Frequently Asked Questions
About Taylor and Hart
What makes Taylor & Hart unique compared to other jewelers?
Our bespoke design service empowers you to create a more personalized engagement ring than an off-the-shelf piece. Our complimentary design service means there’s no commitment to purchase until you love the design.
Guided from beginning to end by your personal design consultant, you’ll be involved in creating something unique that requires your input just as much as it requires our gemstones, metal, and craftsmanship.
Plus, Our Promise ensures that you will receive the following things:
- A personal service from your design consultant
- The ability to return the ring within 90 days if you’re not 100% happy
- Ethically sourced materials and transparency in our sourcing and process
- Exceptional value and options – with over 150,000 GIA graded diamonds, all backed by our “Price Match Promise”
You can read our full guarantee here.
Where is Taylor & Hart located?
Our office/HQ is based in the City of London.
We have a showroom based in New York City, located at 55 5th Avenue close by to 14th St – Union Square station.
We’d love for you to visit us for a face-to-face consultation, but if you’re unable to visit New York City, we can discuss your requirements via virtual consultation, over the phone, email, Skype or WhatsApp. Whatever works for you!
Do you have a media kit?
We do! Please email press@taylorandhart.com to request access.
Shopping with Taylor & Hart
How does the custom process work?
Our bespoke design service is what makes Taylor & Hart unique.
To start, you’re assigned a personal design consultant, who will bring your ideas to life in the form of a 3D CAD (computer-aided design). Based on your requirements and price point, they’ll help you select a center gemstone or diamond.
The design can be amended up to three times. A further three amendments will incur a cost of $100, although 95% of customers do not need more than three iterations. Once you’re happy with your design and final quotation, you can go ahead and place your order online.
If you entirely change your mind on a design that you’ve already iterated and want to go in a totally new direction, you’ll incur a charge of $200 before going ahead with a new design.
See the full process here.
How do I start the process?
Once you’re ready, you can browse our site for inspiration and then schedule a consultation or submit an enquiry here.
You’ll then be asked to share a little more on your ideas and requirements. You’ll be assigned a personal design consultant who will review your enquiry and get in touch.
You can speak with your design consultant via virtual consultation, email, phone call or WhatsApp. Alternatively, you can schedule a consultation at our New York office to meet with your consultant in person, from 10am-6pm on weekdays and by request on Saturdays.
How can I purchase one of your rings?
There are two ways to purchase your ring.
You can browse through our customizable products online, and once you find a design you like, you can choose your center gemstone the ring will be set with. Your personal design consultant will be in touch with you to discuss your gemstone choice and any personalizations you want to add before you complete your order.
Alternatively, you can create an entirely one-of-a-kind ring by speaking with our designers who will work with you to design a custom engagement ring. Whether you’ve seen a design you like elsewhere or you’re looking for some inspiration, your design consultant will offer their insight and guidance throughout the process.
How quickly can you create and deliver a custom piece?
Most designs take between 2-5 days to complete. Once you have approved the final design, we’ll create and deliver your bespoke-designed ring in around one month. The exact time frame will be confirmed with you once we know more about your requirements and the complexity of your design. You’ll be updated via email on the status of your ring at every stage of the process.
Can you deliver sooner?
Yes—we have a collection of our most popular express rings that can be with you within seven working days, for a proposal that just can’t wait.
Can I see my ring before buying?
As an online jeweler, we’re able to offer exceptional value compared to traditional jewelers by not holding stock and not having the high retail rent costs these jewelers often have.
Still, for such a valuable purchase, you’re probably keen to touch-and-see the ring before buying, so here’s what we can offer you:
- If you’re considering one of our collection designs, you can visit our New York showroom to view a sample of your collection design in person.
- If you want to get an idea of how your bespoke design might look, we can make a resin of the design you’ve created. This adds an additional five working days to your design process, but if you’re unsure of the design and have time to play with, we recommend you order the resin to get a feel for the design and its scale in person.
Can I see my diamond or gemstone before buying?
