Princess Di's ring - If you were Kate, would you want it?

Parent Cafe
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<p>You could always get something like this even though it’s not technically a “mothers ring” [Sterling</a> Silver Couple’s Princess Birthstone Ring (2 Stones and Names) - View All Personalized Jewelry - Zales](<a href=“http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2556445&kpc=1]Sterling”>http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2556445&kpc=1)</p>

<p>I see jewelery actually marketed as mothers rings at department stores all the time.</p>

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<p>There was a momentary creepy factor that I felt when I heard he gave her his mom’s ring, but that subsided. I think his heart was in the right place, and the ring is striking. Congrats to them both.</p>

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<p>If were Kate I would be honored and touched to receive that ring. </p>

<p>(personally, though it is not my style, I don’t care for the color blue and never did like the setting).</p>

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<p>It clearly means very much to him that she wear his mother’s ring, which is wonderful.</p>

<p>From a practical standpoint, it looks more like a cocktail ring than an engagement ring. Because of the blue color, it will be difficult for her to match the ring to every outfit. It won’t look great with green or earthy tones. Also, a wedding band won’t fit nicely on the same finger. Oh, so many worries starting out! I’m sure she’ll have many, many exquisite rings to wear, but she’ll be bound to that big sapphire on her left hand, no matter what! Diamonds are nice because they are neutral. I have a beautiful sapphire ring which I only wear with blue clothing, which is not very often.</p>

<p>I noticed Diana wore it with a wedding band (band on the finger first, sapphire second), and it looked awkward. The oval shape of the engagement ring forced the band too far away on the finger. She also wore the yellow gold Cartier watch with the white gold ring. Very 80’s mixed metals style.</p>

<p>Oh well, the provenance of the ring will probably overshadow all of these minor considerations.</p>

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<p>I have always been told that the way Di wore it was correct, it is also the way I wear my rings. The reason I was given is that by wearing it this way, the wedding ring is the closer ring to your heart, thus why in that position.</p>

<p>I don’t know any women who wear the engagement ring and place the wedding band further out.</p>

<p>I also recall when I lived in the UK, back in the late 80’s early 90’s most women did not have diamonds as their engagement ring, but gem stones. I recall my neighbor remarking that I must have met Bullet in July or I was born in July. I asked why she thought that, and she had said because I had a diamond engagement ring. I told her no on both accounts, and she then explained it is common for your engagement ring to represent an important month in your relationship. She had a sapphire and said she got engaged in Dec. The other woman in the conversation had an emerald, and it was because it waas her birth month.</p>

<p>I think only in the US do we place the idea diamonds are the traditional engagement stone.</p>

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<p>Diana did wear the rings correctly - band on first, engagement ring second. This is the way I wear my rings as well. I simply made the point that the large oval size pushed the band far away from the engagement ring - the two rings looked mismatched and ill-fitting. I’ll try to find a photo.</p>

<p>I know many people with colored precious stone rings, especially sapphires. It’s obviously a personal preference, but I have a hard time mixing my sapphire with anything other than blue clothing. Most of my European friends have diamonds, so I’m not sure if colored stones are more or less popular depending on geography or culture. Perhaps this is just coincidence.</p>

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<p>I remember now what you are talking about, she had a very plain gold band and so it was hard to see the wedding band based purely on the size of the sapphire.</p>

<p>I didn’t live in Europe, so I can’t speak for them, but I remember after that conversation I was very cognizant in the small village we lived in on market days. It really did feel that most women had gemstones. Again, this was the late 80’s/90’s and it might be that was popular because of Diana and Fergie. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was a fashion trend back then, and it dissipated later on. It also wouldn’t surprise me if there was a resurgence of giving gemstones because it is now going to be a fashion statement again.</p>

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<p>Here is a photo of Diana wearing the sapphire with a band:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/files/Dianaring2.jpg[/url]”>http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/files/Dianaring2.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Another photo with an entirely different set of rings, worn opposite. This may have been after her divorce, but why would she wear a bridal set on the left?</p>

