Meghan's Wedding Band: 24-Karat Gold?

Meghan Markle's wedding band is made of pure Welsh gold, continuing a royal family tradition that dates back to 1923 when the Queen Mother chose the material for her wedding ring. The gold was sourced from the Clogau St. David mine, located near Bontddu in northwest Wales. The use of Welsh gold in Markle's wedding band has boosted demand for this rare type of gold, with increased interest in jewellery made from it.

Meghan Markle's wedding band was crafted by Cleave and Company

Cleave and Company are Court Jewellers of distinction, designing and creating some of the world's most exceptional bespoke jewellery. They count Heads of State, Palace Offices, and Governments from over 40 countries among their clients, as well as some of the most discerning individuals worldwide. The company's workshop is a unique fusion of past and present, drawing on decades of experience and combining time-honoured techniques with pioneering precious metal work.

The gold used for Meghan's wedding band was gifted to the couple by Queen Elizabeth and has a rich history. Welsh gold is currently the rarest and most expensive type of gold, as it hasn't been mined in over two decades. Any pieces available are already in circulation, making Meghan's ring truly unique and special.

The choice of Welsh gold for Meghan's wedding band not only continued a long-standing royal tradition but also paid homage to the rich history and culture of Wales. It boosted demand for Welsh gold and brought exposure to family-owned businesses specialising in creating jewellery from this rare material. The "Meghan Effect" extended beyond jewellery, impacting fashion choices and catapulting labels into global stardom.

The gold was a gift from Queen Elizabeth

The gold used to craft Meghan Markle's wedding band was a gift from Queen Elizabeth herself. The gold was crafted into a ring by Cleave and Company, the late Queen's regular jewellers. The use of Welsh gold in Meghan's ring continued a 95-year-old royal tradition, which began with the Queen's mother, Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, on her wedding day in 1923. Welsh gold is significant to the royal family, and it has been used for royal wedding bands since it was first used by the Queen Mother.

The gold used for the wedding band was sourced from a nugget of gold that was donated to the royal family in 1923. The nugget was mined from the Clogau St. David's mine in Bontddu, Gwynedd. Welsh gold is rare and highly prized because of its origin and scarcity. It is also the most expensive type of gold, as it hasn't been mined in over two decades.

The tradition of using Welsh gold for royal wedding rings has been continued by many members of the royal family, including Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. The use of Welsh gold in Meghan Markle's wedding band boosted demand for the rare gold and brought exposure to a family-owned business that specialises in creating jewellery from North Wales.

The gold is from a historic mine in Wales

Meghan Markle's wedding band is made from rare Welsh gold, continuing a royal tradition that dates back to 1923 when Queen Elizabeth's mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, chose gold from the Clogau St. David mine in Bontddu, North Wales, for her wedding band. The Clogau St. David mine has supplied gold for three generations of royal wedding bands, including those of the Queen Mother, the Queen, Princess Margaret, the Princess Royal, and Diana, Princess of Wales.

The gold for Meghan Markle's wedding band came from the same historic Clogau St. David mine in Wales. The 24-carat gold was gifted to the couple by Queen Elizabeth, and the ring was crafted by Cleave and Company. The Clogau St. David mine has not been operational since the 1990s, but there are plans to reopen it due to the potential for discovering new gold veins.

The use of Welsh gold in Meghan Markle's wedding band has boosted demand for this rare type of gold and brought increased recognition to Welsh gold jewellery makers, such as Clogau. Meghan's choice to follow the royal tradition has not only continued a historic connection but has also had a significant impact on the promotion and expansion of Welsh gold businesses.

The Clogau St. David mine is located in Bontddu, North Wales and has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s. The mine was a source of high-grade gold, with North Wales producing around 81,000 ounces of gold from this mine alone since the early 1800s. The royal connection with Clogau gold began in 1911 at the investiture of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), where several regalia incorporated pure Welsh gold from Clogau.

The gold from the Clogau St. David mine holds a special significance for the royal family, and its use in Meghan Markle's wedding band symbolises the continuation of a cherished tradition. The mine's historical connection to the royals and the potential for further gold discoveries make it a unique and valuable asset in the United Kingdom's mineral resources.

The ring was presented to Meghan Markle by Prince Harry

The wedding band was a thoughtful gift from Prince Harry to his bride, continuing a century-old tradition of Welsh gold wedding rings in the British royal family. The choice of Welsh gold also paid homage to the long-standing connection between the Royals and Clogau St. David's mine.

The ring itself was a simple yet elegant yellow gold band, designed to complement Meghan's engagement ring, which also featured a gold band. The wedding band was crafted by the same jeweller who created Meghan's engagement ring, ensuring a cohesive look.

The presentation of the wedding band by Prince Harry held symbolic significance, marking the start of their married life together and serving as a tangible representation of their commitment and love. The ring also symbolised Meghan's official entry into the royal family, with the choice of Welsh gold reflecting a desire to uphold royal traditions.

The moment when Prince Harry slipped the Welsh gold ring onto Meghan's finger during their wedding ceremony was undoubtedly a highlight of their special day, marking a new chapter in their lives as husband and wife.

Welsh gold is the rarest type of gold

Welsh gold is one of the rarest types of gold in the world. It is found in natural geological deposits in two distinct areas of Wales and is prized for its origin and scarcity. The earliest known Welsh gold mine was the Dolaucothi Gold Mines in Carmarthenshire, which was initiated by the Romans around 74 AD and closed in 1938. In North Wales, gold is often found in a band stretching from Barmouth to Snowdonia. This area includes the Gwynfynydd Gold Mine and the Clogau Gold Mine, which was once the largest and richest mine in the Dolgellau gold mining area. The Clogau Gold Mine is also known as the Clogau St David's Mine, where local man William Roberts discovered Welsh gold in one of Snowdonia's abandoned gold mines.

Welsh gold is not a unique material substance; it is chemically identical to gold mined anywhere else. Its value comes from its scarcity and the fact that it has been prized by royalty for centuries. The link between Welsh gold and the British royal family began in 1911 when Prince Edward was invested as Prince of Wales in a ceremony that included regalia made with Welsh gold. Since then, many members of the royal family have chosen Welsh gold for their wedding rings, including Meghan Markle, who continued the 95-year-old royal tradition when she wed Prince Harry in 2018.

The demand for Welsh gold has increased since Markle's wedding, boosting the business of family-owned companies that specialise in creating jewellery from North Wales. Welsh gold jewellery is not only valued for its beauty and heritage but also as a future family heirloom. With Welsh gold mines no longer in operation, the metal is even rarer, driving up its value. Welsh gold holds up to 30 times more value than any other gold in the world.

Frequently asked questions