FAQs

If you have a design in mind, or need some guidance creating the perfect ring, please feel free to contact us and one of our friendly team will be in touch to schedule a virtual, or in person consultation.

The cost of a custom engagement ring at Aurea varies depending on the metal, diamond size, cut, and complexity of the design. As a guide, our rings start from around $6,500 NZD and go upward based on your chosen specifications. The best way to get an accurate quote is to book a consultation — we'll work with you to create something beautiful within your budget.

With our bespoke service, please allow 6 weeks to complete your ring after the design has been approved and your initial 50% deposit has been received.

Yes. Alex hand-sketches initial design concepts during the design process, which you'll review and refine together before anything is made. No piece goes into production until you're completely happy with the design.

Our bespoke process begins with an initial consultation - in person at our Herne Bay studio or virtually - where we get to know you, your style, and the story behind the piece. From there, Alex hand-sketches initial design concepts for you to review and refine together. Once you're happy with the design, we source diamonds and gemstones for you to consider based on your preferred shape, size, and budget. After you approve the final design and pay your 50% deposit, Alex handcrafts your piece to your exact specifications. Please allow 6–8 weeks from deposit to completion.

We work with 18ct yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold, as well as platinum. All precious metals are responsibly sourced from local New Zealand and Australian suppliers who are members of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). White gold pieces may require rhodium plating over time to maintain their bright finish, which is available at an additional cost.

We work with all popular diamond shapes including round brilliant, oval, pear, emerald, radiant, cushion, princess, marquise, and heart. The shape you choose has a significant impact on the overall look and feel of the ring, and we love helping clients find the cut that suits their personal style. If you have a particular shape in mind, bring inspiration photos to your consultation.

These are the four internationally recognised measures used to grade a diamond's quality, known as the 4Cs. Carat refers to the weight of the diamond (not the size, though the two are related). Cut refers to how well the diamond has been shaped and faceted — this has the biggest impact on sparkle. Colour is graded on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown), with D–F being the most sought-after. Clarity measures the presence of natural inclusions or blemishes, graded from Flawless to Included. We'll guide you through how each of the 4Cs affects both the appearance and the price of your diamond during your consultation.

Absolutely. We source a range of precious coloured gemstones including sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and more. Coloured stones can make for a stunning, unique centrepiece and are an increasingly popular choice for engagement rings. Let us know your preferred colour or gemstone type during your consultation and we'll source options for you to view.

Yes we do! You can find out more about Duty Free purchases here.

We do not work with client sourced stones. However we can work with heirloom diamonds. This is done on a case-by-case basis and will need to be viewed in person by our experts first to ensure it is suitable for a new design. Diamonds must be over 0.5 carat in size, with a minimum spend of $4000.

We offer a limited lifetime warranty on all of our jewellery. You can find out more here.

We offer complimentary cleaning and servicing of all Aurea pieces, where we will clean and polish your jewellery. We will also check stone settings to make sure your diamonds and gemstones are secure.

We recommend servicing rings every 6-12 months.

If your ring is crafted in white gold, it may require to be rhodium plated which has an extra charge.

Please get in touch if you would like to book in for a cleaning service here.

We are based on Jervois Road, Herne Bay, Auckland. Our jewellery can be viewed by booking an appointment here.

We are located at Level 1, 228 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, Auckland 1011. Our studio is open Wednesday to Saturday — please see our current hours on our contact page. All visits are by appointment, so we can give you our full attention. You can book a consultation online or get in touch at [email protected].

We accept Afterpay, which allows you to split your purchase into interest-free instalments. For bespoke commissions, a 50% deposit is required upfront with the balance due on completion. Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss your options.

Yes, this is something we do regularly. Whether you have an Aurea engagement ring or one from elsewhere, we can design and handcraft a wedding band that sits perfectly alongside it. Bring your engagement ring to your consultation and we'll work out the best fit, shape, and profile.

We love working with heirloom pieces. We can work with heirloom diamonds on a case-by-case basis - the stone will need to be viewed in person first to assess its condition and suitability for a new setting.

We will size your finger during your consultation, otherwise you can visit our ring size guide here for more detailed instructions.

If you are out of Auckland, a local jeweller may be able to assist in sizing your finger for you.

The most common ring size for women in New Zealand is approximately a size L–M (NZ/UK sizing), which corresponds to a US size 6. However, finger sizes vary widely and the best approach is always to get sized properly — we do this during your consultation. If you're purchasing a ring as a surprise, a good tip is to borrow a ring your partner already wears on their ring finger and bring it to us.

We understand that it can be tricky knowing the correct finger size when purchasing an engagement ring. We offer the first resize free of charge if your Aurea ring doesn't fit perfectly. Please make sure you visit us within 3 months of receiving your ring to take advantage of this.

Any resizing after this will incur a fee.

Full diamond eternity rings can not be resized due to the nature of the ring. Please ensure you are certain of your finger size before ordering. If you are uncertain of your finger size, please get in touch here, where one of our friendly team members will organize a free consultation to size your finger.

You can find out more about out terms and conditions for resizing here.

We size your finger during your consultation at no extra charge. If you're outside Auckland, we recommend visiting a local jeweller for a professional sizing, or you can use our ring size guide at aurea.co.nz/pages/ring-size-chart for at-home instructions. For surprise proposals, we also offer a proposal ring service - a placeholder ring you can present at the moment, with the bespoke design to follow.

We understand that getting the perfect fit can be tricky, especially for a surprise engagement. We offer the first resize free of charge, provided you come to us within 3 months of receiving your ring. Any resizing after this period will incur a fee. Please note that full diamond eternity rings cannot be resized due to their design, so we strongly recommend confirming your size before ordering one.

All Aurea pieces come with a limited lifetime warranty covering manufacturing faults under normal wear. If a fault occurs, we'll repair it free of charge. Damage resulting from improper care, bending, or impact will be assessed and repaired at a cost. Please note that the warranty is void if the piece is taken to another jeweller for repair or resizing. Lost, damaged, or chipped stones are not covered under warranty - we strongly recommend insuring your jewellery.

To keep your ring looking its best, remove it before swimming, using cleaning products, applying hand cream, or doing heavy manual work. Store it separately from other jewellery to avoid scratching. Clean it gently at home with warm water and a soft toothbrush. We recommend bringing it in to Aurea every 6–12 months for a complimentary professional clean and stone setting check. You can find more detailed advice in our care guide at aurea.co.nz/pages/care-guide.

Yes, we strongly recommend insuring your piece. Your Aurea jewellery is a significant investment, and home and contents insurance policies in New Zealand often allow you to add specific items at their appraised or purchase value. Insurance covers scenarios outside our warranty, such as loss, theft, or accidental damage to stones. We're happy to provide documentation to support an insurance valuation if needed.

We offer complimentary express shipping within New Zealand with reputable courier companies.

Once your order has been shipped, we will be in touch with your tracking details.

You can find out more about shipping here.

Yes we can arrange international shipping. Please get in touch to let us know your shipping address before placing your order online so we can send you a quote.

You may be liable for import duties and taxes when your goods arrive at your destination country.

You can find more about international shipping here.