TL;DR: you can commission a bespoke engagement ring from us in Manchester while living in France, entirely by video consultation and message. Expect French import VAT (TVA) and possibly duty when the ring arrives, which the customer pays, and share your size as a measurement in millimetres. Pieces start from £600.
How it works from France
You do not need to visit us. We talk through your ideas by video consultation and message, send sketches and CAD renders, and make nothing until you have approved the design in writing. Standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, varying with your location and how busy we are, and delivery is insured and tracked with FedEx. Our guide to ordering for a partner in another country may help if your partner lives somewhere else.
Import tax and duty in France
A ring sent from the UK to France is treated as an import. The customer pays import duty and tax, and the rules differ by country and change over time, so we explain what to expect rather than quote figures. The courier will tell you what is due. Plan for it as part of the cost of the ring.
Ring sizes
French ring sizes are generally based on circumference, but conventions vary between jewellers. To avoid any confusion, send your size as an inside measurement in millimetres and tell us how you took it. A local jeweller can measure your finger, and our guide to sizing a finger for a bespoke ring from abroad explains how to avoid common mistakes.
Paying from France
Ask us to confirm the currency and payment method for your order in writing before you pay. If your card is charged in a currency other than euros, your bank converts it at its own rate and may add a fee, so it is worth checking with your bank first. Our guide to paying a deposit safely online covers the checks worth making.
Traditions and style
Many French couples choose a bague de fiançailles that feels personal rather than conventional, such as a coloured stone, a vintage feel or a simple solitaire. A bespoke design lets you choose every detail. If you are drawn to a particular look, send us photographs and mark the parts you like. Our birthstones by month as engagement rings guide has colour ideas.
Language
Our conversations are in English, so ask us if language matters to you. We send written summaries so you can read details at your own pace, and a small glossary of French ring words can help you describe what you want. Photographs fill any gaps.
Winter, summer and wearing the ring
Fingers swell in summer heat and shrink in the cold, so a ring measured on a hot day in the south may feel loose in a northern winter. Measure your finger at a comfortable temperature, at the end of the day, and more than once if you can. If you will wear the ring for skiing, sailing or sport, tell us, because a lower setting with smooth edges is easier to live with.
Questions to ask before you commit
- Which currency will the invoice be in?
- Who pays import duty and tax, and when?
- How is the ring delivered and insured?
- How long will design, making and delivery take?
For us, the customer pays duty and tax, and nothing is made until you approve the design in writing.
Keeping records
Keep your invoice, design approval and any stone report together, along with photographs of the finished ring. They help with insurance, customs queries and future valuations.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay import tax on a ring sent to France?
Expect import VAT and possibly duty. The customer pays it, and we explain what to expect before you order.
How do I share my ring size from France?
Send the inside measurement in millimetres and how you measured it.
Are French ring sizes different from UK sizes?
Yes, the systems differ, so a measurement in millimetres is the clearest way to share a size.
Do I need to travel to the UK?
No. We work by video consultation and message.
Do you speak French?
Our conversations are in English. Ask us if language matters, and we will talk it through.