It was reported in 2017 that almost a quarter of men and 14.3% of women admitted to having lost their wedding rings. It’s hardly surprising; we use our hands ALL the time. Little bands of metal aren’t difficult to lose sight of!
If you’re reading this because you’ve lost your wedding ring, we’re sorry. Few moments in life are as gut-wrenching as those when you realise you’ve misplaced something precious to you. We’ve no doubt that there’s been bucket-loads of panic and a LOT of tears before you found yourself here.
From experience, we know that when something important goes missing, the desire to retrace steps and pinpoint the blunder can be all consuming. You might find that until your ring is replaced, you can’t really put your anguish to bed and move on.
Unfortunately what we can’t do is find your ring for you. But, if there’s a naked space on your finger that’s in desperate need of filling, what we can offer are some tips on where to go from here - and some reassurance that you’re definitely not alone.
To say “We understand how you feel” might sound vacant, but our Creative Director Arabel really does. She lost her wedding ring last year and, unsurprisingly, was utterly heartbroken.
On a surfing trip with her husband Philippe and son Jojo, Arabel didn’t fancy wearing her most precious pieces of jewellery to splash around in the sea. She took off her rings and handed them to Philippe, who stashed them in the glovebox of their car along with his own. When they made off for the beach, there were four rings in the compartment. When Arabel opened it to re-jewel herself later that day, there were three.
“A day and half we spent searching that car,” Arabel told us. There was a hole in the glovebox’s upper – had the ring jumped and lost itself inside the car’s body when it had bounced over an uneven surface? Had Jojo opened the compartment on the hunt for something and not noticed the ring drop to the ground? Nobody will ever know – and that’s the pill that Arabel found most difficult to swallow. “I just wanted to blame someone!”
Though only married last year, this one-off, handcrafted filigree ring had been an important part of Arabel’s life for over a decade. “It was my commitment ring,” she explains. “I had worn it for years and years. Philippe loved it so much that we had a matching one made for him, too. When we eventually got married, we used these as our wedding rings. It made sense – they were ourrings. Why would we try and replace them with anything else?”
Whether it’s a wedding band, commitment piece, engagement ring or inherited jewel, losing something unique that’s come to feel like a part of you is gutting. We can’t beat around the bush – Arabel would be the first to tell anyone that!
The notion of replacing a sentimental piece with something new can feel unpalatable. But, life’s all about progression. Once the dust has settled, you might feel ready to take the next step to warming up your ring finger again – and when you are, options are available to you.
1. TRY AGAIN
If the design of your first ring is the only design for you then why not go for Round Two? You could find old photos of yourself wearing your ring and take them to a bespoke jeweller (like us!) to have a similar replacement commissioned. If the original ring’s design was fairly classic, spend some time looking around in shops – you might be able to find a doppelganger easier than you think.
Pros
In creating or sourcing yourself a look-alike, the void left behind by your old ring might almost be filled. If people can’t notice a difference then they could remain none the wiser that a switchover has even taken place – saving you from having to tell the painful story more often than necessary.
Cons
But, of course, it could be very difficult to find a ring that feels and looks exactly the same as the one you were used to. It’s worth preparing yourself for little changes in detail that leave you yearning for old familiarity. Arabel contacted a Spanish artisan and commissioned a replica of her unique filigree piece – and the handcrafted nature of the ring meant that dissimilarities were inevitable. “This new one doesn’t sit the same – it pinches and moves on my finger more than the old one did,” she tells us.
2. START AFRESH
If you’re a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, you might see this mishap as a sign that it was time for something new. Should you be willing to convert a negative into a positive, this is your opportunity to take it from the top with a totally different design! Phrases often bandied around in regards to long-term decisions are “Could have,” “Should have” and “Would have”… Well, now you finally can.
Pros
Faced with the idea of lifelong commitment and everyday wear, people tend to err on the side of caution when choosing their wedding rings the first time around, opting for designs at the simpler and more classic end of the scale. This is completely understandable, but life is short – now could be your chance to have fun and explore your design options.
Cons
But, it is of course worth thinking carefully before you take such a leap. If you were attached to the design of your old ring and know you’ll miss how it looked and felt, it’s probably best to play it safe.
If you appreciate our signature style of delicate bands, intricate engravings and vintage-inspired elements, then Lebrusan Studio’s bespoke service could just be the answer to your prayers. We’d be thrilled to create your new wedding ring.
As a guide, our bespoke wedding rings start at around £1,500. They’re also created exclusively in the UK, using a selection of carefully chosen materials that are either small in environmental impact or significant in their socioeconomic benefits.
If you're unsure on anything, just give us a shout; we love a good chat!