Why you should choose a bespoke engagement ring

UP UNTIL fairly recently, jewellery – and especially engagement rings have always been bespoke. Think all the way back to the ancient Egyptians and through the ages – jewellery has always had a strong meaning behind it and has always been bespoke to the wearer.

All of this changed with the emergence of retail culture. High street jewellers started stocking mass-produced, cheaper quality jewellery which eventually made its way into the engagement ring
market.

Something which once carried so much emotion and feeling, something which had been meticulously created by true craftsmen and women had suddenly lost its true meaning.

Luckily, there has been somewhat of a resurgence in bespoke jewellery during the past few years, with people looking to recapture the magic of something made solely for them.

 

engagement ring

Bespoke tension set engagement rings by Ingle & Rhode, London

 

Why go bespoke?

The experience as a whole
There are so many wonderful elements to the bespoke ring experience. You get to have a say in the sourcing of the gemstones and which ones you want – be that diamonds, ruby, sapphire or emerald.

You can also give specific briefs to the craftspersons and really feel like the ring is unique to you. Do you want a vintage ring? Trilogy? What about a halo? Then the cut of your diamond of course – will it be a princess cut or are you looking for more of an oval? It is completely up to you.

As a couple, you can also choose to enter into the design process together, making it a romantic experience that you can both share and cherish forever.

Unique to you
Probably the most important selling point of bespoke engagement rings is that they are completely unique to the wearer. Your ring is unique to you and it tells your story, which is often touted as the highest form of luxury money can buy.

At Ingle & Rhode in London, for example, they craft only the finest ethical bespoke engagement rings that you will hold dear for a lifetime.

They understand how important it is to get a unique piece of jewellery absolutely perfect, which is why they employ only the best craftsmen and women to create the most beautiful custom
engagement rings made in the UK.

Value
Something you may not associate a bespoke engagement ring with would be value for money, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Bespoke rings are a lifetime investment.

Having a ring that you created yourself and that you will cherish forever can bring you unlimited joy each day as opposed to a cheaply cut, mass-produced ring that may go out of style when tastes shift in a few years.

The initial extra layout will be worth it every single day when you look down and see the ring of your dreams adorning your finger, reminding you of the everlasting love you and your partner share and how many memories it holds for you both.

engagement ringThe bespoke experience consists of a designer sketching out your ideas to bring them to life

 

Does the ethical element of my ring matter?
One element which often goes undiscussed when talking about bespoke rings is the ethical side of the process. We have all heard the phrase “blood diamond” but is this a genuine concern with the now commonly practised Kimberley Process?

With most companies claiming conflict-free Kimberley certifications, you would think that the ethical
status of every Jeweller’s rings would be perfect – except it’s not.

Did you know that the Kimberley Process doesn’t actually guarantee anything ethics-wise?

This is why it is so important for ethically minded buyers to consider this side of their purchase when investing in a bespoke ring.

Ingle & Rhode was created to tackle this exact problem, sourcing only the most ethical and high
quality stones for all of their rings, which has earned them the moniker of ‘The Ethical Jeweller’.

Below are a few things to consider when looking for the ring that has it all.

Conflict-free diamonds and precious metals
The biggest concerns for ethically-minded buyers is whether their engagement ring has been sourced via conflict-torn areas or whether they have been fairly mined.

Despite the Kimberley Process trying to ensure that conflict or blood diamonds do not enter the main supply chain, it happens. Loopholes can be exploited and jewellers will get hold of them somewhere along the line.

You need a jeweller that can offer you that peace of mind. Ingle & Rhode only source the finest
conflict-free diamonds that can be traced all the way to the mine.

engagement ring

Conflict-free diamonds are used in Ingle & Rhode diamond engagement rings

 

Traceability
Traceable diamonds are quite a rare commodity, even in today’s market, which is why it is vitally important to find the right jeweller who can offer full traceability, all the way back to sourcing.

This way, you can ensure that your ring has gone through the right processes all the way to the showroom. This can give you a clean conscience and a clear mind as you make one of the most exciting decisions of your life.

If you’re looking for traceable diamonds, for example, you will find certain Canadian diamond mines are able to provide this due to the laser inscribed code they play on their diamonds.

 

Fairtrade Gold
Gold is something which isn’t usually associated with Fairtrade, we only tend to think that foods go through this process.

Except Fairtrade gold is as equally important as in any other sector. Being Fairtrade means that workers are guaranteed humane conditions, fair pay and community support for those surrounding the mines.

This means your purchase is not only special to you and your partner, but it is helping out the communities of those who helped to contribute towards your special purchase.

So now you know just how beneficial a bespoke engagement ring can be for you and how much value it can bring to your life.

We have also highlighted how important it is to be able to trace your ring’s journey and how ethical practices should be a major consideration during your buying process.

by Viola Li

If you would like to learn more about unrivalled, bespoke and ethical engagement rings take a look at Ingle & Rhode in London or visit here. This is a sponsored feature.