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For many, the thought of going into a shop to spend more money than they've ever spent on one piece of jewellery before, is daunting enough. Selecting from rows and rows of seemingly similar (yet vastly different) sparkling stones can be overwhelming.
But suggest that a prospective groom doesn't even choose from anything in front of him, but instead dreams up his own design - as Prince Harry did - and it can quite frankly be enough to push him over the edge. Even if the bride offers her assistance (more and more couples are now opting to choose a ring together), it can still seem an impossible task, no matter how clear an idea you might have of what you want.
So where to start? When choosing to design an entirely unique ring, it's important to find a talented expert who does the right amount of hand-holding, while still inspiring you to design an ambitiously individual piece of jewellery. We spoke to some of Bazaar's favourite bespoke jewellers to get your creative juices flowing...
6. Jessie V E
Gold and diamond braille ring, Jessie V E
“I wanted a subtle way to hide the messages in plain sight within my designs, readable to nobody but the wearer,” says Jessie Evans of her eponymous jewellery brand. “Disguised as three stacked-diamond pavé bands, my rings hide dates, words, messages or initials using the Braille alphabet,” she explains. “By flipping certain stones and setting them upside-down with their points in the air, they hide a secret that can be felt but not seen, which is symbolic of the sentiment that tends to go into these hidden messages,” she says.
Sometimes, wearing overtly personalised jewellery can feel too intimate to have on show, and this invisible code removes any coy embarrassment. Jessie’s own bridal jewellery includes a ring that reads her wedding date in braille, and she has even had commissions for “marry me” Braille rings – perfect for proposals.
Visit jessieve.com.
