Ian Thorley

Ian Thorley is the founder, publisher, and editor of Something About Rocks — the independent luxury print and digital magazine redefining how jewellery, watches, and culture intersect. He came up through the golden era of independent publishing: Jack under James Brown, Tank, and more than a decade at The Week Fashion, the luxury fashion supplement to The Week. SAR was born from a conviction that the jewellery space was ripe for disruption — and that conviction shows. Rigorous, original, and entirely uncompromised, it’s proof that independent editorial, done with purpose, still cuts through.

Meghan Markle wears $21,150 emerald necklace honouring Archie and Harry in London

Posted on by Ian Thorley

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, was back in London on Wednesday (7th October). She was pictured with Malala Yousafzai at Claridge’s wearing a Logan Hollowell emerald and diamond necklace valued at $21,150. This is her first known appearance in the UK capital since the Sussex’s move back to the UK from Montecito, California.

Markle was pictured wearing The Lovers Duet Diamond and Emerald Chain Necklace in yellow gold by Logan Hollowell. An approximately 1.30-carat Colombian emerald and 0.90-carat white diamond. The current retail price of the piece is $21,150. 

Like this? Read The jewellery looks of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex

The emerald represents their son Archie, emerald is the May birthstone representing his birthday. She was first spotted wearing it in Montecito in October 2022.The Baby Queen Water drop emerald solitaire necklace featured a pear-shaped Zambian emerald, set in gold with a solitaire halo.

Logan Hollowell is based in Santa Monica, California. Her jewellery is deeply entrenched around Californian characteristics of spirituality, the cosmos and female empowerment. All the signature lines are named after these Californian influences, namely: Kundalini, Queen, Constellation, Unity, Sacred and Wilderness. “The whole idea was, I wanted to make a woman or man dipped in the cosmos, delicate but strong, that is my whole vision of the jewellery,” she told me when she spoke to Something About Rocks in August 2022. Her flagship store is in Santa Monica, Los Angeles and she also sells her jewellery in Harrods, London.

Meghan has worn Logan Hollowell previously. The necklace was first spotted in October 2023 and recently worn in Geneva earlier this year. In October 2023 Meghan Markle she wore a $4,100 Logan Hollowell choker necklace for the first time in New York in another touching tribute to Prince Archie. And, going back to 2021, Meghan shared a sweet tribute to her two children with a $1,785 necklace featuring their star sign constellations as she marked her 40th birthday. The Duchess then wore a dainty silver necklace with the astrological signs of Taurus for Archie, who was born in May 2018, and Gemini for Lillibet, who was born in June 2021.

The Duchess appears to favour Hollowell’s designs as they’re rich in symbolism. Perhaps we’ll see the necklace on more occasions in London.

Like this? Catherine Princess of Wales’ knows how to wear a good tiara: here are some of the best

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Dakota Johnson wears $124,000 diamond necklace as Taylor Swift crashes SNL

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Dakota Johnson hosted Saturday Night Live this weekend wearing a $124,000 Roberto Coin Cobra diamond collar. She was joined during her opening monologue by friend Taylor Swift. Dakota Johnson, who is an ambassador for the Italian jeweller, combined the necklace with a Cento Circle of Life diamond and ruby ring with a bright red latex Versace dress from 2013.

During her opening monologue she was joined on stage by Taylor Swift, making a surprise appearance on the show. The pair recently starred together in Swift’s Patient Zero video, which debuted at the MTV VMAs which we reported on last week.

Like this? Read Dakota Johnson: From $1 million necklaces to her VMA’s earrings, here are the Verity star’s best jewellery pieces

Dakota Johnson is the face of Roberto Coin, the collaboration was announced in June last year. She fronted Roberto Coin’s ‘The Art of Dreaming’ campaign. Johnson was pictured wearing pieces from Coin’s most iconic collections such as Love in Verona, Venetian Princess, Domino, Princess Flower and Venetian Medallions.

