Custom Engagement Rings: What You Need to Know to Design Your Own

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If you’re excited by the idea of a custom engagement ring, but don’t know where to start, we’ve put together this simple list of steps that will guide you through the process, from selecting a stone and setting to finding the perfect jeweler to carry out your vision. Let’s take a closer look at why you should consider designing your own engagement ring. 

 

Why You Should Consider a Custom Engagement Ring

An engagement ring plays a special role in the wearer’s life, it is unlike any other piece of jewelry in your collection. Your engagement ring is a sacred and enduring symbol of your love and commitment to another person. For this reason alone, choosing the design deserves special care and attention.

For most people, engagement rings are the one piece of jewelry they wear daily… for life! You will want a ring that you feel good about looking at everyday as it is a sparkling reminder of your special bond with your significant other. 

Engagement Rings also become keepsakes and/or family heirlooms. Very often, engagement rings outlast their wearers and get passed down through the generations. 

Engagement Rings are also conversation pieces  A custom engagement ring is an instant attention grabber and conversation starter. When people ask about your ring, you’ll have a unique story to tell

How to Design Your Engagement Ring

Once you’ve decided to take the plunge and design your own engagement ring, it’s time to start sorting through your options. Here are the steps you will need to take in designing your custom engagement ring.

Consider Your Budget

Engagement rings, even custom ones, are available in a range of options to suit different budgets. In fact, a simple custom ring design may even be more affordable than an elaborate one that was designed to be one-size fits all. 

Before you start on the design process, it’s important to be clear on how much you’re willing to spend. This will help avoid any disappointment down the road if it turns out that certain stones or styles won’t work with your budget. An experienced jeweler can help you decide what to prioritize in your ring design so that you can craft something beautiful that also fits your budget. 

Determine a Style

The first step in creating a custom engagement ring is to determine the style. Style refers to the overall look and feel of a ring and is influenced by the different stones, embellishments, and other materials used in its construction. For example, vintage and antique styles are hugely popular, since they have a classic and nostalgic quality to them. 

To get an idea of the styles you and your partner like, you can look through magazines or and social media to find rings you love. Bring these to show to your jeweler so they can get a sense of your personal taste and help you determine the right ring style. If you have an artistic side, you may wish to sketch out your ideas for your ring design to help clarify your ideas. 

Select a Setting 

Next, select your setting. The setting is just as important as the stone. It helps determine the overall look and visual impact of the ring. That’s why many people start with the setting and go from there. 

Solitaire, halo, pave, prong, three-stone, antique — there are literally thousands of ring setting types to choose from. If you and your partner are working together on the design, you can go to a jeweler together and try on several different types of rings to see what looks best. If you’re designing the ring as a surprise for your beloved, take a peek at their jewelry box to see what types of settings they favor. 

Select a Shape

With your setting and style down, it’s time to look at gemstone shapes. The options, once again, are pretty much endless. No matter what type of gemstone you choose — be it a traditional diamond or something else — the setting can l help guide your choice of shape, since certain settings will show off specific shapes better than others. 

The cut of your stone will help show off your centerpiece, bringing out the particular facets and angles of the gemstone to maximize the sparkle in your look. Options range from princess cut, brilliant cut, pear shape, heart shape, and many more.  

When choosing the shape of your gemstone, you’ll also want to consider any accent gems that will accompany it. These stones play a supporting role to the ring’s “leading lady,” enhancing her beauty and charm. You might, for example, choose to surround the main diamond with smaller diamond chips that boost up the sparkle factor. Another idea is to create contrast and visual intrigue by pairing your main gemstone with accents in contrasting colors. Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and colored diamonds are popular choices. 

Choose a Precious Metal 

The band for your custom engagement ring also requires careful consideration. Options range from classic yellow or white gold to platinum and rose gold. When making your decision, give some thought to the potential wear and tear that the ring might face. If the wearer leads a particularly active lifestyle, then you’ll want to steer clear of the softer metals and stick to harder ones that can stand up to regular bumps and jostles without losing their shape. 

Review Diamond and Gemstone Options 

Now, for the pièce de résistance: the diamond or gemstone that takes center stage on the ring. If you decide that your center stone will be a diamond, you should understand the basics of assessing quality, which are cut, clarity, carat, and color. Again, an experienced jeweler will be able to walk you through this, but it doesn’t hurt to brush up on your own. 

If you go the non-traditional route and choose a different stone such as a ruby, emerald, or sapphire, familiarize yourself with the properties of your chosen stone so that you feel confident that you’re choosing a high quality one. 

Find A Jewelry Artist and Start the Design Process 

Once you have a handle on the setting, style, shape, and stone for your custom engagement ring, the design and fabrication process can begin! 

If you’re not an avid jewelry buyer, you might be wondering where you can get a custom-designed engagement ring. An experienced jeweler who specializes in engagement rings is your best bet. One place to start your search is to ask for a word-of-mouth recommendation from friends and family. You can also comb through social media to look for a jeweler in your area that specializes in custom engagement rings. 

Or you could reach out to the experts at Brinker’s Jewelers. It’s easy to get started with our ring builder tool that lets you choose your shape, size, setting, budget, and more. Then you can pick from a range of options that fit your personal specifications. Along the way, you can always reach out to Brinker’s Jewelers for advice on how to create a ring that’s special and will look great for years to come. 

Another option is to take advantage of Brinker’s Jewelers custom jewelry design service. We offer a personalized experience from start to finish to help you bring the engagement ring of your dreams to life. It all starts with you. One of Brinker’s jewelers professionals will  sit down with you and get to know your love story, your lifestyle, and your preferences so they can start coming up with ideas that will suit you and your significant other, right down to the very last detail making sure to take  detailed notes, sketches, and photographs to capture your vision as accurately as possible. 

Once the design details are worked out, Brinker’s will  use computer modeling technology to create 3-D versions of your ring design for your review and approval. This allows you to see your ring from every angle to ensure it’s just right. 

The next step is creating a wax model of the ring that you can touch and hold in your hands to get a sense of the size, weight, and look of the finished design. When you’re 100% satisfied with the details and dimensions, their trained staff will start crafting the genuine article from your selected precious metals and gemstones. 

The final custom piece is carefully shaped and crafted by skilled artisans to your exact specifications and delivered to you in the little green box so that you can pop the question in style (and snap those all-important proposal photos). 

Are you ready to get started designing your custom engagement ring? Reach out to Brinker’s Jewelers to schedule an appointment with one of their  master jewelers. 

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