WhenMeghan Marklecontinued the 95-year-old royal tradition of having her wedding band made from rare Welsh gold, she gave a boost to a family-owned business that specializes in creating jewelry from North Wales.
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“We get a lot of exposure when there is a royal wedding,” theClogauspokeswoman says. “It was the same when William and Kate got married. It definitely gives business a boost. Whenever the public becomes aware of the royal connection then there is increased interest in rare Welsh gold.”
She adds, “We have our own bridal concept and we have a trilogy-style engagement ring and her ring was the same style as that.”
The “Meghan Effect” has also extended to the company behind the designer jeans she wore when she visited Cardiff in January. When Meghan slipped on the pair of jeans fromHiut Denim Company, a boutique jeans brand from Wales, itcatapulted the label into global stardom overnight.
The tradition of using Welsh gold for royal wedding rings began in 1923, whenQueen Elizabeth’slate mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, used gold from Clogau St. David’s mine in Bontddu, Gwynedd. It was created from a donation of a nugget of gold given to the royal family in 1923.Princess Dianaalso had Welsh gold in her wedding band, as didKate Middletonand Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
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Clogau, probably the best-known brand that uses Welsh gold, says they will open four shops in Swansea, Llandudno and Bangor in Wales in October. They are also expanding their store at Cheshire Oaks, near Chester, over the border in England. They hope to create up to 30 jobs.
source: people.com
