How Princess Diana replaced her engagement ring from Prince Charles with this £75,000 gem

Princess Diana and Prince Charles, 68, married in 1981, and their engagement and subsequent wedding were watched closely by the British people.

The then Lady Diana Spencer broke with royal protocol by choosing a ring out of a Garrad catalogue.

Most royals have their engagement rings designed so they are bespoke, but this choice meant that any member of the public could have an identical ring to Diana’s.

How much was Princess Diana’s engagement ring worth? It is not Kate Middleton, Prince William’s wife, who wears the ring.

However, after Diana and Prince Charles split in 1996, it no longer seemed appropriate for Diana to wear her ring.

However, the divorcee had a novel way of adorning her ring finger.

Grant Mobley, a gemologist and Director at Pluczenik, one of the world’s leading diamantaires said: “A beautiful ring that Princess Diana was seen wearing on her ring finger after her divorce from Prince Charles was an emerald cut, aquamarine and diamond ring.

Diana had the ring made to go with a bracelet she loved to wear even before her divorce.

“The Princess was very fond of a pearl and diamond bracelet featuring a large emerald cut aquamarine that she was given in her early years as a princess and, after her divorce, she commissioned this matching ring to be made,” Grant explained.

“Diana’s taste in jewellery was impeccable and the fact that she commissioned this ring to be made is a clear testament to her taste.

“She always chose diamond jewellery that was meaningful to her – she was very intentional with her jewellery choices and made sure they were the best representation of those meaningful moments.”

Princess Diana celebrated her single life in style with this stunning ring, a gift to herself after her marriage came to an end.

Grant said: “The ring is in an Art Deco style, set with a very large aquamarine of a unique, deep blue colour and rare diamonds on the side.

“The aquamarine looks to be about 30 carats and is a perfect complement to the bracelet she clearly loved.

“While I do not have accurate information on the initial cost of the ring, I estimate the value of such a ring in today’s market would be around £75,000 because of the size, colour, and quality of the center diamond.”

The romantic Diana’s love of diamonds was fitting for this new piece of jewellery.

Grant said: “It’s also quite fitting that the late Princess Diana only ever chose to wear diamonds on her ring finger since diamonds are the ultimate representation of love and commitment.”

What happened to Princess Diana’s jewellery after she died? 

Princess Diana had many beautiful pieces of jewellery. One of her diamonds was used to make Meghan Markle’s engagement ring.

How much is Meghan Markle’s engagement ring worth