Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
EditorsJan 25, 2018
See Princess Eugenie’s Padparadscha Engagement Ring
The princess’s colored gemstone ring continued a long-standing royal bridal trend.
Princess Eugenie sported a unique engagement ring featuring a padparadscha sapphire to announce her engagement.
Princess Eugenie of York, cousin to Princes William and Harry, is engaged, and she has a stunning and unusual ring to prove it.
Announced Monday on the British Royal Family’s website and social media, the 27-year-old Eugenie is set to wed her boyfriend of seven years, 31-year-old Jack Brooksbank, this fall.
The Royal Family released official engagement photos of the couple, which showed the princess sporting a ring featuring an oval-cut padparadscha sapphire center stone surrounded by a halo of round-brilliant white diamonds and two trillion-cut white diamonds on a yellow gold band.
Announced Monday on the British Royal Family’s website and social media, the 27-year-old Eugenie is set to wed her boyfriend of seven years, 31-year-old Jack Brooksbank, this fall.
The Royal Family released official engagement photos of the couple, which showed the princess sporting a ring featuring an oval-cut padparadscha sapphire center stone surrounded by a halo of round-brilliant white diamonds and two trillion-cut white diamonds on a yellow gold band.
Eugenie follows an interesting trend seen in the British Royal Family—the use of a colored gemstone surrounded by a halo of white diamonds.
Princess Diana chose a 12-carat oval sapphire engagement ring, surrounded by white diamonds and with a yellow gold shank, which, several years after Diana’s death, Prince William gave to Kate Middleton as her engagement ring.
Embed from Getty Images
Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter, received sapphire and diamond engagement rings for both of her engagements, while Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowden—Queen Elizabeth II’s sister—had a ruby and diamond engagement ring
And Eugenie’s own mother, Sarah, Duchess of York, received a ruby engagement ring from the Duke of York when he proposed, also in a halo design and in yellow gold.
Embed from Getty Images
Indeed, only Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seem to have bucked the royal colored gemstone trend in favor of white diamonds.
Where Eugenie’s ring stands out is in its selection of gem, with hers being much more unique than her familial predecessors.
“These special sapphires are rare in their optimal color and typically demand a hefty premium over fancy pink or orange sapphires,” explained Niveet Nagpal, president of Omi Gems & Omi Privé. “They are the rarest of all for their specific color range of pink and orange.”
Gem aficionados agree that the publicity garnered by Eugenie’s engagement will increase interest in the rare stone.
Nagpal said: “Most people don’t know about colored gemstones and especially what a padparadscha sapphire is, so Princess Eugenie’s engagement will be a great start to getting the information out there and driving people to specifically ask for it.”
And Oscar Heyman’s Tom Heyman noted that royal and celebrity engagement rings that feature colored gemstones have correlated with consumer demand in the past.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
“When a high-profile engagement occurs, we generally see an uptick in interest in similar ring styles because of the couple’s visibility,” he said. “After Kate Middleton got engaged to Prince William, we had a significant increase in sapphire entourage rings being sold as engagement rings. Many people previously unfamiliar with padparadscha sapphires now know that it is a beautiful choice it is for a ring, engagement or otherwise.”
Princess Eugenie is right on trend ahead of the Tucson gem shows, as dealers have predicted that fancy color sapphires will continue to rise in popularity.
Princess Eugenie is right on trend ahead of the Tucson gem shows, as dealers have predicted that fancy color sapphires will continue to rise in popularity.
Omi Privé’s ring features a 4.17 carat oval padparadscha and 0.75 carats of brilliant round diamonds, set in platinum with 18-karat rose gold details.
Omi Privé’s three-stone ring features a 7.18 carat oval padparadscha sapphire and 1.40 carts of half-moon white diamonds, set in platinum and 18-karat rose gold.
This Omi Privé style has a 2.02-carat oval padparadscha center stone, accented with 0.18 carats of epaulette-cut diamonds and 0.22 carats of brilliant round diamonds, set in platinum with 18-karat rose gold accents.
Omi Privé’s platinum and 18-karat rose gold ring with 8.18-carat no-heat oval padparadscha sapphire surrounded by 0.74 carats of brilliant round diamonds
Oscar Heyman’s platinum ring with 5.01-carat no-heat padparadscha sapphire and eight oval diamonds totaling 1.34 carats, and a platinum eternity band with 28 round diamonds totaling 1.08 carats
Pictured here is Oscar Heyman’s 2.59-carat padparadscha sapphire ring with two oval diamonds totaling 0.78 carats, set in platinum
More on Editors
The Latest
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
