Key Takeaways
- Range: independent jewellers work in smaller batches, so you are less likely to see your partner's ring on someone else's hand.
- Customisation: at Vinny & Charles you can start from any ring in our range and adapt it with us.
- Sourcing: ask every jeweller where the metal and stones come from. We use recycled gold and lab-grown stones, and we plant five trees with every order.
- Aftercare: every ring we make is backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.
Why Independent Jewellers Are Worth Considering
Choosing an engagement ring, whether as a couple or as a surprise, is one of the most exciting moments in life. Where you buy it can make the experience even more special, so in this guide we make the case for independent jewellers over large commercial retailers.
We are independent jewellers in Perth, a husband and wife team who design and make every ring ourselves. Our customers have left 546 reviews, and our engagement rings in Perth show our style before we go further.
Mass-Produced vs Small-Batch Handcrafted Production Standards
This ring will be worn every day, so it needs to be meaningful and something to enjoy looking at. A big retailer tends to focus on what is popular, which often means single diamond solitaire rings, and that raises the chance of a ring that friends or family already own.
We are not bashing solitaires, but they are not everyone's style. A smaller jeweller will often create rings largely by hand and in smaller batches, which is how we work, so our customers can choose a timeless style instead of a trend they may tire of.
- Made in-house: every step of the jewellery making process happens in our own workshop.
- Made to order: each piece is handcrafted after you order, and we ask you to allow 2 to 3 weeks.
- Solid metals only: we use solid gold and silver, never plated base metals or gold fills.
- Hand finished details: many designs feature hand engraving, and we can add up to 10 characters to many ring designs.
The Customisation Advantage: Working Direct With the Artisan Designer
If a ring is still not quite right within a wide range of styles, a custom service is the answer. Our custom engagement ring online service lets customers choose any one of our ring styles as a base, and we work with them to craft something unique to their love story.
Whether a couple arrives with ideas ready or not, we put passion into learning about them. This is how a custom ring works with us:
- Share your ideas: send us your design through our custom design form or get in touch.
- Review your design: we can mock up 3D models as the design develops, so you see the ring before we make it.
- We make it: custom jewellery takes 4 to 6 weeks to produce in our workshop.
- Pay in two parts: 50% is paid as a deposit and the rest is paid when your piece is complete.
One customer, Joshua Fairman, said Melody "went above and beyond in the creation of the ring" and "she even sent 3D models of the ring during the process to ensure I was satisfied."
Supply Chain Transparency: Ethical Stone Sourcing and Recycled Metals
As more people become aware of the difficult history of diamonds and other popular mined gemstones, a traditional diamond engagement ring is losing its sparkle. Independent jewellers can often pivot faster and respond to customer preferences like this, which is why we offer rings that match modern values.
Treating the environment well is one of our main goals, and our ethical practices shape every ring. In practice, that looks like this:
- Recycled gold: we use recycled metals and aim to use 100% recycled gold.
- Lab-grown stones: we design with lab-grown gemstones and diamonds, and any natural diamonds follow the Kimberley Process.
- Five trees per order: we plant five trees through Greenspark with every order, and a customer review adds another five.
- Small batches: making to order means we are not wasting materials.
Personalised Customer Care: Long-Term Maintenance and Warranty Support
With a smaller jeweller each customer is treated as an individual, not a number. We would rather provide a timeless reflection of love that can become a family heirloom, which is why we back every ring with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.
Use these questions to compare any jeweller, and see how we answer them:
| Question to ask | Our answer at Vinny & Charles |
|---|---|
| Who makes the ring? | We design and make every piece ourselves in our Perth workshop. |
| What does the warranty cover? | Manufacturing defects for life, plus one free yearly routine inspection, cleaning and polishing. |
| Is a ring size adjustment included? | Every purchase includes one free ring size adjustment. The customer covers shipping to and from our workshop. |
| What metals are used? | Solid gold, never plated base metals or gold fills. |
Fair Pricing and Where Your Money Goes
We are not going to say smaller jewellers do not make a profit, because all businesses need cashflow to survive. A large chain has to maintain multiple physical stores, lots of staff and often please shareholders on top of making a profit, and those costs are built into the price of a ring.
A small studio like ours puts the cost of a ring into the materials and the making. Here is what we include:
- Quality materials: solid gold and carefully chosen gemstones, with no cheap imitations.
- Free shipping: every order ships free with express tracked delivery.
- Flexible payment: pay a 50% deposit with the rest on completion, or use Afterpay if you are an Australian customer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are independent jewellers more expensive than big retailers?
Not necessarily. Price depends on the metal, the stone and the amount of handwork involved. At Vinny & Charles every ring is made to order in our workshop from solid gold, and we are happy to quote on any design or custom idea before a customer commits, so prices compare like for like.
Can an independent jeweller make a custom engagement ring?
Yes. We make custom engagement and wedding rings from a couple's own ideas or from any design in our range. Custom jewellery takes 4 to 6 weeks to produce, and we can share 3D models as the design develops so the ring can be seen before it is made.
What warranty do you offer on an engagement ring?
Our lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects and includes one free yearly routine inspection, cleaning and polishing. It does not cover normal wear and tear, accidental damage, theft or lost centre stones. We also recommend adding the ring to a household contents insurance policy.
Can I buy an engagement ring from an independent jeweller online?
Yes. Every order ships free with express tracked delivery. Australian orders go by Australia Post Express and generally arrive in 2 to 5 business days, while international orders go by DHL Express in about 2 to 7 days. Buyers pay any customs and duties on overseas orders.
Browse Our Engagement Rings or Design Your Own
If you are ready to break away from the big chains and enjoy a better experience, browse our engagement rings and add the one you love to your cart. We also make custom designs, so tell us what we can create.
Prefer to talk it through first? Call us on +61 8 6323 8494 to make an appointment with Melody and Chris. As Steve Wilkinson told us after his custom ring, "Great value for money and quality."
