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True size of the Kate/Diana sapphire

J

Jambalaya

Ideal_Rock
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Oct 2, 2014
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Hi! I'm obsessed with the Diana/Kate sapphire. I would so love to see it in person, and to try it on would be a dream!

I'm deeply curious about the size of the sapphire, and would love to get others' input.

All available information states that it's a 12- carat sapphire. This would make it 16x12 mm according to online oval-sapphire conversion charts. (See links below.)

But I don't understand, because this ring I just saw from Blue Nile is 9x7mm, which is 2.20 carats, and it looks almost as big as Kate's e-ring. I've posted one of the two real-life photos from the reviews, and you can see how big it looks. Can there really be a difference of 8.80 carats between these two sapphires? Considering that the diamonds on Kate's must be at least 3mm, maybe 4, the length would be pushing an inch, which just seems unlikely.

I'm wondering if Kate's ring is actually more like 7.25 carats, which is a sapphire of 14x10mm, or even 6 carats, which is 12x10mm.

Kate seems to have quite a bit of real estate above and below the ring. If her ring was pushing an inch in length, her finger from bottom to first knuckle would be about two inches, which seems impossibly long. I'm about five inches shorter than her, and I have less than in inch up to my first knuckle.

So, here is Kate's ring, apparently 12 carats, 16x12mm sapphire:

Kate ring.JPG

Blue Nile ring, 9x7mm, 2.20 carats:

BN2.JPG




Here's the link to the BN ring:
www.bluenile.com

Oval Sapphire and Diamond Double Halo Micropavé Ring in 18k White Gold (9x7mm) | Blue Nile

Luxuriously stylish in every way, this elegant sapphire gemstone ring is surrounded by a double halo of pavé-set diamonds framed in 18k white gold.
www.bluenile.com www.bluenile.com

Here are the conversion charts I used.
www.elizabethjewellers.com

Sapphire Weight and Size Chart

Sapphire size to weight (sapphire carat) conversion chart. Dimensions to weight correlation of round, emerald, pear, marquise and oval sapphires or gemstones.
www.elizabethjewellers.com www.elizabethjewellers.com

They look almost the same! I mean, I can see that Kate's is bigger, but 8.80 carats bigger?

My money's on a sapphire of about 7-9 carats, not 12. What do you think?
 
I can't seem to edit my last sentence. It's not showing up in the Edit window. So, ETA: If this were a bet I'd say 8 carats, keeping in mind that 7.25 carats is 14x10, according to the charts linked above.
 
I think she has long thin fingers. Also, look at other perspective shots. I think it's a big stone anc may also be deep.

Screenshot_20210320-182911.pngScreenshot_20210320-182925.png
 
She has definitely got longer fingers than the blue nile model. I’m pretty sure it is cut deep as well.
 
Elizat, it's interesting to see the ring next to to the citrine earrings, as I have those from Kiki M. in amethyst. I don't have time to measure them right now, but the Kiki website says the stone is 9mm wide and the entire earring is 30mm long.
 
This jewelry enthusiast, of the website dianasjewels.net, reckons 9 carats max:

 
meely said:
I would definitely prefer this over Kate’s ring
Click to expand...

Yes, that one is gorgeous. It's a nicer blue than Kate's, in my opinion. More of a true royal blue.
 
Jambalaya said:
Yes, that one is gorgeous. It's a nicer blue than Kate's, in my opinion. More of a true royal blue.
Click to expand...

Are you looking to recreate Kate’s ring Jambalaya?
 
Jambalaya said:
...

All available information states that it's a 12- carat sapphire. This would make it 16x12 mm according to online oval-sapphire conversion charts. (See links below.)
...
Click to expand...
Face up size does not take into account how deep a stone is.

Two oval sapphires could have identical face up dimensions of 16 x 12 mm, but if one is deeper it will weigh more than the shallower one.
 
The BN ring is much smaller; guessing that Kate’s ring is in the 14 x 10 to 16 x 12 range; weight depending on depth.
 
Well, here we go, I’ve just done a bit of calculating. This is very approximate! I read Kate’s finger size is a U.K. H. That is a circumference of about 46.7mm, which means her finger is about 14.8mm across. Given the diamond halo it seems unlikely that the diamond is 12mm across, even given the height off the finger. It must be very deep. My own opinion is that it is not a nice sapphire at all, way too dark. Would have been nice if Charles had sourced something beautiful and special for her.
 
Snowdrop13 said:
Well, here we go, I’ve just done a bit of calculating. This is very approximate! I read Kate’s finger size is a U.K. H. That is a circumference of about 46.7mm, which means her finger is about 14.8mm across. Given the diamond halo it seems unlikely that the diamond is 12mm across, even given the height off the finger. It must be very deep. My own opinion is that it is not a nice sapphire at all, way too dark. Would have been nice if Charles had sourced something beautiful and special for her.
Click to expand...

