The short answer: San Francisco buyers can commission a bespoke engagement ring from our Manchester workshop online, approve the design in writing and receive it by insured, tracked FedEx delivery. Import duty and taxes are paid by the customer, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, varying with location and how busy we are.
San Francisco has fog, hills and a design minded culture. Many buyers there want a ring that is modern, thoughtful and well made.
A ring for a layered city
Cool, foggy days mean jackets and layers throughout the year, and fingers can feel cold. Smooth, low settings catch less on sleeves. Sunny days bring sunscreen, so clean the ring weekly to remove any film.
Design leanings
Many San Francisco clients like clean lines, mixed metals and understated sparkle. A bezel, a hidden halo or a toi et moi design suits that taste. See engagement ring setting types.
Mixed metals done well
A two tone ring pairs one metal for the band with another for the head, for example a yellow gold band with a platinum setting that keeps a white diamond looking icy. The join between the metals is part of the design, so we place it where it looks deliberate, usually under the head or along the shoulders. Each metal wears a little differently over the years, and we explain what to expect in writing. Our comparison of metals for rings sets out the differences.
Details and materials
For buyers who care about how things are made, we are glad to explain how a ring is designed, rendered and finished, and to label every stone clearly as natural or lab grown. Ask us any question about the process, and we answer in plain language.
Choosing the stone with sourcing in mind
Some clients want to understand where a stone comes from as much as how it looks. We describe each stone plainly, including whether it is natural or lab grown, and we can talk through recycled and antique options too. Our guides to recycled and antique diamonds and how lab grown stones are described in the US, UK and Australia explain the choices and the wording.
Time difference
San Francisco is roughly eight hours behind the UK for most of the year. A morning call there is mid afternoon for us, and most design work happens by message between calls.
US sizing
US sizes are numbered. Send a size and a millimetre measurement. See sizing a US finger for a bespoke ring from abroad.
How it works
- We discuss your ideas by message or video.
- You approve a design in writing before making starts.
- Making takes a standard 5 to 6 weeks, varying with location and how busy we are.
- Delivery is insured and tracked with FedEx.
Planning around a date
Count back from your proposal date: a few days spare, then delivery and customs, then the making time, then the design conversation. Around three months ahead is comfortable, and more if your date falls near the holidays, when couriers are busiest. Tell us your date at the start and we will say plainly what is realistic.
Duty and tax
Import duty and taxes are paid by the customer. Rules differ, and we explain what to expect. See US import duty after de minimis ended.
Proposal ideas
Bridges, headlands, hilltop parks and quiet beaches suit the city well. Check weather and visibility, since fog can hide a view. Our San Francisco proposal ideas has more suggestions.
See engagement ring etiquette in the US and written approval. Browse diamonds. Pieces start from £600.
Frequently asked questions
Can you mix metals? Yes, by design.
Who pays duty? The customer.
Can we speak in the morning? Yes.
Can I choose a recycled or antique stone? Often, and we describe every stone plainly.
Do I need to visit Manchester? No, we work by video consultation and message.