The Marie Curie Daffodil Ring

The Marie Curie charity was founded in the UK in 1948, with its initial funding coming from the donation of a diamond engagement ring. To celebrate sixty years of its work in 2008, Pragnell designed a diamond and peridot cocktail ring shaped like a daffodil, the charity’s logo, which was offered for sale by Sotheby’s to support its efforts.

The Marie Curie Charity is a UK-based organization dedicated to providing care and support to individuals living with terminal illnesses and their families. The charity offers end-of-life care, emotional support, and practical assistance. Marie Curie raises funds through donations, fundraising events, and campaigns; one of their most well-known initiatives is the Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal, where people can buy and wear daffodils to support the cause.

Marie Curie was born in Poland in 1867 and was a pioneering physicist and chemist known for her ground-breaking research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains one of the most influential scientists in history. Her work was vital in the development of nuclear physics and chemistry, and she helped shape modern medicine with the use of radiation.

As a trailblazer for women in science, Curie overcame considerable barriers in a male-dominated field. She passed away on July 4, 1934, from aplastic anaemia, likely caused by prolonged exposure to radiation during her research. Her life is a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication to advancing human knowledge.

The Marie Curie Daffodil Ring was designed by Charlie Pragnell and handcrafted in our British workshops. Sotheby’s described the piece in their auction notes: “It is crafted in 18-carat yellow gold and white gold, centring on a rare oval Fancy Vivid Orange Yellow diamond weighing 0.82 carats, its petals pave-set with near colourless diamonds, with subtle green peridots to the stem and leaf.”

The sale of the ring raised £50,000 to support the work of Maric Curie Nurses in the United Kingdom.