Bespoke Journey: Tony & Lizzie

Couples Stories - Tony & Lizzie | Bespoke Experience Tony came to us in the Autumn of last year looking for someone to design a bespoke engagement ring. Read all about their story, as well as their journey with us here. A BIT ABOUT THE COUPLE Tony & Lizzie were best friends at school long before they were a couple, something they still feel is what makes their relationship work so well. In the 9 years since, they've grown together through the highs and lows of life (including a year of lockdown in a tiny flat) into truly compatible humans. The best way to capture this couple is through the immortal words of Parks and Rec: Let's get into their bespoke journey... DID YOUR PARTNER KNOW ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL PLANS? No! We've been together a long time and talked about it before, but I wanted to keep the actual proposal a surprise. DID YOUR FIANCÉE HELP YOU WITH YOUR CHOSEN DESIGN? Also no! When we'd talked about it in the past she'd hinted that she'd probably want to choose her own ring because it's something she'll have to wear all the time. But the idea of proposing without a ring didn't seem right, so I decided to take the risk and choose one myself! Having paid attention when she'd pointed out rings she liked and knowing what sort of jewellery she usually wears I felt I had a pretty good idea of what she'd like. I think we did a good job because my partner has since assured me it's exactly the kind of ring she would have chosen for herself! Tony and Lizzie | Bespoke Journey | Ethica Diamonds Blog Show us your ideas then our designer will create a handful of designs to work from. Once you have decided on the design, it goes into CAD (Computer Aided Design). DID YOU HAVE ANY IMAGES/INSPIRATION THAT HELPED YOU WITH YOUR DESIGN IDEAS? WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO YOU WHEN YOU WERE DESIGNING YOUR BESPOKE RING? By the time I'd decided to go for a bespoke ring I'd looked at countless rings and learned all about diamonds and the different parts that make up a ring. So yes, I'd put together a Pinterest board that helped me narrow down on the style I was looking for. These were helpful when communicating with the designer. I had a few criteria for the ring. The main reason I went with Ethica was because of their beautiful lab-grown diamonds which aligned better with both of our values than a mined diamond. I'd also decided I wanted a trilogy ring, with delicate metalwork but a secure setting. I was also keen for the setting to be fairly low profile so my partner wouldn't find the ring getting in the way in day to day life. WERE THERE ANY FUNNY/MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN THE DESIGN PROCESS? I guess trying to manage the process during lockdown with my partner in the house led to a few close calls - for example I had to find the right ring size by measuring the ring she wears on her other hand while she was in the shower! But the Ethica team were great at keeping communications decreet so we didn't give away the surprise! WAS THE PROCESS MORE ENJOYABLE AND LESS STRESSFUL THAN YOU THOUGHT? It could easily have been a stressful and overwhelming process, but the team were super supportive and had no problems answering even the most stupid questions! Being a product designer myself I was pretty particular about getting the design just right, but the ring designer was always happy to take on board my feedback and I felt like I really had an input into how the final design turned out which makes it all the more special. It's one thing being able to say the ring is a one-off, it's even more impressive being able to say I helped design it myself! Finished Bespoke Engagement Ring The Finished Bespoke Ring | Ethica Diamonds WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE AN ETHICAL STONE? My partner and I are both trying to be more conscious of our decisions and purchases. Having read about the history of the diamond industry I wasn't so keen on supporting the industry. Once I came across Ethica and their Kinetique diamonds that are lab-grown and therefore conflict-free and low environmental impact, with clarity that rivals even the most expensive mined diamonds, there was really no other ring supplier I wanted to go with. I shopped around a bit after that, but knowing that my partner would really appreciate the story behind the "kind not mined" diamond kept bringing me back. HOW DID YOU PROPOSE? I think everyone's 2020 plans went right out of the window. My partner and I were all set to move to Chamonix for the 2020 winter season, where my plan was to propose on the ski slopes. When travel plans were halted and we were even prevented from spending Christmas with our family I had to re-plan pretty last minute. In the end, I proposed on Christmas day, on our first Christmas just the two of us. I'd found a beautiful, unique ring box and wrapped it up in a present under the tree. Each layer of the wrapping had a short handwritten note that built up to the proposal - she didn't see it coming until the very last layer and her reaction was priceless! It felt wonderful to claim back 2020 and give our family and friends such happy news! Get in touch if you would like to discuss our bespoke service here!