Engagement & Bridal Jewellery: The Ultimate Guide to Your Forever Pieces

The traditional 'three months salary' is a marketing myth. You should spend what you are comfortable with. Our experts help you maximize your budget by focusing on the 'C' that matters most to you, whether that is size (Carat) or sparkle (Cut).

The Round Brilliant is the most popular due to its mathematically perfected light return. However, 'Fancy Shapes' like Ovals, Pears, and Emerald cuts are increasingly sought after for their unique profiles and ability to elongate the finger.

It is often easier to buy them as a 'set' to ensure they sit flush and are made of compatible metals. However, we can always create a bespoke wedding band to fit an existing engagement ring later.

Yes. Many clients propose with a simple silver ring or a loose stone, allowing the couple to come into our Totnes showroom and design the final bespoke mount together.

Absolutely. Vintage Engagement Rings offer incredible value and unique craftsmanship that mass-produced new rings cannot match. They are also the most sustainable choice.

A ring featuring three stones, traditionally representing the Past, Present, and Future of your relationship. It is one of the most classic and meaningful bridal styles.

While we specialize in Natural Diamonds, we can source high-quality lab-grown stones for bespoke commissions if that is your preference.

Please contact our showroom directly to discuss current payment options and layaway plans to help you secure your perfect piece.

Platinum is a naturally white, dense metal that is more durable and hypoallergenic. White gold is an alloy that is plated with Rhodium to stay white. Platinum is more expensive but requires less long-term maintenance.

We recommend a professional inspection every 6 months. We check the claws for wear and ensure the diamond hasn't become loose due to daily knocks.

It is a surface coating applied to white gold to give it a bright, reflective white finish. This wears away over 1-2 years and can be reapplied in our Totnes workshop.

This is usually a reaction between your skin acidity and the base metal alloys (like copper) in 9ct gold. Moving to a higher purity like 18ct or Platinum usually solves this.

Full eternity bands cannot be resized. However, half-eternity or plain bands can usually be adjusted. It's always best to have your finger professionally measured first.

9ct gold, Platinum, and Palladium are excellent. For those in manual trades, a heavier 9ct gold band is often the most durable and cost-effective choice.

We strongly advise against it. Lifting weights can easily warp a gold band or put pressure on claws, leading to lost diamonds. Always remove rings before high-impact activity.

Soak in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Use a soft toothbrush to gently clean behind the stones. Dry with a lint-free cloth.

Typically 4 to 6 weeks. This includes stone sourcing, CAD design or hand-carving, casting, hallmarking, and final diamond setting in our workshop.

Yes. This is one of our most popular services. We can unset your sentimental stone and create a brand new, modern mount for it.

Computer-Aided Design allows us to create a 3D digital model of your ring. You can see exactly how it looks before we cast it in your chosen metal.

Yes. We offer both hand and machine engraving for dates, initials, or special messages on the inside or outside of your bands.

A band that is custom-curved to fit exactly around the head of your engagement ring, ensuring they sit perfectly together as a set.

In most cases, yes. If you see a design in yellow gold but want it in Platinum, we can custom-make that design for you from scratch.

Yes. You can work directly with our team in Totnes to choose your stone, metal, and setting style to create a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

For bespoke CAD projects, we can often provide a 3D-printed wax model for you to try on to confirm the proportions and fit.

Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat Weight. These are the four technical pillars used to grade and value natural diamonds. Cut is the most important for sparkle.

Natural diamonds carry an intrinsic scarcity and hold their value better over time. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical but have no resale value. We specialize in natural stones for their enduring legacy.

An independent grading report from the Gemological Institute of America. It is the most trusted 'passport' for your diamond, verifying its quality.

Yes! Sapphires have a hardness of 9, making them the second-best choice after diamonds for daily wear. They offer a beautiful, classic alternative.

A natural glow some diamonds emit under UV light. In some cases, it can make a yellowish diamond look whiter and brighter.

This is due to the 'spread'. A shallow-cut diamond may have a larger surface area, but it will lack the sparkle of an 'Ideally' cut stone.

Yes. All our natural diamonds are sourced through the Kimberley Process, ensuring they are ethical and conflict-free.

A diamond where inclusions are present but cannot be seen by the naked eye. These (typically VS2 or SI1) offer the best value for money.

We are at 19 Fore Street, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5DA. We are an independent family business with deep roots in the Devon community.

While walk-ins are welcome, we recommend booking an appointment for bespoke projects to ensure our lead jeweller is available to speak with you.

Yes. We provide official, detailed valuations for all engagement and wedding jewellery to ensure your items are accurately covered by your insurer.

Yes. Most Restoration Services are performed in our on-site workshop in Totnes, from re-tipping claws to replacing lost stones.

Yes. We offer competitive trade-in or cash values for gold and diamonds, which can be used towards your new bridal purchase.

Yes, we are open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 16:30. We are closed on Sundays.

There are several public car parks within a 2-minute walk of our Fore Street showroom in the centre of Totnes.

Yes! We offer a professional 'wedding day refresh' service to ensure your rings are sparkling perfectly for your ceremony and photos.