Behind every engagement ring is a story—and what a story this is. A ring Sophie admired in Glasgow travelled secretly to Australia, carried by her mum for a proposal Sophie never saw coming.
01
A diamond birthday surprise
But the story began years earlier. Sophie’s mum had been shopping with John Macintyre & Son for decades, and Sophie grew up wearing a dress ring her mum had bought here.
On 2 January, Sophie, who was living in Australia, ordered a diamond pendant and chain for her mum’s 60th birthday in April. Her aunt helped arrange the local collection.
Later, Sophie shared a photograph of her mum wearing the birthday diamond. Her mum was delighted with the surprise.
Sophie’s mum and her birthday diamond
Sophie’s mum celebrating her 60th birthday
The diamond pendant and chain chosen for Sophie’s mum
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02
A surprise on Mitchell Lane
When Sophie was next back in Glasgow, she visited our Mitchell Lane showroom with her mum and thanked us in person for helping with the birthday surprise. In a lovely full-circle moment, her mum then chose a diamond pendant and chain for Sophie’s own upcoming birthday—returning the gesture with a diamond gift of her own.
During the visit, Sophie mentioned an elongated cushion-cut solitaire she had tried on elsewhere in Glasgow. After hearing what she loved about it, Jennifer talked her through creating the ring she had in mind: a 2.00ct centre diamond, graded by IGI, set in 18ct yellow gold with a secure platinum setting. Sophie was delighted to discover that her dream ring could be created for considerably less than the price she had previously been quoted. Before they left, she asked Jennifer to pass the ring’s details on to Jordan.
03
The diamond and ring taking shape
Quite a few weeks later—after Jennifer had started to wonder whether the message had taken the scenic route to Australia—Jordan finally got in touch. He was living there too and was ready to arrange Sophie’s dream ring without her finding out.
04
Planning the perfect proposal
Fortunately, Sophie’s finger size had been recorded during her visit, and Jennifer knew the style she loved. With Jennifer in Glasgow and Jordan in Australia, the planning began. What started as a secret between the two of them soon became a family effort to keep Sophie completely unaware.
Jordan’s mum and dad came to Mitchell Lane to collect the finished ring and stayed in touch with Jennifer and Jordan, helping coordinate the surprise from Glasgow. Sophie’s mum played an important part too, agreeing to hand-deliver the ring to Australia on her next trip. Jordan’s parents also brought Jennifer a card and a box of chocolates to thank her for her help.
A thank-you card from Jordan’s parents
05
A proposal by the sea
Weeks later, photographs and messages arrived from Australia. By the sea, Jordan asked Sophie to marry him with the ring she had first admired thousands of miles away in Glasgow. She had no idea what was coming—and said yes. The ring had travelled across the world in secret to reach that moment.
With thanks to Abby Seymour of Sunday Studio Photography for the beautiful proposal photography.
In less than a year, the story had come full circle: from Sophie arranging a birthday gift for her mum, to the ring she had admired in Glasgow, and finally to Jordan’s proposal in Australia.
From Sophie’s mum’s first visits to Mitchell Lane to a proposal on the other side of the world, this story brought two families together across generations. We’re grateful to have played a small part, and wish Sophie and Jordan every happiness as they begin their life together.
John Macintyre & Son · Glasgow
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