Eileen Moylan

Jewellery Designer & Goldsmith Cork

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You are here: Home / Archives for Engagement Ring

An Oval Cut Solitaire in Blackrock Co. Cork 

09.14.2023 by Eileen Moylan //

Oval Cut Solitaire Engagement Ring for a customer in Blackrock Co. Cork. Find the perfect engagement ring in Ireland.

When it comes to engagement rings, many of my customers don’t know exactly what they are looking for. Now, this changes from person to person. You may have a rough idea of the cut, clarity or colour you’d like, or you may be starting off with a blank canvas. It’s rare to have a customer know exactly what they want in an engagement ring. This was exactly the case for my customer in Blackrock Co. Cork. 

She had a crystal clear idea of the exact ring she wanted: an oval cut diamond solitaire, in yellow gold. With the design already fully formed, my task was to look at the final details and ensure that the simple and paired back design was still a showstopper. 

With this particular ring, we started looking at the diamond first. 

We looked at a lot of oval cuts and it took a while to get the right diamond, but it was so worth it. Oval cuts are gorgeous, but there are a few things you need to consider in order to find the perfect one. 

It was perfect.

You want a diamond that has beautiful light going through it. If there are shadows, you’re losing some of your sparkle. In an oval cut, these shadows often form what’s known as a bow tie. This shadow looks like two small triangles where both points meet in the centre — the shape of a bow tie. Ideally, you don’t want that. We want fire and brilliance. 

Once we had the diamond, the rest of the design started coming together. Whilst it was going to be simple, we still needed to give thought to the claws and the band. What were they going to look like? 

We considered two types of claws to hold the stone in place:

  1. A  rounded claw: Rounded claws, as the name suggests, have prongs or claws that are smooth and rounded at the top. They create a soft and elegant look in jewellery. These prongs gently curve over the gemstone, securing it in place without sharp or pointed edges. They provide a secure hold while minimising the amount of metal visible around the gemstone.
  2. A talon claw: Talon claws, on the other hand, have pointed ends that are elongated and taper down to a fine point, resembling sharp talons and giving the ring a more distinctive look. This works really nicely with an oval cut because of the long oval shape.

Ultimately the customer opted for a talon claw, and then, it was just about having a really simple gold band and letting as much light as possible in under the diamond. 

Oval Cut Solitaire Engagement Ring for a customer in Blackrock Co. Cork. Find the perfect engagement ring in Ireland.
Oval Cut Solitaire Engagement Ring for a customer in Blackrock Co. Cork. Find the perfect engagement ring in Ireland.

With the shape of the setting, we looked at how it would sit with a wedding band — something that is often overlooked when shopping for an engagement ring. We didn’t want to limit her choices of wedding bands in the future, so I kept the bottom of the ring, very, very thin so that the setting didn’t come right down. This means that a flat wedding band can sit next to it and it will work really well. 

If we had gone with a lower setting, or if we put the setting right down without tapering it in, my customer would have had to have a shaped wedding band around her engagement because of the size of the stone.

Your wedding ring is not typically the first thing you think of when you’re shopping for your engagement ring, but it should be a consideration — you’ll be wearing your wedding band every day alongside your engagement ring. If you’re looking at an engagement ring, don’t be afraid to try on the wedding bands so that you can see what works best. 

Oval Cut Solitaire Engagement Ring for a customer in Blackrock Co. Cork. Find the perfect engagement ring in Ireland.
Oval Cut Solitaire Engagement Ring for a customer in Blackrock Co. Cork. Find the perfect engagement ring in Ireland.

In this case, my customer not only has a beautiful engagement ring that she loved, but one that will allow her to choose a wedding band she also adores. I’m really happy with this one and it was worth going through lots of oval cuts to find the perfect one. If you are looking for your own custom engagement ring in Ireland I would love to help bring your vision to life. Get in touch on eileen@eileenmoylan.com.

Categories // Bespoke Jewellery, Engagement Ring

A Marquise Shaped Wedding Ring in Rochestown

09.07.2023 by Eileen Moylan //

A marquise shaped wedding ring in to fit a custom engagement ring in Ireland.

If I asked you to picture a wedding ring in your head, your mind would most likely go to a plain gold ring, or potentially a pave diamond band. It’s rare that your mind would wander much further than the traditional options. While it’s easy to think outside of the box for an engagement ring, your wedding band can often be an afterthought. But what if it didn’t have to be?

I want to feature this wedding ring that I made recently because I think it’s a really good example of what can be done when a customer is looking for something slightly different than the norm.

