Bond Street brides
If you're looking for bridal inspiration, head to Bond Street
in London, where you'll find new engagement rings from the world's
first jewellers. Peruse the latest diamond rings with your partner,
and try them on for size. There is plenty to whet your appetite in
the boutiques that line this famously glitzy thoroughfare.
Start at Tiffany & Co, the most renowned jeweller of
the classic engagement ring, originally introduced in 1886. Genius
Mr Tiffany designed a ring that highlighted brilliant-cut diamonds
by lifting the stone off the band and into the light. The famous
Tiffany Setting ring was born and is still one of the most
sought-after styles in the world today. Other rocks in their bridal
collection include the Lucida ring - a modern design with a square,
mixed-cut diamond; the Tiffany Novo ring, inspired by the shape of
the famous Tiffany Diamond; and my favourite, the Tiffany Legacy, which captures all the
opulence of the Edwardian period with a magnificent stone and
lavish setting. Tiffany prices vary depending on each individual
ring, as no two stones are the same, but expect to pay from £9,000
upwards for the Lucida, Novo or Legacy rings.
If none of those are for you, walk on to the house of Chanel, whose fine
jewellery collection includes a dazzling array of rings made in
18ct white gold (from £600). Look out for the latest set of rings,
the Comete, the Ruban and the Camelia ring, which are all inspired by Coco
Chanel's original 1932 collection, featuring bows, constellations
and the Camelia flower. The rings have been cleverly
reinvented in Chanel's chic signature style. What's not to
want?
Onwards to Louis Vuitton, where house style is also a
theme. Here, pendants and rings are cleverly set with star and
flower-cut diamonds, mirroring the house's monogrammed shapes.
Independent bridal pieces have been launched in several different
collections, including Charmes, Les Ardentes and Empreinte. Expect
to pay around £720 for an Empreinte wedding band to £23,000 for rings in
Les Ardentes collection and £3,400 for the unique bridal envelope charms in The Charmes
collection.
For a touch of movie-star glamour, check out Boucheron's Ava collection (from £4,490), inspired by their
glamorous Hollywood muse Ava Gardner. The rings, in white or yellow
gold, have a modern vintage feel, with a whopping central diamond
surrounded by pave diamonds - totally blingtastic in a charmingly
old-fashioned way!
Men, on the other hand, may prefer the more hardcore Quatre
Black collection, which includes a mix of black and white gold (see
Maria Doulton's piece for more info and
prices). Or, for something even more daring, hotfoot it to Bulgari
to see the Serpenti ring (£8,550), which uses Bulgari's
signature serpent as its inspiration.
Text by Mary Sanderson
