“Surge in popularity of 'royal' engagement rings in East Lancashire”

Posted: 13 Feb 2011 03:28 AM PST

Surge in popularity of 'royal' engagement rings in East Lancashire

11:21am Sunday 13th February 2011

VALENTINES couples planning to tie the knot are taking inspiration from the royal couple when shopping for engagement rings.

Blackburn mall jewellers say the most popular style now being sold in the shopping centre are Kate Middleton-inspired sapphire rings surrounded by a cluster of diamonds. The royal couple's engagement ring, which originally was Princess Diana's has caused a real demand for the style from couples shopping in BLackburn ahead of Valentine's Day.

Jyotsana Kang, Manager of Chris Shan jewellers said: "The most popular engagement ring we now sell is a sapphire much more like hers in shape for £2,000. People seem to love it and there's a real return to more traditional styles in general."

Louise Melling, Manager of Ernest Jones said they too were selling a ring very similar to the one being worn by Kate Middleton. She said: "We've also noticed more interest in traditional-style engagement rings recently and I certainly think that over the coming weeks, that trend will continue. It's very different from the modern rings which tend to be single stone, often with a twist in platinum and white gold."

Jacky Godfrey, Manager of the new Pandora store at The Mall Blackburn, said a special edition Pandora sapphire wedding charm with the engraved initials of the happy couple, would be available soon: "In recent years sapphires have gone a little out of fashion but that's certainly changing."

Elsewhere car dealership Bowker BMW is hosting a 'hug a staff member event today in a bid to raise charity cash for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Chris Eccles from the firm said: "We've been fully trained on hugging protocols so we are ready for anything.

"I would encourage anyone who would like a hug on Valentines Day to visit our dealership and choose a member of staff who fits the bill."

• BAXENDEN pie makers Holland's say their new 'aphrodisiac pie' can rival the usual Valentine's fare of champagne and chocolates.

Their recipe for love is said to include chicken thigh, perry cider, asparagus in a lemon cream sauce, topped with smoked oysters and a sprinkling of saffron. The pie firm say the oysters, asparagus and saffron, said to be aphrodisiac foods, "affects neurotransmitters in the brains pleasure centres".

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Engagement Rings

Sunday, February 13, 2011