Be mine? 10 rings to say you said yes
Feb 14th, 2013 by Tara
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I’m always ambivalent about saying that – the consumerism! – but then I think, it is what you want it to be, and for me (as I’ve said on innumerable occasions) it’s a moment to pause, think, yes, I do really love you, say it to the relevant person and then enjoy something suitably chocolatey together.
For many, it is also the day they ask, “Will you?” and the interrogated ones say (hopefully) “Yes” and if they haven’t already got a ring, or aren’t against the idea altogether (see our last post ‘Why wear a ring?‘), they might start to think about getting one.
So, for those of you who fall into that category, you’ll be delighted to hear that our lovely writer, Tara has been in touch with Ethical Weddings’ eco and fair trade jewellery suppliers for their top tips when choosing a ring, and their 2013 favourites. Here, for your delectation, are some absolute gems.
Katie
1. Brilliant Earth – Willow ring
Brilliant Earth is thrilled to present The Willow Ring from the Nature Collection featuring an organic design that is both elegant and understated, with recycled, handcrafted precious metals, beyond conflict free diamond accents, with responsibly mined centre diamond.
2. Arabel Lebrusan – Solitaire
Arabel Lebrusan’s Ethical Round Solitaire engraved engagement ring in white gold is an enchanting and feminine design, and hand engraved with intricate lace-like patterns.
Arabel’s advice is to ‘go with something that fits the size and shape of your hand, not too small not too big, it may sound obvious but it’s a common mistake’.
She adds, ‘Why not think about stacking our precious rings with other rings? Options are endless: bands with texture, engraved, little diamonds, big gemstones, mixing and matching to get the perfect stack’.
3. Harriet Kelsall asymmetrical ring
Kirsty Brown, Marketing Assistant at Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design has chosen as one of her 2013 favourites a striking, yet simple asymmetrical engagement ring in 9ct white gold with a gorgeous cabochon cut fairly traded ruby at its centre. ‘The ring has not been rhodium plated so that it gives a warm creamy colour which complements the red in the ruby’.
4. Harriet Kelsall recycled engagement ring
‘Reuse an old beloved piece of jewellery in a new commission’, says Kirsty.
This charismatic engagement ring from Harriet Kelsall is made with recycled 18ct white gold and diamonds and recycled leaf shaped overlays which were rescued from an antique pendant that Harriet found at auction. Take a look at their engagement rings gallery for more ideas and inspiration.
5. Jane Runchman – statement ring
This beautiful, statement ring is hand crafted by Jane Runchman who says: ‘My favourite ring for 2013 would be a unique piece which you have commissioned, chosen the stones you would like and been part of the design process so that it’s expressly personal and will be an heirloom in the future’.
Jane’s top tip when choosing a ring: ‘Follow your heart!’
6. CRED Sapphire Emerald Cut Trilogy ring
CRED Jewellery’s star piece for 2013 is this divine emerald-cut trilogy, with a central sapphire. ‘It has a contemporary cut and colour, with echoes of Art Deco style which has enduring appeal’.
The Great Gatsby is the theme at the heart of CRED’s 2013 trend alert: ‘A love for vintage has been growing steadily over the past few years, especially in bespoke designs. To get value for money, clusters of smaller stones create a statement on the finger, or coloured sapphires add depth to a trilogy of stones’.
7. Kinetique’s Akalina ring
This elegant six prong setting with a modern contemporary take on the traditional Tiffany style is called Akalina, meaning ‘eagle’, and is one of KinetIQue’s favourites for this year. As is Fotini (meaning ‘light’) below: ‘a modern gently twisting design that allows maximum light through the IQ Diamond’.
8. KinetIQue’s Fotini ring
KinetIQue say it’s important to really listen when you’re choosing a ring for your loved one, ‘listen to everything they say, because chances are, they will mention things that they like – the size, the shape of stone. It’s important too to check out their other rings for sizes’.
But if you have no clue about size at all then KinetIQue can help with a handy printable ring size chart {opens pdf}.
9. Hattie Rickard’s bespoke Fairtrade Fairmined ring
This exquisite private commission engagement ring from Hattie Rickards is made out of certified 18ct Fairtrade Fairmined Ecological yellow gold and the diamond is a 1ct rose cut white diamond.
Hattie says: ‘The client loved the Raw Crown from my collection but we wanted to tweak it slightly to make it her own one off piece’.
10. Foundation Jewellery’s Tyrian engagement ring
Adam from Foundation Jewellery has chosen the Foundation Tyrian four claw style as one of his top rings for 2013, he says, ‘It’s a classic and never goes out of fashion’.
Adam’s top tip: ‘Enjoy the process of choosing and understanding jewellery by talking to experts: a good jeweller will explain to you what’s possible, giving you the education to choose what’s right for you specifically’.
Happy hunting, and remember, this could be the most meaningful jewellery shopping you’ll ever do so, as Adam says: ‘enjoy the process’!
Tara Gould
Related posts
How to choose your perfect vintage ring
Where is Kimberley now? Decent diamonds, fair gold & the future of ethical jewellery
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