When it comes to finding the perfect engagement ring, few experiences are as meaningful and memorable as being part of its design process from the very beginning. In Cape Town, Mark Solomon Jewellers has established its reputation as one of South Africa’s leading fine jewellery manufacturers, renowned for crafting exquisite, custom-made diamond jewellery that celebrates both artistry and technical excellence.
For over four decades, our in-house workshop has been a cornerstone of precision craftsmanship and creative design. We offer clients more than just jewellery. We aim to tell stories that have been forged in gold, platinum, diamonds, and gemstones—stories that become part of your life, and our legacy.
We have a large variety of halo rings to choose from.
The Art of In-House Manufacturing
The journey to your forever “yes” starts right here inside our Cape Town boutique. We are proud to say that every step of this special process is able to take place under one roof. This makes us especially unique, as many other jewellers rely solely on outsourcing production to third-party manufacturers. Our hands-on approach offers three main advantages: total quality control, efficiency, and value.
Total Quality Control
In-house manufacturing offers a range of advantages. From the moment the design process begins until the ring is placed inside the box and wrapped up, our in-house team is able to oversee every step of the process. Our award-winning designers, master goldsmiths, and highly skilled setters rigorously inspect every small detail of the jewellery and continually communicate, resulting in a system where quality control has become a natural part of the process. This direct-oversight approach ensures that your ring will be of a quality that won’t disappoint.
Faster Turnaround Times
When you are planning your engagement, one of the last things you want to worry about is whether your ring is going to be ready on time. Long waiting times aren’t always an option when you have your helicopter booked and your picnic basket packed.
Luckily, since the entire manufacturing process of your engagement ring can be done on-site, we can control every step of the process, resulting in no unnecessary waiting times or delays. The Mark Solomon Jewellers team work together seamlessly, resulting in a streamlined process that allows a much faster delivery time than most other fine jewellery manufacturers nationwide.
Better Value, Long-Term
By predominantly keeping production in-house, we can offer exceptional value without compromising on quality. Custom-made engagement rings in Cape Town are highly sought after, since there really is no better place to get down on one knee.
The combination of personalisation and excellent craftsmanship means that you can’t go wrong with having your engagement ring designed and made at Mark Solomon Jewellers. Having been founded in the 1980s, Mark Solomon has had many years to ensure that every piece that leaves our store favours quality over anything else.
We have an extremely large selection of diamonds and gemstones in-store. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t find your dream stone for you. The South African diamonds, rare gemstones, and locally sourced precious metals used in our creations reflect a passion for quality, artistry, and individuality. This means that when you are buying a piece of jewellery at Mark Solomon Jewellers, you are investing in something that will be cherished for many generations.
Start your Forever by contacting one of our designers or visiting our Sea Point store.
The Custom Design Process: From Vision to Masterpiece
In our Cape Town studio, your imagination and our technical specialities can collaborate to create the ring of your dreams. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the journey your bespoke engagement ring will take.
Step 1: The Consultation
The first step is all about sharing your vision. Your engagement ring’s journey begins with a simple conversation during a private consultation. Our expert designers take the time to carefully understand your partner’s (or your own) style, ideas, and budget. You can discuss your preferred diamond shape, metal, setting style, and any other personal touch you might want to add.
Reflecting your personality and your story is of utmost importance to us; thus, this collaborative approach ensures that every detail is perfectly to your liking. Whether you arrive with sketches, Pinterest images, or simply your own ideas, our team will translate your thoughts into a concrete concept. We often explore design inspirations from nature, architecture, and vintage jewellery, helping you visualise subtle details that will make your ring truly unique.
Beyond the craftsmanship and creative process, choosing a custom-made ring also allows you to create a deeply personal symbol that reflects your relationship’s journey. Many clients choose to incorporate meaningful elements such as birthstones, engravings, or design motifs inspired by shared memories. These unique touches often become the most cherished features of the ring, transforming it from a beautiful piece of jewellery into a treasured keepsake with emotional significance that grows stronger over time. Additionally, custom rings often allow for heirloom adaptations, where family stones or designs are incorporated, adding historical and sentimental value.
The price of your engagement ring is going to depend on all of these factors. While our engagement rings normally range between R30 000 and R200 000, every ring is individually quoted to suit your chosen design, diamond or gemstone, precious metal, and budget, ensuring complete transparency from the very beginning.
Step 2: The Design
Next, our designers hand-sketch your ring. If you haven’t quite made up your mind about your final design, they sketch a few options for you to get a clearer idea of which direction you would prefer to go.
