A New Perspective on Engagement Rings
Traditionally, engagement rings feature solitaire diamonds. The first recorded diamond engagement ring was commissioned in 1477 by Archduke Maximilian of Austria for Mary of Burgundy. This marked the beginning of a fashionable trend among the elite.
In 1886, Tiffany & Co. introduced the solitaire diamond engagement ring as we know it today. Decades later, the famous De Beers slogan “Diamonds are forever” was launched in 1948, further cementing diamonds as the go-to choice. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1900s that engagement rings became widely commercialised.
Since the 2006 release of the film Blood Diamond, although less than one percent of our industry, consumers have increasingly sought alternative engagement rings that reflect their personal style and stories. Over the years, I’ve witnessed an increasing demand for rings with ethical sourcing and unique designs. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, provenance has become even more important to my clients. They want to know not just where their rings come from, but also the stories behind them.
I have had the privilege of creating bespoke alternative engagement rings throughout my career. Although, even more so, since 2016, when I became Fairtrade registered in Belgium. Two years later, I became a Fairmined licensed brnad. Here are some of the most special engagement rings I’ve created and the heartwarming stories behind them.
The Off-Centre Sapphire & Salt and Pepper Diamond Ring
One of my recent alternative engagement rings, created in 2024, was the featured ring above. Created in Fairmined 14ct white gold, the couple chose a striking teal-blue, cushion-cut sapphire from Malawi as the centre stone, flanked by 0.25ct salt and pepper diamonds.
What made this ring truly unique was its asymmetry. The gemstones were offset to one side of the band. The couple, both entering their second marriage, explained their vision to me: “In life, nothing is centred or straight.” This deeply resonated with me. They wanted a ring that symbolised their journey — imperfect, unexpected, yet beautiful.
Provenance was also important to them. They wanted to understand where the materials in their ring came from and to consider their origins when making their choices.
The Fairmined gold came from the Oro Puno mine in Peru, which I visited personally. The salt and pepper diamonds came from Botswana, chosen for their distinctive character. Their natural inclusions create a unique pattern of light and dark within each diamond, meaning no two are quite alike.
The sapphire came from the Chimwadzulu mine at Chimwadzulu Hill in Malawi. Its transparent teal colour and cushion cut give the stone a distinctive presence, while the sapphire has been heat-treated to enhance its appearance. It was cut and polished in China.
A Lord of the Rings-Inspired Two-Tone Sapphire Ring
In 2021, I created a Fairmined 18ct white gold engagement ring featuring two mesmerising two-tone sapphires in blue and yellow. Where the colours intertwined, shades of green appeared, giving the ring a magical quality.
These natural, unheated sapphires came from Policemans Creek in the Central Queensland Gemfields, Australia. Their provenance is documented in a gemstone report supplied with the stones, recording their mine location, source and untreated status. Having this information about the stones’ origin and characteristics was an important consideration in my selection of the sapphires.
The bride-to-be was a devoted Lord of the Rings fan. The ring was designed with subtle nods to the jewellery in Tolkien’s legendary stories. It was a joy to create something so meaningful
The Lucky Dip Rhinestone Ring
Years ago, a young couple approached me with a rather unusual request. They had won a colourful rhinestone in a fairground lucky dip, and he had proposed to her on the spot. That little gemstone represented their love story, and they wanted it set in a bespoke engagement ring.
At first, they hesitated to show me the stone, worried I wouldn’t take them seriously. Given that I only work with natural gemstones, they feared I might not agree to set a rhinestone. But I absolutely adored their idea. Love isn’t about price tags—it’s about sentiment.
The bride-to-be had inherited a gold ring from her grandmother, which I repurposed to create their dream engagement ring. The result was a stunning emerald-cut rhinestone ring, rich with emotion and meaning.
The Sea Glass Triple Loop Ring
Another alternative engagement ring I created in 2017. A Fairtrade 18ct gold triple-loop ring. The couple had discovered a tiny piece of sea-tumbled green glass on a beach during a memorable holiday. To them, it was more than just a piece of glass—it symbolised their love and the special moment they had shared.
They wanted their engagement ring to be unconventional, so we designed a setting that complemented the organic nature of the sea glass. The final piece was a stunning, one-of-a-kind triple loop ring that perfectly captured their story.
A Ring That Intertwines Heritage and Love
At the end of 2021, I had the honour of creating a Fairmined 18ct white gold engagement ring with a story of family, culture, and devotion. The groom-to-be came to me with a deeply personal request, he wanted to incorporate diamonds from his late grandmother’s ring.
To add a personal touch for his fiancée, who had Irish heritage, we chose peridots sourced from Arizona. We choose the peridots from Arizona because he wanted something from the US where he was from. The two small additional diamonds were purchased in 2021 from Inspira Diamonds, then an Australian diamond dealer, and were identified as originating from the Argyle mine in Western Australia, which ceased mining in November 2020. The result was a piece that told a story of family, culture, and devotion.
Why Alternative Engagement Rings Matter
The beauty of bespoke, handmade jewellery is the depth of the story behind it, making custom engagement rings deeply personal choices. Unlike mass-produced rings, each alternative engagement ring I create begins with an idea that reflects the couple’s love and journey.
Alternative engagement rings offer couples the freedom to look beyond the traditional diamond and create something that reflects their individuality, personal stories and values. Whether choosing Fairmined gold, exploring gemstones with documented provenance or incorporating their own gold and gemstones through remodelling, each decision becomes part of the story behind their ring.
More people are exploring alternatives to the conventional diamond engagement ring, choosing gemstones and materials that hold personal meaning. Whether it’s sea-tumbled glass, an inherited diamond, or a fairground rhinestone, each stone carries a unique story.
I consider it a privilege to craft engagement rings that become lifelong symbols of love. Over the years, I’ve witnessed an increasing demand for rings with distinctive designs and a clear story behind their materials. Their stories inspire me, and I am honoured to translate them into jewellery that will be cherished for generations.
If you’re looking for alternative engagement rings that reflect your values, love story, and individuality, consider a bespoke design.
