Taylor & Hart Australia: Review and buying guide

The Experience of buying from Taylor & Hart when you’re in Aus

Taylor & Hart have cleverly combined the best bits of e-commerce – incredible choice and lower prices – with the best bits of old-school personal service.

In this Taylor & Hart review, we’ll primarily look at the experience of buying an engagement ring, and there’s two main ways to do that:

When Taylor & Hart launched, their focus was on bespoke engagement rings. Using CAD and 3D printing, they could develop custom designs more quickly, and at better prices, than anyone else out there.

This is still a large focus for Taylor & Hart, and if you’re considering a custom ring, I’d recommend you check out their article which answer the question ‘what’s possible with custom?‘ to get an idea of what can be done and to receive a healthy dose of inspiration.

As well as bespoke designs though, Taylor & Hart also have a range of beautiful settings to choose from – over 300 at the last count:

The advantage of this is that there is always likely to be a setting that matches what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a round brilliant diamond in a solitaire setting, there are 14 options to choose from – this is usually more than Australian jewellers, who may just have a couple of options

And even for what you may think would be a more unusual combination of diamond shape and setting, the selection is excellent. For example, there are 16 difference halo setting styles for oval halo rings!

A nice feature to make even an off-the-shelf ring design is the ability to add a personalised ‘signature gem’.

As standard, Taylor and Hart rings include a ruby inside the band of the ring:

To make this personal to the recipient, Taylor and Hart can swap this out for another gem e.g. the birthstone of the person who is going to be wearing the ring.

T&H have more details of the options available for this on this page which details all of the signature gems that are available, together with who they are most suitable for. Definitely worth a look if you would like to make your ring more meaningful to the recipient without the need to go for a full custom design.

Overall, Taylor & Hart have a one of the best selections of high quality ring settings available. As well as classic designs, they also offer some interesting vintage, art deco and floral options, if those styles will fit with the personal style of the recipient. Plus, if you have an idea for a ring that doesn’t fit with an existing design, their custom process is a really lovely, collaborative way to create your perfect ring.

For a limited time, they are also offering a £100 discount to Ringspo readers (nearly $200 Aussie!) Click here to find out more.

Import fees and taxes when shipping an engagement ring from Taylor & Hart to Australia

One of the primary concerns when purchasing from an international retailer is understanding import fees and taxes ie. how much more are you going to pay than the price you see on the website?

In Australia, imported goods are still subject to the same GST as you would pay on a ring over here, and possibly import duties, depending on the item’s value and type.

Taylor & Hart Acts as the Importer of Record

The good news is that Taylor & Hart acts as the “Importer of Record” for shipments to Australia. This means they handle all the necessary legal documentation and pay the GST on your behalf.

Not all overseas jewellers do this, which means that you often have to factor in GST on top of the price you see online. Not ideal.

But with Taylor & Hart, the price you see at checkout is inclusive of GST, and there should be no unexpected costs when your ring arrives. When I’m helping people in Aus select a ring, this is definitely my preferred way to go.

So what’s baked into the price you see?

• GST: As with any purchase made within Australia, your ring will be subject to the standard 10% Goods and Services Tax. Taylor & Hart includes this in the final price you pay, simplifying the process.
• Import Duty: Generally, jewellery items valued over AUD $1,000 may attract a 5% import duty. However, Taylor & Hart covers this duty for you within the price.

There is one fee which may be levied on entry – an ‘Import Processing Charge’ from Australian Border Force as an admin fee for processing your ring through customs. This may be:

• $50 for a ring priced between $1,000 and $10,000
• $152 for a ring priced at more than $10,000

I’ve helped several hundred people buy rings from overseas and around half have to pay this fee, so while it’s worth building into your budget, you may not need to pay it.

Learn more about import duties and taxes on Taylor & Hart’s website

Taylor & Hart Australia Shipping

Things to think about when shipping between the UK and Australia include:

• Price
• Safety
• Time
• Returns

How Does Shipping Work?

All Taylor & Hart rings are crafted in their London workshop, which does mean that tey need. Shipping to Australia typically takes approximately six working days, which is calculated into your overall order timeframe and target delivery date. Shipping is with UPS and you will be able to track your package at eery stage of its journey.

Fully Insured.. with nicely discrete packaging

Your ring will be shipped fully insured and tracked, providing peace of mind during transit. Additionally, the parcel will not feature any Taylor & Hart branding, so there’s no need to worry about spoiling any surprises if you’re planning a proposal.

How Much Does Shipping Cost?

Taylor & Hart offers free international shipping to Australia, which is a significant advantage over some other retailers who may charge hefty fees for overseas delivery.

Read more about Taylor & Hart’s shipping policies

Delivery Times for Custom and Standard Rings

Custom Orders

For bespoke designs, the process takes a minimum of 25 working days (approximately five weeks). This timeframe allows for consultations, design iterations, crafting, and rigorous quality checks to ensure your ring meets their high standards.

Standard Collection Rings

If you choose a ring from their existing collection, the minimum delivery time is slightly shorter, at 22 working days.

While this is quicker, it’s still important to plan accordingly, especially if you have a specific date in mind for your proposal.

Some customers might see these delivery times as a drawback, especially if they’re hoping for a quicker turnaround.

However, the time invested ensures that your ring is crafted with meticulous attention to detail and personalised to your preferences.

If you’re working with a tight timeline, it’s advisable to discuss this with your Taylor & Hart consultant—they may be able to expedite certain aspects or offer solutions to meet your needs.

What if you need to return the ring? Or get it resized?

Taylor & Hart offers a 90-day return policy, which is one of the most generous in the industry. If for any reason you’re not completely satisfied with your ring, you can return it within 90 days of delivery for a full refund or exchange, provided it’s in its original, unworn condition with all accompanying documents and materials.

This extended period allows you ample time to ensure the ring meets your expectations, and provides peace of mind when making such a significant purchase from overseas.

Read more about Taylor & Hart’s return policy

What If You Need the Ring Resized?

Complimentary Resizing

Understanding that getting the perfect fit can sometimes be challenging, Taylor & Hart offers one free ring resizing within six months of receiving your order. If you find that the ring isn’t the perfect fit, you can send it back to their London workshop for adjustment.

Shipping Costs for Resizing

While Taylor & Hart covers the cost of shipping the ring back to you after resizing, customers are kindly asked to cover the cost of shipping the ring to them for this service. Their Customer Care Team will assist you with the shipment process, making it as straightforward as possible.

Potential Drawback: Return Shipping Costs

Having to pay for shipping the ring back to the UK might seem like a downside. However, considering the value of the free resizing service and the expertise of their craftsmen, many customers find this to be a reasonable trade-off. Additionally, Taylor & Hart’s team is dedicated to ensuring the process is as smooth as possible, guiding you through each step.

Learn more about their resizing policy

Visit Taylor & Hart now