When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, one of the questions I’m often asked is whether it’s better to buy from the high street or have a ring made especially for you.
A bespoke engagement ring is often recommended over a high street purchase because it allows the piece to uniquely reflect a couple's individual story, tastes, and personalities. Unlike mass-produced high street options, a handmade ring is thoughtfully created around the person who will wear it, incorporating specific diamond shapes, settings, or designs with sentimental meaning. While there's a common misconception that bespoke rings are considerably more expensive, that isn’t necessarily the case, as commissioning a bespoke ring offers the opportunity to make informed choices about budget allocation.
My answer is quite simple.
Your relationship is one of a kind, so why shouldn’t your engagement ring be too?
What makes an engagement ring more than just a piece of jewellery?
An engagement ring is one of the most personal purchases you’ll ever make. It represents a relationship, a commitment and a story that belongs entirely to the two of you.
Yet when you walk into a high street jeweller, you’re choosing from a collection of rings designed to appeal to thousands of people. There may be some beautiful pieces amongst them, but ultimately, you’re selecting something that somebody else has already designed.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. For some people, finding a ring they love in a shop is exactly the experience they’re looking for.
But I think there’s something rather special about creating a ring that couldn’t belong to anybody else.
What is the beauty of bespoke engagement rings?
One of the things I love most about being a bespoke jeweller is getting to know the people I’m creating jewellery for.
Every couple is different. Their tastes, personalities, experiences and relationships are entirely their own. And those differences can be reflected in the jewellery we create.
Perhaps there’s a particular diamond shape you’ve always admired, a setting that holds sentimental meaning, or a design inspired by a piece of family jewellery.
Sometimes, the starting point is simply an idea. You might know exactly what you want, or you might have no idea where to begin.
That’s where working with an experienced bespoke jeweller makes all the difference.
We can explore diamond shapes, proportions, settings and precious metals together, considering not only how the finished ring will look, but how it will feel to wear every day.
The result is a piece of jewellery that has been thoughtfully created around the person who will wear it.
Does Bespoke Mean More Expensive?
There’s a common misconception that having an engagement ring handmade must be considerably more expensive than buying one from a high street jeweller.
That isn’t necessarily the case.
When you commission a bespoke engagement ring, you have the opportunity to make informed choices about where your budget goes.
You might decide to prioritise the diamond, select a particular precious metal or explore different settings to achieve the look you’re after.
Rather than choosing a finished ring with a fixed combination of specifications, you’re involved in the decisions that shape it.
For me, bespoke jewellery isn’t about spending as much money as possible. It’s about making something beautiful, personal and appropriate for the individual.
How does a bespoke engagement ring begin with your story?
When you buy an engagement ring from a high street collection, you’re choosing a design that already exists.
When you commission a bespoke ring, the process begins with your own story.
There’s something wonderful about knowing that every element has been considered with one person in mind. That the ring on their finger wasn’t simply selected from a display, but created through conversations, ideas and decisions that were entirely personal.
And that’s what I think makes bespoke engagement rings so special.
As I often say, the moment you stop buying someone else’s story is the moment your own story begins.
How can we create your personal bespoke engagement ring?
I’ve spent more than 30 years helping couples create engagement rings in London’s Hatton Garden, and no two commissions are ever quite the same.
Whether you have a clear vision or are just beginning to explore your options, I’d be delighted to help you create something that feels entirely your own.
Book a consultation with Lewis Malka and let’s start your story.
