If you've just decided to propose and have no idea where to begin with a ring, you're in the right place and you're in good company. Most people commissioning an engagement ring for the first time arrive at exactly this point: a clear sense of what the moment means, and very little idea of what to do next. This guide covers the practical steps in the order they actually need to happen.
TL;DR: Start by setting a realistic budget, then gather any style clues you have about your partner's taste. Eight to twelve weeks is the typical lead time for a bespoke ring, so the earlier you begin the more options you have. À Vie Diamonds works entirely remotely — no showroom visits — and there is no payment until you have approved the final design in writing.
Step One: Set a Budget Before You Look at Anything Else
The single most useful thing you can do before researching rings is decide on a number. Not a rough idea — an actual figure you are comfortable spending. Everything else follows from this: the stone size that is realistic, the metal that fits, the setting style that is achievable.
There is no correct amount to spend on an engagement ring. The two months' salary convention is a marketing invention from the 1930s with no practical relevance. What matters is a figure that feels significant to you without creating financial anxiety. Most bespoke engagement ring commissions at À Vie Diamonds fall between £2,000 and £5,000. A meaningful, well-made ring is achievable at the lower end of that range. A larger stone or more complex setting sits at the higher end. Both produce rings that will be worn every day for decades.
Once you have your number, you can have a useful conversation about what it will buy — rather than discovering after the fact that your expectations and your budget were not aligned.
Step Two: Gather Style Clues Without Asking Directly
You do not need to know exactly what your partner wants. You need enough information to brief a jeweller usefully. The following sources are reliable without requiring a direct conversation that might reveal the proposal:
Their existing jewellery is the most informative starting point. What metals do they wear? Do they prefer fine, delicate pieces or something with more presence? Do they lean toward classic or contemporary? Someone who wears a lot of yellow gold and simple, clean pieces is giving you a clear brief even if they have never articulated it.
Their Instagram saved posts or Pinterest boards, if you have access, are often full of rings. Many people save rings they genuinely love without connecting it to their own engagement ring. A handful of saved images gives a jeweller a strong visual brief to work from.
A trusted friend or sibling is another route — one person who can be relied on absolutely not to mention it. They can ask casually about ring preferences, find out the ring size, or simply confirm that a particular style direction is right.
If none of these are available, that is also fine. A good jeweller can work from general descriptions of personality and taste. Bold or understated. Practical daily wearer or someone who might prefer something more delicate. The person who loves vintage aesthetics versus someone who prefers clean modern lines. These are sufficient to start a productive conversation.
Step Three: Understand What Bespoke Actually Means
Bespoke means the ring is designed and made from scratch to a specific brief. The stone is sourced to your specification. The setting is drawn in CAD to the exact dimensions of that stone. Nothing is adapted from an existing template or chosen from a display case.
This is meaningfully different from a jeweller who describes their process as bespoke but works from a limited range of standard mounts with a choice of stone. The question worth asking any jeweller is: does the process begin from a blank page, or from a menu of existing designs?
At À Vie Diamonds the process begins from a blank page. The ring that is produced is the ring you briefed — not the closest available approximation.
Step Four: Understand the Timeline
A bespoke engagement ring takes eight to twelve weeks from first conversation to delivery. This covers stone sourcing, CAD design (including at least one revision round), your written approval of the design, production, hallmarking at a UK Assay Office, and insured delivery.
If you have a specific proposal date in mind, work backwards from it. A proposal on Christmas Eve needs a commission started no later than early October. Valentine's Day needs a start date in mid-November. If you are reading this and your timeline is tighter than eight weeks, get in touch immediately — we can advise honestly on what is achievable.
There is no payment required until you have seen and approved the CAD design. The process begins with a conversation, not a transaction.
Step Five: Have the Initial Conversation
The first conversation with a jeweller should feel like a consultation, not a sales pitch. You should come away with a clearer sense of what your budget will achieve, what the process looks like, and what the timeline is. You should not feel pressured to commit to anything.
At À Vie Diamonds, initial consultations happen by WhatsApp, email, or video call. There is no obligation attached. Most people find that one initial conversation is enough to decide whether they want to proceed — because the process is transparent and the questions get direct answers.
See our bespoke journey page for the full process, our pricing guide for honest cost expectations, and get in touch when you are ready to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a bespoke engagement ring take to make? Eight to twelve weeks from first conversation to delivery is the standard timeline. This covers stone sourcing, CAD design, approval, production, hallmarking, and insured delivery. If your timeline is shorter, get in touch and we will advise on what is achievable.
Do I need to know exactly what I want before I contact a jeweller? No. You need a budget, a rough sense of your partner's taste, and a proposal date in mind. Everything else is developed through the consultation process. Most clients arrive with a general direction rather than a precise specification.
How much should I spend on an engagement ring? Whatever feels significant without creating financial pressure. There is no correct figure. Most commissions at À Vie Diamonds fall between £2,000 and £5,000. See our pricing guide for a detailed breakdown.
Can I get a bespoke ring without visiting a showroom? Yes. À Vie Diamonds operates entirely remotely — consultations by WhatsApp, email, or video call; stone options presented with photography and video; CAD renders for approval before production begins; hallmarked delivery to your door.
What if I get the ring size wrong? À Vie Diamonds includes one complimentary resize within three months of delivery for most designs. If you cannot find out the size before proposing, order to the most likely size and plan the resize after the engagement. See our ring sizing guide for methods to find the size without asking directly.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · À Vie Diamonds