Considerations for Custom Designing an Engagement Ring

If you’ve searched high and low for the perfect diamond engagement ring and came up empty, or if you know that the standard solitaire diamond ring just won’t cut it for you, consider having one custom made. 

Getting a custom-made ring gives you full creative control so you can design the engagement ring of your dreams from start to finish. It’s perfect for those who want a one-of-a-kind piece, and for people who want to turn an heirloom gemstone into a new, stylish piece.

If this is your first time wearing custom-made jewelry, here are a few things to consider.  

Seek inspiration

If you only have vague ideas for your ring design, start searching for inspiration on the internet. Create a Pinterest board or save Instagram posts of bridal rings that you like. 

Visit jewelry shops

There’s nothing like the experience of trying rings on in real life. You’ll be able to tell which shape, size, and setting work best on your fingers, and determine which metal goes well with your skintone. Make sure to try on different stones, cuts, settings, styles, and metals so that you can get a feel for what you really want.

Know what you want

Once you have an idea for your engagement ring, it’s time to visit a jewelry designer. It will be great if you already have an idea of what you’re looking for even before the initial consultation. Don’t go into the consultation blind; the more specific your ideas are, the more likely it is that you’ll end up with what you want.

You might feel intimidated to share the vision for your engagement ring when talking to an experienced jewelry designer. But don’t let this stop you from asking questions about engagement rings for women. Princess cut, emerald cut, or something different — your chosen designer will make sure to accommodate your wishes.  

Plan ahead of time

The entire process of making a custom ring may take a couple of months, depending on the complexity of design. Since the pandemic caused a disruption in the global supply chain, be sure to give your jeweler plenty of time to finish your custom piece instead of rushing them. Start the design process early on and give yourself a buffer period between when you order and when you plan to propose. 

Know the basics

It helps to know the 4Cs of diamonds and other gemstones. These will serve as a guide in your quest to find the perfect diamond ring design. A diamond is valued on the quality of its facets (cut), presence or absence of color (color), purity (clarity), and weight (carat).  

Be upfront about your budget

Let your jeweler know how much you’re willing to spend on the ring. Although bespoke engagement rings are generally more expensive than pre-made ones, the jeweler can work around your budget and let you decide which aspect of the engagement ring is important to you, and which ones they can compromise. For example, they can choose a well-cut diamond ring, then scale down on the clarity or color to meet your budget.

Think about your wedding band

When planning the design of your engagement ring, don’t forget about your wedding band as well. Ideally, both the engagement and wedding rings should match and complement each other.

Take a breather

Last but not the least, enjoy the process. Understanding the process behind the creation of jewelry and seeing your vision come to life should be celebrated. If you feel like you’re drowning in the midst of all the engagement plans, just remember why you’re doing it in the first place.

Choose a reputable jeweler

Just because a jeweler is renowned for selling fine jewelry does not mean they are good at making it. Make sure to choose a jewelry store that is certified by the Gemological Institute of America, and has a dedicated design specialist as part of their staff.   

At Zadok Jewelers, we help transform your dreams into reality. Aside from carrying the biggest jewelry brands, we also have an in-house collection of engagement rings and wedding bands. We also provide a bespoke jewelry service so you can exercise your creativity and come up with a custom-made engagement ring from scratch. Our expert jewelry designers and goldsmiths can help you design that one-of-a-kind engagement ring you’ve always dreamed of.

Our staff is here to make sure your custom ring design experience is enjoyable. Learn more about our process and book a consultation with our jewelry designer here.