The on – off romance of the two college sweet hearts had a happy ending and a new beginning on the 16/11/2010 when the engagement was announced to the world. The spectacular sapphire combination diamond ring was infamously worn by Lady Diana Spencer Formerly the Princess of Wales.



The Royal Status of the Sapphire

The worlds press and the eyes of the world were focused on the couple to the delight of the British public who’s last significant out pouring of emotion was the untimely death and funeral of the late Diana Spencer ( (The People’s Princess). Wearers of the Sparkling sapphire include the royal family the Persians and the Queen of Sheba. Sapphires are available in a rainbow of coloured gem stones but typically the popular colours are blue and pink. A Sapphire is commonly give for a fifth or forth fifth anniversary and is the birth stone of September.


The Princess of Wales was the most famous wearer of the Ceylon true blue sapphire in the 1980’s when she as proposed to y the Prince of Wales second in line to the throne of England. The proposal was given world wide coverage in hundreds of countries all over the world. The nursery school teacher was catapulted into super star status from obscurity. The marriage ended in divorce with the birth of two son’s prince William and Harry.


The marriage was dissolved and Diana carved a role for herself with her charities and went on to form a relationship with Dodi Al Fayed the son of the Millionaire business man and owner of Harrods Muhammad Al Fayed. Unfortunately she died in a car crash in Paris in 1997. The funeral was watched by the world and the out pouring of grief was unprecedented. The similarities between the two women are astounding in terms of personality as opposed to looks.


They both have love William of course and are dedicated to helping those less fortunate than themselves within their royal duties and are acutely aware of their responsibilities. The overwhelming responsibility of royal duty protocol the isolation of the princess put a strain on the princess emotionally and led to her alienation in the royal house hold. Diana left a legacy of self awareness and appreciation of the responsibility and the potential for good that was before missing from the royal role.


At the tender age or 15 Prince William was asked to choose a prized possession to commemorate the memory of his mother, he chose a Sapphire Diamond engagement ring not knowing that one day he would present it to his bride to be Kate Middleton. Prince Williams way of including his mother on the day of his engagement and the celebrations that are associated with it was to present his bride to be with his beloved mother’s Sapphire Diamond engagement ring.



Kate and William a Modern Fairy Tale

Kate and William were college friends for years before they decided that they were more than just good friends and a romantic connection developed. The Jury is still out on whether the decision to give Diana’s ring was a good one for most romantic women who admired Diana for her strength of character and unique sence of style the gesture is very romantic and a perfect tribute to the late princess for some it is slightly macabre. The British public will appreciate the sentiment and the saving to the tax payers in times of recession when even the royal family have to watch the purse strings.


The wedding is said to be set for some time in the spring or 2011 with designers queuing up to dress the bride. The nervous Kate was supported by her prince as she struggled to answer some questions not being used to the media spotlight, he stepped in to help her. William and his brother grew up in the spot light of the media and know how to handle the bombardment of questions and requests. Kate look understandably nervous, in her stunning designer electric blue figure hugging dress, at wearing the ring for the first time surrounded by the world’s press.


Consequently so did her mother in law some thirty years prior as she bit her nails to the quick before being presented as future bride of Prince Charles. The announcement of the engagement is a breath of fresh air and after a courtship of 7 years an indication that true love wins out in the end. Prince William proposed to Kate during a romantic holiday in Africa where he produced the £250,00 ring from his rucksack much to the delight of “Waite” Katy a nick name given to her by the British tabloids for her patience and belief that one day he would eventually propose.


It is common place for royals and those with wealth to hand down a family air loom. Not all brides to be would be comfortable wearing their mother in laws engagement ring however the royal family are no ordinary family and their traditions are different from the rest of us. Times have
changed in terms or royal protocol as Kate is a commoner as opposed to Diana who had royal blue blood and was a distant relation to Charles the Prince of Wales. The young royals are a modern day couple with the same hopes and dreams for their lifetime together as any other with priorities on a home and family.


