Suffolk jeweller Rick Chapman faced the challenge of creating a new diamond ring in one day – watched by customers visiting his new shop.

Rick and Maggie Chapman have relocated their business the Jewellery Workshop to The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, after running it in Sudbury for 26 years. To mark the opening of the new shop, Maggie designed the Deben Ring in 18ct yellow and white gold set with three brilliant cut diamonds for a customer draw, and Rick had the challenge to make it in full view.

He said: “I started at 9am so the first visitors saw just a bar of dull metal. I chose the diamonds, and then began working the gold for the centrepiece of the ring.

“People were fascinated to see the ring taking shape using traditional tools and skills. We had hundreds of visitors – many chose to drop in two or three times throughout the day to check on progress.”