Guldsmederna will help you find your dream ring

Bröllopsguiden asked a number of leading jewellers to share their top tips.

Even the ancient Egyptians exchanged ‘love rings’, plaited from hemp and reeds. Our tradition of wearing wedding rings stems more from Roman law, where the ring was used as confirmation of a contract. In the Church of Sweden’s current marriage ceremony, the ring has the same significance; it is part of the ceremony. However, most people who have a civil wedding also choose to wear a ring. And these days, we like to celebrate love with slightly more precious materials: gold and gemstones. Choosing a wedding ring can be a challenge. It should suit you and your lifestyle, and you’ll be wearing it every day. A golden tip is to consult an expert.

The goldsmith

Under the goldsmith’s skilled hands, gold, gemstones and pearls are transformed into exclusive pieces of jewellery that will last for eternity. Every goldsmith has their own individual style and design, but what they all have in common is that they listen carefully to you and what you, as a customer, want. To create the piece of jewellery that suits you perfectly, they want to understand who you are. We’ve spoken to six goldsmiths in Sweden and asked them for their best advice for you when choosing rings.

Jewellery by Jenny

“Think quality – you’ll be wearing your ring every day”

Jenny Fors Gentele has goldsmithing and design in her DNA.

– My grandfather started in the trade in 1932. My father then followed in his footsteps, and I in his. But goldsmithing has been in the family for generations, dating back as far as 1806. At the age of just 14, Jenny designed her first piece of jewellery, and since then a clean, simple style with a feminine touch has emerged. When she creates a piece of jewellery based on a customer’s wishes, she designs it using CAD.

‘It produces photorealistic images, which means that both I and the customer can feel confident that we’ve understood each other,’ explains Jenny.

What’s your best advice when it comes to choosing a wedding ring?

– The ring shouldn’t just be beautiful to look at, but should also be practical for everyday life! Choose a high-quality ring that can withstand daily wear and tear. A goldsmith knows what kind of wear and tear a wedding ring should be able to withstand and can guide you in your choice.

Do you see any trends when it comes to wedding rings?

– I seem to be seeing more and more people choosing to have older pieces of jewellery – whether they’ve been passed down or are simply not being worn – remade. It’s a sensible choice for both the environment and your wallet, and it’s very much in vogue!

Tell us about a wedding ring that was a challenge to create

– It’s always a challenge when a customer has older pieces of jewellery they’d like to have remade or reused in their wedding ring. It’s incredibly rewarding to work with the customer to design a ring where older jewellery becomes part of their love story.

More about Jewellery by Jenny

www.jewellerybyjenny.se

Guldshop

“Remember that your ring should last a lifetime”

Guldshop in Höganäs is like a Kinder Egg, full of surprises. Here, in-house designs sit alongside jewellery from renowned designers – and, of course, Guldshop’s goldsmiths can create exactly the ring you want. The rings are handmade in their own workshop.

– “Over the years, we’ve brought thousands of ideas to life and created personalised rings,” says Mikael Gibrand, goldsmith, head designer and CEO of Guldshop.

What’s your top tip when it comes to choosing a wedding ring?

– Bear in mind that it needs to withstand everyday wear and tear. It’s worth choosing a sturdy ring, as thin rings set with stones don’t hold up as well over time.

– Choosing a gold ring is also a good idea, in case you need to have it resized at some point in the future. Finger sizes change over the years, and certain metals, such as platinum and titanium, are more difficult to resize.

– We also resize many wedding and engagement rings; this is very popular amongst couples who have been married for many years. Here, too, it’s worth bearing in mind that it’s easier to make alterations if you’ve chosen gold for your rings.

Tell us about a ring that was a real challenge to create

– I’d say – all of them! Every customer is unique, and creating a ring that suits them perfectly is an exciting challenge. That’s also what brings the greatest joy.

More about Guldshop:

www.guldshop.com/

Linn Olivia Jewellery & Art

“Choose a ring that reflects your personality”

The ‘White Swan’ really sparkles – a white gold ring featuring a large oval-cut diamond, surrounded by smaller brilliant-cut diamonds. The ring, a so-called carmosé ring (or half-ring, as it’s also commonly known), is characteristic of the goldsmith and designer

Linn Osgood: a classically elegant beauty with a modern twist. Linn is also a talented sculptor and artist – and a good listener. “To create a personalised ring, I need to understand the customer’s wishes,” explains Linn.

What is your best advice when choosing a wedding ring?

– To choose a ring that stands the test of time, with a timeless design that reflects your personality and will last forever. Trends are all well and good, but I want a piece of jewellery to last for generations. Goldsmithing is a living craft that not only results in beautiful objects, but also in pieces that carry a deeper meaning.

What trends do you see?

