The Royal Mint has unveiled a captivating new diamond collection under its 886 jewellery label, with pieces starting from less than £500 and guaranteed delivery before Valentine's Day. From elegant wedding bands to sophisticated bridal earrings, each item is meticulously crafted using recycled electronic waste, offering a blend of luxury and environmental responsibility.
A Modern Approach to Timeless Luxury
As more consumers seek ethical alternatives to traditional gemstones, lab-grown diamonds are gaining popularity for engagements, anniversaries, and Valentine's Day gifts. These stones are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds but come at a fraction of the cost. With growing awareness of the environmental and ethical issues associated with diamond mining, lab-grown jewels are becoming increasingly desirable.
The Evolution of The Royal Mint
886 by The Royal Mint, launched in 2022, pays homage to the year 886 AD when The Royal Mint was founded. Owned by His Majesty's Treasury, the company remains the UK's official coin maker. As the UK shifts towards a cashless society, driven by credit cards and apps like Apple Pay, this jewellery line represents a natural evolution for the historic institution. Leveraging the artisan skills of coin-makers and sustainable sourcing methods, the brand innovatively recovers precious metals from electronic waste.
Celebrity Endorsements and Fashion Credibility
Thanks to collaborations with notable figures such as Stella McCartney and Elton John, 886 by The Royal Mint has earned the fashion crowd's seal of approval. Its timeless cuffs, classic pendant necklaces, staple hoops, and delicate chains have been spotted on celebrities including Florence Pugh, Emily Blunt, Olivia Dean, and James Norton.
Valentine's Day Edit: Sparkling Selections
The Valentine's Day edit from 886 by The Royal Mint features high-quality artisan designs with long-lasting durability and relatively affordable prices. The collection includes the label's first diamond rings, along with bridal and occasion-wear bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Prices for lab-grown diamond pieces range from £495 to £5,995, while natural diamonds are available on special request starting from £10,995.
Handpicked Favourites from the Collection
As an experienced jewellery reviewer, I have selected standout pieces from the Valentine's Day edit, each promising to become a future family heirloom.
Teardrop Diamond Stud Earrings
These earrings offer an elevated style for daily wear and serve as a timeless Valentine's Day gift. Crafted from 18-carat gold sourced from The Royal Mint's facility in Wales, which recycles electronic waste from phones and laptops, they feature a 2.50mm lab-grown diamond at 0.12 carats, contributing to a circular jewellery economy.
Heart Pendant Necklace
Beyond diamonds, this heart pendant makes for a thoughtful and affordable Valentine's Day gift. It incorporates a coin-making security technique known as caustics, used to create hidden messages, with a heart revealing itself when light reflects on the surface. Delivered in a gift box with a travel pouch and polishing cloth, it combines simplicity with intricate detail.
Teardrop Diamond Eternity Band Ring
Perfect as a wedding band, engagement ring, or luxury gift, this eternity ring is made from sustainably sourced 18-carat gold for arresting shine. It features a series of set 0.67-carat lab-grown diamonds that capture light beautifully.
Teardrop Diamond Hoop Earrings
These statement yet elegant hoop earrings, ideal for a wedding day, showcase a sculptural teardrop shape with a set of lab-grown diamonds at 0.85 carats. Crafted from recycled e-waste, they embody a "something old, something new" ethos.
Teardrop Diamond Small Pendant Necklace
This timeless piece, designed to last forever, features an 18-carat gold design with a delicate curved teardrop pendant and a lab-grown diamond, offering understated elegance.
Teardrop Diamond Drop Earrings
Effortlessly elegant, these drop earrings are crafted from recovered 18-carat gold, with three 0.96-carat lab-grown diamonds set in a teardrop silhouette. They provide an expensive look at a fraction of the cost of natural stones.
Teardrop Diamond Necklace
Fit for a bride, this delicate 18-carat gold necklace features five lab-grown 1.25-carat diamonds set in curved teardrops, creating a flattering, cascading effect.
For more inspiration in sustainable jewellery, explore other collections that blend luxury with eco-conscious values.
