In this series of love stories find out how Bonearrow customers chose their perfect alternative engagement ring and what happened when they popped the question. 

How did you and Chloe meet? 

Rob: We met on a night out in Rock City. Chloe had just moved back to Nottingham after a taking a year out of her university course and went on a spontaneous night out, whereas I was out with a group of friends after watching a Carl Froch boxing match. After that we basically never stopped talking to each other.  

How long have you been together? 

Rob: We had been together 7 years when I proposed, now 8.  

How did you know it was time to propose? 

Rob: I was thinking about it for probably well over a year before I started to actually get the ring. I always suspected Chloe would like a wedding, even if she was never really sure about the whole process. I knew we could handle it. I was certain she would say yes – although that didn’t stop me being nervous. I spoke to both sets of parents for their blessing (not permission) beforehand, it mattered to me to do that. 

"Bonearrow was the only place I looked – I knew Chloe liked Bonearrow"

Was the proposal a surprise for Chloe? 

Rob: Yes – she had no idea I had been going to the workshop to look at rings after work. I pretended to go and see my mum and brothers. I also did this when I spoke to her parents about my plan to propose.  

Chloe: I was blindsided by the proposal and basically spent the whole of the trip after it happened crying.  

How did you go about deciding on a ring? What other places did you look? 

Rob: Bonearrow was the only place I looked – I knew Chloe liked Bonearrow, seeing her watch instagram several times. I was drawn to the Till Death straight away.   

Chloe: I was introduced to Bonearrow by Yvonne at work one day and it was an instant follow for me and I loved watching the stories of you making different rings.  

"I was drawn to the one I chose because it was dark, and the speckles through it made it look like a galaxy"

What was the main reason you chose Bonearrow and the Till Death ring?

Rob: We watched All That Glitters – and one of the jewellers there often added skulls to rings and I asked Chloe if she thought skulls belonged on an engagement ring which she replied an enthusiastic yes so I knew that she would like Till Death. I loved the skulls on the design, I did look at some of the other designs on your site but this was always my top option.   

Chloe: Even though I vaguely remember this conversation happening it never occurred to me that he was talking about an engagement ring for me! We both love that we have supported an independent – and local – jeweller, and that the stones are ethically and responsibly sourced.  

What made you chose a salt and pepper diamond vs a different stone? 

Rob: I liked the look of them– I knew Chloe did not want a white diamond and would prefer something unusual. It is individual and I am happy I got to pick the specific stone that was in her ring. Clare showed me a variety of different ones and I got to choose the one. We then even mocked it up in the shop with the diamond I chose on the ring Clare already had made. I was drawn to the one I chose because it was dark, and the speckles through it made it look like a galaxy. 

Were you worried about anything when choosing a ring? 

Rob: I worried a bit about size, whether it was the right ring, I was worried Chloe would find out or suspect something when I was organising it behind the scenes.  

"She cried, and basically kept crying across the weekend when she looked at it"

How did you find out Chloe's size? 

Rob: We had a ring sizer at home – as Chloe had thought about buying a ring online before and one time I asked her to try it on and we both did on several different fingers and I kept a note of it.  

Chloe: Again whilst I can vaguely remember this I had no idea it was ever about an engagement ring.  

How did you propose?  

Rob: We were planning to go away to Whitby across an August bank holiday / long weekend and were leaving on Thursday and I had just picked the ring up on the Wednesday evening. I packed the ring in my bag, but when we parked I got it out and moved it into my trouser pocket. We spent the day wandering around arcades and shops and I had it the whole time just in case there was a good opportunity or moment to propose. We checked into our hotel, and planned to go for dinner at Sandsend. I suggested we go for a walk along the beach before hand – it was a windy day and starting to get a bit dark so there was no one else there. We walked for a bit – then sat on some steps and I thought ITS NOW OR NEVER. So I started to ask and got on one knee.   

Describe how Chloe reacted when she saw the ring? 

Rob: Tears. Happy happy tears. She cried, and basically kept crying across the weekend when she looked at it.  

Chloe: I was very overwhelmed, it was lovely. I think I even asked if it was from Bonearrow – I went to get it out of the box and then told Rob he needed to put it on my finger.  

It just so happened that Sandsend was a bit of a signal black hole for our phones so we spent the evening soaking it in just the two of us (and the locals in the pub congratulated us) and then phoned our families the next morning.  

How did you find the whole process of having a custom ring made? 

Rob: Always a bit worried that Chloe would see something or figure it out – it was probably slightly longer than I thought it would be, I had already spoken to her parents before I started the choosing the ring so it felt longer for me. 

I loved selecting the stone, and choosing the engraving, for our initials which are on the back. It felt very personal and special. We both love that it is an absolutely unique ring.  

You also had one of your wedding rings made with me, how did you chose the kind of wedding rings you both wanted? 

Chloe: I knew as soon as I had the Till Death engagement ring I wanted a wedding band that curved or spoke to the shape of it in some way. I knew it would need to be platinum to match my engagement ring and I hoped that you would be happy to custom make something for me (as this was just before you launched wedding bands on your website) so was over the moon when you agreed. It is again extra special that both Rob and I have had this custom experience of getting a bespoke ring from you – I think it just adds to the whole meaning tied into them.

Rob: I chose platinum for the engagement ring because I knew it would keep its shape – Chloe has several silver rings which have misshapen over the years from constantly being worn and so I didn’t want that to happen, so I felt platinum was the winner.  
For my wedding ring I knew I wanted tungsten – and I am happy we found a hammered one so it compliments Chloe's. I like the darkness of the metal which again is a nod to the salt and pepper diamond in hers.    

Rob and Chloe got married in The West Mill at Darley Abbey on 27th September 2022. Photo credits for wedding pictures used to Vicki Clayson at https://www.vickiclaysonphotography.com/

Thank you so much Chloe & Rob for sharing your story. 

🖤

If you have questions about a bespoke or alternative engagement ring get in touch at hi@bonearrow.com or browse the Darkly Beloved collection here.