A diamond, a ring, a proposal. But what if the ring isn't her flavour? She's stuck with it her whole life.

Alex Bunnett and Rachel Sloane of Naveya & Sloane won't let this happen. Asking for a woman's hand in marriage is nervewracking at the best of times, but they've made the process a little easier with their Original Setting initiative.

The one-of-a-kind concept is making waves in the industry for its unique solution to the problem of the dreaded ring choice.

The two-year-old brand came up with Original Setting when they started establishing Naveya & Sloane Engagement.

"We had been doing quite a few custom rings," Bunnett explained.

"A client came to us with an existing diamond, and asked us to package it to present to his partner.

"The thought process began from there - say you've got the gold for the future ring, how do you package that? So we came up with the gold bar."

The client's chosen jewel is set into a gold (or whatever their metal choice) bar. This is then presented on proposal in a beautiful glass box.

After the proposal, the couple brings the bar back to Naveya & Sloane and they can begin to design the ring together.

"We knew what was in the market currently, and there was nothing out there for the people who didn't want to buy a ring straight out but wanted to present something special.

"There were 'fake' engagement rings available, but we believe that this is an experience that needs to be special.

"Engagements aren't an exclusive club like many other luxury commodities. It's a once in a lifetime experience, and no matter the budget it should be a high-quality experience," Bunnett said.

As well as their custom design Original Setting, Naveya & Sloane also design ready-to-wear engagement rings and jewellery collections with more of a fashion focus.

"I'm very much inspired by old-world romance," designer Sloane said.

"The ready-made pieces are a modern take on the old world. I love taking inspiration from antique jewellery and modernising it, adding edge to the design."

Sloane, a fashion design graduate, designed womenswear for Huffer and worked as a costume designer on Shortland Street before the jewellery world began calling her.

Sloane designs from her Auckland studio. All Naveya & Sloane jewellery is made in New Zealand.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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