If you are looking to get engaged, finding the perfect engagement ring can be a stressful experience. There are so many styles of ring available, be it classic or contemporary. If you are a man you may also worry that your future wife won’t like the ring that you’ve chosen. This is where a bespoke ring could be a good choice from a quality jeweller.
At first the idea of designing and creating your own bespoke ring may sound like a complicated and expensive option, however it's actual price is extremely competitive compared to off the shelf rings. At Handleys of London we can create a bespoke ring for you and your soon to be wife to cherish forever.
At first the idea of designing and creating your own bespoke ring may sound like a complicated and expensive option, however it's actual price is extremely competitive compared to off the shelf rings. At Handleys of London we can create a bespoke ring for you and your soon to be wife to cherish forever.
Do Your Research!
A bespoke engagement ring offers that personal choice
There are tons of things to consider before you look to purchase an engagement ring. This is definitely something that you shouldn’t be rushing into. Take some time before to look into the different cuts and gemstones that are available.
A diamond is the obvious choice for the centre stone, however you should not rule out looking into some of the other precious and semi-precious stones available. Combining a coloured gemstone (like a ruby or sapphire) with diamonds is coming back into fashion. When used as part of a halo ring or as shoulder stones, diamonds are fantastic at bringing out the full colour of the gemstones they surround.
A diamond is the obvious choice for the centre stone, however you should not rule out looking into some of the other precious and semi-precious stones available. Combining a coloured gemstone (like a ruby or sapphire) with diamonds is coming back into fashion. When used as part of a halo ring or as shoulder stones, diamonds are fantastic at bringing out the full colour of the gemstones they surround.
Coloured stones, like this sapphire, also work well in an engagement ring
As well as the stones you need to look at the different details you can add to the ring, like the setting or the type of metal. Adding all of these together there are tens of thousands of different combinations for your ring. Search online for the elements that you like and we will work with you to incorporate them all together and create your perfect ring.
Before going into the jewellers it always helps to have a brief understanding of the language that they are using. The most important terms that you should understand are the 4C’s. These are the four characteristics used to grade a diamond, developed by the Gemological Institute Of America (G.I.A).
The 4 C's stand for cut, colour, clarity and carat. The 4 C’s have become the universal method of assessing diamonds and provide a methodology by which jewellers across the world can abide to in their diamond certification process. When choosing your diamond it is useful to understand how each of these affect the overall appearance of it.
The 4 C's stand for cut, colour, clarity and carat. The 4 C’s have become the universal method of assessing diamonds and provide a methodology by which jewellers across the world can abide to in their diamond certification process. When choosing your diamond it is useful to understand how each of these affect the overall appearance of it.
- Cut - This is the overall shape of the diamond.
- Clarity - All diamonds hold imperfections either on the inside or the outside of the diamond. These are called inclusions or blemishes. The severity of these defects are what determine the overall clarity of the stone.
- Colour - The G.I.A. grading system ranks a diamonds colour from D (colourless) all the way to Z (slightly yellow).
- Carat - The unit of weight for diamonds, 1 carat is equal to 0.2 grams.
Budget
A diamond ring is a classic choice for an engagement ring
This may be an obvious one, but it is so important to outline a budget before you start this process. It is far too easy to get carried away when you are picking out a ring and go over budget. If you inform your jeweller of your maximum budget beforehand they can work with you to find the best possible ring within your price range. As mentioned above, it isn’t only the size that determines the price of the diamond. If a diamond you chose is pushing the ring over budget then the jeweller will help you find one with a lower clarity or colour.
Working With Your Jeweller
When you come in for your first consultation meeting at Handley's of London, it doesn’t matter if you know exactly what you want or if you haven't a clue, we will pick your brains to get an initial design down on paper.
