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Business & Tech

Did Kate Middleton Start a Trend in Algonquin?

The bride-to-be's sapphire engagement ring inspires at least one engagement ring in the Algonquin area.

When Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton, he used the 18-carat sapphire and diamond engagement ring that had belong to Princess Diana.

At Laura Loyd Jewelers, one customer had a custom designed ring made in the style of Kate Middleton’s ring.

“She e-mailed us a picture and hand-selected the sapphire,” Laura Loyd-Rogers, owner of Laura Loyd Jewelers, said.

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The royalty inspired ring is a 3.17 carat sapphire with 1.55 carat diamonds in an 18 carat white gold setting. It cost $18,000.

Loyd-Rogers will have a special display for the ring today at her store just north of County Line Road at 1485 S. Randall Road, Algonquin.

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When asked why she thinks Middleton’s ring is inspiring others, Loyd responded with one word: “Royalty.”

Loyd elaborated, saying, “Diamonds are traditional. Kate Middleton might be sparking the trend that you don’t have to have a diamond in the center for it to be an engagement ring.”

In December of last year, Loyd also made a custom ring with a pink sapphire.

The same interest in Middleton’s ring does not, however, seem to be widespread through the area.

“People have interest here and there. I’ve had customers who want different colored stones, like a yellow diamond, but nothing out of the ordinary,” said Ally, of Dalzell’s Jewelers in Crystal Lake.

Ally said the cost of Middleton's ring might have something to do with the lack of interest in replicating it.

“Usually a high quality sapphire is as much if not more than a diamond," she said. "People might think it’s unattainable.”

She noticed that engagement rings with different colored stones seemed to be a bigger trend for celebrities.

“It’s not something you see a lot of in the suburbs.”

The Royal Wedding will air on TV this Friday at 5 a.m. central time.

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