In February 1981, a twenty-year-old Lady Diana Spencer stood before a tray of glittering options at Windsor Castle. Most people assume the royal family handed her a priceless heirloom, something pulled from a dusty vault with a centuries-old pedigree.
They didn't.
What actually happened is much more interesting. Prince Charles didn't surprise her with a ring. He basically presented her with a selection of about a dozen rings from the Crown Jeweler, Garrard, and let her pick. She bypassed the custom-made options and pointed to a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire.
It was a bold move. Honestly, it was a move that ruffled more than a few royal feathers.
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The Ring Anyone Could Buy
The real kicker about the princess diana engagement ring isn't just the size of that deep blue stone. It’s that it was in a catalog. You read that right. While the Windsors usually deal in "bespoke" and "one-of-a-kind," Diana chose a piece that was technically available to anyone with a fat enough checkbook.
Back then, the price tag was £28,500. Some sources say it was closer to $37,000 or even $60,000 depending on the exchange rate and taxes at the time. In 2026, we’d look at that and think, "Okay, pricey, but for a royal?"
The palace wasn't thrilled.
Traditionalists dubbed it the "Commoner’s Sapphire." They felt it lacked the exclusivity required for a future Queen of England. If a random millionaire could walk into Garrard and buy the exact same ring, was it really royal enough?
Diana didn't care. She loved it.
What’s Actually in the Ring?
If you're looking for the technical breakdown, it’s a powerhouse of a piece. The center stone is a 12-carat oval-cut Ceylon sapphire. It’s a vivid, velvety blue that practically glows. Surrounding that massive blue center are 14 round solitaire diamonds.
Everything is set in 18-karat white gold.
- The Stone: 12-carat Ceylon Sapphire.
- The Halo: 14 round diamonds.
- The Band: 18k White Gold.
- The Designer: Garrard.
People always wonder why she picked it. Some say she chose it because it was the biggest. Others believe it reminded her of her mother’s engagement ring. There's also a sweet theory that it matched her famously blue eyes.
Probably, it was a bit of everything.
The Connection to Queen Victoria
Even though the ring was from a catalog, it wasn't some random modern design. It actually had deep roots in royal history. The jeweler, Garrard, drew inspiration from a sapphire and diamond cluster brooch that Prince Albert gave to Queen Victoria in 1840.
Victoria loved that brooch. She wore it as her "something blue" on her wedding day.
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So, while the ring itself wasn't an heirloom, the design was a nod to one of the most romantic gestures in the history of the monarchy. Charles reportedly liked the ring for this very reason. It felt familiar. It felt like "them."
What Is It Worth Today?
Money is a funny thing when it comes to the princess diana engagement ring. If you just look at the raw materials—the sapphire, the diamonds, the gold—the price has naturally climbed with inflation.
In 2026, experts estimate the value of the ring at roughly $520,000 (£400,000).
That’s a 1,150% increase from its original price.
But let’s be real. It’s priceless. You could offer $50 million for it, and the answer would be no. It carries the weight of Diana’s entire story, her marriage, her divorce (she kept wearing it even after the split), and now its new life on the hand of Catherine, Princess of Wales.
The Hand-Off to Kate Middleton
When Diana passed away in 1997, her sons were allowed to choose pieces from her jewelry collection.
Interestingly, Prince Harry was the one who originally picked the sapphire ring.
Years later, when William was preparing to propose to Kate Middleton in 2010, the brothers reportedly made a trade. Harry gave the ring to William so it could one day sit on the hand of the Queen Consort.
It was William’s way of keeping his mother close to the ceremony. He once said it was his way of making sure she didn't miss out on the excitement of their wedding day. It’s a sentiment that still hits home for people who followed Diana’s life.
How to Get the Look (Without the Royal Budget)
You don't need a half-million dollars to capture this vibe. The "Diana Style" or "Cluster Setting" is one of the most replicated designs in the world.
If you're hunting for something similar, look for a "halo" setting.
Most modern halos use tiny pavé diamonds, but the Diana ring uses larger, distinct solitaire diamonds. That’s what gives it that "daisy" or "flower" look.
Check for:
- Oval Cut: Most sapphires are cut this way to maximize color.
- Prong Count: Notice how many prongs hold the center stone.
- Color Saturated: You want a deep blue, not a watery, pale one.
A Legacy That Won't Quit
The princess diana engagement ring changed how people think about engagement jewelry. Before her, it was all about the diamond. After she stepped out with that blue sparkler, sapphire sales skyrocketed.
Even today, colored stones are a massive trend, and we can trace a lot of that back to a 20-year-old girl who decided a catalog ring was good enough for a princess.
It was a small act of rebellion.
Maybe she knew it would be controversial, or maybe she just liked the color. Either way, that ring has become more than just a piece of jewelry. It’s a symbol of a woman who did things her own way, regardless of what the palace "traditions" dictated.
If you are looking to buy a sapphire ring today, start by researching the "four Cs" of colored gemstones, which differ slightly from diamonds. Focus on "hue" and "saturation" over "clarity" alone. Many high-quality sapphires have small inclusions (called "silk") that actually prove they are natural and not lab-grown. Always ask for a gemstone certification from a lab like the GIA to ensure the stone hasn't been overly heat-treated to fake its color. Following these steps ensures you get a piece that lasts as long as the icon that inspired it.