If you are happy with the chosen design, and your ring is getting made entirely by hand, then we move on to step 3. However, if you are still struggling to imagine what your ring is going to look like, or your ring is going to be cast, our in-house CAD designer will use 3D computer-aided design software to create a lifelike rendering of your soon-to-be ring. Thanks to advanced technology and our designer’s skilled expertise, you will be able to see a true-to-life digital image of your design that you can view from every angle.
This is the stage where art and engineering merge. Using software that has been specifically built for jewellery design, your ring is built with such precision that our designer works to a hundredth of a millimetre (0.01mm) to ensure the best accuracy and quality possible.
Step 3: Making the Ring
Our Cape Town workshop is home to some of the finest jewellers in the country. Years of dedication have shaped their expertise, and it shows in every detail.
Some traditional techniques remain irreplaceable, and we will always honour them. At Mark Solomon Jewellers, we blend these time-tested skills with modern
technology to create pieces that are both beautiful and expertly made. The result is a ring crafted for comfort, balance, and lasting durability.
The first step in the manufacturing process is to melt the metal and pour it into an ingot.
The Alternative to Step 3: Wax Model and Casting
While there are many benefits to handmade jewellery that is made entirely on-site by our goldsmiths, in some cases, we recommend having your ring designed by our in-house CAD designer and having it cast by professional casters.
Once you are completely satisfied with the rendering, and our CAD designer has prepared your ring, production begins. Using 3D printing technology, a wax or resin model is created. This forms the base for the centuries-old technique of lost-wax casting. This traditional technique has been perfected and refined over many decades, resulting in smooth and accurate metal casting.
Using a plaster-like substance, a mould is created of the 3D-printed ring. Once the wax ring is set in the plaster, the mould is placed in an oven and baked, causing all the wax to burn out. It is only then that the metal of your choice, whether gold or platinum, is heated until molten and poured into the plaster mould where the shape of your ring has been created. The casting is carefully removed from the plaster and sent back to our workshop, where our master goldsmiths finish and assemble the metal pieces that have been cast with skill and precision.
Step 4: Stone Setting
This is the moment where everything comes together. Gemstone setting is a specialised craft, refined through years and years of practice. It demands absolute precision and a level of expertise that can only be earned with time. Our master setters blend traditional hand-setting skills with modern equipment, combining old-world artistry with 21st-century precision. They secure every diamond and gemstone by hand, working with microscopic accuracy and decades of experience,
Over the course of their careers, each setter develops a signature approach to their work. Since our designers have the luxury of collaborating directly with our goldsmiths and setters from the very beginning of the design process, every piece is created with the setter’s craft in mind. This ensures that each stone is secured perfectly, safely, and beautifully.
Our setter uses a microscope for enhanced precision.
Step 5: Polishing and Finishing
Finally, the ring gets polished for the final time and goes through a rigorous quality inspection. Every surface has to be refined to a smooth finish, every diamond assessed, and every prong tested for strength. The result is a piece of fine jewellery that feels as flawless as it looks.
Before delivery, your ring is presented in a signature Mark Solomon box, accompanied by a valuation certificate, and, if applicable, an independent diamond certificate.
Sustainably South African
Purchasing a custom-made Mark Solomon ring not only supports local talent but also actively contributes to maintaining the region’s reputation for world-class fine jewellery manufacturing. By manufacturing our jewellery locally, we are able to help create South African job opportunities, adding to the legacy of craftsmanship and creativity that defines our city and country. Additionally, sourcing responsibly and ensuring ethical practices are followed throughout every stage of production, which adds further long-term value to your investment.
Why Choose Mark Solomon Jewellers
An engagement ring marks the beginning of a lifelong story. It deserves the same care, intention, and integrity as your commitment to one another represents. At Mark Solomon Jewellers, every ring is designed and manufactured in-house in Cape Town, allowing us to maintain absolute control over quality, craftsmanship, and detail from the first sketch to the final polish.
Working with our team means direct access to experienced designers, master goldsmiths, and expert stone setters who collaborate closely at every stage of the process. This integrated approach ensures that each ring is structurally sound, beautifully proportioned, and made to last a lifetime. Our use of advanced design technology alongside traditional jewellery-making techniques allows us to create custom-made engagement rings that are both technically precise and deeply personal.
We work exclusively with ethically sourced diamonds and precious metals, and we take pride in supporting local craftsmanship while upholding international standards of fine jewellery manufacturing. The result is a bespoke engagement ring that reflects your story, respects its materials, and stands as a meaningful investment for generations to come.
When you choose Mark Solomon Jewellers, you are not simply commissioning a ring. You are partnering with a team dedicated to creating something enduring, considered, and unmistakably yours.