We have over 20,000 diamonds on our diamond search tool that have corresponding photos and videos. We can also contact our suppliers for photos of gemstones.
In addition, we purchase our diamonds and gemstones directly from the polishing companies that cut them. By cutting out the middlemen, we can pass the savings on to you.
While we might not be able to show you your exact diamond or gemstone (because we don’t keep most of our gemstone collection at our showrooms), if you’re able to visit us in person, we may be able to show you similar stone options for your reference.
Can I upgrade my diamond in the future?
Yes, we offer a range of options for upgrading your diamond to something larger or a stone with higher quality characteristics. Please note that changes in the carat weight, dimensions, or shape of your diamond may require an adjustment to the ring setting or a full remake, so additional fees may apply. Please contact your sales consultant for a personalized quote.
For further information, read our Diamond Upgrade Policy.
Can you help me keep the engagement ring a surprise?
Of course!
To ensure that your proposal goes to plan, we can contact you discreetly and arrange for rings to be delivered to an alternate address. However, to avoid the risk of fraudulent transactions being made, we ask that you register the alternative address with your credit card provider prior to making a purchase.
Your order will be shipped in low-profile packaging free from Taylor & Hart branding, ensuring the surprise is all yours.
Can I add an engraved inscription to my ring?
Yes. Our complimentary engraved inscription is done by laser. If you would like an additional inscription to add detail to other parts of the ring, we can include this in your quote. If an engraved ring has to be resized a second time and then re-engraved, a fee of $200 will apply for the second resize and inscription.
Click here for some inscription inspiration.
Are there any limits to what you can design and create?
We can design and create almost anything but sometimes we’ll offer suggestions on how to ensure your ring stands the test of time. Likewise, our production team may have specific requirements which we’ll discuss with you. Just let us know your ideas and we can create your complimentary design within a few days.
Can I use my own diamond or colored gemstone?
Yes! If you have inherited, purchased or received your diamonds elsewhere, we can still create your bespoke ring. Our policy for any diamonds you provide us are as follows:
If your diamond is uncertified, we’d love to view and examine it in person before confirming if we can use it. We kindly ask that you send/bring your diamond(s) to us at your own expense.
There’s a setting and handling fee of $250 for the first diamond, and $100 for each subsequent diamond set.
Diamonds must meet our minimum quality standards. For diamonds these are: at least 0.20ct, D-M color, no overtone and 100% eye-clean, no visible scratches, no inclusions on the girdle, no strong bowtie. Get in touch if you’re unsure of your stone’s quality standards.
If your diamond is uncertified, we won’t be able to include its value on an appraisal.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to use customer’s own colored gemstones at this time.
Can I remove or swap the ruby for another gemstone or diamond?
All of our rings come with a complimentary ruby set inside the band.
Yes, we can remove the ruby altogether or we can set another gemstone, instead of a ruby. You may swap the signature ruby for a signature gemstone from the list below, for a $50 fee:
- Emerald (green)
- Sapphire (available in pink, yellow, blue, green & orange)
- Garnet (red)
- Tsavorite (green)
- Citrine (yellowy-orange)
- Topaz (available in London blue & Swiss blue)
- Peridot (green)
- Amethyst (purple)
- Aquamarine (blue)
- Tourmaline (available in pink & green)
- Spinel (available in black & red)
- Tanzanite (bluish-violet)
- Alexandrite (green)
- Zircon (blue)
Diamond signature stones are available on request and will incur a higher additional fee, which will be calculated at the time of quotation.
Which metals do Taylor & Hart recommend?
We work with 18 karat white, yellow and rose gold and 950 platinum. While all our metals are stunning, for a white metal ring we recommend platinum due to its endurance and natural white color. All white gold is plated in rhodium to give it a bright white appearance. With normal wear white gold will need to be replated every 1-2 years to maintain its original appearance.
Can you create a wedding ring that matches or fits next to my engagement ring?
Yes! Each of our rings is brought to life from 3D computer assisted drawings of your design. But as your engagement ring is finished by hand, there will likely be the subtlest of differences between the 3D CAD and the finished piece, which typically only become evident if you require a ‘shaped’ wedding ring design that curves or shapes around your engagement ring.