Taylor Swift wore a Cartier Unlimited bracelet and Dana Rebecca earrings as well as her eight-carat Old Mine-Cut engagement ring and wedding band. Recently there’s been a lot of speculation about Taylor Swift’s engagement band as she was recently pictured without it for the promotional pictures for the Patient Zero artwork, replacing the Old Mine-cut engagement ring Travis Kelce gave her. That ring was an emerald cut stone around four to five carats that has been valued at somewhere in the region of $100,000 to $250,000.

However, last weekend Taylor Swift was wearing her original Old Mine-cut engagement ring at the VMAs. The ring Travis Kelce gave her was back on her finger, with her wedding band. 

Dakota Johnson poked fun at herself with her opening words joking that it was her birthday at midnight (she turns 37) and she was in New York’s midtown in a tight latex dress “looking for attention.”

She then joked about her love life and her break-ups with two musicians. She joked, “Some people leave concerts with merch, and I leave concerts with a 2.5 year relationship.” She then introduced Taylor Swift as “my literal therapist.”

Like this? Dakota Johnson attends Verity premiere in £200,000 of Cece jewels

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Queen Mary’s £165,000 pearl necklace comes to auction after 20 years

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This pearl and diamond necklace features 21 cultured pearls measuring 5.85mm to 13.5mm as well as circular cut diamonds in trefoil and floral designs. Queen Mary gifted the necklace to her niece Mary, Duchess of Beaufort. It was sold in 1986 and later sold by Sotheby’s in 2004. It’s catalogue references that it was made by Hennell in 1928 for Queen Mary.

The London jeweller Hennell was commissioned to make the necklace in 1928 as a reproduction of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee necklace, which had been presented to Queen Victoria in 1888 to celebrate her Golden Jubilee in 1887, celebrating fifty years on the throne. The original necklace was presented to Queen Victoria and was paid for using funds from the Women’s Jubilee Offering and was made by London jewellers Carrington & Co. 

Like this? Catherine, Princess of Wales wears her favourite Mappin & Webb earrings to meet the Leeds Rhinos rugby team

Hennell’s necklace was nearly identical to the original. Queen Victoria’s original was set with diamond and pearls around a crowned trefoil centre individual pieces could be detached and worn as a brooch or bracelets. The Golden Jubilee necklace was inherited by the Crown and became a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II. She wore it for her first State Opening of Parliament in 1952.

Queen Mary amassed a huge jewellery collection, much of which has been inherited by the royal family. Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales regularly wear her pieces.

The necklace will be auctioned on November 9, 2026 in Phillips’ Geneva Jewels Auction: VII. It features in the Collections and Provenance Section alongside other jewels from noble and royal families.

Like this? Catherine Princess of Wales’ knows how to wear a good tiara: here are some of the best

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Patek Philippe unveils seven limited edition watches for Milan

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The exhibition opens tomorrow, Friday October 2nd at the CityOval in Milan. This is Patek Philippe’s seventh Grand Exhibition and the biggest to date with around 500 watches across 15 themed areas. As well as this the brand has launched seven limited edition rare watches created specifically for the Italian market.

Like this? Read Four Rolex Daytonas sell for £37.3 million in record London auction

Ref. 5167A-014 

Patek Philippe Ref. 5167A-014 CREDIT: Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe Ref. 5167A-014 CREDIT: Patek Philippe

The Aquanaut was launched in 1997 with a rounded octagonal case inspired by the Nautilus. It boasts a “tropical” strap, made of a composite material ultra-resistant to wear, salt water and UV radiation. For Milan Patek Philippe has created a limited edition run of 250 Aquanaut Ref. 5167A-014 for the Italian market. A 40.8mm steel case is combined with blue sunburst dial that fades to black at the rim, and a red minute track and red seconds hand. It’s powered by the 26-330 S C calibre and is finished with a midnight blue composite strap. On the sapphire crystal caseback is inscribed “Patek Philippe Milano 2026”. 

