Tel +45 32 20 04 44
design@castens.com
Holbergsgade 19a
1057 Copenhagen K, Denmark
During the artistic design process, we work closely with you and strive to merge your vision with refined craftsmanship to create a new piece of jewellery with a unique character.
We take on a wide range of handmade jewellery projects, so whether you need rings for parties or everyday, engagement rings, bridal sets, wedding rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings or other adventurous jewellery, we are ready to wield the tools and create jewellery for the most important moments in your life.
Many bridal couples wish for their own unique wedding rings. A set of handmade rings that express their completely personal taste and love – that's what they can get from us here at Castens Goldsmiths. But how does the process work?
When we meet over a cup of coffee in the shop (or online), our customers often have a basic idea – for example, they know they want a slightly raw surface or a particular type of stone.
They have often already looked at a range of rings, perhaps in other shops or online, and now they are ready to have their own unique set made. Together we look at a selection of wedding rings in the shop and then start the actual design process.
It can be thought of as a play with Lego: the dimensions from this ring, the shape from this one, the surface from a third ring, and the placement of stones from a fourth. It's fun to play with and puzzle together your very own version. Perhaps a romantic flower should go on it? Or some cheerful bubbles?
Prepare for a design meeting using our design guide:
It is no longer an absolute requirement for the rings to be virtually identical. Today, many couples choose to have rings made that perhaps only share the material or surface. Perhaps he desires a very simple ring, while she dreams of a ring with lots of detail, and there is nothing wrong with that!
Regarding materials, wedding rings are most often made of gold or white gold, but you can also have your rings made in rose gold, silver, and platinum; all of these metals have their own challenges and advantages. Yellow gold is the classic choice and is available in many karats. Typically, one would choose between 14 karat, which is the most classic choice, and 18 karat, which is a bit warmer and more “golden” in colour.
And now we come to white gold: no, it's not “white” like polished silver. The white gold rings typically found in shops are rhodium-plated – meaning they are coated with an ultra-thin layer of the metal rhodium, which is quite durable, but which (depending on what you subject your rings to daily) will wear off within a few years.
If you want to keep this look, you should expect to have your rings re-rhodium plated at least once every two years.
However, you can also choose not to have the rings rhodium plated at all. White gold has a light, slightly warm colour in itself, which can be incredibly beautiful and a little more subdued compared to the very bright colour that rhodium plating provides. If you prefer the bright finish, we will of course be happy to plate them! See a short explanatory video about the colour of white gold. here
Although diamonds are the strongest and most durable stone, there are also many options for obtaining unique and beautiful stones.
Diamonds are available in a range of different grades, which can be advantageous if you're working to a budget. For instance, you can get more stone for your money if you compromise on quality, which often isn't visible to the untrained eye. And then, of course, there are also synthetic diamonds, which are even cheaper.
Diamonds are also available in champagne colours, brown shades, or, if you're looking for something more exotic, in all the colours of the rainbow. The beauty of diamonds lies in their sparkling surface, and coloured diamonds typically sparkle more than other types of stone.
You can also choose dramatic black diamonds, which are a relatively economical choice, or perhaps a Salt and Pepper diamond with visible inclusions. Here, each stone is very unique and will support your personality in a ring unlike any other!
Read more about diamonds and their price here
If you want a stone that is both beautiful and durable for everyday use, but is not a diamond, we recommend sapphires or rubies, which are classified with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. This makes them ideal for wedding rings and other everyday rings. Sapphires come in all the colours of the rainbow, and you can really find some fantastic and unique stones if that's what you're looking for. In addition to sapphire and ruby, the mysterious alexandrites, spinel and topazes are also hard enough to be used in everyday life.
Whatever you choose, it's important that you get it exactly as you wish. You shouldn't feel limited – there's a whole world of coloured and unusual stones that can make your rings YOURS!
Many soon-to-be married couples have old gold they'd like to use for their wedding rings, for example, their grandparents' wedding rings. That's not a problem!
We have different ways of making your new rings:
If you have old gold at home that won't be used for new rings, it can still help cover the costs.
Read more about how we use old gold here.
In Denmark, the classic is the right hand, but... you can choose yourselves!
You can choose to wear the rings on your left hand, as it is closest to the heart, or on your right hand, as it is the hand used for making oaths. Some people choose to wear an engagement ring on their left hand, which they then move to their right hand when they get married. Many people skip the engagement ring altogether, and some opt for the English/American style, where the engagement ring is the one with the stone, which is then — at the wedding itself — supplemented by a slender ring next to it that matches. We call this concept a “bridal set”. In other words, there are many different ways of doing things around the world, and that's why we say: Do what feels right.
Most couples want an engraving inside their rings. A name and date is the most common – and practical, if you tend to forget your wedding anniversary. Others write secret love messages to each other. If the rings are plain and relatively simple, you can choose to have them machine engraved. Typical curved Castens designs with many details are usually only possible to have hand-engraved, which gives these unique rings even more personality, especially because hand-engraving is a dying craft.
Once we have agreed on a design and materials, we'll work out a price. We always calculate the price broken down into the rings themselves and then add the stones. Most couples have a budget, and it is in the difference between the price of the rings and the upper limit of the budget that we can play with different options and sizes of gemstones.
If it's a relatively simple design, based on the designs we have in store, the price can be calculated immediately. Otherwise, we'll send an email a little later with a final price.
Once the decision has been made, we will pay 1/2 of the price as a deposit (which is non-refundable), after which we will begin ordering materials.
We usually say that 8-10 weeks is comfortable. Then we are sure that all materials have arrived in the correct dimensions and there is also time for any engraving.
Get started designing your very own wedding rings using our little Design guide. The more aspects of your wedding rings you have sorted before we meet in the shop (or online), the better.
I'm looking forward to designing precisely your rings together with you!
Kind regards
You are even more beautiful than we had imagined, even though we both had high expectations. I become so happy and moved every time I look at my finger. It fits perfectly. Both rings are beautiful symbols of our love. Thank you once again for your time and care, we are both enchanted by your beautiful craftsmanship.
ANJALUMEA AND MIKKEL
Get started on designing your very own wedding rings using our handy design guide. The more aspects of your wedding rings you have in place before we meet at the shop (or online), the better.
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Get your own custom made jewellery
Have a piece of jewellery created just the way you want it. At Castens, we create handmade jewellery in our workshop for those who appreciate unique designs that have a special meaning to you.
