Princess Diana’s engagement ring remains one of the most recognizable in the world. Originally selected from a Garrard catalogue in 1981, the ring features a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 round brilliant diamonds, all set in 18k white gold. Later passed to Kate Middleton by Diana’s eldest son, Prince William, ‘the sparkler’ continues to influence engagement ring design decades later.
Princess Diana’s Sapphire Halo Ring
The centre stone of this iconic piece is a deep royal blue sapphire, oval in shape, with strong saturation and clarity. Unlike diamonds, sapphires do not rely on brilliance alone. Their appeal comes from colour depth and consistency, which is why this stone reads so boldly even at a distance.
The surrounding halo of diamonds softens the transition between the sapphire and the band while adding some contrast and sparkle. The white gold setting keeps the overall tone cool, allowing the blue to stand out without interference from warmer metals. This is a classic halo design, but the proportions are what make it work. The sapphire is large enough to dominate, while the diamonds frame it elegantly.
Sapphire Engagement Rings Are Still a Hit
Sapphires have been used in engagement rings for centuries, but Diana’s ring brought them back into modern popularity. Unlike diamonds, which are valued primarily for clarity and brilliance, sapphires are a bolder statement that balks at modern tradition in favour of rich colour.
Sapphires are also durable enough for everyday wear, ranking just below diamonds on the hardness scale, making them just as capable as diamonds of putting up with daily wear. From a design perspective, sapphire rings allow for more contrast. Blue against white diamonds is the most classic combination, but sapphires can also be paired with yellow gold for a warmer, more vintage look.
Recreating the Look with Custom Engagement Rings
Designing a ring in this style starts with the sapphire itself, and colour is the priority. A high-quality sapphire should have strong saturation without appearing too dark or too light. The oval cut remains the closest match to Diana’s ring, but other shapes can be used while keeping the same overall structure. Cushion-cut or princess-cut could definitely work for you.
The halo is the next defining element of this piece of jewellery. The size and spacing of the diamond frame changes the overall look significantly; while a tighter halo feels more refined, a slightly larger one creates more contrast and presence.
Band choice also shifts the tone of the ring. White gold or platinum keeps it closest to the original, while yellow gold introduces a more vintage feel. Even a rose-gold finish would really complement the blue and sparkling tones of the stones.
Creating Your Own Ring with CJL
At CJL Diamond Brokers, the process starts the same way Diana’s did: with the stone. You choose the sapphire based on colour, size and cut, and the design is built around it.
From there, the halo, band and setting are developed step by step. Whether you want a close interpretation or a modern variation, each detail is adjusted to fit your preferences.
If you or your loved one wants to create your own version of this iconic style, book an appointment with CJL Diamonds and we’ll go over your custom options for engagement rings in Red Deer . Take home a Princess Diana classic!
