Michael Platt

Category: Rings

  • Love, Romance and Marriage

    Let Specialist Jeweller, Michael Platt, guide you at this magical time

    Is this the right time to make it happen for you and your partner? Only YOU can know the true answer, but……if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance YES is the right answer!

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    Proposing marriage to the person you love could be a most cherished,  romantic and  significant moment; intimate and private, just the two of you, or perhaps very public – all singing and dancing.  Each proposal, memorable for its chosen time and place, is symbolised by that one important question and …… ….the box, containing a beautiful enduring Engagement Ring.    Feeling a little nervous about the detail? Let Goldsmith & Jeweller, Michael Platt be of assistance.

    Where to start when it comes to the ring: gemstone or diamond? and what shape? modern or traditional? single or multi stones? simple or intricate? gold or platinum?

    SO many decisions to make.

    Michael Platt, specialist jeweller in Wimbledon Village, know selecting the perfect engagement ring is an exciting but, possibly, daunting experience. With years of knowledge, they readily guide customers through the maze of information. Firstly set yourself a realistic budget, be comfortable about what is affordable. Take note of a partner’s style and current jewellery.  The team at Michael Platt will show a range of Engagement Rings, outlining all facts that affect the price.  Michael Platt love being involved in a surprise proposal, and listen carefully to customers’ suggestions to ensure that the very best choices are made and excellent value achieved in finding the ideal ring.

    The usual choice for the setting is either gold or platinum. White gold and platinum, when new, look identical, but will wear very differently. Gold rings will wear down over time and usually need more maintenance whilst platinum is stronger, more durable but usually commands a higher price. Setting the wedding date may not be a priority at this stage but some thought should be given to the wedding band to ensure it will fit well against the engagement ring and both look good together on the hand. Wedding rings, whether plain, fancy or diamond set, should complement the engagement ring and not overwhelm.

    An inherited gemstone or diamond can be transformed into a wonderful new engagement ring.  If the setting is dated or worn or isn’t exactly what’s required, Michael Platt specialise in Bespoke Jewellery, made onsite in their Workshop. An in-house designer and working Master Goldsmith will be hands on in designing and making the ring. The team take customers through the steps of the Bespoke Jewellery Process. Commissioning an exclusive unique Engagement Ring is an exciting and romantic journey that does not need to be complex or necessarily expensive.

    However, if selecting a ring feels too risky or complicated, consider proposing with a loose gemstone or diamond. In a beautiful presentation box, it’s a very touching, thoughtful and romantic gesture followed by all the excitement of choosing exactly the right setting together,   as a couple.

    Make getting engaged a truly magical occasion at Michael Platt, Church Road, Wimbledon Village SW19

  • The Different Parts of an Engagement Ring

    The Different Parts of an Engagement Ring

    When it comes to engagement rings, there are many different components to this small piece of fine jewellery. If you are currently looking for a ring, you may find yourself coming across a variety of terms that you have not come across before, and this can get a little confusing. To make the process easier to understand, here are what some of the main parts of an engagement ring are:

    Mount

    Sometimes also known as the Setting, this term refers to the entirety of the ring (without the stone) and it can be plain or set with gemstones, or diamonds of your choice.

    Side stones

    Simply put, side stones refer to any other diamonds or gemstones in the ring that are not the centre stone.

    Shoulder

    The shoulders are the sides of the mount and lead up to the ‘Head; shoulders are sometimes set with stones.

    Head

    This is the setting that holds the diamond or gemstone.

    Claws

    Claws or ‘Claw Set’ refers to a popular type of stone setting style. A claw is an individual piece of metal, bent over the top to keep the gemstones or diamonds in place.

    Tips

    Tips refer to the very top of the claws, which are bent over the diamond or gemstone As claws are usually susceptible to wear and tear, they sometimes need to be re-tipped or rebuilt by a professional and expert Goldsmith. If the claws have been particularly worn down, it may be recommended to put a complete new head on the ring.  It is advisable to have your jewellery regularly inspected by a good working Goldsmith. Read more here for jewellery restoration.

    Rub Setting

    Rub setting or rub-over setting is an alternative to claw setting where the stone is completely encased by metal; gold or platinum, or can be partly encased ie half rub set.

    The gallery

    The gallery refers to the part of the ring that is visible from the side, just under where the gemstone or diamond is set.

    Band

    Otherwise known as the shank this is simply the part that wraps around the finger and will be sized for a perfect fit.

  • The History of The Engagement Ring: 1900s to Today

    The History of The Engagement Ring: 1900s to Today

    The giving and receiving of an engagement ring is a serious milestone in your relationship. Although ancient Egyptian mummies have been discovered with metal bands on the third finger of their left hand, the first recorded proposal with a diamond ring was in 1477, and by the end of the 19th century, engagement rings set with the best gemstone that the groom could afford were a regular sign of a couple’s intent to marry. However, just as with fashion, trends in engagement rings have varied drastically over the years and engagement rings are no exception.

    1900’s

    At the start of the 1900’s, the majority of brides-to-be that received engagement rings were members of the upper class. The most popular style was a simple band of gold, set with a European cut diamond or similar precious stone.

    1920’s

    Engagement rings in the 1920’s were reflective of the Edwardian style. The bands were larger and designed with intricate and ornate filigree metalwork that looked very much like lace. The stones were still predominantly round, European cut and added an elegant sparkle to the extremely glamorous design.

