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With the focus so often on the centre stone, the engagement ring’s band is often the unsung hero. Interestingly, this outlook began to shift when Taylor Swift unveiled her engagement ring on Instagram last summer. There are many thoughtful details to love about Swift’s ring, including its elongated antique diamond; a choice that would suggest she shares my appreciation of historical stones that give new life to what’s already above ground. For me, however, the most meaningful detail of all is the engraved band itself.
Whilst it’s tricky to see in the photos shared by Taylor, the gold band was reportedly hand-engraved with personalised motifs that hold special meaning for the couple, including Taylor’s initials. With a distinctly vintage feel, this intimate detail is a nod to a time when jewels were crafted by the human hand and held the fingerprints of the people who made them.
It’s a request I hear more and more often from my clients - a desire to weave personal sentiments into the details. People are once again seeking rings that look and feel like theirs - not cookie-cutter designs, but keepsakes. Through the years I’ve designed many engraved wedding bands and engagement rings for Lebrusan Studio, and no two have ever been the same. Hand-adorned by our master engraver Darren in London’s historic Hatton Garden, Lebrusan Studio’s signature designs mostly bear organic nature-inspired motifs or Art Nouveau-style scrolls – but my archive of bespoke commissions also showcases custom engravings of geographic coordinates, initials, dates and symbols.
Hand engraving is one of the jewellery trade’s oldest remaining art forms - a tradition passed from craftsperson to craftsperson, one generation to the next. Under a microscope, our engraver Darren works with tools known as gravers - no larger than a pencil nib - to carve intricate scrolls, vines and flowers in precious metal. When we first began offering hand-engraved engagement rings and wedding bands over a decade ago, our hope was to revive the ancient art of hand-engraving and establish conversation around the importance of upholding traditional craftsmanship. It’s been so rewarding to see slow, deliberate artisanship become synonymous with Lebrusan Studio and to welcome couples excited to rediscover the time-honoured beauty of intricate, considered details.
At Lebrusan Studio, we practice slow jewellery; thoughtfully creating pieces with active purpose. That’s why seeing someone like Taylor Swift sporting a ring hand-engraved with such personal details feels important to us. In an increasingly fast-paced world, this choice reminds people that there’s another way - that jewellery crafted slowly and with intention tells stories, embodies values and carries memories.
Laser engraving – hand-engraving’s contemporary counterpart – offers a different kind of beauty. Whilst hand engraving carries the charming irregularities and tactility of the human touch, laser engraving brings crispness and precision. Very occasionally, we’ll call on the laser-engraving technique when a design calls for fine detail and a sense of symmetry that couldn’t be achieved by hand. The result is clean and contemporary; a compelling counterpart to the organic character of hand-engraving. I love that the two approaches can coexist - ancient craftsmanship alongside modern technology - each serving its own purpose in the service of personal storytelling.
When imagining an engagement ring or wedding band, there are many reasons to choose an engraved band. For some, it’s an opportunity to solidify a special memory in precious metal; for others, it’s about wearing their values by championing the cultural heritage of ancient jewellery craft techniques. Whatever your reason, I’m thrilled more people are discovering that an engagement ring’s power isn’t all in the rock that sits atop it. Love, thought and artistry can live within much finer details.
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Love, Arabel & Team
It's possible to embrace the beautiful materials that Mother Nature offers us without harming our beautiful planet. By asking questions, simplifying supply chains and sharing our knowledge with the world, we can achieve this balance.
