If engagement ring shopping is on your radar, you’ve no doubt been looking through hundreds of photos trying to find The One. If you’ve made the decision to go with a sapphire engagement ring, you probably feel like you’re at least getting close to finding what you want.
But how do you go about finding the perfect engagement ring for a very special person when there are so many to choose from? Especially when you’re trying to find a piece of jewellery that will stand the test of time for generations to come.
Sapphire Engagement Rings in Australia
For some, the ethical sourcing and sustainability of engagement rings play a part in the decision in which gems to shop for, so here’s a little insight into the journey a sapphire might take on its way to you.
Australian sapphires are found in two locations: the New England fields in northern New South Wales, and the Anakie fields in central Queensland.
The New England fields in northern New South Wales provide gems for Sydney sapphire engagement rings. This location has been a historic source of high quality sapphires since the late 19th century. Sapphires found here are typically rich blue in colour, often with a hint of green, giving them their characteristically unique and enchanting appearance.
Many of the mines in the New England fields are small, family-run operations using environmentally responsible methods and taking a sustainable approach to ensure the preservation of the area’s natural beauty.
Central Queensland's Anakie fields are known for their sapphire-rich volcanic soil, which has produced some of Australia’s finest velvety blue precious gems. The history of Anakie fields also dates back to the late 19th century, and this community is equally as committed to sustainable practices and minimal environmental impact.
This dedication to ethical mining is a hallmark of the Australian sapphire industry.
Bespoke Sapphire Engagement Rings
If you’re shopping in Sydney for sapphire engagement rings, you’ll find many options at jewellers across the region. And now that you know a bit more about where sapphires originate from, you may want to be more involved in the selection of the sapphire and the ring design process - which is where the beauty of bespoke engagement rings comes in.
Sydney is home to Lizunova Fine Jewels, and founder and jewellery designer Maria Lizunova is one of the industry’s jewellers in Australia designing and crafting bespoke pieces. Maria works closely with each client to create custom engagement ring designs (as well as wedding rings and other special pieces too), which means you get to create a ring that does more than just sparkle; it reflects your individual style too, and honours the details of your unique love story.
Sydney bride Lillian shared with Lizunova Fine Jewels that, "a custom ring allows you to create a piece of unique history. The personal, individual touches are what gives it a history and makes it something that can be passed on to future generations with a unique story."
How to Design Your Sapphire Engagement Ring
If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of being responsible for designing an engagement ring all by yourself, rest assured that, with the right guidance, it need not be as complicated or overwhelming as you might think.
Newly-wed Sydney bride Beth shares that, “the beauty of designing your own ring is that it weaves together your own ideas and preferences, to forge something new and unique.
“To me this is exactly what marriage means and I love how my sapphire engagement ring represents this both symbolically and literally. A good jeweller will have a lot of practical advice and insights into how a wedding ring might sit alongside it, and how lifestyle should guide the ring design so you can choose one that’s robust enough for a lifetime of wear.”
At Lizunova, the bespoke jewellery design process begins with a consultation that can be arranged in person for Sydney sapphire engagement rings, or virtually by video call for customers in other cities, states and countries. First we listen, as a customer tells us as much as they can about their preferred style and design choices. They get to view our signature engagement ring designs, including our stunning collection of Australian teal sapphire rings, to get an idea of the quality and what they look like in hand. We also explore one-of-a-kind design options and can sketch concepts to incorporate unique wishes and ideas with a selection of handpicked sapphires or diamonds.
Once a design is chosen and commissioned, we provide full colour 3D drawings, or a to-scale wax model to try on before the ring is made in metal.
The best news is that you don’t need to live in Sydney to have a ring designed and crafted by Lizunova, we simply move the entire bespoke process online and when the ring is finished, send photos and videos of the final piece before securely shipping it out to you.