– I don’t follow trends that closely, but I do seem to be seeing more delicate jewellery with diamonds and gemstones that reflect nature. I’m also noticing that more people want to use recycled or inherited gold and diamonds in their jewellery and rings, and that it’s becoming increasingly common to choose something more unique and to dare to add a touch of colour – which I think is particularly lovely.

Tell us about a wedding ring you remember in particular

– Oh, that’s a difficult one to answer! I’d say that every ring is a unique challenge, as I always tailor my work to the individual customer.

More about Linn: @linnolivia_jewellery_art

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Guldhuset

“Start thinking about your wedding ring as soon as you get engaged”

Guldhuset has fifty years’ experience of engagement and wedding rings. At Guldhuset Bronsil in Munktorp, they know what they’re talking about.

“We’ve created rings in every conceivable style and design,” says goldsmith Björn Arvidsson with a laugh. “We often make rings from gold that the customer has inherited – something that holds sentimental value for the person who will wear it.”

What’s your best advice when choosing a wedding ring?

– To start thinking about it as soon as you’re engaged. The rings need to go together; for example, think about matching the height of the rings.

– A wedding ring is also meant to be worn every day. It’s worth considering just how much a stone might actually ‘stick out’, without the ring becoming impractical.

Do you see any trends?

– Customers have become a bit more thrifty and aren’t splashing out as much. Wedding rings these days aren’t just made of gold and diamonds; rings are being made from other, cheaper materials because gold is so expensive. But there are now more options available as synthetic diamonds have become more popular. They’re a cheaper alternative. Another growing trend is that people are spending more on the engagement ring than on the wedding ring.

What is the biggest challenge in designing a wedding ring?

– Every wedding ring is a challenge in itself. Understanding the customer’s thoughts and ideas and transforming them into the ring they’ve always wanted – or perhaps even making it even better – is both exciting and challenging!

More about Guldhuset

www.guldhuset.se

Goldringsly

“Let your imagination run wild, but also bear in mind that your dream ring should last forever.” Not everyone has the opportunity to visit a jeweller’s workshop – so it’s lucky that the internet exists. The newly launched online service Goldringsly makes it easier to buy unique, high-quality jewellery online.

– “We want to combine the simplicity of online shopping with the trust you feel when buying in-store. All our jewellery is crafted in Swedish workshops by skilled goldsmiths with many years’ experience,” explains Jeremy Son, goldsmith and founder of Goldringsly.

– Whether you choose to email or ring us, you’ll be speaking to real people – not robots. You can also speak directly to our goldsmiths, all so that we can help you find the right ring for you and your budget.

So what should you bear in mind when choosing your dream ring?

– It should last forever. It mustn’t be too thin, as that makes it fragile. Even though thin, delicate rings might be fashionable or on-trend, you need to bear in mind that it has to stand up to everyday wear and tear. But let your imagination run wild too! Choose a ring that no one else has. Why not opt for a coloured gemstone instead of a diamond? New techniques are also opening up a whole new world of design.

Do you see any trends when it comes to wedding rings?

– Wedding rings have become much narrower in recent years. At the same time, people want more stones in their wedding and engagement rings – for example, an eternity ring as an engagement ring and a solitaire ring with side stones as the wedding ring, to match the engagement ring. The trend previously was for much wider rings with small stones or no stones at all.

More about Goldringsly

www.goldringsly.se

Kristina Johansson, KJ Design

“Dare to be personal – and keep your budget in mind”

Do you have a soft spot for functionalist design, classic halo settings, abstract shapes or raw power? Do you like coloured gemstones? Diamonds? These are just some of the questions you’ll be asked when you consult master goldsmith Kristina Johansson at KJ Design.

“I want as much information as possible so that I can tailor the design to you as a person. Do you have long fingers, or short ones? Everyone is different, and every detail matters. As soon as you step into my studio, I start looking for the design that suits you best,” she explains.

What should you bear in mind when choosing rings?

– Your budget is important – think carefully about how much you’re willing to spend on the rings. Handcrafted pieces naturally cost more than mass-produced ones, but the price also depends on whether you’re buying all the materials or if you have your own gold that can be used for the jewellery. The price of gold is high at the moment, and if you don’t have any old gold to use, the cost will be at least 15,000–20,000 for a handmade ring. Kristina has a particular flair for coloured gemstones, and when she creates freely, the result is often striking jewellery featuring plenty of stones. She prioritises unique personal style over trends – and advises you to do the same.

– Choose the wedding ring you personally like – don’t follow fashion or what others think. Whatever the style, I think the ring should be personal, preferably with a distinctive design. Why not let it reflect both you and the two of you as a couple? After all, you’re the one who’ll be loving your ring for the rest of your life.

More about KJ Design:

www.kjdesign.nu