The secret squirrel proposal: How to design a custom ring in total secrecy

Many couples we see at Easy Weddings face the same dilemma when it comes to engagement rings. You want the proposal to be a genuine surprise, but you also want to guarantee the ring matches your partner’s exact taste and fits properly.

It feels like a fine balance to strike. How do you gather subtle style hints, secret ring sizing, and work through custom design iterations without dropping a single clue?

For one couple, the answer lay in a covert, two-month collaboration with April Whittam, Creative Director at Futurae Diamonds.

The bride, Deirdre, had no idea what was brewing behind the scenes. Her partner operated under strict confidentiality to design a bespoke ring, proving that with the right jeweller, total secrecy is entirely possible.

"From the very beginning, my partner worked closely with April under complete 'secret squirrel' conditions, and she certainly knows how to keep a secret! I had absolutely no idea that they had spent almost two months working together to create my dream engagement ring."

Deirdre

Here is how they pulled off the ultimate secret squirrel proposal design process, and how you can do the same for your partner.

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Step 1: Gathering the intelligence (without raising suspicion)

The trickiest part of a secret proposal is securing two crucial pieces of information: the preferred diamond shape and the correct finger size. Most people trip up here by asking direct questions or clumsily borrowing existing jewellery.

With Futurae Diamonds guiding the process, Deirdre’s partner managed to extract both details completely undetected.

"Without making me suspicious, they somehow managed to determine my ring size and discover which diamond shape I loved."

Deirdre

Working with a dedicated jeweller gives you access to practical tactics for covert sizing and style discovery. Whether that involves subtle sleuthing through personal inspiration boards or leveraging trial wax models, expert guidance keeps your cover intact.

Step 2: The bespoke design process

Designing a bespoke piece from scratch takes time. Over eight weeks, April and Deirdre’s partner collaborated remotely, moving through diamond selection, proportion adjustments, and CAD visualisations.

Futurae Diamonds specialises in lab-grown diamonds, offering a modern approach to custom fine jewellery. The bespoke process allows clients to review digital design renders and refine every detail, from setting height to band profile, before production begins.

"Behind the scenes, April guided my partner through every detail of the custom design process, exchanging ideas, emails and design renders until everything was absolutely perfect."

Deirdre

For the person planning the surprise, having a single, highly responsive point of contact makes all the difference. It turns what could be a stressful secret into a smooth, structured experience.

"The care, discretion and attention to detail April provided throughout the entire process were exceptional. She made what could have been an overwhelming experience feel personal, exciting and completely seamless for my partner."

Deirdre

Step 3: The low-key reveal

After two months of meticulous planning, the final reveal did not require an elaborate public spectacle or an over-the-top stunt. The effort put into the secret design made the proposal deeply meaningful on its own.

On Christmas morning, in the quiet comfort of their own home, the moment finally arrived.

"On Christmas morning, while we were still in bed enjoying our coffee, my partner surprised me by proposing. I was completely blown away, not only by the proposal, but by the beautiful ring they had created together."

Deirdre

Creating a heirloom with meaning

A custom engagement ring is more than a beautiful piece of jewellery. When built in secret with this level of thought and intention, it becomes a story you keep forever.

"Knowing how much thought, time and love went into creating my ring makes it even more precious to me. We cannot recommend April and Futurae Diamonds highly enough. They helped create a moment, and a ring, that we will treasure for the rest of our lives."

Deirdre

Ready to plan your secret proposal?

If you are ready to design a custom piece in total secrecy, partnering with an expert who understands discretion is essential. Futurae Diamonds offers private virtual consultations as well as in-person appointments at their Bangalow studio, guiding you through diamond selection, custom renders, and exact sizing without spoiling the surprise.

Start your custom journey today.

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