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Buying an engagement ring for your partner

Buying an engagement ring for your partner

If you’re thinking about buying an engagement ring for your partner from us, it’s good to think about what kind of ring you’d like.    If you want to propose soon and know what kind of ring your partner would like, we have a range of ready-made rings. If you like a design of ours but would like to personalise it (perhaps with your own gemstone), talk to us about customising a ring. If you’d like to commission Sarah to create a bespoke ring, just get in touch. It’s up to you if you’d like your partner to be involved in this process, or whether it’s just you.   What if I don't know my partner’s size? It’s not crucial to know your partner’s ring size when buying an engagement ring from us. We normally suggest finding an existing ring of theirs and getting it sized in a jewellers local to you, or asking their friends or family if they know the size. If we know their approximate size, we can always re-size the ring if it’s too big or too small.   What stones should I/can I use? If you’d like to use diamonds in the ring, we can source options for you from one of our trusted suppliers. If you think your partner would prefer a coloured gemstone other than a diamond, we always suggest Sapphires for their strength and array of colour. Sapphires are known for their blue hues but they also come in greens, yellows, pinks and blacks. Diamonds also come in different colours, everything from blue and green to yellow and pink, or more subtle hues of champagne and cognac as well as the dark textures of salt and pepper.    If you have heirloom diamonds or gemstones (from rings or jewellery that have been handed down), that you would like to use in a customised or bespoke piece, that’s great. We love working with meaningful pieces and can talk to you about how we can use those stones in a new design.     Can I buy a ready-made ring to propose and then commission a bespoke ring/swap for something else if my partner prefers another design of yours? Absolutely. If you're keen to buy one of our designs but aren't sure on the details, like size or gemstone, you can buy one of our ready-made pieces to pop the question. If your partner would prefer another design, or the ring needs re-sizing, simply get in touch.   How much will it cost? The price of our ready-made designs are available on our website, while customised designs will depend on how much the original design is, as well as the level of personalisation you’d like to make. Our fully bespoke process starts at £2,000, and will depend on the design and materials you have in mind. Before getting in contact about commissioning a bespoke engagement ring, it's really helpful to think about how much you might like to spend. Then we can give you some gemstone options and an idea of how we can bring your vision to life within your budget.     I know when I want to propose. Can you make it in time? Our ready-made designs can be shipped within three working days. If you’re looking to customise a design, get in touch and we’ll be able to let you know how long it will take. If you would like to commission a bespoke piece, the process generally takes six to eight weeks. If you let us know the date you have in mind, we can work towards getting you the finished piece in good time.   What about wedding rings? It’s really helpful to think about what you’d like for your wedding rings at the same time as you choose an engagement ring, or at least have considered it. The two rings will sit side by side, so will need to be the same carat of metal to avoid wearing each other down. If we’re designing a bespoke engagement ring for you, we can also visualise a few different wedding ring options stacked on your finger, to give you a sense of how they will sit alongside each other.   What metal should I choose? We always suggest 18ct gold for wedding rings, for its beauty and longevity. It's technically softer than 9ct gold, however it’s much less brittle so actually harder wearing in the long term.  

Ocean Diamonds

Ocean Diamonds

We’re proud to be collaborating with Ocean Diamonds, a pioneer in responsibly-sourced marine diamonds that are discovered by local divers off the west coast of South Africa.   Our first design to feature an Ocean Diamond is our Ivana Solitaire, showcasing a beautiful, 0.46ct Brilliant Cut stone for a contemporary engagement ring.  'Between ferocious storms, our professional divers venture out to search for diamonds, where only the strongest will have survived. Consciously sourced and carefully certified, they are then passed on to our skilled artisans who either preserve their untamed nature or accentuate their brilliance'.     'Ours is a story of courage, discovery, depth and radiance. These diamonds are wild, brilliant and deeply compelling. And this is a chance to carry the ocean with you, always. Ocean Diamonds started their journey to the sea billions of years ago. They are carried along through torrent and flow by the patient power of rivers until they eventually settle between gullies or become hidden within the seabed where they are discovered by our diamond divers off the West Coast of South Africa'.

HAUSER & WIRTH

HAUSER & WIRTH

We’re so excited to be stocking one of our favourite local destinations, Hauser & Wirth Somerset. Read more about the Bruton gallery, shop, restaurant, gardens and farm shop here.    Hauser and Wirth Durslade Farm Dropping Lane Bruton BA10 0NL     

Bespoke by Sarah Straussberg

Bespoke by Sarah Straussberg

There's beauty in originality. And for the last few years, we've been refining our bespoke experience. Discover more about commissioning unique piece of jewellery here.

Showcase at the OXO

Showcase at the OXO

We're thrilled to have been selected by Josef Koppmann to exhibit at the 'Mini Goldsmith's Fair' at the Oxo Tower. With a lack of physical events happening this year, this is a rare opportunity to see our jewellery in person. Josef will be hosting the event in his beautiful Atelier until the 2nd October.  It is advisable to book in advance to avoid too much queueing: Covid regulations and social distancing will be in place. 11am – 6pm Daily (including weekends)  Please note: the makers themselves will not be on site.     24TH SEPTEMBER - 2ND OCTOBER   Josef Koppman  1.22 OXO Tower WharfBarge House StreetLondonSE1 9PH    

Goldsmiths' Fair goes Digital

Goldsmiths' Fair goes Digital

24th September - 6th October   We're delighted to be exhibiting at Goldsmiths' Fair this autumn, which for the first time in 38 years will be accessible via a new digital platform. With 130 fine jewellers and contemporary silversmiths showcasing work, you can read more about this year’s unique event here.     

One-to-one video sessions

One-to-one video sessions

Wedding Showcase

Wedding Showcase

We’re thrilled to be taking part in tom foolery’s ALT BRIDE event this year, showcasing the very best in contemporary bridal jewellery.     We'll be exhibiting a new range of wedding jewellery including these rings and necklace. The showcase will be open to the public from 21st March - 2nd May, please see details below.    tomfoolery 109 Fortis Green RoadMuswell HillLondonN10 3HP0208 444 7000 info@tomfoolerylondon.co.uk  

Photo London 2019

Photo London 2019

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Photo London since its launch in 2015. Having created the ‘Master of Photography’ award for previous winners Sebastião Salgado, Don McCullin, Taryn Simon and Edward Burtynsky, I was thrilled this year to design an original piece of work for another hugely talented photographer, Stephen Shore.     To begin, I spent some time immersing myself in his work. Shore’s Los Angeles collection showcases the true essence of the city in 1969, with a focus on branded signage against open skies and strong, classical materials. The graphic nature of Shore’s collection resonates really strongly with my own work, so this became the focus for composing the ‘P’ and ‘L’ from Photo London’s identity for this year’s award.    I took inspiration from this series of images to produce a bespoke, contemporary design. The retro feel of the signage was the guiding force behind the project, with linear patterns that distort with expansion. I wanted to accentuate this by using layers which increase in height as well as space.      The materials were also crucial in conveying the evolution of Shore’s career and work. Using brass was a natural choice for the ‘blades’ as it’s a classic award material which also connects back to the era that the collection captures. I used a muted brushed matte effect for the faces and polished the edges to highlight the key features in the design, giving the aesthetic a modern twist. For a clean and simple ‘L’ shape in the award, I opted for Richelite – a resin and paper composite in jet black.      It’s a continued honour to work with Photo London and create tactile, expressive pieces of work that recognise some of the world’s best photographers.        

Gift Guide

Gift Guide

With the festive season upon us, we've created a Gift Guide to make you're Christmas shopping that bit easier.                         

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SARAH STRAUSSBERG