Fine jewellery specialist Jerry Greig offers advice ahead of Valentine's Day

With the most romantic day of the year just around the corner, we catch up with independent fine jewellery specialist Jerry Greig for expert advice and top tips for those planning to propose and invest in an engagement ring this February.

Where do you start with sourcing the perfect engagement ring?

Firstly, decide whether the ring will be a surprise or whether you'd like your partner to be involved in purchasing it. Designing and choosing a style together after the proposal is a magical experience and you can be confident that the ring will be perfect for them. If you're set on a surprise though, ensure that you do your research beforehand.

Find out what style of ring your partner likes, for example, do they prefer white, yellow or rose gold and do they have a preferred shape of diamond? There are so many types to choose from, like the classic round brilliant cut, romantic marquise shape or the stylish emerald cut. Do also consider coloured gemstones including rubies and sapphires and you'll need a good indication of their finger size.

It's important to set a realistic budget that you're comfortable with and seek advice to understand whether the style you are looking for is achievable within that budget.

What are the advantages of working with an independent consultant?

One of the advantages of investing in a piece of bespoke jewellery is being able to have an honest conversation with an expert from the start and collaborating to create the right item at the right price. From the first consultation to choosing gemstones and approving the finished piece, you'll be personally involved in the process of creating your own unique item.

When purchasing any gemstone, ensure that it originates from a legitimate source and for additional reassurance, the stone must be accompanied by a certificate from a reputable gemstone grading laboratory. Never purchase a gemstone without seeing it yourself or having an expert view it on your behalf to explain its features to you. It's easy to purchase diamonds from a certificate but this can never reveal the true personality of the stone. When you see it close up, you'll know whether it's the one.

How long should it take to create a bespoke ring?

It can take as little as six weeks but elaborate pieces can take a few months, so plan ahead!

To shop, visit https://jerrygreig.com