Meghan Markle's Engagement Ring and the Moissanite AlternativePhoto from GoodStone, click here to read.

Meghan Markle's Engagement Ring and the Moissanite Alternative

Few engagement rings have captured the world's attention quite like Meghan Markle's. The three-stone design has inspired thousands of couples — and in 2026, a moissanite version delivers the same look, the same brilliance, and the same meaning for a fraction of the price.

The Ring — What Makes It So Iconic

When Prince Harry proposed in 2017, the ring he presented was unlike anything the public had seen from the Royal Family before. Rather than a traditional single stone or a formal cluster, it was a three-stone design — deliberately modern, quietly sentimental, and immediately recognisable.

The centre stone is a cushion-cut diamond, sourced from Botswana — a country with deep personal significance to Harry and Meghan. Flanking it are two round brilliant diamonds taken from Princess Diana's personal jewellery collection, set so that Diana's stones would always be part of this next chapter.

The band is yellow gold — a departure from the platinum and white gold that had dominated royal jewellery for decades, and a choice that gave the ring a warmth that felt personal rather than ceremonial. Cleave and Company, the jeweller appointed to the Royal Family, crafted it to Harry's own design.

In 2019 the ring was updated — the original plain yellow gold band replaced with a delicate pavé diamond band — but the three stones and the sentiment behind them remained unchanged.

Why the Three-Stone Design Endures

The three-stone setting — sometimes called a trilogy ring — has been a symbol of enduring love for centuries, traditionally representing the past, present, and future of a relationship. What Meghan's ring did was bring that symbolism into the modern conversation in a way that felt accessible and deeply meaningful at the same time.

It also happens to be a flattering, versatile design. The cushion-cut centre stone has a soft, rounded silhouette that suits a wide range of hand shapes. The flanking round stones give symmetry without rigidity. And in yellow gold, the whole piece has a warmth that photographs beautifully and wears even better.

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Why Moissanite Is the Natural Alternative

Moissanite is silicon carbide — a gemstone first discovered in a meteorite crater in 1893. It sits at 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond, and is entirely suitable for daily wear. It won't scratch, cloud, or lose its brilliance over a lifetime.

Where moissanite goes beyond diamond is in its fire. It has a higher refractive index than diamond, meaning it disperses light more intensely — throwing more rainbow flashes and catching light from angles that a diamond typically won't. In yellow gold, that fire is especially pronounced.

The practical advantage is significant. A cushion-cut moissanite three-stone ring in 14ct or 18ct yellow gold at Mara & Co delivers the same visual impact as the ring that inspired it, at a price point that most couples can genuinely afford. And because moissanite is lab-created, it's also ethically straightforward — no mining, no ambiguous supply chains.

The Mara & Co Version

Our Classic Trilogy Moissanite Ring – 1.5ct is a modern take on one of the most loved ring styles of all time. A brilliant round moissanite centre stone is flanked by two slightly smaller rounds, each with its own halo of pavé stones — creating a three-stone look that feels elegant from every angle.

Set in 925 sterling silver with a bright white gold plated finish, the band is kept slim and polished so the focus stays entirely on the stones. Together, the three moissanites total approximately 1.5 carats — a generous, high-impact sparkle without feeling heavy on the hand.

Traditionally, a trilogy ring represents past, present, and future — making this a beautiful choice for an engagement ring, anniversary gift, or a right-hand ring that marks a special moment. Covered by our Lifetime Sparkle Guarantee.

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Is Moissanite "Cheating"?

It's a question people ask, even if they don't always say it out loud. The honest answer is no — and the reasoning is worth sitting with for a moment.

The ring that made headlines wasn't iconic because it cost a certain amount. It was iconic because of what it represented: a thoughtful design, a personal story, stones chosen for meaning. None of that is diminished by the material the stones are made from.

A moissanite three-stone ring in yellow gold carries every bit of the same symbolism. It will catch the light in ways that make people stop and look. And it allows you to put your resources — financial and emotional — into the relationship it's meant to represent, rather than into a price tag.

What to Look for When Buying a Three-Stone Ring

The ratio between the centre stone and the side stones matters more than the total carat weight. A classic ratio is roughly 2:1 — the centre stone visually twice the size of each flanking stone. This creates balance without making the side stones feel insignificant.

For a cushion-cut centre, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.0 and 1.05 for a square cushion, or 1.15 to 1.20 for a more elongated shape. The elongated cushion has grown in popularity recently and suits longer fingers particularly well.

Metal choice: yellow gold is the obvious reference point here, but a three-stone ring in rose gold has a romantic softness that many find equally compelling. White gold offers a more contemporary, cooler look. All three are available at Mara & Co in 14ct and 18ct.

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