A coloured stone places a single, deliberate note at the centre of an engagement ring. Couples choose colour when they want the ring to say something particular: a sapphire blue that reads as steady and considered, a ruby red that carries its own history, an emerald green with depth that shifts through the day. At Hatton Garden Bespoke Jewellery, with three generations in the trade, we design each gemstone ring in CAD and hand-finish it at our own bench, with casting and setting carried out by trusted specialist workshops, GIA or IGI certification available on every centre stone and London Assay Office hallmarking included. This page sets out the stone families we work with, how we source and certify them, and how a commission proceeds.
Sapphire
Sapphire is the most practical coloured stone for everyday wear. At Mohs 9 it sits just below diamond for hardness, which suits a ring worn daily. The classic cornflower and royal blues remain the most requested, though sapphire also occurs in teal, green, yellow, peach and the pink-orange padparadscha. We can match a specific blue and balance it against white or yellow metal. Read more about sapphire engagement rings.
Ruby
Ruby is red corundum, the same mineral as sapphire, and shares its Mohs 9 hardness. That durability, paired with a saturated red few other stones reach, makes it a confident centre stone. Colour drives value more than size: the most prized rubies hold a pure, slightly warm red without drifting toward pink or brown. We source to a clear brief and confirm origin and treatment on the certificate. Read more about ruby engagement rings.
Emerald
Emerald is a beryl, softer than corundum at Mohs 7.5 to 8 and more prone to internal inclusions, so it asks to be handled with care. We favour protective settings for emerald: a bezel or partial bezel, or a halo that shields the girdle and corners from knocks. Chosen well and set thoughtfully, an emerald wears beautifully for daily life. We advise on both the stone and the setting that protects it. Read more about emerald engagement rings.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the cool blue member of the beryl family, clear and watery in tone, often available in larger sizes at sensible cost. Its restraint suits couples who want colour without strong saturation, and it pairs well with white metals and a clean, modern setting. As with emerald, we account for beryl's hardness when designing the mount. Read more about aquamarine rings.
Ethical sourcing and certification
Every centre stone we set carries independent certification from GIA or IGI, and the finished ring is hallmarked at the London Assay Office, included as standard. We work with established suppliers and confirm origin and treatment in writing before you commit. We offer both natural and lab-grown stones where the species allows, and we are clear about which you are buying and why one might suit your budget or values better than the other. Nothing about the stone or its paperwork is left vague.
Commissioning a bespoke ring with us
Our family has been in the trade since the late 1960s, three generations, and we design in CAD and hand-finish at our own bench at The Goldsmiths' Centre, 42 Britton Street, with casting and setting carried out by trusted specialist workshops. A commission begins with a free, no-obligation consultation, in person by appointment or remotely. We move to CAD in about seven to ten days, and once you approve the design the ring is made in three to four weeks. You receive a fixed written quote before any work starts. Settings begin at £800 and complete bespoke gemstone engagement rings from £1,500, with most commissions falling between £3,000 and £12,000.
Which coloured stone is most hard-wearing?
Sapphire and ruby, both Mohs 9, are the most durable for daily wear. Emerald and aquamarine are softer and benefit from the protective settings we design for them.
Can I review the stone before committing?
Yes. We source options to your brief and review them with you, with full certification, before you confirm. Your fixed written quote follows once the stone and design are settled.
How long does a gemstone ring take?
Consultation to CAD is roughly seven to ten days, and three to four weeks from CAD approval to the finished ring. An express route of two to three weeks is possible when timing is tight.
If you have a stone in mind, or simply a colour, we are glad to talk it through. Book a free, no-obligation consultation and we will reply within four working hours, Monday to Friday. Arrange a consultation or start with a setting.