Ref. 5978P-010

Patek Philippe Ref. 5978P-010
Patek Philippe Ref. 5978P-010 CREDIT: Patek Philippe

Probably the most important technical launch of the show is the new instantaneous perpetual calendar in platinum with chronograph. Limited to 120 pieces, this 42mm watch runs from a manually wound CH 29-535 PS QI movement with a 55-60 hour power reserve and holding a plethora of complications. Its 500 components power a perpetual calendar, day date, month and leap year displays that can all instantaneously change in just 30 milliseconds. This elegant watch has a navy blue dial that fades to black with red chronograph hands and calendar details in Italian.

Ref. 7047G-010

Patek Philippe Ref: 7047G-010
Patek Philippe Ref: 7047G-010 CREDIT: Patek Philippe

Just five pieces of this reference have been made. The stunning dress watch in 38mm white gold includes a minute repeater with a vivid red lacquer dial and matching red alligator strap. Housed inside the case is a self-winding automatic R 27 PS calibre. Italian tricolour stitching on the strap echoes discreet referencing to Italy.

Calatravas

The last four launches are two Calatravas and two World Time Minute Repeaters. There’s Ref: 7147G-010, a white gold perpetual calendar with a green lacquered dial, and calendar details in Italian. Additionally Ref. 7007G-010, a simpler date and time Calatrava has a white lacquered dial which completes the tricolour set of the Italian flag – green, white and red. Finally, there are two World Time Minute Repeaters Refs. 5531G-012 and 5531G-013. Both feature Grand Feu cloisonné enamel dials illustrating Milan, one by day, the other by night. They chime the local time in whichever of the 24 timezones is selected.

All seven pieces have been created specifically for Patek Philippe’s Grand Exhibition that runs in Milan from October 2nd to October 18th. The exhibition is free to the public and features new pieces from the current collection, grand complications as well as historically important and rare pieces.

Like this? Vacheron Constantin launches Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin to celebrate 30 years of the model

Like this? Patek Philippe Nautilus vs Vacheron Constantin Overseas: which one should you buy?

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Four Rolex Daytonas sell for £37.3 million in record London auction

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The four gem-set watches were auctioned last night (September 29th), in partnership with Rolex. The four one of a kind watches reached an extraordinary sale price with the proceeds going to the Federer Foundation and Leonardo DiCaprio’s charity Re:wild. Phillips described the sale as the largest single consignment ever to a charity. 

Each piece was inspired by one of the seasons and is named accordingly – Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.

The watches previously made a surprise appearance at this year’s Watches and Wonders event in Geneva. They were on the top floor of Rolex’s booth where photography was banned. 

Read about: Rare Cartier Cheich becomes the most valuable Cartier wristwatch ever sold at auction.

The four watches, which have vastly different styles, are all one off’s but all share the classic Daytona shape are made of platinum, white, yellow or everose gold and set with precious stones.  Every watch also has 54 brilliant-cut diamonds across the lugs and the crown guard.

Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant at Phillips said: “This is a historic moment for the world of watchmaking. We are deeply honoured to have played a role in this first-ever charity auction with Rolex and to support the important work of the Federer Foundation and Re:wild. The extraordinary amount raised will make a meaningful contribution to future generations and to the protection of our natural world.”

Spring

Spring, reference 126599 SAVL, features a white gold case and chrysoprase dial with counters in lepidolite. Eight baguette-cut purple sapphires and 3 square-cut purple sapphires set in 18 carat white gold settingscomplete the hour markers. The bezel has features 36 trapeze-cut purple sapphires, approximately 5.57 carats. The Rolex crown sits squarely at 12 o’clock. It sold for £6,800,000.

