Tips for Designing a Custom Engagement Ring

This tips for designing a custom engagement ring post is sponsored and written by me on behalf of Jewelers Mutual Insurance. All opinions are 100% mine.

Chris and I took more of an unconventional route when it came to my engagement ring and his proposal.  If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed that the current ring setting on my finger is not the same ring setting that was originally put on my finger when Chris proposed.  Today I’m going to tell y’all all about that!

When Chris got down one on knee and proposed to me in St. Croix, he did so with a diamond he handpicked and had set on a solid white gold solitaire setting.  That diamond happened to be my dream diamond that he couldn’t pass up, so he didn’t, even though he couldn’t find the perfect ring setting for it!  I would later find out that I’d be designing my own custom engagement ring setting once we returned back home!  So now, I still have the same beautiful diamond Chris proposed with, it’s just on a different setting!

Here’s the back story:

Prior to us getting engaged, Chris and I had been ring shopping so he could get an idea of what I liked for when the time came.  I was told to pick the perfect ring I had always dreamed about.  Thankfully, I’ve always had an idea of the style of engagement ring I wanted – a cathedral setting cushion cut diamond, with the center diamond being the main focal point.  This meant nothing with a halo, as I felt a halo would take away from the center stone.  That ruled out more than half of all the engagement ring settings in the stores, since the halo setting is very popular these days.  I just wanted the center stone to pop on a thin pave diamond setting!  That was my #1 wish, which basically put me at a traditional cathedral side stone setting.  Easy enough, right!?

#2 on my wish list was something with a unique side design, preferably with diamonds going down both sides of the shank, and a flush halo around the center stone that is only visible from the sides, as in if you look at the ring from atop, you can’t even see it there!  To no surprise, with those specific requests, we never found anything close to what I had been describing.  It was usually one or the other, but never a setting with both distinct features.  I guess that’s why they call it a wish list!

I wasn’t in any rush, and just figured we’d eventually find the perfect ring out there somewhere and it would be fate, so I suggested we stop looking.  Little did I know, Chris had been planning to propose during our trip to St. Croix, so the pressure was on for him when he realized our ring shopping trips gave him zero leads!

Chris is the type of guy that doesn’t like compromising when it comes to big purchases, so buying a ring that he felt didn’t meet my dream wish list was out of the question for him.  This lead him to decide to go the custom engagement ring route and leave the design of the ring fully up to me after the proposal, since anything before our trip would’ve ruined the surprise.

I have no doubt he would have picked a beautiful ring that I would have loved, regardless of checking off a dreamed up wish list or not, but the fact that he decided to go the custom route made it even more special. I got to have a one of kind hands on approach with a ring I’ll love, cherish, and wear forever.  Even though he proposed with my diamond on a different setting, the sentimental value is still there for us since it’s still the same diamond.  He truly made my wish list come true!

With that being said, I wanted to share my thoughts on the process and tips for designing a custom engagement ring based on what I learned along the way.  I hope this can help any of you considering doing the same!  The process wasn’t easy all the time, but it was so worth it in the end!

TIPS FOR DESIGNING A CUSTOM ENGAGEMENT RING:

Choose a Reputable Jeweler

First things first, whoever is going to make such a pricey piece of jewelry needs to know what they’re doing – custom or not!  It never hurts to take a look at a jeweler’s previous work to get a feel for quality.

In terms of custom design, you’ll want to make sure the jeweler you choose has prior experience with custom work and also has the appropriate tools to make the process go smoothly.  CAD digital design software and wax molds should be key parts of the process.

These two key components are the only ways you’ll get a feel for the finished product when creating a ring from scratch, so make sure you have these options available to you.

Create an Inspiration Board

If there are certain design elements you like or dislike from various pieces of jewelry, it helps to have an inspiration board to show your jeweler.  The more visual examples you can provide, the easier the process will be.

Give Yourself Enough Time

Designing a custom engagement ring is a process, and potentially a long one at that.  It can take anywhere from several weeks from start to finish, to several months.  You’ll likely tweak several digital renders, and maybe even a wax mold or two before giving your final approval, so be sure to allow plenty of time.

Try on Lots of Rings First

You may have an idea of what you want your ring to look like, but what about the size of those diamonds?  The thickness of the band?  The setting of the diamonds?  These are all questions your jeweler will ask you and it’s much easier to try on a finished ring setting to get an idea of what type of band thickness and diamond size you prefer on your hand.

Get Familiar with Jeweler Terms

If shopping for a diamond is on your to-do list, make sure you’re fully aware of the 4Cs – carat, color, clarity, and cut. These all play an important role in the quality of the diamond you choose, and all are equally important.  Also get familiar with popular terms such as cathedral setting, channel setting, pave setting, halo, prongs, solitaire, shoulder, bridge, shank, etc. You will reference these many times with your jeweler!

Make Sure the Color, Cut, and Clarity Matches

To avoid having either the center stone or the engagement ring setting look different in color, make sure the color, cut, and clarity of the ring setting matches the center stone!  Any slight difference can make one component of the ring look less ideal than the other.

Research Different Metals

Gold and platinum are the two most common options for an engagement ring setting, and both vary significantly.  Be sure to do your research to determine what will work best for not only your budget, but for your lifestyle and the wear and tear you plan on putting on your ring.  Also keep in mind the type of care these metals will require later on.  For example, platinum will need to be polished and white gold is a mix of metals which will require re-dipping.

Get a Quote Before Any Work is Started

To avoid any surprises, it’s best to get a quote before you sign any papers or the jeweler starts the job.  Some jewelers charge a hefty fee just to turn on the machine for custom work, so it’s best to make sure everything fits into your budget ahead of time.  Also be sure you’re aware of how many revisions you’re allowed during the process. Doing so will help keep you in budget and reduce the occurrence of any unnecessary expenses.

Don’t Forget About the Wedding Band

It’s easy to get caught up in the design of the engagement ring and lose focus of the whole picture of the engagement ring paired with a wedding band later on.  Keep this in mind while you are designing your ring.  You’ll want to make sure both rings look good as a set once it’s all done.  For example, if you don’t want a curved wedding band, make sure you are not designing your engagement ring setting in a way that will require a curved band.  Think about the big picture!

Anything that is discussed with the designer, such as cost, timeline, type of stone, type of metal, design, etc., should be agreed upon in writing and signed by both parties involved for protection and to avoid complications later on.  Now that you have a better understanding of the design process, it’s time to talk about the most important thing you need to do the second you purchase a ring, custom or not!  That, my friends, is get it insured!

Could you imagine the awful feeling of having such an important, sentimental, and not to mention expensive piece of jewelry stolen or lost!?  I know I couldn’t! That would be an awful feeling I don’t ever want to think about.  The only way to have peace of mind with your engagement ring is to get it insured.

If you’re not sure where to start, companies like Jewelers Mutual make it easy for you. They’re considered the expert in jewelry insurance, unlike other general insurance companies, and know how to keep your ring safe and sound.  Check out this Jewelry Insurance 101 guide.

Wedding planning can be hectic, but jewelry insurance can give you the peace of mind to know you won’t have to worry about your ring, and one less thing to worry about when planning a wedding is what any bride needs!

Whether you’re recently engaged or already married, Jewelers Mutual makes it quick and easy to get a free jewelry insurance quote!  I know I have peace of mind knowing my ring is protected and I think every one else should feel the same!

Interested in hearing more about engagement rings? Learn what brides-to-be want in an engagement ring.

Have you gone through the process of designing your own ring? Share your tips for designing a custom engagement ring in the comments below! 

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