Creating bespoke wedding rings through guidance from The Perth Mint
Diving into bespoke jewellery
Showcasing love in physical form can be something as simple as gifting a red rose or a hug, but both are universal, so how can a couple show their unique love story on a wedding day? Well, it all starts with the engagement ring. Join Western Australia Wedding & Bride’s Alice O’Brien as she speaks with Michael Falocco, FGAA, specialist and jewellery designer from The Perth Mint, on why couples should be placing importance on bespoke wedding jewellery designs.
Written by Alice O’Brien
UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING BEHIND THE WORD BESPOKE
The idea of specifically seeking a bespoke wedding may feel unnecessary to some, as ultimately a wedding is a couple’s own, solely because it’s their love. But if we look closely at weddings, the rhythm of one is very similar to the next, even down to having the shade of a wedding cake being an almost predictable white. So, couples want to make the universal wedding rhythm more personal and truly reflective of who they are.
“[A bespoke wedding] is shaped around a couple’s personal story rather than trends,” Falocco explains.
“It’s often more intentional, with meaningful choices across the day, from the ceremony style, venue and guest lists.”
A more subtle hint towards personal wedding choices and almost only for the couple’s sake is opting for bespoke engagement and wedding rings. There’s an extension of weighted symbolism on these rings, as they’ll become the physical embodiment of a couple’s shared loving commitment to forever.
“A bespoke ring is designed from the ground up to reflect a couple’s style, story and life … clients choose the metal, setting, gemstones and explore details that make the piece uniquely theirs,” Falocco says.
The Perth Mint, with in-house jewellery designers, caters to this need with luxury jewellery, highlighting the natural beauty of gold, diamonds and rare gemstones. These rings are deeply considered, not ready-made pieces. Reflecting on working with couples to create custom pieces, Falocco fondly recalls an “international couple who had lived all over the world but happened to spend a short chapter of their lives in Perth, where they fell in love, and wanted their wedding bands to reflect their journey,” and from this love story, rings featuring contrasting “refined platinum with natural textures of the nuggets became a meaningful representation of their journey and the place where their story began.”
THE RING MAY BE OLD, BUT IT’S TIMELESS
For some, a wedding ring is passed down from generation to generation, from the hands of grandmothers to grandsons to soon be placed on the wedding finger of a loved one. An heirloom ring is an easy bespoke touch; metal which embodies family stories, traditions and memories while carrying the same material worth. The Perth Mint team know the emotional weight of an heirloom piece and for Falocco “curation starts with understanding the sentimental value of each piece,” and assesses whether to “restore, [or] reinterpret it.”
“Blending historical influences with modern design allows couples to honour tradition while still creating something fresh and personal,” Falocco says.
Even for couples without heirloom rings, the need for bespoke design still leans on drawing inspiration from the past to add both depth and a touch of character to jewellery.
“Antique cuts from periods such as Art Deco, Victorian and Edwardian offer a softer, more romantic appearance,” Falocco explains.
Antique rings are known for angular halos, floral carvings and round symmetry. These antique elements can act as a vintage inspiration guide for couples. Especially for those who want rings that speak more directly to a unique taste, instead of just following modern day trend.
THE PERTH MINT WEDDING COLLECTION
The team at The Perth Mint not only understand bespoke jewellery designs, but also the trends resonating with wedded couples. This in-touch knowledge is reflected in their recently introduced collection: The Old Mine Cut Collection. This collection was, for Falocco, “inspired by heritage diamond craftsmanship and designed to provide an heirloom feel for modern couples.” It’s a collection with intentional thought behind its introduction.
“Designed inhouse by The Perth Mint in collaboration with renowned jeweller Glajz and crafted in eighteen carat Australian Origin Gold™ the collection features GIA certified Old Mine Cut natural diamonds and encompasses earrings, a necklace, a bezel-set ring and a trilogy ring,” Falocco explains.
Originally cut by hand, Old Mine Cut diamonds emanate a soft, romantic and warm glow truly individual in their gentle asymmetry and vintage character, creating the heart of this collection.
BEGINNING YOUR OWN BESPOKE JOURNEY
Capture the bespoke inspired feeling running through your veins and harness it by working side by side with the expert team at The Perth Mint. Offering private appointments, the team gives undivided attention to couples, giving the space for design exploration, turning the experience into a memorable journey of ring curation.
“Understanding aspects such as gemstone cuts, precious metal type and provenance and design structure helps couples make choices aligned with what matters most to them,” Falocco adds.
For many couples, knowing where their metals come from matters just as much as the design itself. The Perth Mint takes this seriously, proudly offering Australian Origin Gold™ which, Falocco says, is “responsibly sourced and has traceability protocols that the gold has been entirely mined in Australia,” a choice that lets couples align their values with one of the most personal purchases they’ll ever make.
Allow your wedding to be yours. Take the time to understand how a planning choice will reflect your relationship on your wedding day. But before this planning journey even begins, add personal touches to the ring which will spark the new chapter of your shared lives.
Images courtesy of The Perth Mint