TL;DR: you can commission a bespoke engagement ring from us in Manchester while living in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland or Iceland, entirely by video consultation and message. Expect import VAT and possibly duty on arrival, which the customer pays, and send your size in millimetres. Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and pieces start from £600.
Working with us from the Nordic countries
You do not need to travel to the UK. We talk through your ideas by video consultation and message, send sketches and CAD renders for you to review, 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. The Nordic countries differ in their rules, and some are outside the EU, so tell us where you live and we will explain what to expect.
Import tax and duty
A ring sent from the UK to a Nordic country 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and the rules differ by country and change over time, so we explain what to expect rather than quote rates that may go out of date. The courier will tell you what is due. Include it in your budget alongside the ring.
Ring sizes
Ring size conventions differ between countries and jewellers. Measure the inside of a ring that fits well, in millimetres, and tell us how you measured. Our guide to sizing a finger for a bespoke ring from abroad covers the principles. Fingers can be smaller in cold weather, so avoid measuring straight after being outdoors in winter and take more than one measurement.
Cold climate care
Long, cold winters affect how a ring fits and feels. Fingers shrink in the cold, so a ring may slip, and gloves can catch on claws or high settings. Our guides to cold climate ring care and winter gloves and ring fit have practical advice, including choosing a lower, more snag resistant setting if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
Choosing a style
Many customers who contact us from northern Europe like clean lines and a quiet, understated look. A bezel setting protects the stone and sits low, which suits an active, outdoor life. A simple solitaire in platinum or white gold is another popular choice. Whatever you prefer, send us photographs and we turn your ideas into a design for you to review.
Paying from the Nordic countries
Our prices are shown in pounds. If you pay in another currency, your bank converts them into your local currency at its own rate, perhaps with a fee. Ask us to confirm the currency and payment method in writing. Our guide to paying a deposit safely online covers the checks worth making.
Language and time zones
We communicate in English, with written summaries after our conversations. The Nordic countries are one to two hours ahead of the UK, so video consultations are easy to arrange within normal working hours.
Questions to ask before you commit
- Which currency will the invoice be in?
- Who pays import duty and tax, and when?
- How will the ring be 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 in writing.
Keeping records
Keep your invoice, design approval and any stone report together, with photographs of the finished ring. They help with insurance and future valuations.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay import tax on a ring sent to a Nordic country?
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?
Send the inside measurement in millimetres and how you measured it.
Is a bezel setting good for cold climates?
A low setting is less likely to catch on gloves, so it is worth considering.
Do I need to visit Manchester?
No. We work by video consultation and message.