For over a century, royal wedding rings have been crafted from the same nugget of rare Welsh gold, sourced from the Clogau-St David’s Gold Mine in Wales. This tradition dates back to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923 and has continued with Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Camilla, Meghan Markle, and the Princess of Wales.
However, concerns had grown in recent years about the tradition’s future, as the supply of mined Welsh gold was dwindling. The mine that produced Princess Kate’s wedding ring had been largely inactive since the 1990s—until now.
In a groundbreaking announcement, Alba Mineral Resources plc and its subsidiary Gold Mines of Wales Limited revealed the first gold production from Clogau in over 25 years. Since acquiring the mining rights in 2018, they have carried out extensive underground exploration, culminating in this historic milestone.
To mark the occasion, three limited edition “Tyn-y-Cornel” gold coins were minted in December 2025. These coins, each containing 1oz of pure 24-carat Welsh gold, will be auctioned between 30 March and 3 April. They feature a Welsh dragon atop Cadair Idris on one side and a historical image of miners at the Clogau mine on the other.
Welsh gold, first discovered at the site in 1854, once made the Clogau mine the UK’s most prolific gold producer, yielding around 80,000 ounces. However, production had slowed significantly, raising concerns about future availability.
Gold Supply Concerns
Clogau’s Managing Director, Ben Roberts, addressed the issue in a statement acknowledging that “with gold mining currently inactive, concerns about supplies eventually running out are valid.”
“Welsh gold is possibly the rarest in the world, so we carefully ensure that only a small amount is included in each piece of Clogau jewellery,” he added. “Our goal is to preserve the longevity of Welsh gold while keeping Clogau affordable and accessible.”
Roberts also highlighted the deep connection between Welsh gold and the royal family, who have “personally customized” their wedding bands over the years.
“The use of Welsh gold within the royal family is a subtle nod to the proud and noble heritage of Wales, showing how important the country is to them,” he explained. “Each wedding band is unique and serves as a personal reminder of their special day, while also maintaining the storied history of Welsh gold.”
