...and 10 Ways to Make Your Engagement Ring Completely Your Own
A bespoke engagement ring is more than a piece of jewellery—it’s the culmination of a journey. At Laher, that journey begins long before a design is drawn or a setting is made. It starts with sourcing an extraordinary gemstone, often from the rugged Australian gemfields, and ends with a ring that’s built around your story.
Here’s how a bespoke Australian sapphire engagement ring comes to life, step by step—and ten ways you can make it truly your own.
Step 1: Sourcing the Rough
It begins with the search. We work directly with trusted miners in Queensland and New South Wales, where some of the world’s most distinctive sapphires are found. In their rough, uncut form, these stones don’t yet sparkle—they look like natural pebbles with hidden potential.
We handpick each piece of rough based on colour zoning, clarity, and shape, often favouring Parti sapphires with their unique blends of blue, green, and gold. Every choice is deliberate: the goal is to find a stone whose natural character will translate beautifully into a finished ring.
Step 2: Deciding on the Cut
The cut transforms a piece of rough into a gemstone. Sometimes we choose traditional shapes like oval or emerald cuts to emphasise clean lines or symmetry. Other times, we opt for freeform cuts that follow the natural shape of the rough, preserving more carat weight and highlighting unique colour zoning.
This is also where we decide how to position the stone’s colours—whether to showcase a bold division between hues or a gradual gradient.
Step 3: The Design Process
Once the stone is cut, we design the setting around it. The gemstone leads the way: its size, proportions, and colour palette guide every decision. We create CAD (computer-aided design) models to perfect proportions, angles, and details before production begins.
This stage is where your personal touches take shape—whether that’s a certain prong style, a band profile, or a subtle design element only you will notice.
Step 4: Crafting the Setting
Our jewellers handcraft the ring in your chosen metal—yellow gold to bring warmth to green and gold tones, platinum or white gold to emphasise cooler blues. Every detail is refined by hand to ensure a perfect fit for the stone and a comfortable, balanced feel on the finger.
Step 5: The Final Polish
Once the stone is set, the ring is polished to bring out the brilliance of both metal and gemstone. It’s checked for structural integrity and finishing before it’s ready for the moment it’s meant for.
10 Ways to Make Your Engagement Ring Completely Your Own
A bespoke process already guarantees individuality—but here are ten ways to make your ring even more personal.
1. Choose a One-of-a-Kind Gemstone
An Australian Parti sapphire ensures no two stones are alike. You can select one with colours or zoning patterns that feel meaningful to you.
2. Custom Engraving
Add a date, initials, or a meaningful phrase inside the band. It’s a discreet way to carry a personal message.
3. Hidden Stones
Set a small diamond, sapphire, or birthstone inside the band where only you’ll know it’s there.
4. Unusual Cuts
Consider a freeform cut or a less common shape like hexagon, kite, or shield for something truly distinctive.
5. Mixed Metals
Blend yellow gold with platinum, or rose gold with white gold, to create subtle contrast and depth.
6. Side Stone Accents
Frame your centre stone with unique side stones—pear shapes, trapezoids, baguettes, or even small Parti sapphires for a cohesive look.
7. Textured Bands
From matte finishes to hand-engraved patterns, a textured band adds tactile interest without overwhelming the stone.
8. Incorporating Heirloom Elements
Melt down family gold or reset heirloom stones to weave heritage into your new design.
9. Custom Prong Styles
Talon, double, or claw prongs can subtly change the mood of the ring—making it look more modern, delicate, or architectural.
10. Colour Pairing
Play with contrast by pairing a Parti sapphire with a halo of white diamonds, or complement warm champagne diamonds with yellow gold for a rich, tonal palette.
The Difference is in the Details
When you commission a bespoke ring, every stage is an opportunity to make it personal. From the moment the rough stone is chosen, you’re shaping something that will exist nowhere else in the world.
For us, a bespoke Australian sapphire engagement ring isn’t just about the final piece—it’s about the journey. It’s about knowing where your stone came from, how it was cut, and why each design choice was made. And when you finally see it on your hand, you’ll know it’s yours—not just in ownership, but in identity.