Six local jewellers share their favourite engagement ring they’ve made
Image via @krooljewels / instagram
words by Lara Daly
Made to be treasured forever.
Engagement rings are hard. Trying to find a forever piece of jewellery for yourself is overwhelming, let alone for the love of your life.
Tradition would have me be uninvolved in choosing my own engagement ring, expecting my partner to pop the question with a classic diamond worth three month’s his salary or whatever the silly rule is. But if you’re a non-traditionalist like me, you’ll happily swap the element of surprise to know exactly what you’re saying ‘yes’ to, design-wise.
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While there’s nothing wrong a classic style direct from the cabinet, a custom engagement ring made in collaboration with a local jeweller means you can put your own touch on a sacred object. After all, you’re going to wear it for years.
If a bespoke piece is what you’re after, these six local jewellers may have just the inspiration you need. From the unconventional to the classics with a twist, below, they each share a favourite commission (or personal project) made for the crucial moment, to be treasured for a lifetime.
Ruby Kannava, Kannava Jewels
“This sapphire and gold ring for my lovely client Alex is one of my all time favourite unconventional engagement rings I’ve made. I gave her a bunch of options to start off with and we honed in on this chunky 18ct yellow gold ring – not quite a signet, not quite a traditional trilogy. I thought this was such a fun middle ground for someone who wanted something non-traditional but also timeless.
Our central stone is a square cushion Montana sapphire, one of my favourite sapphires to work with. We decided to flank it with some princess-cut yellow sapphires to keep it fun and to ensure the main focus was on the central stone. Aside from looking cute, this ring is insanely durable – sapphires are less prone to getting chips and scratches than other softer-coloured stones, and having them set flush into the gold protects them further – great for a ring to be worn every day for the rest of Alex’s life.”
Brent Paye, 27 Mollys
“This ring is really special to me – it’s the engagement ring I made for my fiancé. I wanted something simple and classic, but still a bit different from the usual. I knew it had to have a big natural diamond and be made in 18k gold, that part was easy. I chose a claw setting because it lets the light hit the diamond from every angle, making it super sparkly and eye-catching. One of the features I love most is the tall claws that rise above the stone. They give the ring a slightly dramatic look without being too much, and it really sets it apart from more traditional styles.
On the inside of the band, I added tiny love hearts — just a quiet little detail that feels like a secret we share. This ring isn’t just a piece of jewellery, it’s something full of love and intention. Every time I see it, I’m reminded of why I made it and who I made it for. And that makes me really happy.”
Angus Smith, Krool Jewels
“A gentleman named Matt reached out to me, wanting to propose to his partner Dhaniya. He had some rough ideas for an engagement ring but wanted some help, and I was happy to assit. He knew he wanted something unique with an organic feel, nothing traditional, but something that would also showcase the beauty of a diamond. I spent the next few weeks working with Matt on this piece, and we were both very proud of the result.
I love the contrast of such a precise and definite object like a diamond, carefully embedded in rich expressionist lumps of gold. I’ve since explored this same idea with many different shapes and sizes of diamonds, and have grown to love the process of giving the gold this natural life.”
Flora Bird
“I made this ring when my brother’s now-wife reached out for advice, as she wanted to propose but hadn’t found the right design. She had a few ideas but nothing felt quite right. I knew I could make something more special, so I offered and she immediately said yes. We didn’t know his ring size and she wanted to keep it a surprise, so she sent me a photo of his hand while he was asleep. I ended up basing it on my own size (he’s my brother, how different could it be?) I was already set to fly from Auckland to Berlin to see them a few weeks later, so the timing worked out perfectly.
I absolutely love this ring, the small marks and imprints from my hands make it feel even more personal. It nods to classical signet styles, with a look like it could have been dug up from the ground. It was such a treat to make this for my brother – and yes, the ring fit.”
Jasper Agostini Hudson, Agovia
“One of the engagement rings from the studio that’s been especially meaningful to create and bring to life was one of my earliest pieces, Azul Amor. It leans into a classical, Art Deco design and was originally inspired by a beautiful ring my grandmother wears on occasion, which features a glowing Ceylon sapphire and a halo of diamonds. Azul Amor fuses this style with my favourite gem, aquamarine. The step-cut faceting paired with its saturated blue tones makes it particularly striking on the hand.
The stone used in the original Azul Amor was sourced from Afghanistan. It took a few weeks to find but the colour was so unusual that it’s become my favourite aquamarine I’ve worked with to date. The ring itself is structured and balanced, but the tone and softness of the setting keep it feeling easy and elegant. Whether bespoke or ready-made, each piece is created with the intention that it’ll be worn often, lived in, and loved for years to come.”
Laura Miers, Laura Miers Jewellery
“It’s so hard to choose but this ring is definitely one of my favourites. It feels like the past, present and future, as it holds the evolving meaning of what a diamond ring can be. The materials are a play between local, natural origin and advanced diamond tech innovation: buttery 18ct Australian yellow gold, custom-cut Queensland parti sapphires and a 3.08ct F VVS2 emerald-cut lab diamond. It’s super confident and transcends tradition. We waited months for the perfect raw sapphires to be sourced then faceted, having the time to work slowly is key to creating the most considered, resolved designs.”
For more on bespoke jewellery, try this.
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