An Australian jewellery designer, much-loved by Meghan Markle, has revealed her priceless engagement ring captures the essence of the American star perfectly.
The designer, Sydney-based Natalie Marie is a firm favourite of Ms Markle.
Ms Markle’s engagement ring, reportedly designed by the Prince, features three diamonds – one a single solitaire from Botswana and two from his mother Diana’s personal collection – set on a yellow gold band.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement at Kensington Palace today
Ms Markle’s favourite Australian jeweller, Sydney-based Natalie Marie (pictured)
The ring – created by the royal’s preferred jeweller Cleave and Company, Court Jewellers – is estimated to be worth £199,475, close to AUD $350,000.
Natalie Marie, who creates bespoke wedding jewellery from her Sydney-based store and who has personally supplied jewellery to the former Suits star, has some insight and understanding of Ms Markle’s taste.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the designer behind NMJ said the Ms Markle’s engagement ring ‘has an element of story behind it’ and taps into current trends for original and unique pieces that are an expression of style and personality.
‘An engagement ring is something that really needs to stand the test of time,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I believe our generation is full of couples who are in love and just want to celebrate that – and there has been such a strong move a way from the traditional picture of what that needs to look like.’
Ms Markle’s engagement ring features a single solitaire from Botswana and is flanked by to heirloom diamonds belonging to Princess Diana
Ms Markle, 36, has been a fan of the brand since last year after she began following the designer on Instagram.
The two forged a connection after the actress reached out to say how much she loved the brand hoped to wear some pieces on Suits for her character Rachel.
‘Meghan has been a wonderful support to NMJ. It’s invaluable to have someone that truly loves and supports the brand wearing our pieces,’ Natalie Marie said.
‘I think Meghan’s appeal is that she is a very genuine and open individual, who speaks very truthfully and sincerely whether the conversation is around her style choices or her extensive charity work.’
The designer confirmed she sent Ms Markle several pieces, including a morganite and diamond ring in rose gold.
In response, Ms Markle shared several images of herself wearing the jewellery, captioning the post: ‘When you get the package of jewelry that makes your heart go pitter pat’, adding that the brand was her ‘very favorite’.
‘When you get the package of jewelry that makes your heart go pitter pat’, Ms Markle wrote, adding that the brand was her ‘very favorite’
The Australian jewellery designer also sent the Suits star this morganite and diamond ring in rose gold
Natalie Marie, whose brand focuses on creating jewellery which offer an amalgam of modern and classic ideas, offers her clients a bespoke wedding service, should they wish to create the ring of their dreams.
She explained this service, which is booked out for the next six months, helps couples create rings that weave together ideas of connection, sentiment and originality.
After a consultation, the master jeweller, whose background is in fashion and fine arts, and her team can spend close to four months hand-crafting each piece.
The designer, who also creates bespoke wedding rings said there seems to be a trend towards creating individual pieces that feature a range of stones
Similarly to Prince Harry’s choice to bring together heirloom stones from Princess Diana’s personal collection, Natalie Marie said her clients also want her to work with a range of stones, some of which are a departure from traditional clear diamonds.
‘I work increasingly with natural stones; natural grey and black diamonds, local sapphires of all colours as well as an array of semi-precious stones,’ she said.
‘Clients are keen to experience the process from start to finish rather than picking a product ‘off the shelf.’
The ring – created by the royal’s preferred jeweller Cleave and Company, Court Jewellers – is estimated to be worth £199,475, close to AUD $350,000
Ms Marie said her bespoke wedding service helps couples create rings that weave together ideas of connection, sentiment and originality
Natalie Marie said brides-to-be considering a bespoke wedding piece should think about several factors from lifestyle through to personal aesthetic.
‘When I meet with brides who are designing their own ring, I always advise them to factor in their lifestyle, taste and long term factors.
‘Your engagement ring should be perfectly you,’ she concluded, ‘without influence from outside factors.’