Below are some Answers to
Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have any questions or would like to arrange a design consultation,
please contact us.
Appointments
Is there a charge for an appointment?
No, you don't pay anything to come and talk to our designers.
If we come in for an appointment are we committed to go ahead with a commission?
No - you are very welcome to come in on spec and see what we are all about - you don't commit unless you decide that you are completely happy with the design and the price.
How long will it take for you to make the engagement ring for me?
Approximately six weeks - maybe slightly longer if it's extremely complicated to make or we are sourcing an especially unusual stone.
Read more about the process of hand making an engagement ring.
When can I make an appointment for?
Appointments are available Monday to Saturday, at both our converted barn barn studio in North Hertfordshire and our shop in central Cambridge. If you can't make either (for example you live in the US!) we also do appointments over the phone.
Designs
Do you do computer generated designs?
No, we prefer to draw by hand - we feel it's more sculptural and makes it easier to precisely specify elegant curves. It suits the kind of design and handmaking work we generally do.
Can you copy a ring from a picture I have / I know exactly what I want - can you just make it for me?
We don't just copy other people's designs but we're very happy to use them as inspiration to make the perfect ring for you. Generally when you come in and talk to us (which doesn't cost extra) we'll find the perfect solution at the right price for you.
I have an idea of what I would like - how do I go about finding how much it would be?
Contact us and we can give you a ballpark quote.
Can I find our the cost of one of your previous commissions?
We don't publish the price of past commissions on our website for privacy reasons, although contact us and we would be very happy to give you an idea of what commissioniing a similar engagement ring might cost. Do bear in mind, however, that the beauty of bespoke design is that we can taylor the design, the gemstone and the materials to suit your budget.
Can I have engraving on the inside?
Yes absolutely - we use a very skilled engraver who is an expert at this fiddly task.
Read more about engraving on the inside of an engagement ring.
Can you set a stone on the inside of a ring?
Yes we can, and this can be a lovely secret extra. It has to be quite a small flat stone, as it you don't want it to show on the outside.
Gemstones
Can you use birthstones in my design? What are the best ones to use?
Yes. We've been doing some interesting research into birthstones - visit our birthstones section to find out more.
If we source our own stone will you set it?
Yes we can, although if you are buying a stone specially do consider getting us to source it - this will generally turn out cheaper for you and it's a no-obligation service. We order in various stones on approval for you to look at, and our experience and network of contacts usually results in a more beautiful stone for your money.
Read more about our buying your gemstone from us and our rare gemstone sourcing service.
Wouldn't it be better to buy a diamond from the internet? / I want to buy my diamond from the internet and get you to set it - is that OK?
You are welcome to do this, but do bear in mind that we can probably get you a better price, and take out the risk of buying a stone sight unseen.
Read more about buying your own stones.
I already have some stones I want to use in my grandma's ring - can you reset them for me?
Yes we can - bring it in to your design appointment and we'll have a look at it.
Find out more about reworking old family jewellery.
Can you melt up the metal from an old ring to incorporate in my new design?
This is technically possible, but is only really worth doing if the metal has sentimental value for you. Smithing bullion for use in jewellery making is a large scale process and doing it with a small amount of metal ends up being more expensive than buying in the metal in sheet or bar form.
How does the grading of sapphires and other stones compare to the way a diamond is graded?
There is no internationally recognised grading system for sapphires and other gemstones like there is for diamonds. Be wary of people who tell you there is.
Read about this and other myths dispelled.
What gems are too impractical to be used for an engagement ring?
We wouldn't recommend gems at the softer end of the scale, like emeralds and tanzanite, just because they could be prone to damage if worn every day. We can source alternatives in those colours with a stronger structure though if that's what you had set your heart on - talk to us or visit our gemstones knowledge section.
Metals
Can you work in mixed metals?
Yes we canm many of our more interesting designs involve a combination of metals or gold colours.
Making
How long would you need my engagement ring for to fit the wedding ring to?
A minimum of two weeks, although ideally a little longer.
Surprises
How can I take my partner's size without them guessing?
There are several options here. Perhaps the easiest is if you can steal a ring you know fits the same finger on their other hand, that's a great starting point. Otherwise, it's sometimes possible to rope in a friend or a family member to go shopping together and happen to try on some rings. A third option if they are a heavy sleeper is to use a plastic ring sizer while they are asleep. Or get creative - one resourceful young man who is an artist took a mould of his partners's hands 'for a project' and brought it in.
Find out other ways in our bloke's guide to proposing.
What are my options on how to surprise my partner without getting commiting to the design?
Designing a ring as a surprise can be difficult, especially if your partner has really specific taste. You don't have to go as far as having the ring made though - we created the commission in a box for just this situation, so you still have something nice to propose with but then you get to go through the design process together, which can be really enjoyable. You can go as far as having sketches done which we can give you in a presentation box, or choose a stone and then design a ring around it together.
Or how about presenting a pretty ready to wear ring and explaining it will be replaced by the one you will design together. For the right person, you could always go with a corny token - a cracker ring, a hula hoop, a knotted ribbon - in context this can be romantic too...
Read about all the different proposal ideas.
Finance/insurance
How does payment work?
When a design is finalised and you are ready to go ahead we ask for a 50% deposit, with the balance to pay when the ring is ready. If you've paid a sketch deposit this is taken off the final bill. At the end you get an invoice that shows the full cost of the ring and all its details for insurance purposes.
If you have any questions or would like to arrange a design consultation, please contact us and we'd be delighted to set this up for you.