Kelsey's Unique Engagement Ring Story
I always knew I’d have a Botanica engagement ring and the story of how I got mine is a pretty unique one, if I say so myself.
It all started when I came across a Botanica Instagram ad for one of the most beautiful rings I’d ever seen - It was a seven sapphire cluster ring and I didn’t even hesitate before pushing the “follow” button. I started chatting to Claire in the DMs (as one does) and, to my surprise, I got a follow back. For months Claire and I chatted on social media before actually meeting and then fate brought us together in a Pilates class.
Some more time passed and Claire mentioned that she was looking for a part-time assistant / brand manager. I just knew that this was the perfect job for me and had to jump at the opportunity. Claire and I met for a coffee to discuss the position; despite my lack of jewellery knowledge Claire took a chance on me and I was hired on the spot. My part-time position turned into my full time job, and I am eternally grateful for that fateful Pilates class for helping me pivot into my dream career.
Being part of the Botanica team, I have so many sapphires constantly crossing my desk but sometimes I come across a stone so special that I just absolutely cannot manage to get it out of my thoughts. That’s exactly what happened when I first saw my sapphire.
Claire had ordered down some sapphire options for a client and when they arrived in the studio there was one that caught my eye (or rather, captured my heart). I was so incredibly drawn to this stone and it was the very first time I was able to imagine what my engagement ring might look like. It was an instant connection that I still can’t quite put into words - but I was so emotional about this sapphire that I cried about it on the way home. Our clients often ask us how they will know which stone to go for, and I can honestly say “you just know” (although I’m fairly sure the crying was an experience unique to me).
Unfortunately, my beloved sapphire had been bought by a client and was securely stored in the safe for months... Little did I know that the mystery client was my partner, Ty, and that sapphire would be mine.
I can only imagine that Ty and Claire were presented with the impossible task of making my engagement ring without me knowing. I had a fairly specific set of wishes for my future engagement ring: a green sapphire as my central stone, nothing asymmetrical, and lastly I wanted my ring to honour the traditional craft of jewellery so it was really important to me that it was entirely hand made. After months of planning, Claire began designing and manufacturing my dream engagement ring right underneath my nose - all the while asking my opinion and helping her make design choices.
Every time an engagement ring leaves our studio, I feel deeply connected to it in some way or another and it brings me so much joy to send it off to its new home. It’s like I get to play a small role in someone’s love story and it is just one of the most special feelings sending out engagement rings. But this one, this one was different. I was devastated to say goodbye to this ring, if only I had known that in less than 72 hours it would be on my finger and mine to have forever.
Ty had been planning a weekend away for us for ages. He had categorically told me, with very intense eye contact, that he would not be proposing while we were away… the most forgivable lie. I would prefer to keep the details of our proposal private, as it’s truly one of the most sacred and special moments we’ve shared together. What I will share is that it was in the Klein Karoo, in the middle of nowhere where we were entirely alone, at sunset, and it was absolutely perfect.
My engagement ring is not “just a ring”, it is a piece of jewellery that is incredibly symbolic and sentimental to me for so many reasons. It is a representation of all the special moments that led to Ty’s proposal as well as everything our future has in store for us. My engagement ring not only holds the story I share with Ty, but is also a reminder of my unique career pivot, and how one should always show up for that Pilates class! ;)