Summer

Summer, reference 126595 SARO, is appropriately warm with an Everose gold case contrasting sharply against the turquoise dial and ruby counters. The blast of colour is continued by 8 baguette-cut pink sapphires and 3 square-cut pink sapphires in 18 carat pink gold settings as hour markers. The bezel shimmers with 36 trapeze cut pink sapphires totalling 4.32 carats. This watch achieved the highest price of the set of four watches – £10,300,000.

Autumn

Autumn – reference 126598 TML, is less garish. This watch is dominated by its yellow dial crafted from mookaite with counters in chrysoprase. The hour counters feature 8 baguette-cut green tourmalines and 3 square-cut green tourmalines in 18 carat yellow gold settings, the bezel is set with 36 trapeze cut green tourmalines, approximately 4.32 carats. The lugs and crown guard are set with 54 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.86 carats. The watch is completed in a classic Rolex gold case and bracelet. Autumn sold for £10.2 million.

Winter

Winter reference 126596 SABV, features darker tones, with a bluey green opal dial, lapis lazuli hour counters and fuschia bezel. Made out of 950 solid platinum, the bezel again features a total of 36 trapeze cut blue-to-fuschia sapphires totalling 5.57 carats, that subtly change colour as the light moves. Meanwhile 8 baguette cut diamonds, and 3 square cut diamonds mark the hours. The lugs and crown guard are set with 54 brilliant-cut diamonds, approximately 0.86 carats. The Rolex logo sits at 12 o’clock on all the watches. Winter achieved a £10 million sale.

The watches were originally conceived as a set for one buyer with a price of around CHF 4 million, however Rolex changed their mind and decided to auction them. Rolex had more than 1,000 legitimate enquiries for the watches. The final result achieved a sale price of nearly 10 times that initial figure, and changes the expectation what auctions can achieve for truly unique Rolex watches.

Like this? Vacheron Constantin launches Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin to celebrate 30 years of the model

Like this? Read Rolex at Auction: How you could own a rare ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona 

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Taylor Swift swaps her $1 million engagement ring for a new ring

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On Friday (September 25th), Taylor Swift released the expanded edition of her twelfth studio album. The new edition The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore features four new songs from the Grammy Award winning artist. In the supplied artwork she has swapped rings in the new Patient Zero imagery for the release of the new single for an entirely new diamond ring.

The Life of a Showgirl: Encore artwork PHOTO by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
The Life of a Showgirl: Encore PHOTO: Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott

UPDATE: Taylor Swift was last night photographed at the MTV VMA’s wearing her original Old Mine-cut engagement ring last night (Sunday 27th September). Following her being pictured in the new emerald cut ring on the album artwork of The Life of a Showgirl: Encore the ring given to her by Travis Kelce was back on her finger. It looks as though she wore the new ring only for the shoot.

Her engagement ring is an Old Mine cut diamond on a yellow gold band, and published estimates valued it up to $1million. People Magazine revealed that it had been created for Travis Kelce to pop the question by New York jeweller Kindred Lubeck. The New York-based goldsmith and jewellery designer specialises in unique gemstone pieces featuring delicate hand-engraving, which she sells under the label Artifex Fine Jewelry. The couple married in July this year.

Read: Taylor Swift wore Cartier to marry Travis Kelce: check out all the wedding details here

Swift’s engagement ring features a large Old Mine brilliant cut diamond, weighing at least 8 carats, and a delicately hand-engraved yellow gold band. Fellow designer Maddy Sangster, of UK jewellers Heavenly London, estimated its value to be “around £500,000” (around $673,600).

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. CREDIT: Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. CREDIT: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio.

Lisa Levinson, head of UK at the Natural Diamond Council commented at the time. “The choice of an antique diamond reflects an interest in story and provenance. This diamond could have had many lives and experiences before it was chosen to be their engagement ring. Many old cut diamonds have been refashioned which means their rarity increases by the year.”

The ring Swift is wearing on the new artwork for Patient Zero couldn’t look more different. It is a large emerald-cut diamond, also around 8–10 carats, with a white-metal setting, probably white gold or platinum, fourth generation gemologist Olivia Landau told Page Six Style.

