FAQ

DO YOU HAVE A BRICK-AND-MORTAR SHOP?

We have a showroom at 59 Redchurch Street, walking distance from Shoreditch High Street Overground and Liverpool Street Station. Please note that we operate on an appointment-only basis as we can only present our collection to one client at a time.

HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?

Book your appointment via this link and one of our team will get back to you to arrange a time within 2 working days.

Alternatively, to schedule your consultation please email us at info@rachelboston.co.uk. We currently take consultations from Tuesday - Friday 11-6.30pm and Saturday 10-5pm.

DO YOU WORK WITH CLIENTS REMOTELY?

Yes! We offer phone and email consultations. Most of our process takes place remotely, so we can work with you no matter your location. We are as diligent with our emails and calls as we are with our in-person consultations, and will be available to assist you and answer any questions you may have throughout the process.

We also ship within the UK via Royal Mail Special Delivery, and internationally via DHL International, so you do not have to travel to the showroom to collect your piece.

I'VE GOTTEN IN TOUCH – HOW LONG BEFORE I CAN EXPECT TO HEAR BACK?

If you have emailed us or submitted a bespoke form, we will do our best to reply to you either on the same or the following working day. Please check your junk mail if you haven't heard from us after 2 working days.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER STOCKISTS?

We currently only sell directly through our showroom.

WHAT ARE YOUR LEAD TIMES?

Our lead times for made-to-order pieces are dependant on the style - please seen the relevant section in 'Engagement & Wedding Rings' or 'Fine Jewellery'. Our Ready-to-Ship pieces are available to purchase and ship immediately.

MY DUE DATE IS LESS THAN YOUR LEAD TIMES - WHAT SHALL I DO?

Unfortunately, we are unable to make our jewellery more quickly than our outlined lead times. Do contact us with your due date and we can help advise, as we might be able to recommend a simple design suited to your time-frame, or suggest some alternative possibilities.

DO YOU MAKE CUSTOM JEWELLERY?

The bulk of our business is creating bespoke pieces for our clients, and it is something we love doing. Do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss your project further. To learn about the difference between made-to-order and bespoke, head to the ‘engagement and wedding rings’ tab in our FAQ drop down menu.

WHERE IS YOUR JEWELLERY MADE?

All of our jewellery is made from start to finish in the United Kingdom. We have a workshop located in Hatton Garden, London's historic jewellery quarter, where are all of our pieces are cleaned up, set, and finished. We also have a small workshop downstairs at the showroom, where we finish some of our wedding bands and can clean your RB pieces (on appointment only).

IS YOUR JEWELLERY ETHICAL?

All of the metal we use in our jewellery is recycled, we do not use any new mined metals except FairTrade, which can be requested for a small premium (which we do not profit from).

All of our stones are conflict-free and we work with many suppliers globally who all ensure this. All of our diamonds are sourced in accordance with the Kimberley Process, and we are able to provide the origin of the majority of our sapphires and other gemstones. Read more about our responsible jewellery approach here.

We also offer lab-grown diamonds as an alternative to natural mined diamonds.

CAN YOU USE MY HEIRLOOM JEWELLERY, GEMSTONES OR GOLD IN A NEW PIECE?

Yes, we can use heirloom jewellery in good condition set with diamonds, sapphires, or other heard wearing gemstones, as well as sentimental gold, to recreate the majority of our pieces or a new bespoke design.

I HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT A STONE - ARE YOU ABLE TO WORK WITH IT?

Other than heirloom jewellery, we only work with stones that we have sourced ourselves to guarantee their origins and grading/certification.

HOW DO I GET A QUOTE?

Feel free to email us a brief with some reference images and any specifications to info@rachelboston.co.uk, and we will aim to get back to you within 48 hours. Pease kindly note that quotes are valid for a month, as we take into account fluctuations in current gold and gemstone prices when quoting.

HOW LONG WILL MY APPOINTMENT TAKE?

Our engagement ring appointments are 45 minutes long, wedding band appointments are 30 minutes long and collection, repair or cleaning appointments are 15 minutes long. If you find that you need a little longer to decide, or want to review your options again, we’re always happy to book you in for a further appointment another day to give you more time.

We ask that our clients arrive at their allocated time, as we are usually fully booked so we may be unable to honour the full appointment if you are more than 10 minutes late and another appointment is scheduled directly after it.

I’M RUNNING LATE - WHAT CAN I DO?

Please email us if you are running late at info@rachelboston.co.uk, we will be happy to help schedule a more convenient time as a courtesy to our other clients and yourself, so that we can dedicate our full attention to you for the duration of your consultation.

DO YOU HAVE A PHONE I CAN CALL?

