Weddings Winter 2009 > Planner

Elizabeth Locke at Peipers + Kojen

Elizabeth Locke’s hand-hammered bands in yellow gold ($1,500 to $20,000) are an understated alternative to traditional solitaire rings. Images etched onto the surface set Locke’s wedding jewelry apart from the rest—as do the bright, fantastical baubles she creates out of materials from all over the world.

Eric Originals & Antiques, Ltd.

This worthy oasis in the frenzied diamond district carries a wide variety of cushion-cut and old mine-cut diamond rings (from $2,000), as well as much-coveted signed originals from iconic designers like Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., David Webb, and Cartier—often at much less than you’d expect.

Fragments

The brides who flock to this downtown shop favor Annie Fensterstock’s vintage-inspired rings in 22-karat gold (from $1,000 for simple bands; $2,000 for diamond bands) as well as her eco-friendliness. Also popular are the boutique’s made-to-order 18-karat-gold or platinum wedding bands by designer Ray Griffiths (from $2,000).

Fred Leighton

The red-carpet mainstay’s elegant diamond-and-platinum engagement rings are celebrated for their antique cuts, some of which have original mountings. For those seeking something a little more outrageous, the boutique offers no end of dazzling over-the-top creations inspired by trends from centuries past. Rings start at $20,000.

Ginkgo New York

Ginkgo’s tasteful options come in all shapes and sizes. An intricate diamond-encrusted band runs $3,420; a gorgeous diamond-and-Colombian-emerald dazzler will run $43,000.

Graff

This venerable British export is packed with impressive white and yellow diamonds, as well as natural pink and blue stones, making it perfect for brides-to-be seeking status-y engagement rings. And if you happen to be in the market for priceless museum-quality baubles—like the 116-carat “Hope of Africa” ring—look no further.

Greenwich Jewelers

This boutique stocks the exclusive Polar Bear diamond (mined, cut, and polished in Canada), and it’s also a great spot for brides seeking inspiration, as they stock everything from clean, traditional designs to whimsical creations that could pass for vintage. As an eco-friendly bonus, they also work with 80 to 90 percent recycled metals. Prices upon request.

Harry Winston

The time-honored Fifth Avenue landmark offers more than twenty wedding-band styles and stocks diamonds in an extensive range of sizes, shapes, and prices, and they can easily customize rings to satisfy almost any whim. Full-circle diamond wedding bands start at $3,500.

H.Stern

An appealingly low-key, no-nonsense source for clean designs, H.?Stern has a strong selection of princess-cut and radiant-cut diamond rings. Wedding bands in white or yellow gold start at $495. Engagement rings start at $6,000 and go well into the six-figure range.

James Martin, Ltd.

The New York branch of L.A.’s Martin Katz is a favorite of Hollywood A-list and has plenty of outrageous designs for the unconventional bride. His playful platinum Art Deco creations feature rare stones in funky settings. Engagement rings start at $15,000.

Jelena Behrend Studio

This custom designer specializes in hand-engraved engagement rings and wedding bands in platinum and yellow, rose, white, or green gold that are hammered and hand-sculpted to achieve an organic effect. Rings start at $225.

Jeri Cohen Jewelry

At this Upper East Side jewelry boutique, designer Jeri Cohen hand-selects diamonds from Canadian mines (she’s also happy to source and sell specific loose stones upon request) and crafts them into luxe personalized rings. Engagement rings from $5,000; diamond wedding bands from $900.

From the Winter 2009 New York Wedding Guide