Diana’s open mindedness her ability to put people at their ease and her ability to bring herself down to the level of the common people was a shock to the stuffy royal establishment. Diana wanted to be more accessible to the people and help with various charitable organisations and bring awareness to the plight of those suffering from aids and those maimed from the land mines. Diana was a patron of aids suffers especially in Africa; she brought her sons with her to show them the plight of others less fortunate, this left a mark on her sons that is evident to day with their love of Africa. Africa was the perfect choice for the prince’s nervous proposal.



The Discovery of Sapphires

The translation of the word sapphire means “blue” sapphires com in a multitude of colours of blue, purple, pink, orange and pinkish brown. The Ceylon sapphire is from Sri Lanka formerly knows as the gem island. The famous explorer Marco Polo said the island was the home of beautiful gems on his exploration to the beautiful country. The supply of sapphires in Kashmir was diminishing and the gem specialists needed to find a new supply which they did in Sri Lanka. Sapphires are known in the trade as “fancy” gems. Naturally unearthed sapphires are rare and very expensive and their for much sought after.



Sapphire Enhancements

Cutting is a traditional method of enhancing a sapphire by bringing out the true colour, clarity, brilliance and the beauty of the sapphire. Just like the 4C’s for diamonds the ability of the ordinary person to determine the enhancement techniques of gem specialists is important when choosing a sapphire correctly. Heat treatment is common place with sapphires with a whopping 99% of sapphires heat treated. The colour clarity and brilliance and the ability of the light to flow freely is enhanced by heat treatment. A natural earthed diamond that is not heat treated or cut for enhancement is rare to non existent.


With the exceptional 1% the rest of the sapphires are heat treated so you can take it for granted your sapphire is treated and has some kind of enhancement. Non diamond purchasers will appreciate the durability and of the gem on a scale of 9 on Mohs scale. The measurement of sapphires is the same as diamonds in carat weight. The clarity of the sapphire in terms of clearness is measured the same as a diamond except for the fact that some inclusion are accepted, the star being one which is a centred flaw which in some way adds to the look of the gem.



Why choose a Sapphire?

The Sapphire is an alternative to the more traditional diamond commonly chosen for engagement rings. Sapphires are almost as durable as diamonds and very hard wearing. If you want and engagement ring that stands out from the crowd then the sapphire is a great option to add a splash of colour to a ring. A single solitaire or a centred gem flanked by diamonds accented in the same shape either oval or round typically are a good choice for an unusual engagement ring. Sapphires are generally cheaper than diamonds depending on the carat size the clarity of the gem and the accented diamonds.


Jewelers all over the world have been giving a lifeline by the presentation of a sapphire diamond by Prince William to his beautiful bride to be Kate Middleton. Replica rings are already set to flush the market with brides to want the Kate ring. Celebrities are jumping on the coloured gem band wagon with Carmen Electra Jessica Simpson opting for coloured stones as opposed to the traditionally boring solitaire platinum asscher round or princess shapes. Colour it seems is catching and the celebrity fascination with it at the moment means it won’t be long before the trend trickles down to us common folk.


The antique filigree Edwardian style ring is inspired by floral patterns with delicate designs for a truly romantic ring. A three stone ring with triple sapphires or a 3 to 1 combination of diamond and sapphire is a different choice for an engagement or anniversary ring. A trillion cut diamond with diamond accents on either side with a platinum setting or a solitaire sophisticated blue velvet 4 pronged setting for the traditionalist who loves the solitaire diamond ring or a white diamond in a white gold or platinum setting.


Blue sapphires are associated with empathy, warmth, harmony and friendship the perfect ring for a promise of commitment, love, trust and devotion. As with all engagement rings it is important to choose a ring that is a representation of the personality and uniqueness of the special person you’re buying for. It is worth while doing your homework to help decide if your bride to be will want a sapphire to complete her jewelry collection. For ladies who don’t want a diamond or a traditional ring a true blue sapphire flanked with accented diamond on a white platinum 4 prong setting will be the perfect alternative.