Royal watchers will be aware that it's finally official! Prince William of England and Kate Middleton have announced their engagement.

 

William has stated that he wanted his mother to be a part of his happiness,l so he presented Kate with the 18 carat blue sapphire and diamond ring which once belonged to Prince William's mother, Princess Diana.

 

The happy couple will get married in either the Spring or Summer of next year and will continue to live in North Wales while Prince William works as an air sea rescue pilot for the RAF. The couple became engaged during a recent holiday in Kenya having been together for eight years.

 

My guess is that sapphires, which are already very popular gemstones, will become THE hot gemstone in the next year or so.  Look for similar engagement rings to be offered by jewelers worldwide.