What does a jewellery artist choose for her wedding band?

My lovely man and I have eventually tied the knot! 2020 will hardly go down in history as the best year for weddings, but our tiny ceremony was just for us and maybe all the more special for that. We will celebrate in a more spectacular style some time in the future.

As for wedding bands - well, obviously they were up to me to produce. Rich hasn’t even worn a ring before and he’s genuinely excited about it! You know that I’m texture mad and I like a statement, but funnily enough I don’t actually like lots of shine on my own jewellery. We decided to link our 2 gold rings by having a similar texture on both, but mine is hugely blinged-up by the addition of diamonds that I reclaimed from old-fashioned jewellery. The finished pieces have been very gently rubbed over rather than polished to enhance the pattern of the texture.

I captured some of the process in pictures - from the initial piece of wax through to the final set piece. The bit of the process that you can’t see is the lost-wax casting - I sent the wax masters to my supplier in London who magically casts my carvings into the gold rings. They come back in a fairly rough state that I then tidy and prepare for stone setting.

We are thrilled with them - a symbol of our commitment to each other.

I promise to give you my love and friendship,

To be there for you when you need me the most,

To laugh with you, to cry with you, and to confide in you,

To trust you, to comfort you, and to support you.

All that I have I share with you.

I promise to respect you, and be faithful to you always.

These promises I make for the rest of my life

And I give you this ring as a token of our marriage.