HATTIE’S GUIDE TO ENGAGEMENT

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUYING A BESPOKE ENGAGEMENT RING.

I’ve been designing bespoke engagement rings for more than ten years and I know that choosing an engagement ring can be daunting; there are so many options, and it can often be hard to know where to start. I have designed more than 400 dream rings for brides-to-be, many of which have been a complete surprise, and so I hope this will help to demystify how we can create that dream piece together.

WHY BUY A BESPOKE ENGAGEMENT RING?

Creating a bespoke engagement ring is a hugely rewarding process that results in a design perfectly suited to the wearer, that she will be proud of for the rest of her life. The beauty of bespoke – rather than an off-the-shelf piece – is that it will tell a uniquely personal story about you both as a couple.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO START?!

When clients come to me they often have no idea what they or their fiancé want or what to expect from the journey. This is very normal! It is an incredible journey of getting to know one another and me encouraging you to open up and find your design boundaries.

It is my job to ask all the right questions so that we can together create your dream engagement ring. If we are designing for your future fiancé, I want to find out who they are – what is their personality, their style, their lifestyle and their loves. All this information helps me to build the design concepts, which are completely individual to that particular person.

Clients really enjoy getting involved with something completely different from their everyday; something fun and creative and being steered and supported every step of the way. By the time we’ve brought the ring to life, you will be so incredibly proud of what we have all created together.

HOW LONG DOES A BESPOKE ENGAGEMENT RING TAKE TO MAKE?

Typically, the bespoke engagement ring journey takes 10 -15 weeks; from the moment we first meet to that very special moment when I hand over the finished piece. The length of that journey really depends on how quickly we land on that dream design together, and I’m happy to put in whatever time it takes to get there.

This timeframe can lengthen a little on projects where we need to source rare diamonds and sapphires, or custom cut stones for the design.

For clients who want to propose first and then design the ring collaboratively with their fiancé, I often handwrite a letter – perhaps even with a few initial design sketches – and provide an empty ring box for the proposal itself. This risk-free approach to proposing really suits some clients!!

CAN I COMMISSION IN SECRET?

Yes, you certainly can. For the last 11 years I have been designing in secret for surprise proposals and it is wonderful to be part of. If this is the approach you want to take, I feel confident from that I can design your partner’s dream ring by collaborating with you, and never having met them in person. It is the story and thought behind the design process, as well as the design itself, that your fiancé will fall in love with.

Recently, more and more couples have approached me to develop their engagement ring collaboratively – these projects are equally as enjoyable as you get to experience the creative process together.

I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT GEMSTONES? HOW DO WE FIND THE STONES THAT ARE RIGHT FOR HER?

I work with some of the best gemstone suppliers in the UK, and over the years I have developed an eye for the right stones that will speak to that individual client. It is my job to guide you to the stones that will be perfectly suited to your girlfriend’s style and taste, and that fit with the design we have created, as well as your budget!!

CAN I USE A RING OR STONES I’VE INHERITED?

Many clients come to me with heirloom jewellery – Granny’s broach or a family engagement ring – and we work together to both maintain the sentimental value at the same time as creating a piece in a style suited to the wearer.

It takes real skill from my craftsman to make your heirloom stones work within a new style and the outcome can be even more rewarding that when we start from scratch.

I LIVE OUTSIDE THE UK, ARE YOU ABLE TO DO THE WHOLE PROCESS REMOTELY?

Yes, I have worked 100% remotely with many clients. I find that working over email, telephone and Zoom can be just as effective as working together in person. We can send videos of stones to be approved, and I am available throughout the whole process from start to finish.

WHERE CAN WE MEET IN PERSON FOR A CONSULTATION?

I host meetings with my clients at the Royal Academy in London.

HOW DO I FIND OUT HER FINGER SIZE SECRETLY?

We can measure a selection of rings that your girlfriend wears to make sure we have the right size.

DO YOU ALSO MAKE WEDDING RINGS?

Yes, I love creating wedding rings. However simple the design of a wedding ring, it’s such an important part of my clients story, it’s my pleasure to create them. I offer everything from a plain gold wedding band, to a bespoke wedding ring that sits cleverly to complement an existing engagement ring.

HOW MUCH DOES A BESPOKE ENGAGEMENT RING COST?

Our starting price for a bespoke engagement ring is £10,000. The price depends on the size, type and quality of the gemstones we select, as well as the complexity of the craftsmanship and the volume of gold. I am happy to work within a budget provided by you to create your design.

Would you like to browse a selection of my bespoke engagement ring designs?