<p>[Diana</a> at a gala party lauching her sale for dresses | Flickr - Photo Sharing!](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/princessdianaspencer/4843547273/lightbox/]Diana”>Diana at a gala party lauching her sale for dresses | Flickr)</p>

<p>In the first photo, the band appears to be yellow gold - worn with the white gold and sapphire ring.</p>

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<p>I actually just looked on line and unless he had it reset in gold, the band appears to be gold. I think all of the diamonds around it makes it appear in certain photos as white gold or platinum.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.theage.com.au/2010/11/17/2047946/kaewilliamring-420x0.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/people/finally-a-wedding-date-for-kate-20101116-17w23.html&usg=__xEPOr3rlknIb7ErwAQEFrFSs7Iw=&h=589&w=420&sz=67&hl=en&start=26&zoom=1&tbnid=Yjew8V0Tn1IRhM:&tbnh=136&tbnw=87&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprincess%2Bdiana’s%2Bengagement%2Bring%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D576%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C1003&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=620&vpy=219&dur=143&hovh=266&hovw=189&tx=121&ty=196&ei=kEHlTNfuHsTflgfu-eyaDA&oei=gkHlTMrHFoaKlweX_K20Cw&esq=3&page=3&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:26&biw=1024&bih=576[/url]”>http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.theage.com.au/2010/11/17/2047946/kaewilliamring-420x0.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/people/finally-a-wedding-date-for-kate-20101116-17w23.html&usg=__xEPOr3rlknIb7ErwAQEFrFSs7Iw=&h=589&w=420&sz=67&hl=en&start=26&zoom=1&tbnid=Yjew8V0Tn1IRhM:&tbnh=136&tbnw=87&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprincess%2Bdiana’s%2Bengagement%2Bring%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D576%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C1003&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=620&vpy=219&dur=143&hovh=266&hovw=189&tx=121&ty=196&ei=kEHlTNfuHsTflgfu-eyaDA&oei=gkHlTMrHFoaKlweX_K20Cw&esq=3&page=3&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:26&biw=1024&bih=576&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I like a big ring and I love cocktail rings, I think it looked okay with the wedding band. </p>

<p>I have a diamond engagement ring and I wear it with a diamond band and a sapphire and diamond band together. I guess because it isn’t such a large statement of blue I never worry about it going with my clothing. I do think about different gem stones when I wear a right hand ring, but I usually still leave the sapphire band on.</p>

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<p>I wear my engagement ring first with my band second. It is a security thing. The wedding band acts like a ring guard. AND, fashion faux pas, My engagement ring is platinium and the wedding band is yellow gold.</p>

<p>Oh, and this occurred to me late last night: William and Harry were permitted ONE momento each from their mother? Who decided this? And what a warm fuzzy family.</p>

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<p>I borrowed my wedding dress and blessed it with a whole new meaning. The first wearer violated her vows, and probably never loved her groom from the beginning. I was head over heels for the man I married, and have been true to him for decades. It made me happy on my wedding day to know I was symbolically righting a wrong, and the whole thing still gives me joy.</p>

<p>I like to think that giving Kate Diana’s ring is William’s way of righting a wrong. Wouldn’t it be great if, in his own way, he was making a statement about his father’s horrid behavior towards his mother (and his intention to do things properly). I think Diana would be thrilled that her memory was honored in this new engagement. Perhaps the royal family would not like her being “brought up”. That would probably also give Diana enjoyment. Clearly, Diana and I were very close. I think I knew her better than anyone I’ve never met. ;)</p>

<p>The whole world loved Diana, but this unattractive, whining, spoiled oaf (Charles) who was more than old enough to make a reasonable decision for himself screwed it all up. Diana, at 19, deserved all of his consideration and self-restraint. Many people have feelings for others outside of a marriage. Only those with poor character act on them. Yes, once he cheated I understand she did as well, but that is not the same thing. At least Diana, after being abandoned, chose good looking men. Charles has all of us struggling to hide our eyes every time his new “wife” is in a published photo.</p>

