Christmas is a time for celebration and being with those you love. But, one of the Lylie team’s biggest tips is to keep to a strict budget to avoid added stress. Read on to find out how to avoid making them, too. However, while saying ‘yes’ may be one of the happiest moments of someone’s life, picking a ring can be one of the most stressful. While we firmly believe an engagement ring’s worth comes from the meaning behind it, money does play a role in determining which you choose. That’s where YOU Magazine comes in. In fact, brands like Fenton see more customers from October onwards each year than at any other time, as prospective spouses start planning to pop the big question during the festive break. Sustainable jewellery brand Lylie has helped thousands of happy couples find their dream ring. While destination proposals have grown in recent years, they still can’t rival the number of engagements that occur on Christmas Day,’ explains Laura Lambert, founder of luxury jewellery brand Fenton. We’ve sat down to chat with some of our favourite engagement ring experts to discover the biggest mistakes people make when choosing an engagement ring. With so many options to choose from (and that’s before you add in the possibility of a bespoke design), it can feel overwhelming and impossible to get right. So, it comes as no surprise that it’s also the most popular time for getting engaged. One of the most common mistakes people make when shopping for an engagement ring is choosing a ring without taking the recipient’s lifestyle into account.
Sterling Silver Garnet Jewelry
Some settings and centre stones are not suited to very active lifestyles, and it leaves the wearer in the difficult position of worrying about their ring constantly, not wearing it as often, or risking damage,’ says Fenton’s Lambert. Perhaps one of the most common issues when buying an engagement ring is working out if it’ll actually fit. The V by Laura Vann founder says you can still surprise a loved one with an affordable placeholder ring for the proposal, and then work with them after to find the perfect forever style. For example, emeralds are more sensitive to chemicals and heat changes, while claw settings (as opposed to bezel settings) allow dirt to build up behind stones and so require more regular cleaning. We recommend this guide from Rachel’s eponymous luxury jewellery label. If you loved this information as well as you desire to get details about Facebook – Full Piece of writing – generously pay a visit to our web site. I see a lot of stressed people out there, trying to create a once-in-a-lifetime ring in secrecy,’ says jewellery designer Laura Vann. With one in five Fenton customers now opting for bespoke ring designs, Lambert also notes the importance of planning ahead. Similarly, Lylie offers an online app that can figure it out for you using your phone. You don’t have to get it exactly right, but ensuring your partner can put the ring on comfortably at the proposal is a reflection of the thought that has gone into it,’ says Rachel Boston. It’s then a great idea to inform your partner, or someone else close to them, the size. Similarly, some designs are much more high maintenance than others, and this should also be considered when making final choices. Lylie founder Eliza Walter also suggests that anyone who thinks they may be the recipient of a future engagement ring have their finger sized by a local jeweller. Many brands now offer guides to help find the perfect fit. She advises people to consider the practicality, and not just the aesthetics, during the ring search. This can add an unnecessary level of stress. Instead, she suggests working together with a partner to find the perfect style.
Sterling Silver Jewelry Cleaner
Engagement rings can be resized after the proposal, but it’s always best to get as close to the correct size as possible to not affect the integrity of the final ring structure,’ she adds. This can mean you miss out on some really stunning rings just because they don’t fit your specifications on paper. While it’s easy to get caught up in trying to find the biggest, or most expensive, stone possible. The clarity rating of diamonds, for example, includes VS stones (which have only very minor flaws) and SI stones (slightly more flawed, and therefore cheaper). However, just because a stone has a better grade on paper doesn’t mean that it looks better in person. Some clients come to me with the exact specification they want, and may not want to look at anything less,’ Laura Vann tells us. I’ve seen some terrible VS stones and some beautiful SI stones, so I always encourage customers to choose based on what they see, not what the paper says – plus it could save them hundreds!
Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’.
If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered.
So she decided to make her own.
The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold (have a peek at this site), sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. So she decided to make her own. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver.