You and your partner can be as involved in the process as you like. Many couples now choose to complete the whole process together, or have one party complete the process in secret. It is completely up to you as to how you decide to approach this aspect of the design. If you decide to keep the ring a total secret, be ready to do research about your partner’s personal style, other jewelry they wear, color preferences and finger size. If you want your partner to be involved at the beginning stages of design they can help select a stone and advise you about their preferences. This could be the extent of their involvement or they could continue with you as you review renders and come in to try on the casting. Even if they view the renders and casting, this will still allow them to be surprised by the finished piece.
Estimating the finger size for a surprise engagement ring isn’t as straight-forward as you might think. Many people don’t realize that every finger is a different size and several factors can influence the fit of a ring. The dominant hand (right or left) is generally about half a size larger than the non-dominant hand. So, if you borrow a ring to check the size, be sure to notice which hand and finger they wear it on. The width of a ring will affect how it feels on the finger- wider styles fit more tightly than narrow bands in the same size. Weather can also affect the fit as our bodies tend to swell in the heat and get smaller in the cold. If the finger size is unknown we usually recommend leaving a plain space at the back of the shank to allow for sizing. When estimating a size we suggest erring on the slightly larger size so they are able to wear it when you propose.
Many people have little to no experience with jewelry when starting this journey, so don’t feel intimidated. The best way to get started is to contact us and set up a consultation. At the consultation we will go over these points with you to get an overall idea of the design and your budget. Next, we order in stones for you to select from, finish the design and figure the final quote, and take the deposit. Then we produce the CAD renderings for your approval, print the wax, and make the metal casting for you to come see and approve in person. Finally, we set the stones and finish the ring. The process is fluid and there are chances to make changes and adjustments along the way. Whenever you are ready to begin, the team at llyn strong fine art jewelry are here to help.
Contact us today and start designing the perfect engagement ring.
864-233-5900
llynstrong.com