I had made this particular customer’s custom engagement ring earlier in the year: a really lovely brilliant cut, knife edge solitaire. She had now returned for a wedding ring to complete the set. Her engagement ring featured a solitaire, a classic design which gave us an abundance of options when it came to the wedding band.

Often, you’ll find that your engagement ring will very much dictate the style of wedding band you can have. Some engagement rings —- while lovely on their own — are really restrictive in terms of what type of wedding band they can be paired with. You may only be left with a handful of options, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll actually like any of them.

When you’re looking at engagement rings, it’s always a good idea to ask to also see the wedding bands. While the latter might not be front of mind when shopping for engagement rings, the two will be worn together eventually, and you don’t want to limit your options from the outset. 

It’s also worth noting that a lot of people end up wearing their wedding band every day and saving their engagement ring for special occasions, so it’s worth affording some extra time and consideration into choosing the perfect design.

With this band, as I said, we had lots of options. 

We looked at both plain bands and diamond set bands, but neither were hitting the right notes for my customer. Her request? Something completely different. And my answer? Yes, I love a challenge. So we started looking at different designs and seeing just how much design we could incorporate into the ring as possible. 

My initial inspiration came from images of stacking rings. Specifically, stacked rings incorporating the marquise shape. Marquise diamonds have an elongated elliptical shape with pointed ends, and look really distinctive on the finger. While we knew we wanted to incorporate the marquise shape into the band, it was important to keep the diamond shape consistent with her engagement ring. 

A marquise shaped wedding ring in Ireland.
A marquise shaped wedding ring in Ireland.

Now, engagement rings and wedding bands don’t have to match exactly. 

By incorporating certain elements of the engagement ring, you can create a complimentary piece that looks really intentional, but that can also stand alone. In this case, as there’s a brilliant cut diamond in her engagement ring, we used brilliant cut diamonds in the wedding band. That’s a really good link that ties the two rings nightly together. 

The marquise shapes create a beautiful wave, the most (and potentially only) ornate thing about the ring. We can get away with this as we paired back every other element in the design, creating a ring that is consistent with the understated design of her engagement ring.

We also paid really special attention to all of the proportions of the ring: the height is the exact same as the engagement ring, and the width matches at the back. Even at first glance, it’s clear to see these pieces are a pair.

A marquise shaped wedding ring in Ireland.
A marquise shaped wedding ring in Ireland.
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We used just seven diamonds across the top, and this was an intentional choice.

When you’re looking at wedding rings, a lot of bands have diamonds all the way around the band. While it looks nice, they’re not a great idea. You will end up losing a stone (or two) because the palm of your hand will go through the most wear and tear. If you ever need your ring sized, it’s also going to cost extra and will never be perfect due to the diamonds — you would have to remove a diamond and that could be too much or too little in terms of a finger size.

If you really want to have a fully diamond set band just consider allowing a small gap which can be used for sizing in the future.

A marquise shaped wedding ring in Ireland.
A marquise shaped wedding ring in Ireland.

The finished result of this was a gorgeous 18 carat yellow gold marquise shaped band, with brilliant cut diamonds in the band. Personally, I love this piece and I think it’s the perfect example of what you can create if you can think outside of the box. If you’re looking for a wedding ring that does exactly that, please get in touch with me at eileen@eileenmoylan.com.

Categories // Bespoke Jewellery, Engagement Ring

Brilliant Cut Solitaire with Knife Edge Shank in Rochestown

08.31.2023 by Kirsty McManus //

Eileen Moylan engagement ring for a customer in Rochestown. Watch me design an engagement ring in Cork from start to finish.

A brilliant cut solitaire is one of the most classic styles of engagement ring: a single diamond that has been cut in a round brilliant shape. The solitaire setting showcases the center stone with minimal distraction, emphasizing its elegance and simplicity. It’s timeless, but it’s also been done many times before.

My clients — a couple from Rochestown — knew they wanted a brilliant cut solitaire, but with a difference. I love these projects. While the finished ring may look like a simple solitaire ring, it has really nice details that set it apart.

When I met this couple, they had been searching for months for the perfect solitaire. Finding the perfect engagement ring in Cork can be hard: finding the perfect diamond can be even harder. While they knew the diamond they wanted, they couldn’t find it anywhere. They knew the diamond, but they were otherwise flexible on the design. The only detail that they knew they absolutely wanted on the ring was a knife edge shank.

I know what you’re thinking: knife edge isn’t synonymous with love, marriage and happily ever after… but in this case it does. A knife edge shank simply means that instead of the band being rounded, it tapers to a sharp point on either side — much like a knife edge. This design creates a unique and elegant profile for the ring, adding a touch of visual interest. 