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<p>Well, count me out of the whole world, then. I was no fan of Diana. My sympathy was all for Charles, being forced to marry this foolish, shallow, and dim girl who threw herself at him in some misguided desire to be a princess. She was a certified virgin of suitable breeding and they needed a broodmare. He was old enough to make a better choice, but every woman he had cared for had been vetoed as having a “past.” He evidently felt duty-bound to comply with those demands. It is only in the aftermath of their disaster that the idea that an heir to the throne could select their own spouse is possible. And yes, she did choose to have affairs, and no, it wasn’t “different.” The mere idea that Diana was in some respect superior because her boyfriends were, in your opinion, good-looking boggles my mind! Charles remained faithful to the woman he actually loved in the first place. The fact that she is his own age, and normal in appearance, rather than a much younger elbow ornament speaks well of him, in my opinion.</p>

<p>I gather you are a raving beauty, Spidey, since you feel such contempt for women who are not!</p>

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<p>I, too, felt sorry for Charles. I think he was a victim. I’m glad he was able to reunite with his true love. They have much in common. I don’t think he had anything in common with Diana. I never felt much one way or the other about Diana - thought she was irrelevant.</p>

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<p>While I cannot begin to comment on the marriage of Diana and Charles, I do believe that the sapphire ring was and continues to be set in white gold.</p>

<p>I also think that Diana was such a young, inexperienced bride that she didn’t realize the folly of not choosing a nice big diamond when she became engaged! And now, Kate must continue the challenge of matching that ring to her outfits. If this turns out to be her biggest challenge in life, than she is truly blessed.</p>

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<p>Add me to the camp that doesn’t think the mess was all Charles’ fault. He was in love with Camilla. She had lived with someone else. The press got wind of the story. The Queen made it clear that she wasn’t going to give permission for him to marry Camilla. At the time, it would have been a huge scandal. </p>

<p>If I remember correctly, the Queen was allegedly very opposed to her son Edward’s choice as well. So, Edward and Sophie moved in together. That meant the Queen rarely saw him as rumor has it that he basically said he wasn’t coming to any holidays if Sophie wasn’t included. Eventually, she moved into a palace with Edward. After about five years of this, the Queen relented.</p>

<p>Well…according to press reports, Sophie is the Queen’s great favorite, the only one of her children’s spouses she actually likes. </p>

<p>So, in a weird way, I think that Sophie and Edward paved the way for Kate. Certainly, Edward was never as much in the public eye as William is. Still, Sophie has a middle class background–a REALLY middle class background–and fits right in. And it is clear that Edward married her for love–and proved his mum very wrong.</p>

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<p>I don’t agree that Kate has to match her ring to all of her outfits. Then again, I’m not expected to be a fashion maven.</p>

<p>I think blue goes well with many colors. Heck, I wear* blue* jeans almost daily, and they seem to go well with every color with which I’ve paired them, even black.</p>

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<p>Off topic, but Jessica Simpson just got engaged (to Eric Johnson, a former NFL player)–her ring “features an approximately 4-carat, oval-shaped RUBY stone flanked by two diamonds from Neal Lane, known for his rare vintage jewels. Its worth is estimated to be at least $100,000.” It is rumored that she paid for it herself. You can look up pictures–it’s a pretty ring.</p>

<p>I remember my s-i-l, married in '86, chose a colored gemstone for her engagement ring. Reason? "It’s the stone from “Romancing the Stone!” I had to look it up–an emerald.</p>

<p>One thing that I notice–though almost everyone I know has diamond engagement rings, those with yellow gold tend to be “a certain age”–around my age, married in the 80s. (Or maybe they were poor when they got married?) The younger folks all have platinum and my mom and m-i-l had white gold.</p>

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<p>Ditto on all counts.</p>

<p>My DH noticed that many women now have platinum settings, and knows a few men who offered to reset or even completely replace their wives’ rings. He offered to do the same for me for our anniversary, but it quickly became clear to me that he had no earthly idea how expensive his proposal would be. I politely declined, even though it would have been nice. I love my ring, but it does look a little dated (80’s design was just not the best whether we’re talking hair, home decor, or engagement rings, it seems).</p>

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<p>I have also noticed that everyone has platinum settings now. When I got engaged ('79), I had never heard of that. My Mom and MIL both have yellow gold rings from the 50’s.</p>