For the larger and more complicated designs we can then send this off to our designers who will create a photo realistic CAD design, showing you exactly what it is going to look like. We can also then create a 3d printed wax model for you to try on. Keeping our clients updated in every step of the process is important for us, as we want them to see their creation come to life. We also encourage them to give us feedback throughout the process, allowing them to make any changes where they see fit.
For the larger and more complicated designs we can then send this off to our designers who will create a photo realistic CAD design, showing you exactly what it is going to look like. We can also then create a 3d printed wax model for you to try on. Keeping our clients updated in every step of the process is important for us, as we want them to see their creation come to life. We also encourage them to give us feedback throughout the process, allowing them to make any changes where they see fit.
How Guys Are Proposing Now
Over the years, we have noticed a change in the way in which men are proposing. Everyone knows the traditional method of proposing to your loved one, purchasing the perfect piece of jewellery, waiting for the right moment and getting down on one knee (okay...maybe not that simple, but you know what I mean). However, if you are unsure of what your wife is looking for in her engagement ring, we offer the option of purchasing just the stone. Then after proposing, you can come into our Hatton Garden offices and design the bespoke ring together to ensure that it truly is the ring of her dreams. We have seen this increase in popularity in recent years, and it is always great to see the couple working together on the design.
So remember if you are truly stuck picking out a ring, we can help you find the most beautiful individual stone for you to propose with.
Simon Handley - Handleys of London
* A sponsored post
Oh wow these rings are absolutely beautiful. Anyone would be lucky to have a ring like this xxx
ReplyDeleteI agree Laura!
DeleteOh gosh, I stopped thinking of engagement and now I want to get that ring! haha
ReplyDeleteThis post has just reminded me, I need to update my engagement ring. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteMy engagement ring was designed and created bespoke in Birmingham's jewellery quarter, it is such a lovely choice to have a unique piece of jewellery.
ReplyDeleteYour ring sounds amazing. A bespoke ring is extra special.
DeleteBeautiful rings and what a great service. I love diamonds ;) Kaz x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous rings, it's such an exciting time, and getting a ring you love is so important! I adore mine, it is perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love the colour a gem stone adds to a ring - it really makes a difference I think. x
ReplyDeleteYou are very on trend with your love of coloured stones.
DeleteGreat post, There is some stunning diamonds, the sapphire one is gorgeous! xo
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rachelnicole.co.uk/
I love the rings they are beautiful but they would be even more special when they are customised and designed to your liking.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Nayna.
DeleteThe blue ring is so pretty! I'm lucky that my husband chose a perfect engagement ring and I wouldn't change it. x
ReplyDeleteThat ring is just beautiful. I share your love Jessica!
DeleteGreat post! I love the images you have included here, makes me want them!
ReplyDeleteWow the sapphire ring is amazing! It would be a dream come true to design your perfect ring.
ReplyDeleteI think prices have become more affordable too. In the past having a bespoke ring made for you would be out of the league of most people but now it's not as pricey as you think.
DeleteI love telling the story of when Nathan proposed to me - basically it all went wrong lol.
ReplyDeleteHe went and ordered a ring, but as I have child sized fingers they had to send the smallest ring they had off to be altered, but between sending it to be done and it coming back, there was a postal strike so it didn't arrive on time! Not wanting Nathan to be without a ring for his big gesture, they kindly borrowed him the same ring in a bigger size and told him to keep it until they rang to say the re-sized ring was here.
Anyway, the night of my birthday arrived and I was ill so we ended up not going out for the meal he had planned and instead he got down on two knees on the edge of my bed while I was laid there feeling like poop and proposed. I said yes and the rest, as they say, is history :)
Louise x
That's a lovely story Louise! I bet it was just as romantic. At the end of the day you could have been in Venice or Rome and it wouldn't have been as personal and as beautiful to you. All you need is the man you love and the ring :)
DeleteExcuse me a moment just sending this to my boyfriend ha! Great post xxxx
ReplyDeleteGood call Rachael!
DeleteSome beautiful rings there! Thanks for the great post!
ReplyDelete