FAQ

Salt and pepper diamonds are natural diamonds that feature heavy inclusions, such as black or white specks, small internal fractures, and clouds. These inclusions are created by extreme heat and pressure during the diamond's formation. While gemology historically considered them "poor quality," modern bespoke jewellers celebrate them for their unique, smoky, and speckled aesthetic. Because these stones are defined by their internal patterns rather than traditional clarity grades, no two salt and pepper diamonds are ever exactly alike.

Yes, they are entirely real, natural diamonds. If graded on the traditional 4Cs, their clarity would typically sit around the I2 to I3 range. However, the traditional grading system is largely irrelevant for these stones, as buyers choose them specifically for their character and individual appearance rather than standard perfection. They are often cut in vintage styles—such as rose cuts or geometric shapes like kites and hexagons—to best showcase their unique internal patterns rather than maximizing traditional sparkle.

Teal and green sapphires offer a distinctive, colourful alternative to traditional diamonds while retaining the longevity required for an heirloom piece. Green sapphires lean into mint, forest, or olive hues, while teal sapphires sit beautifully between blue and green, often shifting colour depending on the lighting and viewing angle. Both are a variety of the corundum mineral and rank 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This makes them incredibly durable and highly suitable for everyday wear.

Absolutely. Setting a highly characterful centre stone, like a moody teal sapphire or a speckled diamond, within a halo of traditional, sparkling natural diamonds creates incredible visual contrast. Diamond halo settings are specifically designed to enhance the centre stone with added brilliance and can be crafted in platinum or various shades of 18k gold.

Our Made-to-Order rings are existing designs from our core collections that can be fully customised by adapting the metal colour, adding side stones, or choosing your own central stone cut and size. The Bespoke process is for clients who wish to create a completely unique design from scratch. This involves dedicated stone sourcing, design development, and crafting a piece that cannot be achieved by simply adjusting an existing style.

Creating a custom piece of fine jewellery takes time. From the initial consultation to the finished ring, the bespoke process typically requires anywhere from 6 to 14 weeks, depending on the complexity of the design and the rarity of the gemstone. Because each piece is meticulously handcrafted, rush services are generally not available.

The choice of metal dramatically changes the mood of the ring. Platinum provides a cool, architectural edge that highlights blue-green contrasts in teal sapphires; yellow gold amplifies earthy, olive, and mossy notes; and rose gold adds softness and warmth to the overall finish. Our team will guide you through these pairings during your initial consultation to ensure the metal perfectly complements both the stone and the wearer's lifestyle.