    1930’s

    By the 1930’s engagement rings had evolved to embrace larger, geometric, art deco styles that were popular in the period. Although round stones were still the most popular, they were set in unusual ways and often surrounded by other semi-precious stones.

    1940’s

    Metal rationing during WWII meant that engagement rings were often made of lower quality metals, but 1947 saw the rebirth of the diamond as the premier choice of stone for engagement rings thanks to a marketing campaign by South-African-based cartel De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd (now known as De Beers). Their slogan ‘a diamond is forever’ marketed diamonds as an unbreakable symbol of love, highlighted them as worn by celebrities and the elite classes, and pushed the popularity of diamonds off the scale for the remainder of the century.

    1950’s

    White gold and platinum made a reappearance in the 1950’s, with round solitaires continuing their reign of popularity. This time however, side stones added to the wow-factor and reflected much of the glamour that was seen on the big screen during this decade.

    1960’s

    The 1960’s saw the emergence of a variety of new shapes of stone. Pear marquise, heart-shaped and emerald cut diamonds were in abundance, as well as some elaborate settings all within predominantly yellow gold bands.

    1970’s

    Yellow gold continued to be the metalwork of choice for engagement rings in the 1970’s, but designers chose to ramp up the glitz and quantity almost always took precedence over quality. Large radiant cut diamonds surrounded by a whole heap of smaller gemstones were very popular, as were flower-shaped clusters.

    1980’s

    The 1980’s saw white gold and platinum becoming just as desirable as yellow gold again. Round stones maintained their popularity, often enhanced with rectangular baguettes on the sides. However, the 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds and set in 18-carat white gold worn by Princess Diana when she became engaged to Prince Charles set an immediate trend and coloured stones with similar settings soon flew out of jeweller’s stores and onto the fingers of the upper and middle classes.

    1990’s

    Radiant-cut diamonds regained popularity in the 1990’s, and many were paired with triangular shaped stones on either side of them, creating a rather geometrical and modern style. White gold and platinum bands complimented the look.

    2000’s

    Taking a nod from the style of the eternity ring, in the 2000’s princess cut diamonds on a white-gold or platinum band of smaller stones was the classy yet bling-without-being-brash, engagement ring that grooms-to-be were seeking.

    2010’s

    So far this decade we have coloured stones making a serious comeback thanks to their appearance among celebrity couples. The Duchess of Cambridge is now wearing Princess Diana’s famed sapphire, and other notable figures have made yellow and pink diamonds, rubies and emeralds extremely sought-after. There are no rules when it comes to the gold, although white-gold and platinum are still viewed as more contemporary when it comes to styling.

    The Future

    Notable public figures and celebrities seem set to inspire some of the trends in engagement rings in the future, but there is one underlying desire that overshadows them – the need for uniqueness. Couples of today are seeking engagement rings that profess their love in a completely unique way and one that reflects their style and personality. Whether it is a twist on a classic design, an unusual choice of gemstone or a custom-created bespoke jewellery piece, we can expect to see an entire plethora of contemporary, vintage and blended engagement ring styles over the coming years.

  • Promise Rings

    Promise Rings

    What is a promise ring?

    The last decade or two has seen the rise of a new form of ring in American culture which is slowly crossing to the UK: the promise ring.

    There is no exact definition of what a promise ring is, as its meaning varies depending on who is wearing it and what the giver and wearer wants it to stand for. However, for the majority of couples, a promise ring is used as a symbol of love and commitment.

    In many cases, a promise ring is worn as a pre-engagement ring, and this is particularly true in the case of many young couples, for whom an official engagement may be inappropriate or unwelcome. Many people view it as the stepping stone between simply dating and becoming engaged to be married, as it acts as a physical symbol of the relationship. That said, many modern couples who have no interest in marriage instead opt for a promise ring as a sign of love and dedication to one another. Those who are in relationships following a previous marriage may also wish to make a sign of commitment to their new partner without the need for marriage, and a promise ring is a meaningful way to do this.

    Where is it worn?

    There are no hard and fast rules for how a promise ring should be worn, but the majority of unmarried people tend to wear them on the third finger of the left hand, in other words the ‘ring finger’. Those who are married, or get married at a later date often wear their promise ring on the third finger of their right hand. However, some people choose not to wear them on their hands at all and instead opt to wear them on a chain around their neck.

    Who can wear a promise ring?

    While promise rings are typically exchanged between people who are in a physical relationship with one another, there are an increasing number being exchanged between people in other types of relationships. This includes friends and family, where the wearers make a different type of commitment to one another.

    I want to give my loved one a promise ring. Do I need to get down on one knee?

    No – unless you really feel the need to! The proposal is a large part of what makes an engagement so special, so if you are planning on getting engaged at some point, we would suggest you avoid the bended knee at the time of giving a promise ring! Most promise rings are given as a gift around birthday, Christmas or Valentine’s day and are accompanied by a conversation about your commitment to one another.

    What style of ring should I buy?

    When it comes to choosing a promise ring, there is no set or acceptable style. Try and pick something that reflects your personality, and of course something that your loved one will find beautiful! You could even custom-design something so that you can give a promise of your commitment that is truly unique.

    If you plan on eventually becoming engaged then you should avoid any styles that are similar to an engagement ring, or those that would detract from it.

    Whether it is a lover, a family member or a friend, make the promise of love and commitment with a promise ring, a gift that can be treasured forever.