Why Discerning Couples Choose This Under-The-Radar Bespoke Jeweller

Like many brides-to-be, Charlotte Slebos Foote knew that she wanted to be involved in designing her dream engagement ring. So when she got engaged in 2023, her fiancé arranged for them to visit three traditional luxury jewellery houses. But he saved the best for last, with a trip to the under-the-radar bespoke jeweller Blackacre.

“There was simply no comparison – we both knew as soon as we left our appointment that they were the right choice,” says Charlotte. “The team’s passion was infectious, and their ability to create bespoke pieces with exceptional attention to detail stood out immediately. We were embraced with a warmth and authenticity that we had not experienced elsewhere – the traditional, sometimes intimidating world of luxury was refreshingly replaced with a focus on provenance, storytelling and education.”

Charlotte’s rave review is typical of Blackacre’s discerning clients, the majority of whom discover the brand through word-of-mouth. Founded in 2017, it’s a best-kept secret among high-achieving couples who are seeking an individual, technically excellent alternative to mass-market engagement rings, as well as wedding bands and bridal jewellery crafted just for them.

“Every piece that we create is made to order and therefore one-of-a-kind in nature, to be cherished by this generation and beyond,” explains founder Sam Stirrat, who has gradually built the business by focusing on quality craftsmanship and exceeding client expectations. “Every client’s journey is tailored to their specific needs – whether they already have a core vision in mind, or are at the outset of considering a bespoke piece.” With no limit to the number of consultations, the Blackacre team are endlessly patient when it comes to experimenting with ideas, refining and finalising designs. “Our priority is to create something that’s perfectly tailored to the client’s story,” says Sam.

For Charlotte and her fiancé, “it was magical to find someone whose sole purpose was creating something that would be perfect for us. We left feeling genuinely excited about the process and the design,” she says. After an initial telephone briefing, the Blackacre team sourced a variety of gemstones for the couple to choose from – including a selection of rare Padparadscha sapphires from Sri Lanka. With their beautiful peachy-pink colour, these distinctive sapphires captured Charlotte’s heart and she chose a 1.51-carat oval to set at the centre of a three-stone ring, flanked by two diamonds repurposed from heirloom jewellery.

Blackacre prides itself on its ability to source exceptional gemstones – many of which are handpicked by Sam and Head Gemmologist Laura during their expeditions to Sri Lanka, Colombia and other destinations across the globe. The team work closely with expert diamond cutters to offer an abundance of choice, meaning they can also cut diamonds or gemstones to order.

Once the stones have been selected, clients receive a CAD design for sign-off, along with photos and videos as their ring is handcrafted in the London workshop. “We received visual updates from inside the atelier as the ring took shape which was amazing to see,” says Charlotte, who describes her engagement ring as a “one-of-a-kind piece that feels deeply personal and meaningful”.

With exceptional quality as a guiding principle, Blackacre’s bespoke rings take six to 10 weeks to craft, a process that involves “microscopic-level quality checks and a focus on doing the simple things outstandingly,” says Sam. A multitude of tiny details make all the difference. Low-profile settings use a minimum of metal while maintaining total security, and are fully polished mid-setting to showcase the gemstone to its maximum potential. Gemstones as small as 0.6mm in diameter can be set in the subtlest locations, allowing clients to add a hidden, personal touch – like embedding birthstones on the underside of a ring, or tiny diamonds around the side of a bezel.

Wedding jewellery is crafted with just as much care: brides might return for a pair of elegant pearl drop earrings, a diamond tennis bracelet or a dainty pendant; the type of heirloom jewellery they can enjoy for years to come and will one day pass on to their child or grandchild.

“For many people, the concept of creating something bespoke might be intimidating. We wish to dispel this myth,” says Sam, who recommends that couples begin by trying on different engagement ring styles in order to rule certain designs and elements in or out. “Once you have a view of the simple things, like colour, shape or style, we can bring those ideas and meanings to life.”

Having returned to Blackacre for their wedding bands, which were also set with diamonds taken from family jewellery, and, earlier this year, a yellow gold and ruby ring to celebrate the birth of their son, Charlotte and her husband are part of an ever-growing, evangelical cohort of Blackacre ambassadors who value quality and service above all else. “Blackacre makes the whole experience feel special from start to finish,” she says. “You don’t just walk away with a beautiful piece of jewellery – you walk away with something that feels like it’s truly part of your story.”