What You Didn't Know About Pippa Middleton's Engagement Ring

Pippa Middleton launched into the spotlight after her sister, Kate Middleton married Prince William and became the Duchess of Cambridge. According to The Sun, before she became a celebrity, Pippa was an academic and socialite, earning a degree in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh. She penned two books, a social etiquette guide and a cookbook, and has also written a column for a magazine and been on "Today" on NBC.

Most recently, Pippa has been focused on family. She married James Matthews, a finance professional who owns Eden Rock Capital Management Group, in 2017 (via Us Weekly). Matthews is said to have a pretty hefty net worth of about $2 billion. So once the pair got engaged, speculation about Pippa's engagement ring was booming. According to The Independent, the ring is valued at 250,000 pounds, which is about 339,000 in U.S. dollars. And while we know the ring is pricey, there is something many don't know about it.

According to Hello!, James Matthews proposed to Pippa Middleton on May 20, 2017. He got down on one knee while the couple was taking a stroll. And while the proposal was simple, the engagement ring is anything but. The vintage jewel clocks in at about three carats and features octagonal gems around the border.

But what is super special about the ring is the center stone, which is an Asscher cut diamond. This type of diamond is said to have royal origins, which is fitting considering Pippa's extended family. According to Town & Country Magazine, this type of cut is called an Asscher cut, which was designed by the owner of the Netherlands' Royal Asscher Diamond Company, Joseph Asscher in 1902. Asscher also created jewelry for Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.

Pippa and her husband recently welcomed their second child, Grace. They also share a son named Arthur who was born in 2018, via Us Weekly.