"It's hugely practical, because it's quite flat and it will be very easy for her to wear," says jeweler Annoushka Ducas. "It's a very timeless piece that will look as good now as it will in 50 years time. It's bezel fit making it a bit more modern, which fits in very well with her style. If he has chosen that on his own then he has done brilliantly!"
"The Art Deco design makes me think it could be bespoke or it could be vintage," David Christopher Allen of 77 Diamonds. "It's not indicative of a particular jewelry house or designer, more of a period," he adds. "When The Great Gatsby film came out a few years ago, Tiffany did a collection featuring similar things. It's more of a style by era than a jewelry house. It doesn't scream out one particular designer." He adds that from the pictures, the sheer size of the octagonal halo of diamonds and the center stone make it a very expensive piece – possibly costing more than $260,000. "It is an Asscher-cut diamond, and in order to get a beautiful cut the diamond needs to be of top clarity," says Allen. "If it is a flawless stone then it could be £200,000 (about $263,000)."
Elizabeth Galton, creative director at Mappin & Webb,... says the ring's style fits the new bride-to-be. "Pippa's Asscher cut ring is a classic design with a distinctive Art Deco feel. However, the octagonal halo of sparkling channel-set diamonds gives it the perfect sense of modernity. Asscher-cut diamonds are step cut, which means there are fewer facets than other fancy shapes, such as a princess cut for instance. This means the clarity has to be of the very highest quality and close to flawless to show off the stunning structure of the diamond."
Guy Burton, Director of Hancocks & Co. London, notes that the ring "looks like an Asscher-cut, bezel-set with a diamond set halo surround. This diamond halo accentuates the large cut corners of the Asscher and the design has really tried to emphasize those. The diamond is going to be at least G color plus," says Burton, referring to the international diamond color-grading system, "as a low color would show up against this halo."
The Telegraph’s jewellery expert, Annabel Davidson reveals: "It looks like an Asscher cut diamond with a halo of channel-set diamonds, either in platinum or white gold. It looks quite Art Deco in style especially, with all that metal around the halo instead of the little diamonds being claw-set. That central stone looks upwards of three carats."
Diamond expert David Christopher Allen, Creative Director of 77 Diamonds agrees on the cut, commenting: "It is Art Deco in style with an octagonal halo of round diamonds surrounding what looks to be a 4 carat Asscher cut diamond. Asscher cut diamonds are step cut inside, which means there are fewer facets than standard shapes such as round or princess square cuts. This means that their clarity has to be of the highest quality and close to flawless to show off the beautiful structure of the diamond. A diamond and ring of top quality could fetch upwards of £200,00."
Sarah Sheard, manager and diamond expert at Hatton Jewels which values jewellery, suggests: "The main stone appears to be around 3.5 carats with a total of 5 carats on the whole ring. The ring itself is platinum. The diamonds have an excellent clarity and white colour, as you'd expect given who it has been made for. I would value the ring at between £150,000 and £180,000."
Joanna Hardy, a fine jewellery expert, explains that the design is a modern interpretation of a classic Art Deco style. "With an Art Deco ring you would have baguette diamonds around the outside, so to have changed for modern round cut diamonds. that definitely is a contemporary twist," she explains. "It seems that there is a bit of space around the setting of the Asscher cut diamond, which is a twist as with an Art Deco ring you would have diamonds or metal next to the main stone. The fact that you can see the gap gives a sense of lightness, which you wouldn't see in a traditional Deco piece, and it makes it look elegant."
Los Angeles Jeweler Adam Campbell tells E! News that Pippa's ring, "looks about 3-4 carats. I'd say 3.5. Looks very clean. Seems to be an octagonal Ascher-wrapped step-cut with round brilliance set in platinum." As for the price tag on a beauty like that? Campbell tells us, it "could be anywhere from $45,000 to, highest I'd say would be, $175,000. It really depends who is selling it."
Rod Harris, a diamond specialist who owns WHY Jewellers in Dorset, said: 'It appears to be an asscher or step cut square radiant diamond surrounded by channel set brilliant cuts.' He added that the ring is 'very sophisticated and practical' with a design echoing themes of the deco era.
David Christopher Allen, Creative Director of 77 Diamonds, said: 'Pippa is not one to be outdone by her sister, we know that after 'that' dress she wore at the Royal Wedding in 2011. Her centre diamond appears to be a 4 carat asscher cut diamond. Given the nature of these step cut stones, the quality is paramount so the stone requires the highest of clarity gradings. A flawless asscher diamond set in an octagonal halo ring such as this would fetch upwards of £200,000.'
Sonia Menezes, Head of Brand Development at Clogau Gold, also believes the ring was pricey. 'It has a vintage glamour with a modern edge, a style favoured by Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba, who have engagement rings of a similar style. The most famous Asscher cut diamond was worn by Elizabeth Taylor, the 33 carat Krupp diamond, now known as the Elizabeth Taylor diamond. It was bought by Richard Burton for $300,000 in 1968. I imagine Pippa's engagement ring to be valued in excess of that.'
Neil Geddes, a high-end jewellery concierge, said: 'It has a loose look of an art deco inspired piece, but it's likely contemporary made. It was likely to have been made bespoke especially for her from Bond Street. It sits fairly high on her finger allowing as much light to enter the diamond as possible and reflect back giving stunning brilliance and fire.'
Harry Brown, CEO at Chisholm Hunter, said: 'James has made a very sophisticated choice in terms of the ring. It appears to be platinum and diamonds, possibly a ascher or cushion cut with a stunning round brilliant halo. This is a classic style which is as timeless as it is elegant, and is a simply stunning ring which Pippa will enjoy wearing every day. Over the years we have seen variations on this style with pink and yellow diamonds but this is a real classic. It could be that James has designed the ring himself, making it even more personal – bespoke jewellery design is something that our clients are asking for more and more, as they want to give their fiancée something completely unique and special. Pippa must be delighted with the choice. Congratulations to the happy couple.'
on July 19, 2016, 7:39 pm, in reply to "