The royal diamond engagement ring should see strong sales in replicas between now and at least several months after May 2018 when they officially wed.
The ring includes a centre stone from Botswana, a country close to Prince Harry’s heart.
By David Brough
Britain’s Prince Harry designed the three-stone engagement ring that he gave to U.S. actress Meghan Markle, which includes two diamonds from the jewellery collection of his late mother Princess Diana.
The main focus of the ring is an elongated cushion cut centre stone from Botswana, where the couple holidayed, and is flanked by two round brilliant cut diamonds from Princess Diana’s jewellery collection.
“The ring is yellow gold, because that’s [Markle’s] favourite, and the main stone itself is sourced from Botswana,” Prince Harry said in a television interview, after announcing his engagement in late November.
“The little diamonds either side are from my late mother’s jewellery collection, to make sure she’s with us on this crazy journey together.”
Botswana is close to Prince Harry’s heart, as he has visited the country many times, media reports said.
The ring was created by Court Jewellers and Medallists to Her Majesty the Queen, Cleave and Company.
In an official statement relating to its involvement in making the ring, Cleave and Company said: “We are honoured to be of service and are wishing Prince Henry and his fiancé the very best.”
Media estimates put the centre stone at around 2.5-3.5 carats.
Estimates of the retail value of the ring have varied widely.
The clarity and colour of the diamonds are not known, and so it is largely impossible to give a figure although a similar style and size of ring could sell for at least 170,000 Canadian dollars.
However, the addition of the two diamonds belonging to Princess Diana means it can’t really be given a retail value.
It is also expected that, like other brides in a longstanding British tradition of royal weddings, Ms Markle’s wedding band will be made using rare Welsh gold.
Prince Harry proposed to Ms Markle while the two of them were in the kitchen cooking roast chicken at home in Kensington Palace, London.
They will tie the knot on Saturday May 19, 2018, at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Harry and Ms Markle have gone against tradition by choosing a Saturday. Royal weddings usually take place on a weekday.
News of the royal engagement has triggered strong sales of replica rings.
Designed within hours of the royal engagement announcement, online retailer Jewlr revealed that its replica ring, “The Duchess”, had quickly become its best-selling engagement ring style since it went live.
Jewlr’s 3D modelling and printing technology allows the company to recreate trends quickly and “The Duchess” was launched almost immediately following the release of royal press images of the couple, and was outselling other ring styles.
Searches for three-stone rings on Jewlr’s website have surged.
“The Duchess” is available in a range of precious metals, with gemstones both genuine and simulated.
The ring is intended to be worn as an eternity ring or engagement ring.
Royal engagements and weddings do not occur often enough for the jewellery industry.
Although not custom-made, Princess Diana’s engagement ring, a large sapphire surrounded by a ring of diamonds created originally by Garrard, the Royal family’s jeweller, has been copied several times. The ring was given to the Duchess of Cambridge by Prince William on their engagement day and is one of the most famous rings in the world. Garrard recently reported they have seen brisk sales of replicas of the ring as recently as January this year.
Miss Markle’s engagement ring, perhaps especially because it was designed by Prince Harry should see strong sales in replicas between now and at least several months after May 2018 when they officially wed.
