Three reasons why you should customise your engagement ring, according to GIOIA Fine Jewellery
In a world of mass-produced designs, Singapore-based GIOIA Fine Jewellery is carving its own niche through personalised and customised creations. From red-carpet-ready jewellery to handcrafted engagement rings, each of GIOIA’s items has a story to tell and is a masterpiece for both the designer and the wearer.
“Gioia” is the Italian word for joy, an aptly chosen name for a design brand that brings joy to savvy buyers who wish to express themselves better through their jewellery choices. According to the founders — Cheryl Woon, the designer, and Clarence Yee, the gems advisor and the one responsible for sourcing the rare gems — GIOIA’s mission is to introduce bespoke jewellery to the younger crowd, who would often equate custom jewellery to long production times and hefty price tags.
As the wedding season rolls in, we asked the young designer for three important reasons why brides should opt for a bespoke engagement ring.
1. WEAR YOUR OWN UNIQUE STYLE
“At GIOIA, you don’t just purchase a piece of jewellery. We believe jewellery — most especially engagement rings — should be couture and made to suit your style,” says Cheryl. “Every piece of jewellery brings a personal touch to its wearer. Every item is layered with emotions and stories behind it.”
According to Clarence, bespoke engagement rings are becoming more and more popular these days, and couples are beginning to look beyond diamonds. Rare coloured gems, particularly unheated ones, are finding a niche in the bridal jewellery landscape. “Royal blue sapphires, pigeon blood rubies, and Paraiba tourmalines are fast becoming the new symbols of love — and every bride can easily find the perfect stone that suits her personality,” he shares.
Among the rare gemstones in the brand’s collections is the Paraiba tourmaline. “Known for its vivid colour and rarity, this stone, which originates from Brazil and Mozambique, is extremely rare and can cost three times more than a diamond,” adds Clarence. But despite its high value, GIOIA is able to keep price at a competitive level, as it directly sources the rough gems from the mines.
“We believe jewellery — most especially engagement rings — should be couture and made to suit the wearer’s style”
– Cheryl Woon, Co-Founder of GIOIA
2. ENJOY THE PROCESS OF CREATION TOGETHER
“Customisation gives you and your fiancé an opportunity to be involved in the selection of the centre stone as well as the design setting. There’s no better way to ensure the purchase of the perfect ring for your loved one than to involve them in the process.”
The design-to-manufacture process takes around four to six weeks. It starts with the selection of the gem, a discussion on the design of the ring, the production of a sketch, and then the actual manufacture. “For complicated designs and not just simple prongs setting, we use 3D rendering to have a better prospective of the design and the gems positioning. But, of course, this will take longer,” explains Clarence.
As for bespoke designs, Cheryl adds: “There are many options available, and there’s no hard and fast rule in the world of customised jewellery or wedding bands. By spending time to create the ideal ring for the love of your life, the whole journey will bring a much heightened sentimental value and leave you and your partner with more memories to last a lifetime.”
“By spending time to create the ideal ring for the love of your life, the whole journey will leave you and your partner with more memories to last a lifetime”
– Cheryl Woon, Co-Founder of GIOIA
3. ENSURE BETTER QUALITY/VALUE FOR MONEY
By being involved in the selection of the gem, the design process, and through to the final creation, you make sure you get what you pay for.
“A bespoke design experience is far more superior than picking an item that many other people will wear,” Cheryl shares. “We believe that the joy of having jewellery, especially an engagement ring, starts well before you actually put it on.”
Clients can provide a price range for GIOIA to work with, quips Clarence, explaining the added advantage of customisation. “Customising a ring for your special one is never as complicated or expensive as you think it is. In fact, handcrafted jewellery is of better quality and more durable compared to mass-produced ones,” he adds.
“Handcrafted jewellery is of better quality and more durable compared to mass-produced ones”
– Clarence Yee, Co-Founder of GIOIA
