When Hollywood glitterati decide to take the plunge and propose to their partners, rather than heading to homegrown jewellers in LA and New York, as you might expect, many US stars are now opting to have their engagement rings designed and made here in London, where W&W Jewellery are based.
Earlier this year, Jennifer Lopez’s breathtaking £3.8 million engagement ring hit the headlines when she shared it on Instagram, following a romantic proposal from baseball star Alex Rodriguez. Featuring a huge diamond, estimated to be between 20 and 25 carats in size, the jaw dropping stone was set in a platinum ring with an eagle claw setting. Rather than present her with a ring made by a US jewellery brand, A-Rod chose to go to a London based jeweller.
This trend was also evident when Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle. Harry chose to have a custom-made ring created by a jeweller in London, rather than a US made piece. Meghan’s stunning ring features a large cushion cut diamond from Botswana, the couples’ ‘special place,’ alongside two smaller round-cut diamonds from Princess Diana’s personal collection, with a subtle yellow gold (said to be Meghan’s favourite precious metal) band.
Meghan had to stop wearing her ring in the later months of her pregnancy and when it was next spotted, this June, the ring had been remodelled. The original yellow gold band had been replaced with a striking micro pave one, studded with dozens of sparkling diamonds. Meghan is believed to have also used a UK jeweller for this modification – quite a coup, considering the American actress has previously bought the bulk of her red-carpet jewellery from stateside jewellers.
Another royal enjoying the benefit of British made quality is the recently engaged Princess Beatrice. Businessman Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi collaborated with a British jeweller to create the Princess’s exquisite platinum and diamond piece. Featuring a central round cut stone flanked by diamond baguettes, the ring was designed to represent the couples love and devotion to each other.
It’s not just engagement rings either; stars like Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey have all been spotted at high profile events recently wearing bespoke pieces made here in London.
It is clear to see that the current must-have piece of jewellery for US celebrities is a bespoke British creation. We believe that the reason so many worldwide clients are opting for UK based jewellers is that the jewellery delivered from the UK’s capital is truly world class, and like to think we play our own modest part in that story.
Our international reach extends not only to the US, but also Australia, the Far East and the Middle East, where we have been delivering pieces that meet the demands and exacting standards that are expected of British craftsmanship.
Despite being a small team and the fact that we are a client facing business, W&W Jewellery has become a go-to destination for anyone looking to find, or purchase, a piece that is all their own. International clients continue to find us through media coverage, online searches, direct introductions and concierge relationships.
We often create pieces for our international based clients by working with them remotely. Taking the time to meet with customers at a location convenient to them in London, or arranging calls at the right time of day, or night, to suit their time zone, ensures the information flow continues, and our relationship with the client develops.
W&W Jewellery pieces have found new homes around the globe, one of the most memorable being a unique boiled egg inspired engagement ring, for a client based in Washington DC, in the US. This digitally designed piece featured a powder finished silver shell that cracked open to reveal the ring inside. The engagement ring itself incorporated platinum, opal and tsavorite garnets to create an incredibly personal and unique piece.
We have also sourced special gemstones for a client in Australia, created a ground-breaking design project for a client in New York and designed and made classic engagement rings for clients in Hong King and Singapore.
Last but not least, we have also created challenging, one-of-a-kind commissions for Middle Eastern royalty. One of the most unique of these pieces was a striking 18ct white gold meteorite and diamond pendant, that we designed and made for a member of the Saudi royal family.
London has long been a luxury goods destination and social media has provided a global platform for a receptive audience to interact with that message, developing new market reach at home and overseas.
Being based in London allows us to benefit from the wealth and diversity of the capital city’s international population. We strive to always offer the refinement and levels of service that our international clients have come to expect. With established roots and a trusted reputation, our client base continues to develop.
For clients in the know, it’s also worth remembering that the export of a finished piece allows the VAT to be reclaimed. With the pound currently providing excellent value against other currencies, a bespoke purchase in London is a truly attractive option.
Now that star names like J-Lo and Meghan are wearing London made bespoke and remodelled rings, we know that our global story is just beginning. If you are an international client looking to create a one-of-a-kind piece with the peerless British craftmanship and world class customer service offered by W&W Jewellery, contact us to discuss your commission.