The short answer: owning a bespoke ring has ongoing costs beyond the purchase, mainly insurance, occasional cleaning and checks, and repairs or a refreshed finish when needed. Planning for them keeps the ring safe and looking its best.
The price of the ring is the start of the story. Here is what to expect afterwards, so that nothing comes as a surprise.
| Cost | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Loss, theft and damage, through your insurer. |
| Valuation | A document your insurer may require. |
| Cleaning and checks | Keeping the stone secure and bright. |
| Repairs | Retipping claws, strengthening a worn band. |
| Refreshing a finish | Renewing a white gold surface where needed. |
| Resizing | If your finger changes size. |
Insurance
Speak to your insurer about cover, and whether a home policy is enough or you need a separate one. Insurers often ask for the invoice and any stone report, and some ask for a valuation, so keep your paperwork safe. See what comes in the box. If you live abroad, check that the policy covers the ring when you travel.
Cleaning at home
Warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush are usually enough for regular cleaning, and they cost very little. See ring care checklist by season.
Servicing
A check every year or two is a common suggestion, because small signs of wear, such as a loose claw, are easier to deal with early. Ask us what we recommend for your design. See what happens at a ring service appointment.
Repairs and wear
Gold and platinum wear slowly with daily use. Claws can thin over time, and a band can thin where it rubs. Catching these early costs less than waiting for a stone to loosen.
White gold finishes
If your ring is white gold, the surface finish can wear over time, and some owners choose to have it refreshed. Platinum is naturally white, so it has no surface to renew in the same way. Our guide to polishing or replating explains the options.
Resizing
Fingers change over the years. Ask us how resizing works for your design before you order, since some designs, such as full eternity bands, are harder to resize than a plain band.
Aftercare from us
We explain in writing what aftercare we can offer before you order. See aftercare for a UK ring when you live abroad.
A simple yearly routine
- Once a year, look closely at the claws and the stone for any movement.
- Check the ring against the photographs you took when it arrived.
- Review the insurance value and update it if the cost of replacing the ring has changed.
- Keep your invoice, written design approval and any stone report together in one place.
- Book a check if anything looks or feels different.
Planning
- Ask your insurer about cover.
- Set a reminder for checks.
- Keep paperwork safe.
- Ask us what we recommend for your design.
Our service
Ask us how servicing works and what it costs, and we explain before you commit. If you live outside the UK, remember that posting a ring for a service can involve shipping and import rules, so think about this in advance.
Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, which can vary with your location and how busy we are. Pieces start from £600.
Frequently asked questions
Is insurance necessary? It is wise, since a ring is both valuable and personal.
How much does a service cost? Ask us, and we explain when you enquire.
Does insurance cover a lost stone? It depends on the policy, so read the terms.
Can I service the ring locally? Ask us first, and we can advise on what the work involves.