If you’ve never had a custom piece of jewelry made, the thought of creating a custom engagement ring may seem daunting. However, making a unique, one-of-a-kind engagement ring is so much easier than most people think it is. Going custom may take a little more time, but most people would say that the custom creation process is easy, enjoyable and, ultimately, very much worth it.
Creating a custom made engagement ring is actually quite simple– and it can be even easier and more seamless when you know how to prepare for the design process. Interested in creating your own engagement ring design with ease? Read on to learn the 8 things you need to know about creating a custom engagement ring.
1. Going Custom Takes More Time
Creating a custom engagement ring takes longer than ordering a ready-made engagement ring. To create a custom piece of jewelry, you need to gather inspiration, create your design, fine tune your design, and have your ring crafted, all of which takes time. On average, it takes around 3 to 6 weeks to create a custom engagement ring, so make sure you allow for this extra time in your schedule if you’ll be going custom.
2. It’s Important to Set Your Budget First
You should set the budget for your custom engagement ring before you even speak to a jeweler. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally go overboard once you start designing your ring. It will also help your jeweler adjust your design in order to maximize your budget and make sure to prioritize the things you care about most.
3. You Should Select Your Jeweler With Care
A crucial part of the custom engagement ring design process is carefully selecting your jeweler. You don’t want to go to just any jeweler when you’re creating a custom engagement ring. First and foremost, if you want a well made custom ring that will stand the test of time, you absolutely need to go to a jeweler that specializes in creating custom engagement rings. It takes a high level of knowledge, experience, and skill to create a high quality engagement ring, which is something that must stand up to a lifetime of everyday wear. So, make sure you choose a jeweler who is up to the task. Additionally, when you have an initial consultation with a jeweler, make sure that you feel confident that they share your vision before you move forward. You want to feel like your jeweler listens to you and understands you, since this will make the design process smoother and much more enjoyable.
If you’re looking for an experienced custom jeweler in the Los Angeles area, the expert designers and craftsmen at Bridal Rings would love to help you create your perfect design. We have over 35 years of experience creating custom engagement rings and we love helping our customers create one-of-a-kind pieces they adore. If you’re interested in creating a custom engagement ring, make a design consultation appointment at our jewelry store by clicking here or by giving us a call at (213) 627-7620.
4. You Should Think of Your Partner’s Tastes
Ultimately, your partner is the one who will be wearing this custom engagement ring, so you should think about their style and tastes. This includes both their aesthetic preferences and their practical preferences. You want to think about their style (is it classic, modern, vintage, glam, or another style?) and you also want to think about lifestyle concerns. For example, if your partner works with their hands, they may not like a ring with an elevated setting. Or, if your partner often gardens or paints, they may prefer a ring that is easier to clean.
If you’re unsure about your soon-to-be-fiance’s aesthetic tastes, try paying more attention to the types of clothes and accessories they wear. If you try this and are still unsure, you may want to enlist the help of a stylish friend or relative who can help you understand your partner’s style. As far as practical concerns go, think about the types of activities your partner does. Then, chat with your jewelry designer and ask if they have any practical recommendations.
5. You Can Draw Inspiration From Anywhere
It’s common for people to bring in inspiration images at the start of the design process. People often bring in examples of engagement rings they like, which is great. However, we want to point out that you can draw design inspiration from anywhere. For example, you may feel inspired by other types of jewelry. Or, you could feel inspired by beautiful architecture, the colors in a picture you took while on vacation, a description of something within a favorite book, and so on. Bringing in inspiration is a standard part of the custom design process, but just know that your inspiration doesn’t have to be standard.
6. It’s Helpful to Understand Engagement Ring Styles
As you start your journey to create your dream ring, it will be helpful for you to learn about common engagement ring styles. When you know all your options, you can make more educated decisions (and feel more confident about them). You don’t have to get an expert understanding of engagement ring setting styles, but it’s a good idea to research the basics so that you have a solid foundation of knowledge. To help you get started, here’s a primer on some of the most common engagement ring styles:
- Solitaire: Solitaire engagement rings feature only one stone: your center stone. Solitaire rings can feature embellishments, like engravings, but never feature any side stones.
- Diamond Band: Any engagement ring with diamonds on its band could be considered a diamond band engagement ring. Most commonly, however, this term is used to describe a ring that would be called a solitaire if it did not have pavé diamonds on its band.
- Halo: In a halo engagement ring design, your center stone rests within a “halo” of smaller stones. These smaller stones are usually diamonds, but can be any gemstone. Halo settings are also usually round or cushion shaped, but they can be any shape.
- Three Stone: Three stone engagement rings have three center stones instead of one. These stones represent a couple’s past, present, and future together.
- Split Shank: A split shank engagement ring has a band that splits open, displaying negative space. Note that “shank” is simply a jeweler’s term for a ring’s band.
- Vintage-Inspired: Vintage-inspired engagement rings are new designs that draw inspiration from vintage eras, such as the Art Deco era or the Victorian era.
- Prong Set: A prong set engagement ring features settings that hold gemstones in place with prongs of metal that look like tiny claws. Any style of engagement ring can feature prong settings, so this term is more used to describe an important design feature than a general style category.
- Bezel Set: A bezel set engagement ring features a setting that holds its center stone in place with a ring of metal. As with prong settings, any style of engagement ring can feature a bezel setting, so “bezel set” is more descriptive of a notable design element than of a general style category.
7. It’s Helpful to Understand Engagement Ring Materials
When you’re designing an engagement ring, you want to understand both your style options and your material options. You have two types of materials to think about when you’re creating an engagement ring: your gemstones and your precious metal.
Engagement rings typically feature one higher carat weight center gemstone, then may or may not feature side stones on the ring’s setting. The most common choice for an engagement ring’s center stone is a round cut diamond, but you certainly have other options for your custom ring. You could choose a fancy shaped diamond, such as a princess cut, emerald cut, oval cut, marquise cut, cushion cut, or pear shaped diamond. You could also choose a colored diamond or a colored gemstone, such as a pink diamond, a blue diamond, a blue sapphire, or a ruby. The same goes for your side stones. Small round and baguette cut diamonds are the most common choice for an engagement ring’s side stones, but you can choose any shape or type of gemstone you like.
For an engagement ring’s precious metal, people generally choose one of four precious metals: either yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum. If your partner has a precious metal preference, we would definitely suggest choosing that for their engagement ring. If they don’t, you could choose your precious metal based on style, undertone, and/or any practical concerns you may have. If you’re unsure about these elements of precious metals, here’s a quick overview:
- Yellow Gold: A yellow gold metal with a warm undertone. Considered highly classic and traditional in style.
- White Gold: A shiny white metal with a cool undertone. Considered chic and sophisticated in style.
- Rose Gold: A pinkish-gold metal with a neutral undertone. Considered romantic or vintage in style.
- Platinum: A shiny white metal with a cool undertone. Platinum looks similar to white gold, but has some practical differences. Platinum is hypoallergenic, more durable than white gold, and more expensive than white gold.
8. It’s Important to Enjoy the Process
To close out our overview of what you need to know before making a custom engagement ring, we’d like to mention that creating your ring should be enjoyable. Creating a custom engagement ring is a special, once-in-a-lifetime experience. You should enjoy the creation process as much as you enjoy the final product. So, if you ever find yourself feeling stressed, try to take a step back and re-center. Focus on getting creative, having fun, and thinking about what’s truly important: your relationship with your partner.