Article by Emily Moore for the Jersey Evening Post.
THINK of a wedding ring and the chances are that the first image which springs to mind is one of a narrow gold band.
But, as Rivoli Jewellers’ designer Deb Macklin explains, something of a revolution is taking place, with many couples now seeking designs more reflective of their personalities.
‘There is definitely a trend for bucking trends and many brides are now looking for a statement wedding ring,’ she said. ‘There is a lot more creativity creeping into the designs, with many of the traditional “rules” being broken. For example, many brides don’t want their wedding band to match their engagement ring. There is a fashion for mismatching and creating layers by mixing metal colours, tones and finishes.
‘There is also an increasing demand for diamonds or other stones to feature within the ring,’ Deb added. ‘Brides are regarding the wedding ring as a stand-alone piece of jewellery, which reflects their personality and style. Diamonds are the most sought-after stone of choice, with chocolate diamonds and yellow diamonds proving popular. We also see a lot of demand for sapphires, which are available in every colour you can imagine.’
While brides may be opting for diamonds and sapphires, Deb says that grooms are also opting for more ‘adventurous’ styles.
‘The men are definitely getting more excited about their rings, and veering away from plain gold bands,’ she said. ‘They are playing with different widths, alternative metals, textures and patterns.’
As Deb describes the almost infinite range of ring choices available, her excitement is palpable.
‘I’m a designer,’ she says simply. ‘I love creating new designs and working with couples to bring their dreams to life. The more adventurous they are, the more exciting it is for me to take their ideas and bring them together.’
But, while she loves the design process, she also keeps her couples grounded.
‘It’s important to shop around for ideas first and try on different styles,’ she stressed. ‘Just as the wedding dress of your dreams may not be the one you actually choose after trying on a few gowns, rings look very different in your imagination and on your finger.
‘I also recommend that couples have two or three consultations and take plenty of time to make their decision so that, when they finally exchange rings on the big day, they have exactly the right piece of jewellery. For that reason, we hold a wide stock of loose diamonds and coloured gems so that customers can see each component of the ring.’
With consultations playing such a key part of the design process, Deb admits that the recent lockdown restrictions have brought about some challenges.
‘Normally, we meet a lot of couples at wedding fayres so we are hopeful that they will resume soon,’ she said. ‘However, we always offer complimentary private consultations at which the couple can enjoy a glass of champagne and relax while talking through their ideas.’
Deb is also very aware of the uncertainty which the pandemic has added to many weddings.
‘It has been incredibly sad to see many couples postponing their weddings,’ she said, ‘and the impact of this has filtered all the way down to the rings, particularly where the bands have been engraved with the original date. In some cases, couples are choosing to keep the original engraving, and perhaps add a second date as well. In other instances, though, the goldsmith has the not-inconsiderable headache of erasing the original engraving and starting again.’
For more information about Rivoli’s bespoke jewellery services, or to arrange an appointment, email shop@rivolijewellers.com.