Nilesh Rakholia, Founder and wedding/engagement ring expert at Abelini told us, “It’s noticeably smaller than her real engagement ring. Her actual diamond is believed to be around 10 carats, whereas this looks closer to the 4 to 5-carat mark. If this were a high-quality natural diamond, a ring of this size and style could potentially be worth somewhere in the region of $100,000 to $250,000 (£74,000 to £185,000), although you couldn’t give a precise valuation from an image alone. If it’s a lab-grown diamond or another stone being used specifically for the shoot, the value could of course be considerably lower.”

Swifties are speculating that the change may be an Easter egg as Taylor Swift is known to plant coded messages in her artwork. No one other than Swift herself knows the meaning.

Her own, highly distinctive Victorian style engagement ring is a much softer piece of jewellery set in yellow gold and holding that antique Old Mine Cut diamond. This new ring is a much more conventional modern, geometric emerald-cut solitaire. What does it all mean? Now that is a question.

Like this? FoundRae: Taylor Swift’s favourite jewellery brand launch London exclusive medallion

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Dakota Johnson attends Verity premiere in £200,000 of Cece jewels

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On Thursday night (September 24th), Dakota Johnson attended the premiere of her new film Verity at the Curzon Mayfair, in London. She was dressed in approximately £200,000 of Cece jewellery. Cece is increasingly becoming a go-to brand for A-listers.

Dakota wore four pieces from the brand – namely the Sweetheart Necklace, the Devil is in the Detail Bracelet, the Once Upon a Time Diamond Ring and the Apple of My Eye Ring. Online, the value of the pieces is approximately £181,000; however, two of the pieces are special editions with prices available on request. The white see-through lace dress was by Gucci. 

Cece currently prices the items as follows – Sweetheart Necklace £4,900; the Devil is in the Detail Bracelet £12,500; the Once Upon a Time Diamond Ring £58,000 and the Apple of My Eye Ring £105,600. The jewellery has a traditional, almost Victorian feel, a trend which is fast becoming popular.

Dakota Johnson, jewellery detail, showing Cece bracelet and ring, attends the "Verity" UK Gala Screening at Curzon Mayfair on September 24, 2026 in London, England.
Dakota Johnson, jewellery detail, attends the “Verity” UK Gala Screening at Curzon Mayfair on September 24, 2026 in London, England. PHOTO: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Dakota Johnson recently appeared in Roberto Coin’s campaign last year. She commented at the time “I’ve always believed that jewellery tells a story—of who you are, where you’ve been, and what you love.”

Like this? Read Cece Fein Hughes on the rings she made for Dakota and Elle Fanning.

 

The brand was founded in 2022 by art historian-turned-jeweller Cece Fein-Hughes, who has built the identity of the house around hand-enamelled signet rings. These have been inspired by folklore, fairytales and Victorian nautical tattoo iconography. Each piece is made in London workshops, with bespoke commissions forming a significant part of the business. Johnson’s jewellery was particularly alluring when set against her fragile, almost whimsical Gucci dress.

The film hits cinemas on October 2nd and is based on the bestselling novel of the same name, written by Colleen Hoover. Johnson plays a struggling writer, Lowen Ashleigh. Verity’s husband, Jeremy, played by Josh Hartnett, commissions Lowen to complete the works of the injured Verity, played by Anne Hathaway.

Cece is popular with A-listers and has previously been worn by Gigi Hadid, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber. Cece released an Instagram post today inviting readers to shop Johnson’s look from the premiere. In January this year, Margot Robbie commissioned signet rings from Cece for her and Jacob Elordi to celebrate the release of Wuthering Heights.

Pieces are available for purchase online as well as at Liberty’s new fine jewellery store and Goop. 

