(Fans Do Not) Get Your Exclusive Authentic Replica of Claire's Ring Here!

Claire's Exclusive Authentic Replica Ring

I love the new Outlander series and I've waited a long time (like everyone else) to see the story brought to life on TV.  Love everything about it, but I and others (many others) really don't like the latest addition to the Outlander Official Store.  Expecting that fans will want to own a small piece of the legacy, the store offers all sorts of memorabilia.  The latest addition, offered right after "The Wedding" episode, is the exclusive, authentic replica of a ring Claire never wore, for $249.  I know there are serious Outlander followers, but we are discerning and although contrary to popular belief, we do not buy everything we see.  Not only is this item too expensive for what it is, IT'S NOT THE REAL RING!  With over 9500 overwhelmingly negative comments on Facebook, and backlash on the Outlander Store and Starz too, I'm sure the person who suggested this idea in the first place wishes that ring was a key again and could be used to lock themselves away until this blows over. Even Diana Gabaldon distanced herself and that must really be the death knell.

Claire's Thistle Ring

Claire's original thistle ring has it's own website found at the Author's Attic and can be purchased in sterling silver for about $50.  The only problem is the site cannot be accessed easily because there is a bandwidth issue.  I suggest you keep trying.  Oddly enough, many fan comments made on the Outlander Store page are directing those interested in the thistle ring to the Author's Attic site.  The marketing team at the Outlander Store probably never anticipated their ring would prompt people to buy something else entirely but this was a good lesson in reverse psychology and to never underestimate the intensity, the loyalty and the intelligence of Outlander fans.

From "The Wedding", EP 107

Outlander's Caitriona Balfe Sparkles in Van Cleef & Arpels at Starz Screening in NYC

Outlander panel at 92nd St Y

On July 28th, fans of Diana Gabaldon's novel, Outlander, got an early screening of the book's upcoming television adaptation at New York City's 92nd St. Y. 

My sister treated me to tickets to the screening. She has been a fan of Diana Gabaldon's books for some time now and teaches Outlander in her romance novel class at George Mason University in Virginia. When we got to the 92nd St. Y, we found the place packed with hundreds of other Outlander fans, some of whom even dragged their kilt-wearing husbands to the event.  Note to self…think about buying husband a kilt. 

Much has already been written about the first episode screened that night, as well as the lively panel discussion with series producer Ron Moore, Gabaldon, and the charming stars of the show, Caitriona Balfe, Tobias Menzies, and a very red-headed Sam Heughan, that followed. Moderator Leslie Yazel, Executive Editor at Cosmopolitan, was funny as hell and could have career possibilities on Saturday Night Live. She guided her guests through the epic journey of adapting Gabaldon's story about a 20thC nurse, Claire Randall (Balfe) who time-travels back to the 18thC where she falls in love with a hunky Highland hero, Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan. This is what happens when you are not careful around ancient stones that make strange noises. 

Caitriona Balfe

But forget those stones. Let's talk about the other stones on display during the discussion. The most striking thing I saw from my seat on Monday night was not Sam Heughan's thighs (you'll see plenty of that in the first episode anyway), but rather the jewelry Caitriona Balfe was wearing (this is a jewelry blog after all).  Balfe wore a beautiful flowered dress from Honor with a poor shoe choice (weird Mary Janes), but her jewelry was the star.  I  mentioned to my sister that I thought Balfe was wearing a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra diamond necklace.  Her neck sparkled like crazy from where we were sitting and it was a little hard to make out the exact design with all that plaid in the way.  

Van Cleef and Arpels later tweeted that Balfe was wearing the storied jewelry firm's Folie des Prés earrings and ring, along with their Frivole necklace.  The ring alone retails for $56,500 and the necklace for $67,500. Gorgeous!

No time travel with these stones, but I think I hear them calling my name...

Folie des Prés diamond earrings

Folie des Prés diamond ring - $56,500

Frivole diamond necklace - $67,500