Today’s weddings are more personal than ever. From the dress to the flowers, every detail is chosen to reflect the couple’s personalities and taste. And engagement rings should be no different. As a symbol of love made to be cherished every day, an engagement ring ought to be the most personal piece in a bride’s jewellery box. Commissioning a bespoke engagement ring gives couples the chance to create their dream ring from scratch – a ring imbued with unique meaning and memories. But such freedom can be daunting if you don’t know where to begin.
British jeweller Hattie Rickards has been helping couples to bring their engagement ring dreams to life for over 20 years. Over the past decade, brides have become increasingly involved, whether by not-so-subtly sending their other half Instagram images, co-creating the ring, or going it alone with free rein from their spouse-to-be. That’s not to say the days of the surprise engagement are over. Hattie also specialises in helping nervous proposers to navigate the bespoke design process, uncovering the intimate details of their future fiancée’s life and style to discover the design that will make her heart sing.
Having created thousands of bespoke engagement rings, Hattie has a well-honed intuition for a bride’s personal style. The commissioning experience is designed to be a magical, joyful journey. It begins with an initial consultation, where she’ll get to know the couple and start her detective work.
“I am a naturally inquisitive person and I enjoy reading people – even if it’s somebody I will never meet,” she says. “I want to know everything about their personality, their style, their lifestyle and what makes them tick. That allows me to visualise a design that perfectly suits them as an individual.”
During the first meeting, she’ll glean inspiration from photos of the future bride, information about her job and hobbies as well as her taste in fashion, art, interiors and jewellery. Armed with this wealth of knowledge, she’ll start sketching, producing a handful of initial designs to see which hits the mark. Through further meetings, in person or virtually, she’ll refine every detail until everyone agrees on a ring that sparks utter joy.
The process is collaborative, and Hattie’s number one goal is to create a timeless ring that the bride will still adore when she’s in her eighties. She transcends trends, gently steering clients away from designs that will date quickly, and towards unique, authentic creations that strike a chord now and forever.
“Some of the time, clients don’t know what they want; my job is to bring it out of them by educating them about their options and making them feel confident to explore their design boundaries,” Hattie says.
Every bespoke engagement ring is one-of-a-kind, whether it is a solitaire with a twist, a modern take on Art Deco, or a chunky, avant-garde showstopper full of colour and character. Contemporary and sophisticated, Hattie’s design signatures include bold gold frames, graduating gemstone arches and custom-cut diamonds. Her technically accomplished creations are a masterclass in precious engineering; having scoured the UK to find a team of craftspeople whose quality is beyond compare, Hattie also works with highly skilled diamond cutters who can create virtually any shape with precisely cut stones.
Once a client is happy with the design, Hattie seeks out the stones that’ll bring it to life. From exceptional diamonds in all shapes and sizes to vibrant coloured sapphires, emeralds or rubies, Hattie works with a trusted network of gemstone dealers to source a selection of beautiful, natural gemstones for clients to choose from, according to their budget. Stone selected, Hattie will create a detailed CAD design that brings the vision to life in 3D. The final stage of sign-off is a 3D-printed mould that the client can try on for size, to ensure the proportions are perfect before work begins in solid gold.
“My mission is to place my clients at the centre of the design and make the process as magical as the end result,” she says. “I’m there to hold their hand and reassure them every step of the way.”
From advice on gemstones to her incredible eye for design, Hattie acts as an engagement ring guardian angel, ensuring the finished ring will delight for generations to come.
“I make jewellery that makes the wearer feel confident and empowered,” she says. “Clients often tell me that they simply can’t stop looking at their ring. Bringing joy to their life is what makes my job so special.”
READ NEXT: Best Gifts For Brides For Every Budget