From there, we had to work out the different details that would work with this band. 

Eileen Moylan engagement ring for a customer in Rochestown. Watch me design an engagement ring in Cork from start to finish.
Eileen Moylan engagement ring for a customer in Rochestown. Watch me design an engagement ring in Cork from start to finish.

We had to decide between four claw; six claw; eight claw. This couple felt the four claw would be best and I absolutely agreed: a classic four-prong setting offers a timeless and elegant look, and leaves the focus on the center stone.

With the basic design laid out, we went in search for the perfect diamond. 

We looked at lots of diamonds, having narrowed down to a brilliant cut and a rough idea of size. With a ring like this, the quality needed to be impeccable. With a solitaire like this, there’s nowhere to hide; the diamond needs to be perfect. 

In the end, we found a stunning diamond. From the ones that were viewed, this one just stood out. It had extra life, extra sparkle, extra fire. It was a really clean stone with an amazing colour. The cut was perfect, and the clarity was excellent. It ticked every single box.

Eileen Moylan engagement ring for a customer in Rochestown. Watch me design an engagement ring in Cork from start to finish.
Eileen Moylan engagement ring for a customer in Rochestown. Watch me design an engagement ring in Cork from start to finish.

From there, I got to work on the head of the ring: the four claw setting and the knife head shank. Once soldered together, I then focused on making the shank more of a knife edge. The goal was to really work on exaggerating the point, without making it uncomfortable to wear. Beauty may be pain, but not when it comes to a piece you’ll be wearing every single day. 

The end result was a stunning classic brilliant cut solitaire (with a twist) and the customer was absolutely delighted. We also worked on their wedding ring, which is a completely different design. Because of the simplicity of the engagement ring we were able to take the wedding ring in almost a completely different direction. We had a lot of flexibility and the end result was the perfect complementary piece. I can’t wait to share the design soon.

Eileen Moylan engagement ring for a customer in Rochestown. Watch me design an engagement ring in Cork from start to finish.
Eileen Moylan engagement ring for a customer in Rochestown. Watch me design an engagement ring in Cork from start to finish.
Eileen Moylan engagement ring for a customer in Rochestown. Watch me design an engagement ring in Cork from start to finish.

Whether you’ve already planned out your engagement ring down to the cut, clarity, carat and colour and you need someone to bring your vision to life, or you’re looking for someone to help you find that vision — I can walk you through the process from start to finish. An engagement ring is an heirloom, why not make it the perfect piece? If you are looking for an engagement ring in Ireland that’s completely unique please get in touch at eileen@eileenmoylan.com.

Categories // Bespoke Jewellery, Engagement Ring

Gorgeous Lab-Grown Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring for a West-Cork based couple

02.03.2023 by Eileen Moylan //

A West-Cork based couple came to me looking for a classic solitaire rings. I love it when customers have done their research and have strong opinions as to what they want. In addition to the Solitaire, they wanted additional detail on the shoulders or band of the ring.

I suggested settings some small brilliant cut diamonds on the band so that it would still sit perfectly with the wedding ring that was also needed.

Searching for the perfect diamond

Once we had decided on the setting style we went looking for a perfect diamond. The customer chose to go with a lab-grown diamond as these are considered more environmentally friendly. Also, the ethically sourced aspects of lab-grown diamonds appealed to them. As with natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are graded by their cut, colour and clarity.

We viewed two stones, a 1-carat and 1.2-carat. Both with excellent colour, clarity & cut.

The couple opted for the 1.2-carat diamond. I made the ring so that it would be a classic solitaire will just the added diamonds on the band it would say perfectly with a flat wedding ring and was high enough to let the light shine in underneath the stone to achieve the best sparkle. (An often forgotten aspect of engagement ring design).

Solitaire engagement ring
Can you tell if this is a Lab-Grown Diamond? No, you can’t.

If you are looking for an engagement ring and would like something absolutely unique to you, please email me at:

eileen@eileenmoylan.com

Categories // Bespoke Jewellery, Engagement Ring

Lab-Grown Diamonds for Engagement Rings – What more than 20 years of experience tells me

01.30.2023 by Eileen Moylan //

Diamond Engagement rings in their current form are around for less than 100 years. In Ireland (based on conversations with older family members), they weren’t even that popular until the 80s. I’ve been designing and making engagement rings since the year 2000. In all that time, styles have changed slowly. There have been fads based on that year’s big celebrity weddings, but nothing comes close to the upheaval caused by the emergence of Lab-Grown Diamonds. Everyone wants to know about them!

