The Royal Engagement Ring And The Sri Lankan Connection
Ever since the royal engagement, interest in sapphire and diamond engagement rings seems to have surged. Of course, there are a lot of fake look-alikes out there all over the world as everyone wants a ring that looks like Kate Middleton’s. The ring was first put on Princess Diana’s finger way back in 1981 and today, there’s been a renewed interest in sapphires thanks to the recent royal engagement.
The sapphire on the ring has come a long way. All the way from the isle of Sri Lanka, in fact. It was mined in the Ratnapura area on the island which is famous for its gem stones. The wonderful thing about the Sri Lankan sapphires is their stunning blue colour and their lustrous look. This is perhaps why these gems have found a place in all the leading royal houses in the world, imported from the island which as then called Ceylon, famous for its precious stones and its tea.
The other sapphire in the royal collection is the one set in the Maltese Cross which is found on top of the Crown worn by the Queen on State occasions. The sapphire was named St. Edward’s Sapphire and this too, is a wonderful, startling blue. Sapphires are especially stunning when they are set with dazzling colourless diamonds.