choosing aengagement ringIt is an important moment for every couple.
And it is that for many, the task of finding a design with enough personality involves betting on something tailored. But where to start?
While many of the established jewelers also offer a bespoke service, straying off the beaten path of well-known brands can often get you a better value product and true design.
Here are 12 London-based bespoke jewelery designers worth considering in your search for your dream ring.
1. Emma Clarkson Webb
When you purchase a ring from Emma Clarkson Webb, she will first provide you with a brief education on diamonds and gemstones, and then source competitively priced stones from around the world specifically to meet requests, before the design is handcrafted by her skilled craftsmen at heart. from Hatton Gardens.
A GIA Certified Gemologist, Emma has spent time living in Asia, which has enabled her to achieve competitive prices by drawing on a large network of diamond dealers around the world.
"Our clients can get as involved as they want in designing their perfect engagement ring," he says, "with a designer and gemologist advising them every step of the way to ensure we create the perfect ring at a competitive price."
2. Damn Woods
Gee Woods Jewelery was founded in early 2013 and specializes in a large number of bespoke pieces, as well as a small ready-to-wear collection.
“In a world where everything is mass-produced, I like to offer something different and personal to each customer so they can walk away with an item that is unique to them,” says Woods. He specializes in reworking old, often neglected jewelry pieces that clients want to modernize.
“We work closely to make sure they have a piece that represents them,” he says, “while maintaining the feel of an antique, often relic piece.”
3. Raquel Boston
Rachel received her BA in Jewelry Design from Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design and then studied at the Gemological Institute of America in New York City, where she received her Diamond Grading degree.
Her designs go beyond the aesthetic of traditional bridal jewelry, creating Art Deco-inspired fine jewelry with a strong, modern edge. He works with high clarity white diamonds and perfectly imperfect gray diamonds, often combining the two for an interesting mix of high/low materials.
All bespoke pieces are made in Rachel's East London workshop and showroom and in London's Hatton Garden jewelery district. “By fusing modern and traditional manufacturing techniques and focusing on craftsmanship,” she says, “the products are of high quality and originality. “
4. Lily Kamper
Working out of her Brixton studio, Lily has a capsule collection of six beautiful Art Deco-inspired engagement rings, all fully customizable. It's working with couples to create a fully customized engagement ring that Lily truly delights in. "It's an honor," she says.
The stones and diamonds are sourced from trusted suppliers in Hatton Garden, but he is also happy to work with a client's gemstones, perhaps a family heirloom.
Lily is open minded, supportive and patient, working with her to create a bespoke ring is more like brainstorming with a friend, albeit a very talented one.
5. Hattie Rickards
Hattie Rickards left school to study Jewelry Design at Central Saint Martins and then spent 5 years working for Solange Azagury Partridge. In 2010, she launched her eponymous company with the sole objective of uniting the two great passions of her life: jewelry and people. Since then, she has worked on nearly 500 custom orders.
“My goal is to work with clients to encourage them to find their personal design boundaries and create pieces that not only mean a lot to them, but are proud to create,” he says.
6. Liv Luttrell
Drawing inspiration from art and architecture, Luttrell's designs focus on abstraction and simplification, resulting in a bold and daring style. Classically trained as a goldsmith and gemologist, Luttrell works closely with his clients throughout the design process, sourcing an exclusive selection of gemstones and diamonds.
Their primary focus is ethical sourcing and production. “I work with a combination of responsibly sourced gemstones and diamonds and Fair Trade gold whenever possible,” he says. “Everything is handmade in the UK, ensuring a fair deal for all the craftsmen involved.”
7. Taylor y Hart
Taylor & Hart, was founded in 2013 for couples who want to personalize their engagement ring together.
Following a flexible business model and maximizing state-of-the-art technological tools, the brand offers its customers a unique experience in one of life's most exciting journeys.
All of their diamonds are ethically sourced and graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Each ring is uniquely designed, marked and finished by hand in London.
8. Fenton and company
The spirit behind the new Fenton & Co. is transparent luxury. When you create a ring with Fenton & Co., you'll receive a certificate stating exactly where your gemstone came from. One thing is guaranteed, it will not be from a conflict zone.
Although Fenton & Co. does not offer a completely custom engagement ring service, it does have five styles that can be tailored to suit each person's tastes and preferences. Asthe halo ringbut you want it with a round cut and a bigger pink sapphire? You got. The cut, center stone, metal, and size of the stone are fully customizable, resulting in a unique piece of jewelry.
The Fenton & Co. is 'Loving in Color' and you won't find any diamonds here. To make it accessible, the brand decided to go for vibrant and colorful jewelry. So choose between yellow sapphire, emerald, pink sapphire, blue sapphire, ruby, and aquamarine.
Laura Lambert, Co-Founder of Fenton & Co, says: "Fenton & Co was founded on a mission to create responsibly produced, affordable, beautifully colored gemstone rings. We wanted to disrupt the status quo around fine jewelry, building a brand that offers personalized products and covers a wide range of customers so that more and more people feel confident and happy in choosing jewelry to mark their special moments in life."
9. Evaluation
Anyone in search of a lab-grown diamond engagement ring should check out Antwerp-based fashion fine jewelry brand Kimai, a favorite of Meghan Markle and Emma Watson. In addition to their ready-to-wear engagement ring designs, they offer a personalized service that can be completed with their expert designers entirely over a video call.
Kimai designers are available throughout the entire process, from the initial sketches until the green box arrives at your door.
10. Vashi
For couples who want to get involved in the engagement ring design process together, Vashi is a modern jeweler on a mission to demystify diamonds and involve the client in the design process from start to finish. He can customize one of his ready-made or completely bespoke designs, and for those who want to brush up before getting started, the Vashi team offer informal masterclasses focused on diamond and 4C education.
When you're ready to design your ring, head over to the Covent Garden flagship store (or complete the process online if you prefer) and on-site designers will work with you to create your perfect ring. Select from a wide range of diamonds and gemstones before adding any finishing touches you desire: they can engrave initials or a secret message, coordinates or a fingerprint... nothing is off limits.
Then, when you're happy with the design, sit down with one of Vashi's expert creators in the workshop at the back of the store and watch him create your piece. He can even help lay the last stone! Each ring comes with a physical, personalized Love Story book documenting the creation of your piece, and plenty of champagne is available throughout.
11. Hannah Bedford
Employing the ancient art of graining, where tiny gold balls add shape and texture to a design, Bedford jewelry is the perfect balance between classic and contemporary. Use 100% recycled gold or silver, as well as conflict-free diamonds. All of her bespoke engagement rings are handcrafted in her south London studio, "merging my signature aesthetic with my client's requirements."
Bedford's approach is collaborative. “I love working closely with my clients, keeping them informed about the process while sourcing fine stones and materials responsibly,” she says. “The result is a truly unique piece and a unique experience.”
12. Jessica McCormack
A former employee of Sotheby's jewelry department and daughter of an antiques auctioneer, it's no surprise that Jessica McCormack's designs are essentially family heirlooms to the modern woman: utterly timeless pieces made to last. “My ultimate goal is to make sure that all of my jewelry is wearable and extremely loved,” she said.
As a luxury brand, their bespoke engagement rings start at £10,000. The initial consultation will be dedicated to capturing the client's vision, whether it be an image in their mind or an existing gemstone, through sketches.
Each ring is crafted by expert goldsmiths in the workshop at 7 Carlos Place, the exquisite Mayfair house that is the designer's headquarters and one of the most beautiful places to begin your engagement ring design journey.