This is SUCH an iconic ring that I would love to know the real weight of the sapphire! I wish I could have it taken out of the setting and weigh it, lol! I'm so curious because I suspect it's not 12 carats. That weight has never been suggested or confirmed by any of the ring's owners, or its purchaser, or the jeweler who made it. The press just seems to have dreamed it up out of thin air.

I've always thought the sapphire is too dark, too. The darkness and the size/shape reminds me of a beetle. But the color looks nicer in daylight photos. However, I've definitely seen sapphires that are a much nicer blue. I'm actually surprised that Garrard's carried such a dark sapphire and charged so much for it. (28k GBP back in 1980.) I wonder if it's heated. Maybe it's an untreated sapphire, which might explain the price for a stone whose hue isn't really that nice compared to so many other sapphires.

I wonder if Kate truly likes it. It's a VERY 1980s style. Kate's style seems much more pared-down than that.
 
Jambalaya said:
This is SUCH an iconic ring that I would love to know the real weight of the sapphire! I wish I could have it taken out of the setting and weigh it, lol! I'm so curious because I suspect it's not 12 carats. That weight has never been suggested or confirmed by any of the ring's owners, or its purchaser, or the jeweler who made it. The press just seems to have dreamed it up out of thin air.

I've always thought the sapphire is too dark, too. The darkness and the size/shape reminds me of a beetle. But the color looks nicer in daylight photos. However, I've definitely seen sapphires that are a much nicer blue. I'm actually surprised that Garrard's carried such a dark sapphire and charged so much for it. (28k GBP back in 1980.) I wonder if it's heated. Maybe it's an untreated sapphire, which might explain the price for a stone whose hue isn't really that nice compared to so many other sapphires.

I wonder if Kate truly likes it. It's a VERY 1980s style. Kate's style seems much more pared-down than that.
Click to expand...

Agreed! £28k then is about £100k in today’s money, I’m sure between us on PS we could get a really amazing sapphire ring for that! Personally, I’m sure Kate would have preferred a nice big diamond, the Queen has plenty of those to offer round.
 
Based on size, I figured between 8-10cts because the stone is quite deep if you look at it from the side, it looks quite tall.

Anyway, because sapphires have a different density than diamonds, one must also account for this. Its because of this that if going by ct size, that there will be a mismatch between a diamond and sapphire because a denser material will tend to look smaller. The setting in which the sapphire is in, probably was meant for a diamond but altered for the sapphire.

And its said that Diana picked it not for its beauty but because it was enormous.

I think some term the color "midnight blue" which for me is too dark.
 
Jambalaya said:
This is SUCH an iconic ring that I would love to know the real weight of the sapphire! I wish I could have it taken out of the setting and weigh it, lol! I'm so curious because I suspect it's not 12 carats. That weight has never been suggested or confirmed by any of the ring's owners, or its purchaser, or the jeweler who made it. The press just seems to have dreamed it up out of thin air.

I've always thought the sapphire is too dark, too. The darkness and the size/shape reminds me of a beetle. But the color looks nicer in daylight photos. However, I've definitely seen sapphires that are a much nicer blue. I'm actually surprised that Garrard's carried such a dark sapphire and charged so much for it. (28k GBP back in 1980.) I wonder if it's heated. Maybe it's an untreated sapphire, which might explain the price for a stone whose hue isn't really that nice compared to so many other sapphires.

I wonder if Kate truly likes it. It's a VERY 1980s style. Kate's style seems much more pared-down than that.
Click to expand...

But that sapphire looks like most of the sapphires in the UK. The taste is largely for very dark sapphires and people look down at lighter sapphires. That’s why I never liked them until I joined PS and realised they could be gorgeous! Mine got called pale by a friend (she wears one that is almost black) and I don’t think it was meant as a compliment, I think she thought it was odd!
 
Meely, is your sapphire on PS? I'd love to see it!
 
Arcadian said:
Based on size, I figured between 8-10cts because the stone is quite deep if you look at it from the side, it looks quite tall.

Anyway, because sapphires have a different density than diamonds, one must also account for this. Its because of this that if going by ct size, that there will be a mismatch between a diamond and sapphire because a denser material will tend to look smaller. The setting in which the sapphire is in, probably was meant for a diamond but altered for the sapphire.

And its said that Diana picked it not for its beauty but because it was enormous.

I think some term the color "midnight blue" which for me is too dark.
Click to expand...

