From the Professionals...Choosing your rings

Each month we delve deeper into subjects to find out more and bring you some useful snippets of advice! Your wedding rings are one of the few lasting mementos of your wedding day, so choosing them well is key. There are so many styles, designs, colours and gems available it really can be a minefield that only a jewellery designer and/or goldsmith can assist you with!

We are very lucky to some talented jewellery designers on the Whitewed Directory. 

Holly from Holly Robinson Jewellery is always on hand to assist couples searching for a truly unique piece of jewellery, which will last a lifetime.

How do you differ from a high street chain?

Research has shown that the number one complaint received by the large high street chains is that clients don’t feel valued or listened to.

I provide a one on one personalised consultation, teamed with my 8 years jewellery experience & diamond/gemmology qualifications to design your unique piece, select your own diamond or gemstone and finally deliver in good time for your special day – all in the comfort of your own home.

I have personally selected every one of my goldsmiths after working with them for many years. My own jewellery, my clients jewellery and my family's jewellery has passed through their trusted hands as they apply skills that have long been forgotten by others.

The goldsmiths expertise includes CAD Design, wax carving, metal work, hand creation, setting, sizing and polishing working in variety of precious metals and gemstones.

How would a couple start choosing their wedding bands?

First, describe your perfect ring, secondly, discuss wear ability of your perfect ring and finally, investigate the specification you require. For clients that are unable to describe their perfect ring I have a range of 450 designed wedding bands including; diamond set, brushed, bevelled, platinum & gold. These are a great way to find your ideal ring or begin designing your own unique piece.

What do you do to help in the design process?
For ladies wedding rings the first part of their discussion is how she wishes her wedding ring to complement her engagement ring. Some ladies will require their wedding ring to be shaped around their engagement ring which usually requires them to be without their engagement ring for up to 12 weeks whilst a jeweller creates her bespoke wedding ring to fit. With this in mind, I have implemented a new procedure which means your engagement ring no longer needs to leave your finger; using measurements, design specs and CAD design. I am able to work with my jewellers to create your perfectly shaped wedding band without the emotional loss of being without your engagement ring.

As this is a lifetime purchase I am very honest in regards to durability and wear ability. After many years experience selling and creating wedding rings I am able to advise on stone selection, metal choice as well as ensuring your ring remain aesthetically pleasing.

A wedding jewellery consultation can range from 30mins to 4 hours, my patient and thoughtful approach assists in choosing from a selection of my 450 pre-designed rings, matching bands or the bespoke process. Once your consultation is complete, I will send you images of your bespoke design along with CAD drawings for you to approve your final design. Many of my clients also choose to have an additional wax/resin model made of their bespoke ring to try on with their engagement ring before their ring begins final production. This step add reassurance to your purchase and ensures you are confident in the matching element of your bespoke design.

Where do you work?
My appointments have taken me from West Wales to Romford in Essex! I am very flexible in terms of travelling to meet my clients however home is North Swindon. My hand selected goldsmiths are located in 5 studios across the UK including Cornwall, London and Cardiff meanwhile my diamond suppliers are based in New York, London & Antwerp.

Top tips for choosing a wedding ring? The 5 C's to consider...

Take your time, never be rushed by a sales person and chose the ring you can imagine wearing for a lifetime!

Colour

Colourless diamonds are graded from the alphabet letters D to Z. With D being the rarest of the colourless spectrum. Most retailers will supply diamonds in colours F,G.H & I as these remain colourless but are still available in great quantity.

Clarity

There are many clarity variances but it worthwhile to remember that the less inclusions and blemishes a diamond has the rarer it is and therefore the more pricey!

Carat

The carat weight of a diamond refers to the weight of the diamond, this is commonly described incorrectly as how large a diamond is.

Cut

The cut of a diamond is the only factor influenced by man. When shopping for a round brilliant there are three grades of cut to take into consideration; the polish, symmetry and overall cut grade. With all shapes other than a round brilliant only the polish and symmetry are taken into consideration. Cut grades range from Excellent to Poor.

Certificate

Certification is now considered the 5th C of the 4Cs due to the value it adds to your purchase. Purchasing a GIA certified diamond will provide you with much confidence and value. A diamond that has been certified has been assessed by respected and trained gemmologists. The gemmologists will assess the diamond based on many important quality factors including; colour, clarity, carat weight and cut. The certificate is issued in the form of a report and includes the stone’s characteristics that have been measured and evaluated.

Important factor – conflict free Diamonds

All of my suppliers are part of the Kimberley Process – a scheme set up to ensure that all diamonds traded come from conflict-free zones.

So there we have it-loads of insider knowledge and top tips for you to think about when seacrhing for your dream rings. For more information about our brilliant contributor check out her page- Holly Robinson Jewellery

Happy planning!

Love Team Whitewed x