Wedding and engagement rings as you would expect have a rich history and tradition behind them and I am somewhat proud to say that the British marriage customs are fascinating and deeply woven into the culture. From the rare mystique of Welsh gold to the extravagance of the oh so classic royal engagement rings, British wedding traditions have a strong influence globally on style and jewellery trends. In this blog, we will look at the history, controversies, and enduring nature of British wedding rings - and as if I couldn’t, we will dive into the stories behind the royal family’s most iconic rings.
1. What is the British Tradition for Wedding Rings?
British wedding ring traditions date back centuries, actually millenia, yet some of its elements remain fiercely debated.
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A Historical Journey: As far back as Roman Britain 2000 years ago saw the tradition of exchanging wedding rings however the focus was more about the sense of spiritual and eternal unity in the happy couple. As time passed and craft, tastes and options evolved, the tradition transformed into what we now see as a deeply personal and symbolic exchange with a strong focus on diamond bands.
- Welsh Gold – Myth, Marketing or Fact?: Welsh gold has been used in British royal wedding rings for nearly a century, starting with Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding in 1947. The welsh gold mines have been closed for decades so it’s a little unclear about how much welsh gold is actually in pieces that make this claim. As with many things in this world, the power of marketing and nostalgia have created a special place in many hearts for the scarce Welsh gold.
- Left-Hand Controversy: I have often quoted the fact about the left hand wedding finger connects directly to the heart via the ‘vena amoris’ - a vein of love. Although this has apparently been debunked as merely a romantic notion, in Chinese Traditional Medicine there is an energetic connection between the heart and palm of the left hand - called the Heart Meridian. It is actually the pinky that this energetic pathway finishes on but the fourth finger is regarded as the secondary point of connection! So maybe all is not lost and we can carry on with our romanticism - albeit a bit more energetic!
2. Who Has the Most Expensive Ring in the Royal Family?
I was too young to give a monkeys about engagement rings when Princess Diana received her huge sapphire ring from Charles. But as I started to fall in love with jewellery some years later, this piece, although very traditional and classic, certainly attracted my attention. Maybe because of the size and hypnotic depth of the Ceylon sapphire or maybe because of the love that this lady received from everyone! The British royal family, although they have had a rocky few years, are synonymous with wealth and glamour. Their engagement rings are more than just status symbols—they become nothing less than iconic and recognised all over the world. Let’s explore some of the most iconic and expensive royal rings.
- Princess Diana’s and now Kate Middleton’s Sapphire Ring: Perhaps the most famous engagement ring in the world, this 12-carat Ceylon oval sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds is estimated at £300,000. It’s sentimental if not historic value arguably dwarfs its monetary worth. Creating ring sets with this style is a challenge - and by that I mean having a wedding ring or/and eternity ring next to it - due to the incredible size of the sapphire.
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Meghan Markle’s Diamond Trilogy: Meghan Markle’s ring moved away from a solitaire diamond style, featuring a central diamond from Botswana flanked by two smaller stones from Princess Diana’s collection. It is what one could call a modern design with a nod to tradition and Art Deco. While its estimated value is around £150,000, the controversy surrounding Meghan’s departure from royal life makes this ring a lightning rod for public opinion.
- The Most Expensive of All: You will be surprised to know that the most valuable royal ring doesn’t belong to any of the modern Royals - but it’s the huge emerald engagement ring of Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. Crafted by Cartier in 1936 and inscribed with a deeply personal message, it’s estimated to be worth over £2 million. The irony of this marriage is that Wallis’s marriage to King Edward VIII caused a constitutional crisis, making her one of the most controversial figures in royal history. The wedding day must have cause quite a stir in its time.
3. What Was Queen Elizabeth II’s Engagement Ring?
I wasn’t aware of Queen Elizabeth II’s engagement ring before I wrote this blog but was pleasantly surprised at its scale and aesthetics - and of its backstory.
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A Ring with a Russian Connection: Featuring an impressive 3 carat diamond flanked by smaller stones, was created from a tiara that belonged to Prince Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg. The tiara’s Russian origins link the ring to a fascinating chapter of royal history, including the Romanovs and the turmoil of the early 20th century.
- Influence on Modern Rings: Many modern British engagement rings have been influenced by the clean lines and tapering shoulders of the elegant design of the Queen’s ring although not everyone can afford a 3ct whopper!
Conclusion
British wedding and engagement rings have become regarded as more than just jewellery - they’re cultural artifacts, steeped in history and symbolism. They also influence future generations of engagement ring designs for at least decades and perhaps more! From the perfect lines of Queen Elizabeth II’s ring to the hypnotic sapphire of Kate Middleton’s ring, these pieces continue to take our attention and admiration .
Yet, British traditions are not without their controversies. Is the emphasis on heritage, like Welsh gold, a timeless celebration of culture or a clever marketing ploy? Should we be wearing our engagement rings and wedding rings on our pinky - or would it be too prone to wear and tear? And does the obsession with royal rings detract from the personal significance and expression of everyday couples’ choices?
Regardless of the debates, one thing is certain: the tradition and elegance of British wedding rings will always hold a unique place in the world of fine jewelry. For those seeking inspiration, the legacy of these iconic rings reminds us that every piece tells a story, they are so much more than the sum of its precious metal and gemstone parts.