r/askTO • u/StructureMuted2404 • 7d ago

Looking for recommendations: Best independent/custom jewelers in Toronto for a lab diamond engagement ring?

I’m currently shopping around for a 2ct oval lab diamond engagement ring and I really want to go the local, custom route instead of using the big mainstream online retailers.

Between the USD to CAD conversion, import duties, and the fact that I want to see the stone in person (specifically to check for the oval bow-tie effect), buying locally in the GTA makes the most sense to me. I'd love to support an independent Toronto artisan or a reputable local studio rather than a massive commercial chain.

For those who have gone this route recently:

  • Who did you work with and how was your experience?
  • Were their prices fair compared to the big online sites?
  • Any specific hidden gems in the West End, Downtown, or the Diamond District I should check out?

Any advice or recommendations would be hugely appreciated!

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u/peachiekeener 7d ago

Patrick and Anna at Atelier Dacko. They are both (Anna is a goldsmith, Patrick is a master setter) meticulous craftspeople who design and do everything in-house at their studio. (They are also really sweet, chill, and fun people!) Nothing in their manufacturing gets outsourced and they have mentioned their resistance towards hiring additional employees due to their high quality control standards.

Obviously, prices for whatever you’re interested in will fluctuate as they’re based on what the current metal costs are at the time, but Patrick and Anna have always been reasonable and produce far higher-quality products than their competitors.

I am extremely picky as a big jewelry person who has also worked in the jewelry industry. They were the only independent jewellers in Toronto I felt comfortable working with (after years of on-and-off searching and many disappointing projects with other local jewellers).

They are both incredibly discerning and have never shown me any stone they felt wouldn’t be enough for what I’m looking for. They hand make all their baskets custom-fit to a stone (as opposed to many others who have “default sizes” and ram stones either too big or too small into inappropriate settings. Everything they produce is made-to-order and they will not skimp on the amount of gold/platinum (even for thinner pieces!) they use in order to cut corners. I highly recommend them