engagement -- that would be an appreciation of ten times in 30 yrs, kind of extreme for a big but far from special stone, so if that figure is true (no proof of it), it would have to be from its association w/Diana.

Danny, got to look up in the archives -- what is the weight, then?

--- Laurie

Laurie, I believe it's less that half that. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll ask there. Maybe someone can pull that information up.

 

[chrono]

It’s not a ring after my own heart if it looks inky black with only blue flashes like the picture. I hope that we’ll see better pictures of this ring as the excitement of the engagement and upcoming wedding increases. The value of the ring is now greater due to the provenance, not necessarily due to the quality of the sapphire. It is a very telling gesture for the Prince to propose with his late mother’s ring and I find it incredibly touching.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Did you think she complained that she really wanted a diamond like all the American girls get?

 

[maebelle]

I love the sentiment behind the ring, my only complaint is that when I get my sapphire engagement ring sometime in the next year people will think I'm doing it because I'm trying to be trendy and European Thank goodness I don't like halos (or inky blues)!

 

[T L]

Did you think she complained that she really wanted a diamond like all the American girls get?

Well, if I were Kate, I would have insisted on getting the "Star of Africa" for my e-ring!! It's being wasted in that nasty old sceptor!

 

[LD]

I hate that ring with a passion! My first reaction when I saw it on the news last night was "oh no, poor Kate". She's always going to be compared to the potty Princess Diana and this only makes things worse. The British newshounds are already putting photos of Kate and Diana side by side to show how similar they are in dress sense!

Well, that sapphire is awful - way too dark and not nice.

Just as an aside, I'm not sure that Diana actually picked out the ring herself. Yesterday they were saying that Prince Charles had actually just picked it out of Garrad's catalogue (himself). I think it may be a phallacy about her picking it out because it was the largest. Anyway, I don't know and frankly don't care. Our future Queen of England should have had something new and been given Diana's ring as a right hand ring which would have been more fitting (and this comes from somebody who's a Brit and a Royalist)!

I feel better after that little rant!

Going to the Tower now to be beheaded

 

[SereneSolange]

I'm sure you all have heard that Prince William asked Kate Middleton to marry him, and she, because she is not a fool, accepted.

He has presented her with Princess Diana's beautiful sapphire (will that wrankle the Queen each time she sees it?), which is a beautiful tribute. It's pictured here.

Now, as PS CS experts, what do we think of this sapphire? Does anyone know the specs?

Is it just me or is it a little dark? Or is it just the lighting? Anyone have a better picture?

It's a dark stone, but I personally find that part of the appeal, like looking into deep, deep water and getting random glints of brighter blue as light reflects off of swiftly moving lower currents.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I hate that ring with a passion! My first reaction when I saw it on the news last night was "oh no, poor Kate". She's always going to be compared to the potty Princess Diana and this only makes things worse. The British newshounds are already putting photos of Kate and Diana side by side to show how similar they are in dress sense!

Well, that sapphire is awful - way too dark and not nice.

Just as an aside, I'm not sure that Diana actually picked out the ring herself. Yesterday they were saying that Prince Charles had actually just picked it out of Garrad's catalogue (himself). I think it may be a phallacy about her picking it out because it was the largest. Anyway, I don't know and frankly don't care. Our future Queen of England should have had something new and been given Diana's ring as a right hand ring which would have been more fitting (and this comes from somebody who's a Brit and a Royalist)!

I feel better after that little rant!

Going to the Tower now to be beheaded

Since I am not a Brit, I think I will be spared the beheading, but I agree.