| By :
Martin Hofschroer
Kate Middleton's engagement ring is expected to influence the creation of future designer jewellery. Retail Jeweller editor Laura McCreddie told BBC News that the blue sapphire and diamond ring, which Prince Charles first gave to Diana in 1981, would inspire numerous imitations. The Garrard ring cost £28,500 when it was bought for Charles and Diana's wedding and is made from 18 carat white gold and is set with a central oval Ceylon sapphire which is surrounded by a cluster of 14 diamonds. Demand for blue gemstones such as sapphire is predicted to dramatically increase and this may have an impact on the retail market in time for the Christmas shopping period. Copycat rings have already started to flood the retail market and television shopping channel QVC has reported that sales of a similar-looking band soared by 800 per cent on the night the engagement was announced. The ring was valued at £250,000 before Diana's death in 1997 but now people can purchase various affordable versions for a fraction of the price in an attempt to mimic royal glamour. QVC's Sue Leeson told the Metro newspaper: "The huge demand for Kate's replica ring shows that she is blossoming into a real trend setter. "As the media intensity increases in the run up to the wedding, it will be interesting to see what impact she has on British style." Prince William said that he chose the sapphire and diamond ring because it would be a way of emotionally including his mother in the whole engagement and wedding process. He told the BBC: "I thought it was quite nice as she obviously won't be around to share in the excitement of it all, this is my way of keeping her close to it all." The prince popped the question while the pair was holidaying in Kenya last month and admitted to carrying the ring in his rucksack for a number of weeks as they visited the African country. Although no official date has been set, the couple are set to marry next year and Westminster Abbey has emerged as the bookie's favourite location for the ceremony. Kate Middleton will almost certainly become a style icon and any designer jewellery she wears in the future is likely to be scrutinised by the fashion media and imitated by the female public. The couple met while studying at Edinburgh University and told the BBC that they were looking forward to having children together.
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