The Top 5 Myths About Bespoke Engagement Rings

When it comes to engagement rings, there’s no shortage of advice — some helpful, some outdated, and some simply untrue. Over the years, we’ve met countless customers at Blair and Sheridan who arrive with assumptions and preconceptions about what a “bespoke” engagement ring involves, what it costs, and how the process works.

At Blair and Sheridan, we believe an engagement ring should reflect your story — not outdated industry or social myths. Read on to dispel any misconceptions and find out how you can create the engagement ring of your dreams…

Myth 1: A Bespoke Ring Is Out of My Budget

“Bespoke” can sound intimidating. Many people assume it automatically means luxury beyond reach, however, this could not be further from the truth. At Blair and Sheridan we deal directly with diamond and precious metal suppliers from around the world, sourcing the best quality and value materials for your ring design.  Our overheads are substantially smaller than that of high street chain jewellery shops and all this is reflected in what you pay.

In reality, bespoke simply means made specifically and unique to you.

Because you are involved in selecting the design elements, diamond/gemstones, precious metal from the outset; we can tailor the ring to suit your specific needs. Perhaps you prefer to invest more in a centre stone and keep the setting minimal. Or perhaps intricate design work is what matters most to you.

A bespoke process often provides more control over cost, not less.

At Blair and Sheridan, we guide you through choices step-by-step, ensuring the final design aligns with both your vision and your budget.

Myth 2: You Must Spend 2–3 Months’ Salary on the Ring

This supposed societal expectation is fuelled by De Beers 20th-century advertising campaigns… originally promoting ‘1 months’ salary’ to boost diamond sales during the Great Depression. This figure increased to an advised ‘2 months’ salary’ in the 80s again as a drive to increase sales. Meanwhile, playing on the Japanese sense of honour and interest in Western values, a campaign in Japan encouraged ‘3 month salary spend’ – this was a marketing stroke of genius that paid off in a country where diamond engagement rings were unheard of prior to the 2nd World War but now sees Japan rank as one of the top luxury jewellery consumer countries in the world.

In short, there is no rulebook when it comes to how much you should spend on an engagement ring. A ring should be:

• Comfortable for you financially

• Designed with long-term wear in mind

• A celebration — not a source of stress

At Blair and Sheridan, we approach each commission with transparency. We discuss budget early on and guide you through the best possible options within that range. Beautiful, meaningful rings exist at a wide variety of price points.

The most important investment isn’t the cost — it’s the thought and meaning behind the design.

Myth 3: The Main Stone Must Be a Diamond

For decades, diamonds have been marketed as the only “acceptable” choice for an engagement ring — thanks in no small part to campaigns like “A Diamond is Forever”.  But today, couples are choosing stones that feel personal and meaningful to them for various reasons. Sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and coloured diamonds are becoming increasingly popular. These coloured stones can be included as side stones to compliment a centre diamond or vice versa.

Diamonds are beautiful — and they remain a wonderful and classic option — but they are not the only option. A bespoke ring gives you the freedom to explore:

• Different precious and semi-precious gemstones

• Unique colours and cuts

• Lab Grown or natural stones

The “right” stone is the one that reflects your partner’s personality and your shared values — not what tradition dictates.

Myth 4: You Won’t Know What the Ring Looks Like Until the Very End

Many people worry that commissioning a bespoke ring means handing over control and hoping for the best.  In fact, modern bespoke design is highly collaborative experience. At Blair and Sheridan we work closely with you at every step of the way to ensure your ideas and personal touches are front and centre of the design – Computer Aided Design (CAD) is used to produce photo-realistic visuals and, if required, 3D prints can be made allow you to envisage how your finished ring will look and fit. Our in-house team consists of designers, goldsmiths, stone setters and CAD – meaning we have full autonomy of your bespoke design from conception to completion.

Before any benchwork even begins, you’ll typically see:

• Detailed design sketches

• CAD (computer-aided design) renders as shown above – learn more about CAD here

• Loose diamond/gemstone viewing and selection

This ensures there are no surprises — only anticipation!  Our process is structured to give you clarity and confidence at every stage, so that you are making informed decisions at every step.

Myth 5: I Need to Know Exactly What I’m Looking For

Some of our customers have a very clear vision of what they would like their engagement ring to look like and others need a degree of guidance. In some instances you may have an idea what you think you would like but upon further discussion this may evolve and change direction. There is no right or wrong.

Any approach is relevant – our website galleries are rich with inspiration for all types of engagement ring designs and diamond cuts.

Our role at Blair and Sheridan is to ask the right questions, offer expert guidance, and translate your ideas — however vague or detailed — into a thoughtful design. Often, the most meaningful rings begin with a simple conversation.

You don’t need all the answers. That’s what we’re here for.

The Truth About Bespoke

Bespoke engagement rings are not about following rules, bowing under pressure, or financial extravagance. They’re about creating something deeply personal — a piece that marks the beginning of a lifelong commitment.

At Blair and Sheridan, we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern design technology to ensure every ring is both beautiful, meaningful and built to last. Our approach is educational, collaborative, and transparent — because choosing an engagement ring should feel exciting, not overwhelming.

If you have questions about stones, budgets, timelines, or simply want to explore your options, we’d love to help.

Get in touch to book an appointment or start a conversation — no obligation, just expert guidance.