Be guided by trusted sellers
“Make sure to buy from a trusted jeweller, for example, a jeweller that is a member of the National Association of Jewellers or that is Responsible Jewellery Council certified, and ask them to use a Diamond Verification Instrument to verify that it is a natural diamond,” advises Levinson.
Remodel
Remodelling an antique ring or a stone can ensure that you come away with an engagement ring that feels entirely you. “The main thing is to let the stone lead. Antique stones aren’t uniform like modern ones–they’ve got quirks, slightly off proportions, sometimes wear–so you design around that rather than forcing it into a standard setting,” says Thomas.
“Bezel settings can be particularly effective, as they help balance stones that may be slightly irregular in shape,” says Eliza Walter of London-based Lylie. “Compass claw settings also work beautifully for cushion and elongated cushion cuts, subtly enhancing their proportions.”
Her favourite remodelling commission? The engagement ring Walter designed for model, florist and writer Charlie Newman and her boyfriend, using a 3-carat old European-cut diamond unset from Newman’s beloved late-grandmother’s very dated engagement ring. “I sketched the design and then we pulled the CAD from the pencil marks and created an engagement ring that is bold and modern, with a sleek bezel setting, while also being imbued with a rich sense of family history and romanticism. We then crafted her wedding ring using the smaller leftover diamonds from her grandmother’s engagement ring, to snugly hug around her engagement ring and with channel setting.”
