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Princess Eugenie of York, the youngest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, got engaged to her boyfriend Jack Brooksbank in early 2018 and the pair tied the knot later that year, but despite the fact that a few years have passed, we’re still thinking about her stunning engagement ring.
Brooksbank proposed to the princess in Nicaragua. The pair met through friends on a ski trip in 2010 and dated for several years, including a period of long-distance romance when Eugenie lived in New York City.As noted by Hello!, Eugenie was surprised by the January 2018 proposal even though she knew it was likely on the horizon. “The lake was so beautiful, it was a special light and I even said, ‘This is an incredible moment,’ and then he popped the question, which was really surprising even though we had been together seven years,” the royal shared at the time. “It was the perfect moment because we knew it was going to end up this way. I was over the moon, crying.” The pair married on October 12, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel.
Like her cousin-by-marriage, Kate Middleton, Princess Eugenie’s engagement ring is built around a sapphire. However, her’s isn’t the typical blue stone you think of when you think of a sapphire; it’s a padparadscha sapphire in a unique pink-orange shade.
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“I went and found an amazing padparadscha sapphire but then didn’t want to do anything until Eugenie had signed off on it,” Brooksbank shared in an interview shortly after the proposal. The stone is surrounded by diamonds and is made with Welsh gold per royal tradition. “Why I loved it so much is it changes color from every different angle that you look at it, which is what I think of Eugenie,” he told the BBC of the stone. “She changes color, and it’s just so amazing.”
As noted by People, the ring has a similar vibe to Eugenie’s mother Sarah Ferguson’s ruby engagement ring, which was designed by Prince Andrew. However, Eugenie’s oval stone is flanked by two pear-shaped diamonds alongside the halo of smaller brilliant-cut diamonds, adding another touch of unique beauty and charm to the setting.
According to the Natural Sapphire Company, a padparadscha sapphire is one of the rarest sapphires on earth. The word “padparadscha” is derived from the Sanskrit word for the coral-salmon color of a lotus blossom. They’re most commonly found in Sri Lanka. Eugenie’s sapphire is estimated to be between three and four carats. And although the ring’s price tag has never been shared, some experts have appraised it at well over $100,000. It’s a true stunner and perfect for a bride who wants a stone that stands out from the crowd but still feels romantic and sentimental.
The 32 Best Colored Engagement Rings
If you love the look of Princess Eugenie’s engagement ring and want to channel its unique, rare beauty for a ring of your own, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Eugenie-inspired jewels with a royal vibe.
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AllSapphires Padparadscha Ring
Courtesy of Etsy
A super-similar look is this recreation from Etsy, which features a pink padparadscha sapphire surrounded by lab-grown diamonds. Choose between a yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum setting to really make it your own.
SHOP NOW: Etsy
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The Natural Sapphire Company Padparadscha Sapphire Ring
Courtesy of The Natural Sapphire Company
If you’re drawn to the pink-coral hue of Eugenie’s ring but prefer an emerald-cut stone, this gorgeous made-to-order ring will fulfill that color craving. A transparent 2-carat padparadscha sapphire sits atop a four-prong setting with pavé diamonds for a classically chic choice.
SHOP NOW: The Natural Sapphire Company
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Tiffany & Co. Soleste Ring
Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
Think pink! A rosy tourmaline stone is surrounded by a halo of sparkling diamonds in this pretty piece from Tiffany & Co. Its circular shape is similar to Eugenie’s and the setting feels both modern and romantic.
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Shane Co. Arabesque Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
Courtesy of Shane Co.
Bring the glamour with this sparkling beauty from Shane Co., which features 10 baguette diamonds around a gemstone of your choice. For a Eugenie-inspired look, opt for morganite, or salmon, pink, or peach sapphire.
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Morganite Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide05of 09
Shane Co. Vintage Cushion Halo Diamond Engagement Ring
Courtesy of Shane Co.
For a ring with a serious vintage vibe, this piece from Shane Co. fits the bill and can be customized with a variety of stones, including a salmon sapphire that looks very similar to Eugenie’s rare padparadscha. We love that 52 diamonds encircle the center stone and dot the band—one for each week of the year!
SHOP NOW: Shane Co.
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Astteria Very Light Pink Diamond Ring
Courtesy of Astteria
Get your sparkle on. This lovely cushion-cut pink diamond ring has the vintage vibes of Eugenie’s with lots of additional glitter thanks to rows of diamonds encircling the center stone.
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Blue Nile Morganite Ring With Baguette Diamond Halo
Courtesy of Blue Nile
Morganite is an affordable way to get the peachy-pink color of Eugenie’s ring without the price tag. This morganite ring with a halo of baguette diamonds is a delicate and sweet piece for any bride, though it is important to note it’s a bit more fragile than some of the other options.
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Angara Princess Diana Inspired Morganite Ring With Diamond Halo
Courtesy of Angara
This morganite ring does bear a striking resemblance to the iconic blue sapphire ring now worn by Eugenie’s cousin-in-law, Duchess Kate, but the halo shape also harkens back to Eugenie’s ring. The hue is a bit lighter than Eugenie’s vibrant coral stone, but it’s equally sweet and unique.
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ChicVidaFineJewelry Pink Tourmaline Engagement Ring
Courtesy of Etsy
Pink tourmaline is a great option for a Eugenie-inspired ring; the stone itself signifies love and is strong enough for everyday wear—with care. This affordable piece from Etsy echoes the floral motif of Eugenie’s engagement ring and is both statement-making and classic.
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