Like this? Catherine, Princess of Wales knows how to wear a good tiara: here are some of the best

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Florence Pugh wore nearly 60 carats of diamonds and rubellites to East of Eden premiere

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Last night (September 25th), Florence Pugh attended the premiere of her new Netflix series, East of Eden wearing Bvlgari jewels. The British actor, an ambassador for the Roman brand, wore a high jewellery necklace with a 28.21 carat rubellite and 31.74 carats of diamonds. East of Eden premiered at the BAFTA headquarters in Piccadilly, London. The actor combined her incredible high jewellery piece with a black ruffled taffeta dress from Rodarte’s Autumn/ Winter collection 2026.

Florence Pugh’s necklace was a high jewellery necklace in 18 ct. pink gold with onyx elements, an oval 28.21 carat rubellite, 10.01 carats of 68 marquise diamonds, and 21.73 carats of pavé-set diamonds – totalling an incredible 59.95 carats of rubellite and diamonds. Onyx insets surround the diamonds closest to the rubellite giving the pink rubellite the chance to shine. Pugh, 30, has been an ambassador of the Maison since May this year, she’s one of the house’s newest ambassadors.

Like this? Read Catherine, Princess of Wales’ rarest Royal jewels: From Diana’s earrings to Queen Victoria’s tiara

Last week, Bvlgari unveils their latest new five-piece Tubogas collection and Pugh wore Bvlgari Tubas earrings to the photocall at the British library, on Monday (September 21st), her earrings were 18 ct. yellow gold with pavé diamond studs.

East of Eden is a new seven part series show that’s out on Netflix from October 1st and is based on John Steinbeck’s original novel, which he wrote in 1952. The novel was first adapted for film in 1955, starring James Dean. Pugh plays the shows anti-hero Cathy Ames, alongside Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist. There is a nice link to the original movie, the director of the original movie was Elia Kazan, the writer and executive producer of the Netflix edition is his granddaughter, Zoe Kazan.

Florence Pugh is one of Britain’s most successful actresses, she was nominated for an Oscar in 2020 for her role as headstrong Amy March, in Little Women, she was 24 at the time. Her career has risen in an upward trajectory – she’s starred in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, as well as Dune: Part 2, Black Widow and Thunderbolts.

Pugh’s London appearance in Bvlgari on the red carpet cements her relationship with the brand. Upon becoming a Bvlgari ambassador in May she said, “Becoming a Bvlgari ambassador is about more than wearing extraordinary jewellery, it’s about being part of a legacy that celebrates fearless female artistry, where every creation tells a story. I’m honoured to partner with a Maison that allows me to express my individuality while embodying its spirit.”

Bvlgari frequently dresses its stars for red carpet events, including its ambassadors Zendaya, Anne Hathaway and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Jonas and Hathaway recently helped Bvlgari to secretly launch its 2026 jewellery collection at the Oscars this year.

Like this? Catherine Princess of Wales’ knows how to wear a good tiara: here are some of the best

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The Princess of Wales wore a 1923 royal amethyst necklace that was hidden for nearly a century

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The Princess of Wales wore a stunning amethyst and diamond necklace to the Royal Film Performance last night (September 22nd) that’s been owned by the Royal family for 103 years. It was given as a wedding gift from Queen Alexandra to the future Queen Mother in 1923 and then passed to Queen Elizabeth II. Now Kate has worn it.

She attended the Royal Film Performance with William, the Prince of Wales last night and it was her first film premiere in four years. The premiere raises money for The Film and TV Charity. The premiere was Tom Cruise’s new film Digger, shown at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Tom Cruise attend the "Digger" World Premiere & Royal Film Performance™on September 22, 2026 in London, England.
Prince William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Tom Cruise attend the “Digger” World Premiere & Royal Film Performance™on September 22, 2026 in London, England. PHOTO: by Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The necklace (which isn’t named) has at least four amethysts set in a diamond chain together with a large heart-shaped amethyst pendant surrounded by diamonds. Her earrings were the Collingwood pearl earrings that were worn extensively by Diana, Princess of Wales – a pearl drop with a diamond stud. The Princess wore a full length purple gown with a daring back split by Jenny Packham. Purple is the traditional colour of royalty.