We don’t have a phone at our showroom, but our team are always on hand via email to assist you if you are running late.

IS THERE PARKING AT THE SHOWROOM?

There are no allocated parking spaces for clients directly outside on Redchurch Street, however you can park and pay on the residential roads around Bethnal Green and Shoreditch High Street. We recommend leaving some extra time if you are looking to drive to the showroom, as the area is often congested and it might take a few minutes to find a free parking space.

IS THE SHOWROOM DOG FRIENDLY?

We are dog-friendly to friendly dogs! We are a small space, so we kindly ask you to keep you dog on a lead at the showroom, and we will be happy to provide a water bowl and a few toys too.

We are of course assistant and guide-dog friendly.

IS THE SHOWROOM ACCESSIBLE WITH ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES?

We are always trying to find ways to make our the showroom more easily accessible.

At the entrance to the showroom there is a single step. We can provide a ramp for wheelchair and mobility assistance. Unfortunately our bathrooms are not wheelchair accessible at present (as they are in the basement).

If you require a ramp, assistance, or have any particular needs, please do contact us at info@rachelboston.co.uk before booking an appointment and we will be happy to help, advise and answer your questions.

ARE YOU LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY?

Of course! We welcome everybody, and it is our greatest joy that you'd like to celebrate your love with an RB piece.

Please feel free to email us prior to your consultations with your pronouns.

DO YOU WEAR MASKS AT THE SHOWROOM?

We no longer ask that our clients or team wear a mask in every appointment. If you are immunocompromised or would prefer us to wear a mask for the duration of your appointment please do not hesitate to ask and we will be happy to do so as we are a small space with little ventilation.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BESPOKE AND MADE TO ORDER?

Our made-to-order rings are existing designs that can be fully customised by adapting the metal colour, adding side stones, and choosing your own central stone cut, size and colour.

Find our Made-to-Order engagement rings here.

Find our Made-to-Order wedding rings here.

Bespoke rings are any that cannot be created by adapting any of our existing designs. The bespoke process involves refining a design from 6 initial options. Our team will advise you on what would be best based on your initial inspiration in your first consultation.

Learn more about the bespoke engagement ring process here.

ARE ALL OF YOUR RING STYLES LISTED ONLINE?

All the rings from our permanent collections are listed online, and we have an Instagram photo gallery of our bespoke designs that you can scroll through here. If you see a ring you like on our website or our Instagram page, but can’t find the information you are after, do email us with a screenshot and we will get back to you as soon as possible with any additional information you may need.

DO YOU CARRY STOCK OF YOUR STYLES?

We carry a limited amount of stock, as we mostly work on a made-to-order basis. We carry one-off sapphire and grey diamond engagement rings, as well as a limited stock of our placeholder rings and fine jewellery/gifting pieces. All of our white diamond engagement rings are made to order, as are all of our wedding bands.

If you would like to find out if a ring is stock or ready to ship, please email us at info@rachelboston.co.uk and we can assist.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE A RING?

Engagement Rings:

If you would like to recreate a current design from our core collection (rings listed on the website), our lead time is two and a half months. Our bespoke rings require a three to three and a half months lead time, depending on the complexity of your chosen design.

Wedding Rings:

Our core collection designs can be created in seven to eight weeks, while bespoke wedding rings require three to three and a half months. Please kindly note that as a courtesy to all of our clients, we do not offer a rush service, and orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.

We recommend waiting until we are at the production stage to make any proposal plans if relevant, so we can provide a firm estimate delivery date.

DO YOU HAVE A MINIMUM SPEND?

For bespoke engagement rings we have a minimum spend of £3000 per ring for coloured gemstone and grey imperfect diamond projects, and £4000 per ring for White Diamond projects.

If you have a family stone or antique diamond you would like us to create a mount for we have a minimum spend of £2000 per piece.

If you wish to recreate one of our pre-existing pieces (made-to-order), the prices listed on our website are a good estimate of how much your piece will cost. We will always confirm the final price with you before commencing work on your piece.

HOW DO I FIGURE OUT THE RING SIZE I NEED?

If you are ordering or commissioning a ring for yourself, you can either schedule an appointment with us so we can measure you, or go to your local jeweller who should be able to help. If you are ordering or commissioning a ring for your partner which they are unaware of, we can help you estimate an appropriate size, and we then offer one free complimentary resize post-proposal so that your piece fits them perfectly.

We have a printable guide for estimating your partner’s ring size that can be downloaded here.

DO YOU CARRY A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SIZES IN STORE?

We don’t carry much stock in store – we have sample rings available for you to try on, as well as one-off, ready to purchase pieces, but we make the vast majority of our pieces to order, and can therefore make them to your required size.