The emergence of Lab-Grown diamonds

When I was starting out, Lab-Grown diamonds were no more than a rumour. It was while I was on a diamond course a few years back that I heard that they were finally becoming a serious alternative to mined diamonds. And I think it is safe to say that since 2018, they have finally arrived.

Google search interest in Lab-Grown Diamonds since 2004. Source: Google Trends.

Interestingly, according to Google Trends, Ireland is fourth in the list of countries that searches for Lab-Grown Diamonds.

How do Lab-Grown diamonds compare with mined diamonds?

There are thousands of articles on the web that will tell you the same thing: Lab-grown diamonds are indistinguishable from traditionally mined diamonds.

To my eye, with 23 years experience of designing and making engagement rings for people all over Cork and Munster, there is no difference between Lab-Grown Diamonds and traditional Diamonds.

Eileen Moylan

They are chemically & physically identical – At least, I can’t tell the difference. Lately, when I am working with a client to design an Engagement Ring, I will order a number of diamonds, both traditional and lab, to see what works best with the intended design. Once the diamonds are in my hands, any distinction on their origin is irrelevant.

Apparently, under a microscope, it is possible to tell the difference. I recommend avoiding microscopes.

Lab-Grown Diamonds V “Real” Diamonds

This is a BS distinction that some mining companies are trying to push. Lab-Grown Diamonds ARE REAL DIAMONDS!

Lab-Grown Diamonds and Price

Lab-Grown Diamonds are A LOT CHEAPER than traditional diamonds. It very much depends on the design of the ring and the diamonds used, but savings of 50% are not uncommon.

Lab-gown Diamonds as an investment

An engagement ring should never be looked at as an investment, as something that might potentially gain value over time. In my opinion, to think along such lines is to miss the point of an Engagement Ring.

Certification of Lab-Grown Diamonds

If you are spending a lot of money on a Diamond Engagement ring – Please please make sure to only purchase certified diamonds! This is the most fundamental guarantee of quality. The same goes for Lab-Grown Diamonds – Only use Certified stones. The Cert will specify that the stone originated in a Lab.

Brilliant Solitaire Engagement Ring by Eileen Moylan, Cork
Can you tell if this is a Lab-Grown Diamond? No, you can’t.

Are Lab-grown Diamonds better for the Environment?

Mining is a dirty business. But so is manufacturing. There is a ton of information out there (example) which pushes one side or the other but on balance, it appears that Lab-Grown Diamonds cause significantly less damage to the environment than mined diamonds.

Should I tell people that my Engagement Ring has a Lab Grown Diamond?

You may if you want to.

If an acquaintance of yours comes straight out and asks “Is that a Lab-Grown Diamond or a Real Diamond?” First off – The cheek!

Second, you may honestly answer that Yes, it is a real diamond. A real diamond that was grown in a lab. A diamond you selected for environmental reasons, or cost reasons. It is completely up to you.

The thing is, No one can tell. If they don’t have the cert or a microscope – They will never know. So it is completely up to the wearer.

“I still want a traditionally mined diamond”

Good. The thing is an Engagement Ring will be one of the most personal purchases you make in your life. You should do what is right for you. I am here to help you through this process. To navigate all the ins and outs of stone selection as well as all the other stuff. If you think I can be of use to you, email me at:

eileen@eileenmoylan.com

– Just follow this link to see more of my work on Engagement Rings.

Categories // Engagement Ring

Unique Engagement Ring & Beaded Wedding Ring in Crosshaven, Cork

01.06.2023 by Eileen Moylan //

His & Hers wedding ring along with her Brilliant Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring created by Eileen Moylan

In this blog post, we describe the process of creating a stunning white gold engagement ring. The focus of the piece was on finding the perfect diamond, with considerations given to its carat, clarity, colour, and cut. We narrowed down our search to ensure that we could find a stone that fit both the customer’s preferences and budget. Once we had selected a few favourites, the customer was able to view them in person and make their decision. They ultimately chose a diamond with exceptional life and sparkle.

Eileen Moylan Setting a Solitaire Engagement Ring

After finding the perfect diamond, we turned our attention to the design of the ring. The customer opted for a classic solitaire setting, which we enhanced with unique design details. We also had to consider how the engagement ring would sit alongside a wedding ring, ensuring that both rings would lay flat against one another. The final design featured a classic four-claw setting with a tapered band.

