1. Sally Ryder
Sally Ryder is the director of bespoke diamond jeweller Ryder Diamonds, which she founded in 2009. With a passion for the age-old traditions of handcrafted jewellery, Ryder has assembled a team of Hong Kong’s most talented fine jewellery designers and established her brand as a go-to destination for bespoke diamond jewellery pieces.
“The majority of the rings we design for our clients are engagement rings. Often the ring’s recipient isn’t involved in the design process so it’s important that our designers work closely with the client to help them choose a style their partner will love. Our goal is to make each ring totally unique and special, and our attention to detail ensures that we produce a stunning result every time.”
Find out more at ryderdiamonds.com
2. Sarah Zhuang
Sarah Zhuang is an award-winning Hong Kong-based jewellery designer who founded her namesake brand in 2016. Her elegant, youthful and trendy creations, designed to be worn in multiple ways, empower women to express their unique personalities.
“Designing an engagement ring has unique challenges. What might be a grand design in a client’s head may not translate perfectly to the finger. It’s also much harder to design something that’s simple but at the same time special. When I design an engagement ring, I want it to conjure up memories of the client’s partner and their wedding day. I also believe engagement rings should be versatile, offering a simple, classy look for daily wear that can be transformed for a more extravagant look.”
Find out more at sarahzhuang.com
3. Cindy Yeung
Cindy Yeung is the chairperson and CEO of Emperor Watch and Jewellery, a family business founded in 1942. A certified gemstones expert, Yeung is genuinely passionate about jewellery and gemstones. She personally curates the pieces sold in stores and designs pieces for the brand’s L’Atelier Cindy Yeung High Jewellery Collection.
“Unlike fashion or statement rings, an engagement ring is meant to be worn daily, and this to me is an important consideration in my designs. The ring must be comfortable, assuming the wearer almost never takes it off, but at the same time the aesthetic is just as important—it needs to be timeless and defy trends. An engagement ring must also be unique, unconventional, and made with exquisite craftsmanship.”
Find out more at emperorwatchjewellery.com
See also: We Asked: What's Your Proposal Story?
4. Corina Larpin
Born and raised in Romania, Corina Larpin now lives in Geneva, where she runs jewellery design brand Stéfère. A designer driven by passion and instinct, she considers people her main source of inspiration—people she observes in the streets, those she’s met and has shared moments with, and, of course, the people she loves. Among her A-list clients are Elton John, Lady Gaga, Victoria Beckham and Madonna.
“It’s always a challenge to design an engagement ring because it really is more than just a piece jewellery. It’s a token of love and loyalty that will be worn, hopefully, for many decades. It must also suit the taste of the bride-to-be and remain timeless. The ideal engagement ring is discreet, yet remarkable enough to remind the wearer, and others, that he or she is engaged.”
5. Annoushka Ducas