Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But when it comes about British Royal Ladies, it is a common tradition to ditch the fiery rock for colored gemstones. Throughout the royal history, there has been a beautiful mix of diamonds and colored stones used for engagement rings and wedding bands.

Queen Victoria’s special yellow gold serpent ring was an unusual choice for proposal rings. The ring had her birthstone emerald with blue sapphire and ruby to decorate the exclusive and exotic ring. Similarly, Queen Alexandra received an exceptional multi-stone ring from future emperor King Edward VII. Her ring had two emeralds one of which had his nickname ‘Bertie’ engraved on it, ruby, turquoise and jacinth. Prince Albert Victor presented Queen Mary with a ruby ring. Unfortunately, he passed away during their engagement and she ended up marrying his younger brother, King George V.

The tradition of colored gemstone rings is still continuing in the royal family with few mixes of diamonds. Let’s check out few other famous and gorgeous royal rings.

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother

The Duke of York presented Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon with a beautiful Kashmir Sapphire ring. The center sapphire of the ring was decorated with accent diamonds and was paired with a Welsh gold wedding band. Although Lady Diana’s sapphire ring is the most popular of sapphire rings in the royal history, Queen Elizabeth and other Windsor brides had some rare sapphires. Later, in the 1950s, the Queen Mother abandons her sapphire engagement ring and started wearing a large pearl surrounded by diamonds. Why she did that was a mystery but not a surprise. Switching rings or not wearing them was not uncommon amongst the royal ladies.

Queen Elizabeth II

The three-stone diamond and platinum engagement ring of her majesty was an unusual choice during the time of her engagement as most royal brides opt for colored stones. But the ring was so beautiful and exquisite that it was an instant classic. The diamonds for the ring were taken from a tiara that belongs to Prince Philips mother. Do you know – the queen still wears her engagement ring with the Welsh gold wedding band every day.

Princess Diana and Prince Catherine

The most famous sapphire engagement ring in the history is the 18 carat sapphire and diamond ring of Lady Di. The ring with a 12 carats brilliant blue sapphire surrounded by 14 brilliant round diamonds was set in 18k white gold by royal jeweler Garrard. Although, the ring with a usual design was not bespoke for a royal engagement and the availability of actual cost created a fuss, yet the ring become the most popular royal engagement ring.

Later after her, the ring was given to her sons. It was decided between them that who so ever will marry first use the ring for proposal. Prince William took the honor and proposed Kate Middleton with the same ring who now wears it with her Welsh gold wedding band like her late mother-in-law.

Duchess of Cornwell

For his second time down the aisle, Prince Charles chose his grandmother, the Queen Mother’s ring which is a large emerald-cut diamond ring flanked by diamond baguettes. It was said that the ring was a gift to mark the birth of her first child, Princess Elizabeth.

Princess Anne

Another royal who took sapphires and diamonds for her engagement was the princess royal. In fact, she loved the gem so much that both times down the aisle; she picked blue sapphires and diamonds. For her first marriage to Mark Phillip, she was given a classic three-stone ring with a round sapphire in center flanked by brilliant round diamonds.

Her ring from her second husband, Tim Laurence was a rather unusual choice. It was a cabochon stone with three small diamonds on each side.

Duchess of York

Sarah Ferguson also received a colored engagement ring designed by royal jeweler Garrard. She requested to have a ruby ring instead of an emerald one and she got it. Her ring has a Burmese ruby surrounded by 10 diamonds in yellow and white gold. It was said that the ring was picked in match with her red hair.

Countess of Wessex

According to some reports, the diamond ring of Sophie Rhys-Jones was the most expensive royal engagement ring with an estimated price of £105,000. We don’t know how true the reports were, but certainly the ring was a beholder with brilliant round in center flanked by heart diamonds. The 2 carat ring was set in white gold from Asprey and Garrard was a classic choice with a romantic twist.

All these royal rings were the true inspiration for a romantic proposal. From fiery diamond rings to romantic ruby rings, they are just wonderful. If you plan a proposal, thing about a classic and royal ring like any of these, she will definitely love your extraordinary choice. You can shop for a royal inspired ring at authentic online stores. For example, you can look for sapphire and diamond halo ring and three stone sapphire rings at Angara. Chances are that you will get perfectly inspired piece or something with a better twist over the traditional.