Celebrity and Royal Engagement Rings
This article is a brief overview of celebrity and royal proposals - trends and stories about their engagements, their engagement rings and how, what and why.
In today’s world of celebrity trends it’s not hard to realise that engagement rings and wedding rings have now become ‘the thing’ to follow just like a handbag or pair of shoes. If you love the ‘goss’ and just can’t help having a peek at Sarah Jessica-Parker, Katie Holmes or Portia de Rossi’s engagement rings, then this is the article for you! This articles explores the why, how and, what on celebrity and royal proposals.
Most people only fantasise of having the engagement ring of their dreams, but in today’s Hollywood world of big money music and film careers the celebs don’t have to go that far, they can actually live it! It seems that in celebrity trends the notion of ‘bigger is better’ seems to be a motto with rings such as Heidi Klum’s canary yellow oval cut diamond engagement ring and Elizabeth Taylor’s emerald cut diamond ring totalling almost 30 carats! … It’s a wonder she was even able to hold her hand up! Musical celebrity Beyoncé Knowles’ engagement ring is said to be one of the most expensive celebrity engagement rings in history with a whopping 18 carat diamond in platinum and totalling at approximately five million dollars in value! Today these trends even find themselves on the high street, though perhaps with a more modest budget! But it’s not only the big bling trend that has filtrated into popular use, celebrities such as Catherine Zeta-Jones and Madonna have revitalised antique styles.
If your partner loves that celebrity style you might be wondering; can I afford that celebrity big budget bling? Not to worry, just remember there are always ways to work around this, to incorporate some of that style without having to sell the house!
Royal engagement rings as a trend tend to range from more traditional and modest pieces, often passed down from one family member to another, to heavy weight contenders that could take on any of these celebrity designs! Prince Rainier III of Monaco proposed to Grace Kelly with a central 12 carat emerald cut diamond– following the popular Hollywood trend of ‘bigger is better’… not much has changed! Prince Edward proposed with a ring reportedly worth close to £95,000! Our own Queen Elizabeth II however had her engagement ring fashioned from parts of a tiara from Princess Andrew of Greece! Remember if you are at a loss for ideas you could choose to go down the redesign route like her highness herself! Sarah Furguson’s Burmese ruby and diamond engagement ring from Prince Andrew set off a ruby trend in the British jewellery industry.
Prince Charles however decided to let the ‘lady take the reins’ on deciding upon an engagement ring. Princess Diana chose a lovely 18ct oval cut blue Ceylon sapphire engagement ring surrounded by 14 diamonds. Amusingly enough when asked why she chose the ring she said ‘It was the biggest’. This famous ring has now of course been passed onto Kate Middleton upon her engagement to Prince William… lucky girl! It seems our latest royal engagement has triggered a swell in the sale of replica engagement rings which have swarmed the market to an increase of around 800%! If you are after an engagement ring just like Princess Diana’s you can… you simply have to visit your local high street, turn on the telly or pop in to see a designer!
Don’t forget, here at Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery we cater for all budgets and fashion trends, just think of us as your mecca for high end flash and subtle chic! Just remember bling may be the thing in celebrity fashions, but just make sure when you are trying to decide between engagement rings that you chose the one that you or your partner will be happy to wear for the rest of your life!