The white diamond, Art Deco-inspired piece was a custom design created by British jeweller Shaun Leane, who is best known for his work with fashion house Alexander McQueen.
“I am so honored [sic] Edoardo chose to work with me to design the engagement ring for Princess Beatrice and to have been involved in this special moment in their lives,” Leane wrote on Instagram. “The bespoke experience was a beautiful journey; from imagining the design with Edoardo to the crafting of the finished rings. Being able to incorporate both Edoardo and Princess Beatrice’s characters into the design has resulted in a unique ring that represents their love and lives entwining.”
With the centenary of Art Deco beginning next year, jewellery inspired by this design period is becoming more and more popular.
The ring features a platinum shank with a claw-set round brilliant white diamond centre stone – estimated at 3.5 carats – flanked by smaller round diamonds and four tapered baguette diamonds on the shoulder. An industry expert has valued the ring at approximately £60,000 ($AU108,000).
It has naturally drawn comparisons to the ring presented to the royal’s sister, Princess Eugenie, who became engaged to her now-husband Jack Brooksbank in January last year.
The couple took a modern approach, with Brooksbank proposing with a non-traditional stone – an oval Padparadscha sapphire from Sri Lanka – before they designed the ring together as a couple.
The peachy pink stone was eventually set in a floral halo of 10 brilliant white diamonds and two 1.5-carat pear cut diamonds, with a yellow gold shank. It has been valued at £110,000 ($AU198,000). The jeweller has not been made public, however is thought to be based in London, UK.
Coloured gemstones have been a popular choice for royal engagement rings. Notably, Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010 with the blue sapphire ring once worn by his mother Princess Diana.
The ring was chosen by Diana from the collection of jewellers Garrard & Co in 1981. It features a 12-carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds, set in 18-carat white gold. Originally in a four-prong setting, Diana added an extra six.
Crown jewellers G Collins & Sons resized the ring for Kate, now the Duchess of Cambridge, from size I to H, adding platinum beads on the inner band to keep it secure. While initially priced at £28,000 ($AU50,875), the jewellery piece’s iconic history has seen its value increase to an estimated £300,000 ($545,000).
Some royal commentators criticised it as a ‘commoner’s ring’, however, its design became an enduringly popular engagement ring choice and inspired a slew of imitations, continuing to this day.
Meanwhile, opting for a classic design, Prince Harry presented his now-wife Meghan Markle with a white diamond trilogy ring in 2017. The sparkler features a cushion-cut diamond, estimated at 5 carats, from Botswana, as well as two 0.75-carat round diamonds from Princess Diana’s private collection.
The Prince designed the ring himself with British court jewellers Cleave & Company. On its website, the company states, “Cleave’s workshops are a unique fusion of past and present. Traditional goldsmithing skills and a passion for excellence in every piece stand alongside cutting edge technology and a determination to discover how new technology can extend the boundaries of the art.”
The ring’s original plain yellow gold band was recently upgraded with pavé-set diamonds, giving it a more modern feel. The piece has been valued at £250,000 ($AU450,000).
IMAGE GALLERY
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