18K yellow gold and platinum customizable settings include The Danielle, The Ruth, The Wiley, The Kathryn, The Vitoria and The Emma.
Husband-and-wife team Tim Shaheen and Meaghan Foran, owners of Alx&Co., have been crafting exquisite baubles, including engagement rings, for Washington couples for years, and they now have another secret weapon for couples seeking a unique look: the Engagement Collection. Introduced this fall, the collection features a curated selection of period-influenced and contemporary styles—all crafted in the couple’s Old Town Alexandria boutique.
Foran says the styles were developed with customization in mind. “Clients can select a ring exactly as it is, or opt to change the gemstone shape, prong styles and other decorative elements without needing to go through an entire custom-design process, which saves our clients up to five weeks of time.”
The couple has a legendary word-of-mouth reputation for their bespoke pieces, but Foran notes one challenge has always been showing new clients their work once it leaves the boutique. “Since everything we do is completely custom designed, we don’t recreate styles and keep them in our showroom, no matter how gorgeous a ring was when we made it,” she says. “Now, we have a collection we can keep in-house to show to clients while also offering a quicker option for customization requests if a client likes a style but wants it just a little different.”
Shaheen and Foran, who are gem experts, can source the perfect diamond, sapphire or gemstone; they specialize in conventional and ethically sourced gems and fabricate all of their designs using responsibly sourced fine materials. Foran says their team will even work with a client’s own gemstone to fit a design.
The collection features six styles from different periods that can be adapted for those looking for something decidedly modern. “Each of these styles can be adjusted for a different center stone, and clients can opt to add or subtract various design elements to make the piece their own,” says Foran. “This is a great option for clients who might be a little short on time or who want a no-fuss design process to keep things easy.” 121 S. Royal St., Alexandria, 703.548.0659, alxandcompany.com
Photography by: ERIN TETTERTON/COURTESY OF ALX&CO;.