Queen Alexandra originally gave the necklace to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon after she became fiancée to the Duke of York (later George VI) in January 1923. Together with all the other engagement gifts it was displayed at Buckingham Palace. Alexandra’s note gifted the piece to her future granddaughter Elizabeth. The original piece looked somewhat different to the piece that Catherine wore last night, originally it was a 1920s sautoir with seed pearls and smaller amethysts. Set in two strands it’s now been remade as one.

Like this? Read The Princess of Wales wore a £144 Laura Lombardi brass chain for Prince George’s first day at Eton.

There’s no photograph of the Queen Mother wearing it, but she wore it in mourning after Alexandra died in 1925 and then it disappeared for another 87 years. In 2012 Queen Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, wore a shortened version of the necklace to the Skyfall premiere. The Queen Mother’s jewels had passed to her daughter Elizabeth II who subsequently lent Camilla the necklace, Catherine wore the shortened version last night.

The last time the Princess met Tom Cruise was at the 2022 premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. He’s known to have a good relationship with the royal couple. That night she wore Robinson Pelham’s Tsar Star diamond earrings. They cost £10,560. Now there are at least three royal women who have worn that necklace – Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Camilla (then Duchess of Cornwall) and last night Princess Catherine.

For more: 15 Years of Royal Jewellery: The Princess of Wales’s Most Iconic Pieces.

And: The Princess of Wales’ best jewellery moments

Like this? Read Princess Charlene of Monaco sparkles in Repossi diamonds at charity gala.

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Nick Foulkes launches 24-carat gold and platinum collection with Menē

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Nick Foulkes has designed a jewellery collection with Toronto brand Menē. The jewellers only work in 24 ct gold and pure platinum and sell all their pieces by the gram weight. The Foulkes Menē jewellery collection has been targeted unapologetically at men. The pieces are unapologetically masculine and include a striped flat chain bracelet with matching cufflinks, a Socrates ring, a shark tooth pendant and charm, and lastly a smoking dog pendant. The centrepiece of the collection is a highly tactile lighter holder, which comes in two sizes designed for a disposable lighter to slot into place – transforming an inherently worthless object into an inherently valuable sculptural ornament.

Nick Foulkes x Mene Lighter
Nick Foulkes x Menē Lighter CREDIT: Menē

Foulkes is a British author and historian. He’s written for a variety of newspapers and magazines including The Financial Times and has published a multitude of books on watchmaking, fashion and design. Foulkes commented to Something About Rocks, “It is a true delight to work with such a cultured person as Diana Picasso on this very enjoyable project. In no way is it a didactic collection. It is just a small selection of the sort of things I like and I hope that others will too.”

Like this? Read Goldsmiths’ Fair is big business for independent jewellers

Nick Foulkes wears his Mēne pieces
Nick Foulkes wears his Menē pieces CREDIT: Menē

Menē was founded by Roy Sebag and Diana Picasso. Customers can track the metal value of their pieces on mene.com and sell them back at market price. Picasso, speaking to Something About Rocks said, “Our collaboration with my friend Nick Foulkes exudes the luxury of classic British style, which combines so well tradition and modernity.”

The collection launched on 16 September and is available only at mene.com. No prices were given, however Menē pieces are priced on the day’s gold and platinum rate, so the prices fluctuate on a daily basis. The lighter holder and other jewellery will literally cost their weight in gold which is a fabulous way to invest in a piece of gold jewellery. At today’s prices the large lighter in gold retails at $33,674.

Like this? Read Pierce Brosnan’s best watches: From James Bond’s Omega to his own vintage Cartier

Like this? The Gentlemen season 2: Inside all of the hit Netflix show’s best watches

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