3D Scanning
When you’re ready to order, send or bring your engagement ring to us. We’ll then take a direct 3D scan of your engagement ring, and use this to craft your wedding ring.
As our crafting process takes up to 30 days, we do require your engagement ring for the entire duration. This ensures the fit and match is as perfect as possible.
We do stress that sending back your engagement ring to us is the best way to achieve a fully-flush finish or match.
How and where do the rings get made?
The design stage take place in London with our very talented consultants who create 3D images and sketches of designs. Once ready to be produced, the design is 3D (wax or resin) printed and then cast into its chosen metal. Our diamonds are primarily sourced from India, the US and Hong Kong. US orders are hand finished in Washington state. To read more about how our rings are made and our supply chain, visit our ethical engagement rings page.
How are the rings packaged?
Every Taylor & Hart ring is nestled in our delicate faux leather ring presentation box to ensure your ring is kept safe.
Our shipping packages are free from our branding, ensuring that the surprise is all yours.
Diamonds & Gemstones
Where do your diamonds come from?
We source diamonds globally from diamond manufacturers that comply with the United Nations Kimberley Process in order to affirm all of our diamonds are ethically sourced. To read more about our ethical sourcing policy, visit our ethical engagement rings page.
What are the 4 Cs?
The 4 Cs represent the four main characteristics of diamonds that are most commonly used to grade and categorize them. They include cut, color, karat, and clarity. To learn more, please visit out ‘Diamonds Basics‘ guidance page.
How can I be sure I am receiving the actual diamond I have paid for?
Most of our natural diamonds come with a unique digital GIA grading report that is specific to the diamond you’ve purchased.
Each GIA graded diamond is laser inscribed with a discreet serial number on the girdle which can be read using a 10x loupe.
Should you take this diamond to any jeweler, weigh it or examine it using a 10x magnifying loupe, you will see that the characteristics listed in the report correspond precisely to those of the actual diamond.
Visit our GIA graded diamonds guidance page for more information.
For lab grown diamonds, the majority come with a grading certificate from GIA, The International Gemological Institute (IGI), or the Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL). Be sure to check with your consultant if you want more information on lab grown diamond grading.
What types of gemstones and diamonds do you offer?
For longevity purposes we recommend diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, tourmaline and spinel as center stones for our engagement rings.
Payments & Prices
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept the following payment methods during checkout:
- Finance (Credit) via our partner Affirm (starting from 0%)
- VISA debit and VISA credit cards
- Mastercard and Maestro
- American Express
- Finance/credit options via our finance provider, Affirm (starting from 0% interest)
Read more about our finance or payment options here.
Are there any taxes delivering to my state?
Customers with a shipping address in the state of New York or New Jersey or who would like to collect from our New York showroom will be charged sales tax at checkout.
At present, we aren’t required to collect sales tax when delivering to any other state.
Do your prices change often and how long are quotes valid for?
Our prices are regularly updated to reflect changes in exchange rates as well as metal, diamond and gemstone prices.
When you’re ready to commit to a design and diamond/gemstone, let us know and we’ll:
- Lock in the ring price for you so that it is fixed for a period of seven days
- Put your diamond/gemstone on hold for 24 hours so that it isn’t sold to another customer
The price on any finalized quote sent to you by a Taylor & Hart consultant is valid for up to seven days. Even so, some diamonds/gemstones quoted may sell out if they’re not on-hold, in which case we’ll provide a few replacement options.
What is the "starting from" price for custom designed pieces?
Our custom design service starts from $1,600.
Ring Sizes
How do I measure my ring size?
It’s pretty uncommon to know your partner’s exact ring size, so not to worry if you’re unsure. If asking them out-right isn’t an option we have numerous ways to find out by following the suggestions from our ring size guide. Our ring size guide should provide you with some options as you must have an approximate ring size before you place your order.
What if I need the ring resized?
