Choosing an engagement ring or finding the right jeweller to create a custom ring, can be overwhelming. There are so many things to consider, such as the centre stone (a more traditional white diamond or an alternative gemstone?), gold colour and ring design. In addition, in Sydney where Lizunova Fine Jewels is based, there are hundreds of jewellers to choose from, and each one says they are the best!
Commissioning a custom engagement ring or a wedding ring that carries so much meaning is a big decision. For many people, it’s the biggest sum they will spend on a single piece of jewellery in their lifetime. Ultimately, you want to trust that the jeweller who is making your ring is a good designer, a skilled craftsman and will be there to provide a warranty and great after sales service. It’s a good idea to not only see online but also touch and hold the rings they have previously made – jewellery can look amazing in carefully photographed and retouched images but does it come up to scratch when inspected closely? If you are buying online, I would recommend requesting videos of a ring or a gemstone shot in natural daylight. If you are able to visit the jeweller in person, it's a good idea to look closely at the quality of the rings: the neatness and symmetry of settings and quality of metal and craftsmanship.
Five Questions To Ask A Jeweller
Some of the things to look out for, and questions to ask to help you find the right jeweller for your engagement ring, are:
- Where is the jewellery made and by whom? Is it ethically crafted by a local jeweller or made in a factory off shore? Cheaper ring settings mass produced overseas are not the same as high quality rings made by small local artisans who care about their craft and will stand by their quality and look after your ring over the years to come. At Lizunova we are passionately committed to ethical, local manufacturing, valuing quality craftsmanship above all else.
- Is the ring made of new or recycled gold or platinum? Recycled gold sounds romantic (and even more sustainable), but if it's essentially just gold melted down from second hand jewellery, steer clear. Without a specialised lab analysis, it's impossible to prove that your recycled gold ring is 18 karat and contains 75% pure gold. In addition, metal in second hand jewellery has unknown alloy composition, meaning it might contain something that irritates your skin (e.g. nickel which some people are allergic to). We work with high quality, new precious metals only, produced by local, specialised, sustainable manufacturers out of a mix of newly mined and refined recycled metal.
- Is sufficient metal used in the ring shank and gem setting to last 30 or more years? Thin bands might be on trend but will not wear well over time – metal thins out with wear, especially at the base of the ring shank. Dainty bands that don't have enough metal will bend and warp with wear, and any diamonds or gemstones set into them may become loose and fall out as settings become compromised when a ring gets bent out of shape. At Lizunova we insist on using sufficient metal in our ring settings to ensure your ring is strong and will wear well over the years.
- Stone settings need to have enough metal in them to hold your diamonds or sapphires secure through daily wear and tear - dainty claws might look aesthetically pleasing to start with but may not last the distance. We aim for optimal claw thickness which is a balance of durability and aesthetics.
- Is there a valuation, a warranty and after sales service? All Lizunova pieces come with a valuation which is sufficient for insurance, a voluntary manufacturer's warranty and complimentary after sales service. We stand by our quality.
It’s also always a good idea to read a jeweller's testimonials or Google reviews to see what previous clients think of their work and customer service.
Going direct to a manufacturing jeweller
If you go direct to a manufacturing jeweller, you’re relying on their aesthetic sense, ingrained way of designing jewellery and their ability to understand and translate your ideas to a finished piece. They have a different approach and motivation to those of a jewellery designer, and while it may save you some money going direct to a manufacturing jeweller, I would recommend finding a great jewellery designer, whose style and work you love. A jewellery business led by good design would provide an in-depth understanding of many factors involved in creating the perfect ring, not the least of which is collaborating with you in such a way that you end up with the ring you are delighted with.
Is it a good idea to buy an on-trend engagement ring?
Trends come and go. You’re going to have this ring for the rest of your life, so we think it’s a good idea to steer away from fashion and choose a design that’s stylish, well thought-out and timeless.
If I go with a custom ring, how do I ensure I like the end result?
The advantages of having a bespoke ring designed and made especially for you is that, if you pick the right designer, you will have a beautiful ring that’s unique to you and expresses your personality and your love story. To ensure you’re getting exactly what you envisage, you need to be given very clear and precise, to-scale design sketches that show the ring from three angles – top view, and two side views. You also need to see and hold the stone that is going to be set into your ring and see what it looks like on your skin.
We like to work with modern technology that allows us to create 3D colour drawings as well as a to-scale 3D printed wax model of your ring you can try on – so there are no surprises when you receive your finished ring.
Are diamond wholesalers and online only jewellers okay?
A real diamond wholesaler doesn't sell to the general public, and sells only to trade - jewellers and jewellery designers. The so-called diamond wholesalers who sell direct to public are actually retailers. These businesses are typically volume based and their interest does not lie with beautiful design. You may pay less but end up with a ring that is a replica of a hundred other rings, made without soul or attention to detail. Oftentimes, these rings are made overseas due to lower manufacturing cost.
While it's fine to buy online from a reputable jeweller, if you have a chance to try on a ring in person, it would be a good investment of time to do so. If visiting in person is not an option, we recommend having a video appointment, so you can get a sense of the person you will be working with and ask any questions. If selecting a stone online, we recommend requesting to see videos and photos of the stone taken in natural daylight as well as indoor light, as gems can often look different in different lighting conditions.
Jewellery is an intensely personal purchase. We believe it’s about connecting with your jeweller, or falling in love with a particular stone. There are many talented independent jewellers, and we believe there’s a right one out there for everyone. Someone you are comfortable with creating your most important piece of jewellery – connection and trust are vital ingredients in a successful relationship between a client and a jeweller.
We would be happy to talk to you about pros and cons of different gemstones, diamond selection or engagement ring design in person or via a video appointment. Drop us a line, call 02 9221 1900 or book a bespoke engagement ring design appointment.