The engagement ring alongside the beaded wedding ring

Overall, we were thrilled with the result of this project. The diamond was stunning, the setting was classic yet unique, and the wedding bands selected by the couple complemented the engagement ring beautifully. The contrast between the flat band of the engagement ring and the beaded wedding band added an interesting visual element. It was a pleasure to work with this lovely couple from the beginning of the process all the way through to the completion of their wedding rings.

Beaded wedding ring sits atop a brilliant cut diamond solitaire engagement ring
His & Hers wedding ring along with her Brilliant Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring created by Eileen Moylan
The finished wedding rings with the matching white gold engagement ring

If you’d like to follow a similar path to create your own bespoke one-of-a-kind engagement ring, contact me. I love my work. 😊

Categories // Bespoke Jewellery, Engagement Ring

Complete Redesign Of A Ruby & Diamond Engagement Ring in Macroom

12.19.2022 by Eileen Moylan //

I was contacted by a customer locally who had a ruby and diamond ring and a diamond set wedding ring that she did not like. The Ruby was gorgeous but was hidden in a chunky gold setting which did not suit her hand. In this post, I am covering the Ruby ring. Here is the ring “before”:

The ring before
The Ruby Ring with diamonds inset in a chunky gold band – “before”!

After looking at lots of different designs I sketched out a cluster option which would use her different size diamonds, would have a much thinner band and would show off the beautiful rich colour of the Ruby.

Once the customer approve the sketches I went about doing up CAD images for this ring from these the customer got a very clear image of how the ring would look.

We used her gold to make the band and then used white gold for the setting of the Ring. The ring has 12 different-sized diamonds in a pave setting which surrounds the claw set ruby.

The finished ring is a complete transformation from the original ring. It now suits the customer’s hand and is worn daily. This is a great practical use of jewellery that was just sitting in a drawer. Hidden Treasure!

Here are some more images of the process…

Categories // Bespoke Jewellery, Engagement Ring

Kite-shaped Diamond Engagement Ring for a US-based customer

12.09.2022 by Eileen Moylan //

While most of my custom engagement ring clients are based in and around Cork, I do occasionally get queries via my online jewelry store. This unique ring was the outcome of one such query.

Custom Engagement ring, gold with a Salt and Pepper kite shaped diamond

A Salt and Pepper diamond is a diamond with natural inclusions that give the stone these unique colours and features.

This ring started with the shape of the stone and we then worked the design around it. 

The brief from my customer was an unusually shaped diamond. We chatted through the various cuts available and the customer decided on a kite-shaped diamond. After looking at lots of different options we sourced this beautiful kite-cut salt and pepper diamond.

Once the diamond arrived we worked on the design, having decided on a solitaire the customer wanted to have the ring made in yellow gold to contrast with the colour of the stone. 

I sketched out some different setting options. As you can see from the sketches all these designs have the delicate corners of this diamond covered. While showing the tip of the diamond may sound nice it is really impractical and leaves the most delicate part of the stone vulnerable to getting chipped. 

The customer decided on the classic curved band with V-shaped claws. This ring was also designed to sit perfectly with a flat wedding ring. 

The finished ring is a gorgeous twist on the classic diamond solitaire engagement ring. Keeping the rich colour and cut of the diamond the key feature of the ring. 

Categories // Bespoke Jewellery, Engagement Ring

Custom Engagement Ring with an Ornate Halo in Ballincollig, Cork.

11.14.2022 by Eileen Moylan //

This bespoke white gold and diamond engagement ring was designed, as usual, in close consultation with the customer located in Ballincollig, Co. Cork.

Diamond Halo Engagement Ring made by Eileen Moylan
Diamond Halo Engagement Ring made by Eileen Moylan

Having seen some halo engagement rings, my customer liked the idea of a halo but wanted something slightly more ornate and eye-catching.

We first discussed the shape of the diamond they would like to use. After viewing many different shapes we settled on a round brilliant cut diamond for its sparkle. As with all the diamonds I use, we made sure to get the best possible colour, carat & cut so the stone would sparkle and beauty. (More info here on our post about finding the perfect Engagement Ring).

Once we decided on the shape of the diamond we then looked at contrasting that shape with something square or diamond-shaped. I started by making the halo section and we looked at how it would sit on the band. The customer opted for this diamond-shaped position, which works beautifully with the round stone.

This diamond is held in a 4-claw setting with 12 smaller diamonds set into the halo. These diamonds are different sizes to allow us to get the maximum sparkle from our halo, every part of the halo has been set with diamonds. We then made the band of this engagement ring so it would sit flat next to a wedding ring.

The finished ring is the perfect combination of contemporary style with an antique influence.

Categories // Bespoke Jewellery, Blog, Engagement Ring

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