I WOULD LIKE AN ENGRAVING ON MY RING, IS THIS POSSIBLE?

Yes! We offer both hand and laser engraving, on the inside and/or outside of the band. Please email us to discuss options and prices.

I LOVE A DESIGN THAT ISN’T YOURS - WILL YOU RECREATE IT?

We will never directly copy another designer's work. Your reference can be used as a starting point for a bespoke RB design, but we will not recreate an exact replica of another ring. We tend not to make pieces that are overly organic, figurative, or ornate either, as this is not our area of expertise and we would recommend you find another jeweller who specialises in this style.

We take on remodelling jobs on a case-by-case basis, and we can use external designs or the design of your original ring for inspiration.

DO YOUR PIECES CARRY A HALLMARK?

In accordance with UK law, every gold and platinum piece we make carries a traditional UK hallmark, as well as our own maker’s mark.

CAN I BUY YOUR FINE JEWELLERY IMMEDIATELY?

For our fine jewellery collection, we carry stock of selection of pieces. The easiest way to find these is on our Ready to Ship section.

For any design that we don’t currently have in stock, the lead time to make any of our fine jewellery pieces is 7-8 weeks.

WHAT MATERIALS CAN I CHOOSE FROM?

Our fine jewellery pieces are listed online in 9ct Yellow, White and Rose Gold, and can also be purchased in 18ct or Platinum upon request.

DO YOU MAKE CUSTOM FINE JEWELLERY DESIGNS?

Yes! Creating one-of-a-kind designs for our customers is something we love to do. The bespoke process for fine jewellery is similar to engagement rings - read more about it here.

WHERE ARE YOUR DIAMONDS AND GEMSTONES SOURCED?

Our diamonds and gemstones are sourced from various places around the world depending on your project brief, but always from dealers who work in compliance with the Kimberley Process, so you can rest assured that you are buying an ethical and conflict-free stone. We can of course provide more specific information on a stone-by-stone basis, and can try to source stones from a particular place (for example, we often work with Canadian diamonds).

You can read more here.

WHAT IS YOUR STANDARD WHITE DIAMOND QUALITY?

Our minimum quality for white diamond central stones is H colour, VS clarity, with either very good or excellent symmetry, polish, and cut (where applicable). All of the central stones we offer will be GIA certified for mined diamonds, and either GIA/IGI certified for lab-grown diamonds, and will have been sourced and chosen by our team to ensure they are high quality and work well with your chosen design, preferences, and budget.

In our eternity rings, diamond wedding rings, and other fine jewellery set with small white diamonds, we use G/H colour, VS clarity. We are happy to use a higher quality if you prefer, and can quote accordingly.

NB: please kindly note that for 18ct white gold and platinum engagement rings, we recommend a G colour or above, so the starting price is likely to be slightly more expensive than the listed website price (depending on stock availability).

WHAT JEWELLERY CAN I REMODEL?

We are able to redesign around our clients’ heirloom pieces, and update or redesign an existing engagement ring to better suit your style and circumstance.

WHY CHOOSE TO REMODEL JEWELLERY?

For us, the best jewellery is a piece that’s worn and loved. Pictured below, our client wanted to update their Engagement Ring to better reflect their unique style and we love the chunky gold design they chose. Environmentally, antique and heirloom diamonds also have significantly reduced impact on the earth than their new counterparts.

HOW DO I FIND OUT WHAT THE EXISTING STONE IS?

We’ll be able to take a look in person at our showroom for you - Rachel received a diploma in diamond grading from the Gemological Institute of America in New York - and send it on for further valuation before creating a design around it.

CAN I REUSE THE METAL?

We can reuse the hallmarked gold or platinum, or if the existing metal isn’t quite right we’ll use our regular gold or platinum which is 100% recycled as standard.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

Redesigning will take around 3-3.5 months. If you are aiming to have the piece finished with a specific date in mind, please do let us know.

ANYTHING ELSE TO KNOW?

As with our bespoke process, we have a minimum spend of £3000 which can be covered with the design fee, as well as additional stones and metal.

HOW DO I BEGIN REMODELLING THE JEWELLERY?

Email us at info@rachelboston.co.uk or book an appointment to discuss your remodel digitally or in person at our Shoreditch showroom by using our booking form here. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

MY JEWELLERY IS READY TO COLLECT - WHAT NOW?

Your finished piece can be collected in person at our showroom, or posted out to you via a number of different services listed below. When your piece is ready, a member of our team will email you to check which you would prefer. For collections at our showroom, you must book an appointment so we can prepare your piece, and our team will send you a link for this to book at your convenience.