For our US and UK customers, we offer one free resize within six months of receiving or collecting your order. Second or additional resizings outside of this six month period are possible for US customers at a fee of $150 and if there’s an engraving, re-engraving will cost an additional $50 on top of that.
For UK & US customers, we kindly ask that you bring the ring back to our showroom and/or cover the cost of shipping the ring back to us, but we’ll ship it back to you free of charge. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer resize services to customers outside of the US & UK.
Please note that if you need your ring resized by more than two sizes within the six month complimentary resize period, there may be a fee to remake the ring starting from $300 incl. VAT. Visit our Resizing Policy for more information.
Aftersales
Do I receive updates after I have placed my order?
Yes. You’ll receive updates at several stages of the ring production process, letting you know that your ring is on schedule for your desired delivery date.
How should I care for my ring?
While diamonds and precious metals aren’t easily damaged, they do require frequent care and maintenance. We have several simple habits that will help avoid damage to your ring and some tips on how to take care of your ring.
Can I send my ring in for polishing and cleaning?
We hope you do! We recommend that you send your ring back to us to make use of your complimentary lifetime annual care package to check everything’s in order. We’re happy to clean and polish your ring more than once a year for an additional fee.
How can I and where should I have my ring insured?
For US and Canadian customers, we recommend insuring your ring with Jewelers Mutual.
Since 1913, Jewelers Mutual has been the only insurer dedicated exclusively to jewelry. They offer comprehensive repair or replacement coverage with worldwide protection against loss, theft, damage and mysterious disappearance.
Insuring your jewelry can be quick and easy – giving you the freedom to wear your jewelry without worry, knowing it’s protected. Click here to get your quote now.
Three steps. Thirty seconds. No personal information needed.
Unfortunately, we do not have an insurance partner outside of the US and Canada.
Read more about insuring your ring here.
Do you provide a certificate or appraisal?
No, we don’t. But not to worry–our recommended insurer won’t require an appraisal to cover your item.
Shipping, Taxes & Returns
Do you ship internationally?
Absolutely. We proudly ship worldwide, although there may be an additional shipping charge for most countries outside of the US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia.
Are there any shipping fees or taxes that I will have to pay?
Orders being delivered outside of the UK, EU and US may be subject to additional duties and taxes and customers are liable for these payments. We can attempt to estimate these, but cannot guarantee the estimate will exactly match the cost. Please contact your consultant for further details.
Customers with a shipping address in the state of New York or who would like to collect from our New York showroom will be charged sales tax at checkout.
At present, we are not required to collect sales tax when delivering to any other US state.
How will the parcel be delivered?
Orders within the US will be shipped via FedEx and most shipments will arrive within two business days.
All shipments are fully insured and tracked. The parcel will not feature any Taylor & Hart branding, so there’s no need to worry about the delivery giving away your big surprise.
Will the delivery be insured?
All shipped orders are fully insured and tracked using FedEx—we have an excellent delivery record with their delivery service.
Can you ship to an alternative address?
We can definitely ship your ring to an alternative address, but to avoid the risk of fraudulent transactions being made, we ask that you register the alternative address with your credit card provider prior to making a purchase.
How long does delivery take?
Once you’ve finalized your custom design and checked out, you’ll receive your ring in 10-20 working days using our standard delivery service. Designs from our collection will display the delivery time on the product page. If you’re in a hurry, our express rings are available from seven working days.
What is your return policy?
We offer customers the opportunity to return their product within 90 days of their order being delivered.
Should you decide to return your item, we’ll issue you a refund, unless you have been notified otherwise by your consultant prior to your purchase.
For a full refund, all we ask is that the ring is returned no later than 90 days after the delivery date, in its unworn and original condition without any damage, and with all accompanying documents and materials.
While we do offer all clients free shipping when delivering your order, we kindly ask you to cover the shipping charge when returning to us.
See our full Returns Policy.
What if I want to return my order and I cannot find the diamond certificate?
The grading certificate(s) must be returned together with the diamond(s) ordered as these aren’t possible to replace.