What to expect from an engagement ring appointment
Image via Sarah & Sebastian
Words by Alyssa Forato
Wedding bells will soon be ringing.
Engagement rings are so much more than a sign that you’re soon to be married. They’re a key indicator of your personal style – or what your partner thinks it is. Maybe they surprised you with an unexpected engagement, or maybe the two of you planned on creating a ring together that holds sentimental value.
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No matter what your plans are when it comes to your engagement, finding the perfect ring can be a process. That’s why designing or choosing your ring in a private appointment is something an increasing number of people are opting for. Although I’m a long way off getting engaged, I spoke to two experts to get the rundown on what to expect when going to a private engagement ring appointment.
Kate, Head of Services at Sarah & Sebastian
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What actually happens at an engagement ring appointment?
Sarah & Sebastian offers an intimate private appointment in our engagement suites situated in our Armadale, Mosman and newest Strand Arcade store, as well as our soon-to-be launching Brisbane store… During the appointment, we take our clients through our process, including timelines, sourcing, and service offering. We spend time speaking through our design and diamonds… including the four Cs; colour, Ccarity, cut and carat. The experience is completely tailored to each client… Most importantly, we use the appointment experience as an opportunity to learn more about our client’s loved ones and their desires.
How much should I expect to spend?
Sarah & Sebastian’s engagement rings start at $5500 upwards and our engagement rings start at 0.5ct stone upwards, depending on the quality and size of the diamond chosen.
What’s important to know/research before my first appointment?
Having a browse of our engagement offering online is always helpful so we can have an idea of what you are drawn to and we will take it from there. Part of our booking process also allows clients to add notes and reference imagery.
Can I walk away and think about it, or do I need to make a decision on the spot?
Absolutely! An engagement piece is a commitment and clients may need some time to think about it or [to] discuss options with friends or family.
Can I give my partner just a band or stone so they can design the ring themselves?
Our clients are welcome to purchase a Sarah & Sebastian placeholder ring from any of our collections for the proposal moment. This allows for them to come in together and enjoy the experience as a couple! We do not offer the service of being able to purchase a stone first to create the ring later.
Do many couples come in together, or is it usually a surprise?
The scenarios are so varied at Sarah & Sebastian. We have people… who know exactly what they want, and some who have no idea… We also have couples coming in together at either the beginning of the journey or after the proposal, as well as some couples who have been together for years [and want] gorgeous anniversary rings.
Nicholas Hawker, Brand Manager at Cushla Whiting
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What actually happens at an engagement ring appointment?
We set aside an hour for your personalised engagement ring appointment which happens either in person at one of our Melbourne or Sydney showrooms, or completely virtually (from anywhere worldwide). In this first appointment, we talk through any ideas you have in relation to ring designs and gemstones and discuss your ideal budget. We then show you styles from our signature collection, which you can try on to see what suits you.
Once we have narrowed down your design and gemstone preferences, we show you potential gemstone options from our Gem Vault and provide advice and education on the important parameters to consider when selecting a diamond or coloured gemstone… For a virtual consultation, we share high-quality videos of gemstone options taken in natural lighting from our virtual Gem Vault, as well as our extensive library of design options. Because you are not able to try on the rings virtually we will often do a bit more work after the appointment laying out various design options and modelling rings which we would send videos of.
How much should I expect to spend?
This really depends on the gemstone that you choose. Our bespoke engagement rings would start at $5500 but a common range would be $7,000 to $20,000. With the diamonds, one plus carat and antique diamonds it is not unusual to spend between $13,000 to $30,000 plus.
What’s important to know/research before my first appointment?
It’s helpful to do a bit of research or think about what you or your partner might like in terms of style, type of gemstone, and metal colour… Budget is also really important to think about… If you are secretly buying a ring for your partner, it’s ideal if you can stealthily get their ring size or a ring to measure, although we are also happy to help you work out their approximate sizing.
Do I need to know exactly what I want?
Not at all, having all of the designs and gemstones onsite makes it much easier for customers to find what they are looking for. By the end of the appointment, most people have a good idea of what they want.
Can I walk away and think about it, or do I need to make a decision on the spot?
Absolutely you can, we always give our customers the opportunity to go away and think about it.
Can I give my partner just a band or stone, so they can design the ring themselves?
You can do this but it is not so common. Proposing with a loose stone is a little risky as you can’t insure loose stones and they can be quite easy to lose! We have some customers who choose to propose with a placeholder ring and then they come in to design the engagement ring together after the proposal.
Do many couples come in together, or is it usually a surprise?
These days it’s much more common for couples to come in and design the ring together, either before or after the proposal. However, some people still choose the ring without their partner and make it a complete surprise.
To learn more about choosing your own engagement ring, head here.
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