Where To Buy A Bespoke Engagement Ring In London
The process of buying an engagement ring can be stressful, hence why finding the right jewellers to work with is extremely important. Trust, Quality and Value. There’s the size of the stone to consider, the style of the band, the quality and cut. Once you add up factors like fluorescence, clarity, and cut quality to the mix, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That being said, choosing the perfect ring should be an enjoyable experience
Unfortuantely, most of the advice on social media being shared for guys looking for engagement rings isn’t very helpful. Most focuses on vague ideas and inspirational sources than on actual ways to choose one for yourself.
However, we are here to help. Below, we’ve compiled a list of tips that range from how to buy the perfect engagement ring to where to buy it.
History Of Engagement Rings:
Engagement rings are an important part of a lot of our lives. But where did this long held tradition come from? Although the ancient Egyptians are credited with its creation, historical sources can only reliably trace it back to ancient Rome. Engagement rings are worn on the second finger from the left on the left hand because of an ancient Roman belief that claimed that that finger held a vein linked directly to the heart. In the second century BC, Roman brides were given two engagement rings, one that they wore outside, and one of iron that they wore while attending to household duties. The tradition, although it has seen decline throughout the centuries, has carried through time and is a part of lives across the globe today.
How To Buy An Engagement Ring:
To prevent you from becoming overwhelmed with the tasks of where to start and where to go, we’ve compiled the tasks and tagged them for you. You can simply use them as a checklist.
#1 Stick to your budget
Set a limit that you are comfortable with. You don’t need to blow a hole through your pocket just to get bragging rights on the amount of money spent. The focus should be on the love you put into choosing the ring, not the price.
#2 Save Up:
This is the golden rule. If you don’t want to end up surviving solely on ramen and noodles for a few months, then you need to start saving up. Once you get your monthly salary, put away a certain amount each month. Keep saving until you’re well into your budget. This way, you won’t deal a serious blow to your bank account, nor end up struggling to make ends meet for a few months.
#3 Bespoke Or Not:
Bespoke jewellery or custom jewellery has become increasingly popular over the past decade. Many of the people who buy custom jewellery are buying engagement rings or wedding rings. The reason why so many people are choosing to buy bespoke rings is that one, they have more thought put into them cause it’s often self-designed, and two, it costs less. Yes, you read that right. Larger brands often push up the prices for non-custom pieces to cover the costs. If you work with a private studio to design a bespoke ring, you might very well be surprised.
#4 Keep An Eye On Trends:
While it’s best not to get swept up by every single trend that appears on the horizon, you also need to keep in mind that some things become popular for a reason. Not all of them, but a lot. You can take inspiration from the most long lasting trends, and consult your partner on what they feel about them. Keeping an eye on the ever changing trends can also give you a solid amount of ideas if you’re going down the custom route.
#5 Understand Your Partner’s Tastes:
A major step in choosing the perfect ring will be keeping a keen eye on your partner’s preferences. Take a good look at their jewellery collection. What do they wear the most? What do they have the most of? Do they prefer gold, platinum, diamond, or birthstones? Other than their jewellery collection, you should also take a peek at their closet and go over what they wear daily. If your partner wears suits and formal wear to work or favour simple styles, then you might want to go with the classics. If they’re someone who likes to experiment and wear daring fashions then they might like unique styles, such as this double twist pave band.
#6 Consider The Material:
The band of your engagement ring is the base for what the result is going to be. If you want to surprise your partner with the perfect ring, then you need to pay attention to what the material of the band is going to be. The three most popular and beloved options at the moment are 18k white gold, 18k Yellow Gold and platinum. Here’s a little explanation as to what they are.
Besides the materials for the band, you also want to consider the stones that you’re going to be using. Though diamonds are by far the most popular choice in stones, some people prefer birthstones or other precious stones in their place. And even if you’re going with diamonds as the main stone, there are many a design that calls for the usage of other stones with it, such as in rings with a diamond in the center, and birthstones or gems lined along the side.
#7 Consider The Difference Between 18k White Gold, And Platinum:
Chances are you’ll end up going with the “big three” of metals, so let’s take a look at their differences, advantages, and disadvantages. First, with palladium, we have a very durable metal. It is somewhat harder than platinum, and is resistant to scratches or wear. However, it is also the most expensive precious metal you’ll find, so make sure that you can afford it before opting for it.
18k white gold is a very popular choice since it is more affordable than the other two. 18k white gold is also very light, and so it is preferable for people with office jobs or for those who do not prefer heavy items. However, it is also less resistant to wear and tear than the other two and will require care and cleaning to keep it in good shape.
Platinum, often called the king of precious metals, is the second most expensive metal on the market, and for good reason besides its scarcity. Platinum is resistant to scratches, corrosion, dulling, and is very durable. It’s harder than the other two. It is probably the metal with the most advantages out of the other two. It will keep its grip on the stone even after years of wear and with a little bit of cleaning, still, look brand new.
#8 Select Your Setting:
There are thousands of settings for your stone, and it all depends on your partner’s preferences. As for now, here are the five most popular stone settings for engagement rings.
#9 Get An Expert Opinion:
When in doubt, consult an expert. Visit a few jewellers and describe your partner’s tastes to them. They’ll be able to give you a few options that are popular among other people that share the same tastes. Besides these professional experts, other people know your partner who’ll be able to help you on your way. Enlist the help of someone your partner is close to, such as a parent, a best friend, a sibling, a cousin, or a co-worker. These people know your partner in some ways that you might not, so get their help. At the very least you’ll get some vague ideas, and will come out of the experience with their support.
Where To Buy A Bespoke Engagement Ring:
The bespoke jewellery is becoming increasingly popular and easy to find. Private studios are popping up and appearing more and more on the horizon every day. No matter where you are across the globe, you’ll be able to find customized or self-designed jewellery makers.
In London, there are online based studios such as vyora.co.uk that create bespoke jewellery by hand. Their prices are also very competitive. You can also find other private studios online or in person. Many major brands also have side outlets that prepare customised jewellery items on request.
In the end, the only thing that matters about the ring and the whole process of buying an engagement ring is the reaction it elicits from your partner. It won’t matter how heavy the diamond is, or how much money you spent on it. But since many are set on finding the perfect ring, we hope this helps you out.
