Let’s Talk: Engagement Ring Advice

Engagement Rings… Where do we start? While some of us may have been collecting photos of our favourite ring styles for years, others have only had the thought of choosing an engagement ring come up recently. Wherever you stand, there are some factors you should definitely consider before saying “YES!” to your forever ring.

About their origin…

Engagement rings originate back to 1477 and anthropologists believe this tradition originated from a Roman custom in which wives wore rings attached to small keys, indicating their husbands’ ownership.

The very first diamond engagement ring on record is from 1477 when Archduke Maximillian of Austria commissioned one for Mary of Burgundy. This was the start of the trend for diamond rings among European aristocracy and nobility. Overtime, the design of engagement rings evolved where there were mixed diamonds with other gemstones, precious metals, and enamels.

In 1947, De Beers, an international company that specialises in all things diamond-related (mining, retail, exploitation, trading, and manufacturing) launched its classic slogan, “A Diamond is Forever.” This slogan became famous as it conveyed the durability of a diamond and tied in with the meaning of “marriage is forever”. A diamond’s purity and sparkle have now become symbols of the depth of two people’s commitment to each other in practically all corners of the world. To this day, diamond rings signify the celebration of a union and cherished memory.

Rachel wears Wedding Societe WS6090

Photo by @marnosuite

Meet Cassidy

Head Designer and Jeweller at She Fine Jewellery

Cassidy’s love for jewellery making began at the age of 16 whilst making her first piece of jewellery; a sterling silver, bezel-set amethyst ring. Moving into adulthood, Cassidy took a different career path, experiencing both large-scale organisations and small-scale businesses in a different industry. After a few years she found herself back at the bench and hasn't looked back. 

Fast forward to the present day, and Cassidy is leading a small team of high-performers, who share a mutual understanding for what it means to offer a high-quality product, service and experience.

Visit She Fine Jewellery online here.

We interviewed Cassidy, designer of She Fine Jewellery about the latest bridal jewellery trends and advice.

How would you describe

your work and your influences?

At our core, She Fine Jewellery is built on the belief that the jewellery-buying experience should be relaxed, inclusive, accessible and filled with sentiment. 

Our small-scale, hands-on approach is designed to capture moments in time and the love between people. We very much create with intention. From our ceremonial pieces, which are almost entirely made for a particular customer, to our everyday jewellery which is designed to be timeless and withstand trends. 

Our designs for our everyday jewellery is a blend of our small team's personal style and what we’re seeing from luxury brands and celebrities. Whereas our ceremonial pieces are shaped by what our customers are seeing in their world, both online and on friends and family.

Our process for design is underpinned by traditional creative practice but through a contemporary lens – resulting in a distinct aesthetic and process that is unique to our brand.  It is our clients’ stories that inspire us most, and we take great pride in playing a small part in each one.

What are some trends you are seeing in

jewellery for 2023 - 2024?

We see a big emphasis on timeless pieces this year; fine diamond rings that can be stacked, tennis necklaces and bracelets are on the rise too! Minimalism is always in when it comes to curating one’s collection. Pieces that can be worn together, or alone for maximum impact. 

For ceremonial pieces (so engagement rings and wedding bands), we’re seeing Elongated Cushion-Cut Diamonds on the rise. Not that this will take over from the most coveted cut - Oval, but it may be a solid contender towards the end of the year and beginning of 2024. We’re also seeing more soon to be brides wanting a wide plain gold wedding band, and pairing this with a classic pave band.

Could you briefly explain She Fine Jewellery’s

process for creating a bespoke ring?

Our process begins with a one-on-one consultation in our Osborne Park Studio. To start, we deep dive into what the client is ideally looking for, narrowing down certain design elements to come up with the whole overall look. Followed by an educational discussion so that our customers can make a well-informed decision. 

The next stage is sourcing and quoting. We like to provide multiple options so that our customers can choose which option feels right for them. 

Now that we have chosen a particular gemstone or diamond we can start the custom design process. Using modern technology we create a CAD (computer aided design) of the design all to scale and in colour, giving a visual of the finished piece from all angles.

Once we have the green light on the design we can start creating! Each piece is finished and quality checked by our small team of in-house Jewellers. 

This process is what makes our designs truly bespoke and a special experience overall.

For people who want to create a unique & memorable ring,

what gemstones would you recommend?

It really comes down to personal experience or sentiment and then being able to connect that meaning to some aspect of the design or stone. Birthstones are always a good option for that personal touch and in particular pairing yours and your partner's birthstone or family birthstones to a design.

Otherwise if you’re wanting to create something unique, long lasting and perhaps a future heirloom, then we would suggest precious gemstones with a high MOH (hardness) rating such as Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires and of course Diamonds both white or coloured. The possibilities are endless!

What are some overlooked gemstones that

you believe deserve more attention? 

The beauty that exists within Parti Sapphires is just incredible. More than three colours can be present in the one stone, and the play of colour can be truly unique. Otherwise, Spinel’s are an interesting gemstone option too. Their colour ranges from a smokey lavender through to a vivid pink. When cut well they are captivating.

Cassidy and her small team of hardworking employees can be found in Osborne Park, Western Australia.