Unique, Handmade Engagement Rings

So here is the thing, you don’t ‘need’ an engagement ring to get married, any more than you need a pink leather jacket or a 5 tiered cake, but if you want one it is a marvellous thing to have. As a ring person, I would say having something gorgeous on your finger makes pretty much everything better.

Finding the right kind of ring for you can feel like a bit of a minefield. Personally I much prefer, if I am honest being able to talk to the person who is going to wear the ring, rather than dealing through another person. It’s a lovely thing to do together, and to consider your wedding rings at the same time means there will be no nasty surprises down then line when you realise you haven’t thought through what might sit with an engagement ring.

As I make to order surprises can be a bit problematic, as I can’t take back commissions, or resize stone set rings.

I have a few stock rings which are available for purchase on my website, see below for some links.

I work in recycled/repurposed gold, and as far as possible will source stones that are either low impact sustainably mined, or repurposed. If you are looking for a sustainable /ethical engagement ring then I can offer a range of options.

I have some engagement ring designs in my Stories of the Garden collection, and some more coming soon in Stories of the Sea. These nature inspired designs are available made to order with a range of stones and metal colours.

I also make simple solitaire rings in various designs to order. It’s a matter of sourcing a stone and building the right ring around it.

I think it’s really important that an engagement ring is reasonably wearable, although anything with a stone needs a bit of care. I love metal, and I prefer to avoid lots of tiny stones, or plated surfaces that are likely to need lots of ongoing maintenance.

      

The rings featured here have a rose cut white sapphire with a very subtle pink hint, and a really gorgeous lilac spinel set in rose gold.

Diamonds are slightly difficult from an ethical point of view, the supply is very tied up by large companies globally. Generally the best option is considered to be Canada or Australia, as you can guarantee a certain standard of safety and fairer wages, but there aren’t the low impact options that you can find with other stones.

The trend for diamond engagement rings is pretty recent, and I don’t think there is any issue with choosing a different option. Some softer stones need a slightly more protective setting for everyday wear, but there are lots of beautiful, affordable, ethical options out there.

     

 

As each stone is slightly different pieces will need to be quoted individually. As a general reference the rose cut sapphire set in recycled 9ct yellow gold would be £700, and the spinel ring would be around £650. In 18ct gold these pieces would be from £1,500.

Please send me an email if you would like to discuss a piece. nikki@nikkistarkjewellery.co.uk