WHAT POSTAGE SERVICES DO YOU USE?

For our UK clients we send all of our pieces via Royal Mail Special Delivery which is a fully tracked and insured next day service. Our team will follow up with the tracking number so you can follow the progress of your delivery.

Within London, there are bike courier options available at an extra cost. If this is your preference, please get in touch with our team at info@rachelboston.co.uk.

DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?

We offer shipping to most international destinations. Please contact us before placing your order if you have any questions regarding available shipping methods and/or prices.

Please be aware that any duty and taxes that may be due in the country of destination are the responsibility of the customer. Contact our team for a quote at info@rachelboston.co.uk.

IS POSTAGE SAFE & TRUSTWORTHY?

We send all of our pieces via trusted services that are fully trackable, as well as having our own insurance in the event of any external shipping company failures. 

DO I NEED TO BE AT THE ADDRESS TO RECEIVE MY PARCEL?

Someone will need to be at your given address to receive the parcel and provide a signature for all of the above services. We can coordinate which day would be best with you when one of our team contacts you after your piece is finished.

HOW IS MY JEWELLERY PACKAGED?

Our engagement rings come in a Rachel Boston monogrammed vegan leather ring box, with a care guide and polishing cloth. If your piece is being shipped, it will come in an FSC certified mailer box and biodegradable mailer bag.

If your piece is a surprise, please let us know via email at info@rachelboston.co.uk and we will send it in unbranded packaging.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY ORDER?

We aim to ship ready-to-wear rings within three working days of receiving an order, but we usually send things off more quickly. If you are based in the UK and would like to receive your ring on a certain day (excluding Sundays), let us know, and we can coordinate. 

CAN YOU PROVIDE A VALUATION FOR MY PIECE OF JEWELLERY?

We are very happy to provide a valuation for your Rachel Boston jewellery – you will need it for insurance purposes, amongst other things. Email us at info@rachelboston.co.uk with a photo of your piece and any relevant paperwork (GIA certificate, etc) and we will get back to you with a valuation.

ARE YOUR PRICES INCLUSIVE OF TAX?

All the prices listed on our website and the quotes we provide for bespoke pieces are inclusive of UK VAT at 20%.

DO I PAY VAT IF I AM AN INTERNATIONAL CLIENT?

We do not charge VAT if we are shipping your piece out of the UK, and each country will have their own rate of VAT and import duty that is charged once the piece reaches its destination. Unfortunately the UK no longer offers VAT-free shopping for clients who are visiting and taking their jewellery home with them.

WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU OFFER?

For Payments under £7k we accept all major debit and credit cards, including American Express, as well as bank transfers. For payments over £7k we require bank transfer unless discussed otherwise.

HOW DO YOUR PRICES COMPARE TO OTHER RETAILERS?

As we sell directly to our customers, our prices are already very competitive. If you are interested in a bespoke piece, you will set the budget, and we will work backward to determine what we can offer to fit your brief. We will never try to up-sell, and will only suggest design and stone options within your initial budget unless you ask us otherwise.

WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?

Bespoke goods cannot be returned, as they have been made-to-measure to our client’s exact specifications. However, as customer satisfaction is our priority, if you have any issues with your bespoke piece, we are happy to try and resolve any problem to the best of our ability on a case-per-case basis.

Rings purchased from our collection (“Ready to Ship” rings) can be exchanged for another piece from our collection or as credit towards a bespoke piece. The ring you have purchased must be returned to us unworn and undamaged, in its original condition and in its original packaging. Please kindly note that we do not offer refunds.

HOW DO I LOOK AFTER MY RB JEWELLERY?

We have a full care guide on our website here and we would recommend you read it to keep your jewellery in it’s best condition.

SHOULD I GET MY RING INSURED?

Whilst we are always happy to advise and facilitate repairs of Rachel Boston pieces that might have been damaged through normal wear and tear, this is at our discretion on a case-by-case basis, and we cannot be held responsible for costs of any damaged or lost gemstones. As these pieces are high-value, both materially and sentimentally, we strongly advise all of our customers to take out insurance so costs will be covered in the event of loss, theft or damage.

We can provide a complimentary valuation of your Rachel Boston jewellery or recommend a third party appraiser. If you have any insurance specific questions or would like us to send a valuation for your purchase please email us at info@rachelboston.co.uk

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR DESIGNS

Head over to our Journal or Learning Page where we share all of the inspirations behind the brand, how to style your RB pieces, wedding day tips and essential gemstone information.

ARE YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

Yes! Find us here:

Instagram

Pinterest

TikTok

Feel free to drop us a follow so you can see our latest designs!