Let’s talk wedding and engagement rings, comparing gemstones, premade mounts and bespoke designs.
Premade mounts are a good option for people less concerned about the romantic notion of having a one-of-a-kind ring. They can save time and extra planning, and trim down the cost. Choosing the diamond yourself means getting the exact ring you want without having to spend time going through the bespoke ring design process. You can also add an engraving for a unique message. At Wilkinson, we can supply premade mounts made in Birmingham and set the diamonds in house.
It’s satisfying when things match. No one wants a clash of styles between their wedding and engagement rings. A way around this is to match the metal, shape and colouring of the two rings so that they complement each other perfectly. They can sit alongside each other or even intricately interlock, a lovely metaphor for finding your own perfectly fitting other half.
Whether we designed the engagement ring or not, we can make wedding rings to match. This can be from a simple profile match for style, width and depth, to a fully shaped band for more intricate pieces.
Lab-grown diamonds have been gaining popularity as a more sustainable source of precious gems. They are more affordable but won’t hold their value in the same way over time. There is still something unique and special about a traditional diamond forged in the earth by billions of years of natural processes.
At Wilkinson, we have access to thousands of certified diamonds, normally available to show within a few days, meaning there’s no need to choose a particular quality or size just because that’s all the jeweller has to offer.
While engagement rings date back to ancient Egypt and Greece, the placement of a diamond in the centre is a relatively modern trend. Therefore, it’s not necessarily . . . set in stone. The first major recorded incident of the use of a diamond-set ring was in Austria in 1477.
However, it really took off after the 1800s when diamonds were discovered in South Africa and became more available. It’s really only down to brilliant marketing that we all think diamonds when we hear engagement ring.
This is a long way of saying that we can set other precious stones in a non-diamond engagement ring. Your marriage will not succeed or fail based on the density of the stone. Some people choose non-diamond engagement rings out of preference, for financial reasons, to be a little different or because they have a certain design in mind.
We’re known for designing and crafting bespoke, handmade wedding and engagement rings at our workshop here in Market Harborough. All diamonds supplied over .25ct are certified by GIA or IGI. We pride ourselves on offering a full service and meeting customer needs no matter what they might be. We’re proud to say, no one else in Market Harborough offers this service in house. We once turned around a wedding ring order in 24 hours—don’t tell the bride!
If you’re looking to design an engagement ring from scratch; examine a wealth of precious gems, traditional and lab-grown diamonds; create a wedding ring to match your current band or browse a selection of pre-made designs that are just waiting for the right hand to sit on, we would love to meet you.
