From the groom's perspective, a run-of-the-mill engagement ring may not shout out: "You mean the world to me". (And that holds true no matter how large the rock is.) A more artistic or custom-made engagement ring may be in order courtesy of Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, the top bespoke jewelry design company in the U.K. The company specializes in unique, ready-to-wear, and custom designs. Boasting prestigious industry awards, while still maintaining a personal, small company feel, they deserve the groom's attention.

An engagement ring from across the pond?

American men with engagement on the brain may be reticent to commission the work of a jewelry designer an ocean away. The same guys who would confidently point and click on a U.S.-based jewelry website in another state should know that this reputed company across the pond is equally reliable. Assures Harriet Kelsall, the company's founder and namesake:

"We love working with U.S. customers. A lot of Americans and other overseas customer choose us when they find the style of U.S. jewellery a little unsubtle and not quite cosmopolitan enough for their tastes. We have never found that the ocean is a barrier to great communication and the finished ring can be delivered to your door."

The engagement ring design team

Harriet Kelsall designers are top graduates of their respective universities, and individually accomplished. Their chief goldsmith has over 30 years of industry experience. (ed. - We hope he kept some of the gold shavings!) Says Kelsall of her team: "We love chatting with each customer and getting to know a little bit about them and their partner so that we can design the best ring for them. A groom may come to us and say 'My girlfriend loves blue and seems to like white metal - what can you do?' We guide them through style points and often ask for a photo so that we can best advise them, ultimately producing a sketch of the ring."

"Design balance"

Sometimes groom-hopefuls come to Harriet Kelsall with very specific ideas - and lots of them. Kelsall highlights one such scenario: "One customer wanted a design incorporating three birthstones of different colors, an infinity symbol to represent eternity, hearts to represent love and Celtic engraving to represent their heritage." The designer's goal is to work as much as possible into the design without tipping the design balance.

The materials

The company prides itself in using conflict-free stones and the highest possible quality gems and metals at a reasonable cost to the customer. The process of stone sourcing can also be done quite quickly, as Kelsall explains, "we have a huge stock of beautiful, quality gemstones and diamonds and a huge network of ethically-sound stone dealers. If we can't find something perfect from our own stock, we can usually get what you want within a week or two, ready for your proposal." article continues...
[Page 1 of 2]