Well played, Andy! Kim unveils £200k sparkler
SHE may be dressed down in a simple white T- shirt and parka jacket – but one part of Kim Sears’ outfit certainly stands out.
Balancing two cups of coffee as she picked up her food shopping, Miss Sears gave the first glimpse of her enormous diamond engagement ring from tennis star Andy Murray.
The former Wimbledon champion proposed to his girlfriend last month with a ring he chose himself, believed to be worth around £200,000.
Traditionally men spend a month’s salary on an engagement ring, meaning Murray – whose 2014 earnings topped £11.5million – could have looked at s pending a l most £1million.
But experts said he had picked out a ‘perfect statement ring’ for his fiancée, who has been a constant courtside presence during his tennis career.
Jeweller Vashi Dominguez said he believed the central diamond was a five carat stone, meaning the ring could be worth more than £200,000.
Fine diamond jewellery expert Lewis Malka said ‘ perfectionist’ Murray, 27, appeared to have chosen an impressive three carat diamond, surrounded by smaller stones for even greater impact.
It certainly stood out as Miss Sears, also 27, attempted to balance her coffee and grocery bags while out shopping near the couple’s £5.6million home in Oxshott, Surrey.
Mr Malka told the Daily Mail: ‘Kim seems to have the perfect statement ring of the moment; every girl wants a large diamond and this is an exquisite piece.
‘The centre diamond appears to be a three carat stone with a lovely halo border of smaller diamonds, with further diamonds down the shoulders of the band.
‘Knowing how much of a perfectionist Andy is I would say the
‘This is an exquisite piece’
colour and clarity is top notch, and I would conservatively value the ring at around £100,000.’
Mr Dominguez said: ‘ From first glance Kim Sears’ engagement ring appears to be a large five carat cushion cut surrounded by an array of halo diamonds in platinum, costing in excess of £200,000.
‘Kim’s elegant yet subtle declaration comes as no surprise, as her stunning engagement ring is very complementary of her contemporary style and grace.
‘Stepping away from the traditional shapes such as the round solitaire and emerald cut diamond, the couple are clearly choosing a lane of their own with a very loud and bold statement piece.’
The couple, who have been dating for nine years, are said to be planning their wedding for next autumn, according to Murray’s mother Judy, who recently appeared in BBC show Strictly Come Dancing.
They met in 2005 when 17-year-old Miss Sears was at a tennis championship with her father Nigel Sears, a tennis coach and head of the women’s section of the Lawn Tennis Association in England.
A year later Murray won his first tournament, i n California, and jumped into the crowd to kiss her. She has been an almost constant presence at his matches since then.
Murray went on to win Wimbledon in 2013 and is ranked sixth in the world, with an estimated £30million fortune earned through winnings and sponsorships.
He has credited Miss Sears with helping him to ‘work better’ and has already spoken of his hopes of starting a family.
The couple live together with their two border terriers Rusty and Maggie.
Miss Sears, who has a degree in English literature from the University of Sussex, is an artist who paints pet portraits. Apart from art and dogs she says she loves the countryside, chocolate biscuits, Classic FM and Jilly Cooper novels.