Handcrafted Wedding Rings: This is Where You Find The Most Unique, Bespoke and Creative in Cape Town

You’ll fall in love with Cape Diamonds’ Fynbos Range of engagement rings, inspired by the rare beauty of the Cape floral kingdom

Princess Pincushion? Disa Orchid? Stunning Strelitzia? It’s rare to find an engagement ring as unique as the beautiful Cape Fynbos. Until you visit Cape Diamonds – an artisan studio that specialises in creating bespoke, handcrafted jewellery from its creative workshop in Greenpoint.

WHERE TRADITIONAL ROOTS MEET MODERN THINKING

Rare, exclusive and unique to Cape Town, you could say Cape Diamond’s Cape Fynbos Range of engagement rings is a symbol for the Cape Diamond studio itself – a space where traditional roots and modern design come together to create something of rare beauty that you can’t help staring at it. Or taking the next step and placing an order.

Like the beautiful floral designs, the Cape Fynbos plant kingdom is unique to Cape soils and will stand the test of time, like any good relationship. And that is something Cape Diamonds believe is worth setting in stone and platinum, gold or palladium, the house specialities.

 IN EXPERT HANDS WITH MASTER CRAFTSMAN, JOEL GRAHAM

Cape Diamonds are not the new kids on the block nor are they interested in mass producing rings with machines. They are designers and craftsmen who have mastered the art of creating engagement rings as special as the relationships they bring to the altar.

Joel Graham is the hands and heart behind Cape Diamonds. Having grown up in Hogsback in the Eastern Cape, surrounded by indigenous forest, it’s not hard to see where Joel’s inspiration comes from or why his designs often resemble rare and beautiful flora.

Trained in both new and ancient jewellery techniques such as reposé, hand engraving, anticlastic raising, and pavé setting, Joel has spent the last 18 years honing and perfecting his craft.

He brings a wealth of knowledge and skills from his days working at The Fine Jewellery Room at Harrods in London, and hand-manufacturing designs for Barbara Tipple, herself a record-breaking winner of four De Beers International Jewellery Design Awards. It’s no wonder Anglo Platinum recently invited Joel to lecture on platinum and handmade jewellery techniques, where he inspired the fourth year students at Stellenbosch University.

BIG DAY, BIG CHOICE

Being a relationship-driven business, Joel and his team understand that an engagement ring is an emotional, as much as a financial, investment. They understand that the process can also be very overwhelming, especially for the groom who needs to decide on the cut, metal and setting, and all within a specific budget.

This is where Joel and his team really shine, offering invaluable information and expert advice that can mean the difference between getting a “yes” or “no”. Cape Diamonds has thousands of diamonds and cuts to choose from but it’s really their ability to match the perfect setting to the perfect couple that always makes them a hit.

And, if designing a ring from scratch isn’t your idea of relaxing or romantic, their exclusive designer ranges cater for all tastes and budgets. From Soul rings, which offer maximum diamond visibility in a sleek, elegant setting, to the Trilogy three stone engagement ring and the classic solitaire rings, there is a ring for every hand and relationship.

HOW TO BUY A RING IN SOUTH AFRICA

• Make sure you buy Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certified diamonds – this certifies the diamond’s clarity, colour, cut, shape and size or diamond carat. No certificate, no guarantee.

• Check for unique serial numbers – at Cape Diamonds, these are laser etched into the girdle of the gemstone. Each serial number is unique to that gemstone and links the diamonds to an equally unique GIA certificate. If there is no serial number, the seller can easily supply a fake certificate.

• Does your gemstone carry the Kimberley Certificate? – this certificate guarantees that your diamond is sourced from a conflict-free country. All gemstones from Cape Diamonds carry this certificate.

• Ask if the studio is registered with the Jewellery Council of South Africa – all reputable studios, like Cape Diamonds, will be registered with this council, as well as have an account with the GIA. Beware of studios that are not.

To learn more, go on a free diamond tour.
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Time to tie the knot? See our guide to planning a memorable wedding in Cape Town.

Still need to pop the question? Check out these date-night ideas and places to buy a gift for your sweetheart.

See even more things to do for couples in the city and loads of cool romantic gift ideas, too.

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