When my fiancé, Gained, and I first began speaking about our engagement final yr, I knew I wished to design my very own ring to make him really feel particular and fabulous. I’ve at all times cherished the thought of toi et moi—French for “me and also you”—due to its two-stone look. Historically, a hoop options double brilliant-cut diamonds, however I wished to get my perspective on this, which was simpler stated than completed. In hindsight, the journey of making my very own customized and distinctive engagement ring took time, analysis, and a gathering of minds, as I labored with a jeweler in Los Angeles. Catherine Kim received on the piece.
In case you’re additionally contemplating a customized type, or just wish to hear about my design course of (personally, I like an excellent funky ring story), learn forward to see how I approached this specific challenge. Alongside the way in which, you will discover sensible recommendation on easy methods to create a one-of-a-kind, endlessly piece, whether or not or not it is impressed by traditional toi et moi.
Attempt (a lot of) loops
My first tip on the journey is to attempt on as many rings as attainable – seeing them in your precise finger will both verify your preferences or make you rethink your selection. For instance: I cherished Emily Ratajkowski at toi et moi Piece and thought for certain I’ll get the identical precise design. Nonetheless, after I tried on a reproduction of it, not solely did the diamond look very shiny to me, but it surely did not Really feel Like one thing I am carrying. In whole, I went to seven totally different areas round New York Metropolis to not solely attempt on the rings, but additionally to see if I connected with the designer or the model. It was essential for me to discover a designer that I might contact to implement my imaginative and prescient. A few of my favourite in-store experiences embody Greenwich Avenue Jewelers and… clear cut.
Though the Emrata type wasn’t for me per se, I used to be nonetheless dedicated to the thought of toi et moi. I performed with pairs of gems to see if I wished any of the opposite mixtures: I attempted a pear with a sq., two pears facet by facet, and a sq. with a spherical. No one fairly spoke to me, and I wasn’t certain why. Wanting again on this now, I understand that though I wished a two-stone piece, I simply did not know easy methods to make it look distinctive to me design-wise. I wanted to seek out somebody who may assist me pitch my concepts and principally information me via the artistic course of. In the long run it ended up being Kim.
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Outline your artistic imaginative and prescient
Doing all of your analysis pays off when you’ll be able to specific your wishes. “Earlier than your preliminary session[with the jeweler]it helps to have a transparent imaginative and prescient of your design,” says Kim, explaining that she recommends this tip to all of her purchasers who wish to make a bespoke creation.
One One of many best methods to personalize your piece of bijou? Incorporate emotional particulars. “Discover inspiration out of your shared experiences, pursuits, or fond recollections,” suggests Kim, noting that gadgets reminiscent of an essential stone, customized engraving, or different symbols can be utilized within the ring. “And that may make it actually distinctive and deeply significant.”
With this in thoughts, I assumed in regards to the factor that issues most to me when it comes to crafting my endlessly article: Working with an Asian-owned firm and utilizing yellow gold tops my listing. I additionally wished the jewellery to really feel significant, so I toyed with the thought of incorporating jade into an engagement ring, which I have not seen on anybody I do know. I grew up carrying the stone on a protracted pink string—in Chinese language tradition, that is given to kids for “safety”—and I’ve a sesame-colored jade ring that I put on on a regular basis.
Jade additionally holds significance in Asian societies, which additionally felt particular to the Korean received. “Jade has taken on many meanings within the historical past of Chinese language tradition,” says the jewellery designer. Ashley Chang. “Vastly used as a logo of prosperity, success and good luck.”
Jeweler: “Jade is believed to have powers to convey good luck in addition to chase away evil spirits” Grace Lee Add. “Some imagine that when a bit of jade that you’re carrying breaks, the jade takes away the misfortune that might befall the wearer.” In Korean tradition, the identical beliefs are true. “Jade is believed to embody the options of politeness and design within the Korean character,” he says. Chloe Zhao, founding father of Sequence. “Furthermore, jade is utilized by the Korean royal household as a logo of energy and wealth.”
my design course of
As soon as I received the thought of a pear-shaped jade and diamond pairing, I knew I wanted assist brainstorming the precise design. The model I saved coming again to was Katkim. The title is thought to her Trace collection And Kim did a Toi et moi monitoring loop, which I cherished. I reached out to her, and in our preliminary e mail conversations I requested mockups of pairs of jade and diamonds on tracing tape, so I may think about what the rings would appear to be. As soon as I noticed the choices—see a few of my favorites beneath—I knew I used to be one step nearer to discovering perfection piece.
Nonetheless, I used to be hesitant to decide to something with out first attempting an everyday measurement monitoring ring. So for February 2023, I booked a visit for Woon and I to LA to go to the Katkim showroom in particular person. There, I performed with totally different sized diamond and jade stones to see which one complimented my finger greatest. I’ve additionally experimented on the Hint ring in several sizes so I can see how apparent or not the curve is. In the long run, I landed on a extra refined curve, a darker jade inexperienced shade for my bezel, and a half bezel setting for my stones as a substitute of the prongs for a cleaner look. (The latter was one thing I would not have thought-about if I hadn’t observed it on Kim’s monitoring ring that day!)
Additionally throughout our consultations, I appreciated that she listened to me and answered all of my advanced questions with out judgment. “Your stylist’s position is to not level you down a customized path, however fairly to meet and show your aspirations for customized rings,” says Kim, in regards to the collaborative course of between you and the jeweler. “By presenting your concepts throughout a session, a stylist can deftly collaborate with you to breathe life into your distinctive creation.”
Nitty-Gritty particulars
As soon as we had the design in thoughts, Kim then sourced a wide range of diamonds for us to contemplate that fell inside our funds. I had requested for each the mining and lab choices, as I hadn’t made up my thoughts but as to which camp I fell into. To be trustworthy, it was the number of the stone via a digital portal the least The romantic half about shopping for a hoop – and in addition the toughest buy. I saved weighing the 4Cs (carat, reduce, shade, readability) in opposition to one another to seek out the “good” diamond and had an inner battle about lab or mined. In the long run, I went with the latter, after discovering a stone inside our funds. Had I wished it to be bigger, like a 3-karat pear, I might have gotten a lab-grown one to get extra bang for the buck.
From right here we centered on the ultimate touches. I selected a excessive polish end to present the metallic that shiny glow versus a satin end, which makes it look much less shiny. As soon as the ultimate pitch was confirmed and manufacturing began, I eliminated myself from the e-mail thread Woon had been engaged on all this time too, so I would not know when The precise episode shall be full. (He handled the deal and secured the ring – bless him). That means, the proposal will nonetheless be considerably shocking.
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On June 17, throughout a calming cabin journey to Maine with our canine Willow, Gained popped the query. And me lastly I received to see the episode IRL, which we have been engaged on for half a yr at this level. The creation of our treasured toi et moi was even higher than I may have imagined, and it felt actually particular to see our piece rework from laptop graphic right into a wearable piece of artwork. I do know nobody else has this precise factor, which added to the distinctiveness that an Aquarius coronary heart wishes. Evidently, this ring is well the piece of bijou I’ve worn to this point.
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