This could well be true, because Diana loved huge jewelry. Some of her costume pieces were enormous, as were her real pieces. That huge sapphire choker she had...Now, I wonder what THAT sapphire weighs! (And it's real; apparently it was originally a brooch that was a gift from the Queen Mother, and Diana had it made into a choker.)

Girl did like her sapphires!

gettyimages-181673520.jpg
 
Snowdrop13 said:
Well, here we go, I’ve just done a bit of calculating. This is very approximate! I read Kate’s finger size is a U.K. H. That is a circumference of about 46.7mm, which means her finger is about 14.8mm across. Given the diamond halo it seems unlikely that the diamond is 12mm across, even given the height off the finger. It must be very deep. My own opinion is that it is not a nice sapphire at all, way too dark. Would have been nice if Charles had sourced something beautiful and special for her.
Click to expand...

Diana did choose it
It seems to have excellent finger coverage princess-diana-engagement-ring-3-1280x720.jpg
 
meely said:
But that sapphire looks like most of the sapphires in the UK. The taste is largely for very dark sapphires and people look down at lighter sapphires. That’s why I never liked them until I joined PS and realised they could be gorgeous! Mine got called pale by a friend (she wears one that is almost black) and I don’t think it was meant as a compliment, I think she thought it was odd!
Click to expand...

...im moving to the UK
(Just kidding)
But interesting to know this
My saphires are dark and ive felt disillusioned with them since joining PS
 
Here's a photo of the sapphire suite that Diana got from the Saudis as a wedding gift. What a DREAM! I believe she repurposed parts of the watch into the earrings we can see in the choker photo above, and she often wore the pendant. I wonder what happened to the ring. Anyway, what a feast for the eyes! Pity the photo is black and white.

Sapphires.JPG
 
The 80s were so much fun:appl::appl::appl:
It was a very bold and glamouse time
Kinda go big or go home
sorry if any of you missed it
 

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Jambalaya said:
Here's a photo of the sapphire suite that Diana got from the Saudis as a wedding gift. What a DREAM! I believe she repurposed parts of the watch into the earrings we can see in the choker photo above, and she often wore the pendant. I wonder what happened to the ring. Anyway, what a feast for the eyes! Pity the photo is black and white.

Sapphires.JPG
Click to expand...

I found some.2020-1209-diana.pnggettyimages-186528956.jpg
 
Diana in all her sapphired glory! The only two pieces she's missing here are the watch and ring from the Saudi suite. She could have gone the Full Monty and worn those on her right wrist and hand! :kiss2:

I have to say, sapphires looked amazing on her. Wow.

Diana sapphires.JPG
 
Oh, Daisys and Diamonds - in that first photo you posted, with her in the cream lace dress, I believe she's actually wearing the Saudi watch on her left wrist! I've never seen a photo of her wearing that piece before. Thank you!

Diana certainly got lots of use out of her Saudi set of sapphires. I read that they were made by Asprey. I bet they're stunning in real life. I like the medium-dark hue of them, too. I think they're a nicer color than the e-ring.

She really did have the best collection of sapphires. She had two pairs of sapphire drop earrings in addition to the Saudi suite and her e-ring, and there's a photo of her somewhere wearing a small double-row choker with a small sapphire clasp. I wonder if Kate will wear the larger pieces when she's princess of Wales/Queen.
 
Last edited:
Daisys and Diamonds said:
...im moving to the UK
(Just kidding)
But interesting to know this
My saphires are dark and ive felt disillusioned with them since joining PS
Click to expand...
What a shame Daisy and Diamonds. If you love your sapphires then enjoy them and do not pay any heed to those who don’t.
My personal preference is for light to mid tone sapphires, I am sure that plenty of folks on here would not love the lighter ones but I do. However there are some beautiful dark sapphires on PS but you are quite right the general preference is not for these, they are certainly not trade ideal for one.
I have never seen a sapphire the color of mine in the UK. They are all dark and that’s what everyone seems to love. Certainly the one comment on mine was not one of admiration!
I have never heard any criticism of Diana’s ring that’s for sure.
As an aside when I first joined pricescope my only nice ring was a turquoise, I only had two others which were super low quality and I recently sold. In various threads they were disparaged and someone even said they did not consider them to be a gemstone so I did not post mine. I read so many threads on emeralds and lots of people love the light ones whereas the one I eventually bought is much darker. I recently bought an amethyst and they are generally looked down upon by many as a ‘budget’ gemstone.
My point being we all have different tastes. I hope I didn’t offend you with my thoughts on Diana’s sapphire. I do not hate it but there are at least 4 pricescopers with sapphire rings that I truly covert and to me Diana’s ring doesn’t come close yet it is worth such a lot of money!
I would love to see your sapphire btw and I think you would find plenty here who would think it is beautiful because they prefer the darker sapphires!
 
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