How to Make Custom Engagement Rings

March 3rd, 2021 / Alese Oldenburg

Custom jewelry design is the perfect opportunity to bring you or your fiance’s dream ring to life. Whether you start from scratch with something totally unique or modify an existing engagement ring design, anything is possible when you go custom.

And while every engagement ring is meaningful, your spouse will love knowing that you put the time and effort into making their forever adornment unlike any other.

From ideation to creation, here’s everything that you need to know to help you get started with the custom design process.

Getting Started

Find Designs That Inspire You

Visual inspiration is the name of the game when you’re looking to get the ball rolling. Luckily, with tools like Pinterest, Instagram and bridal magazines/websites, the brainstorming potential is endless.

Maybe you like the center stone on one ring and the setting on another. Or perhaps this ring has fabulous colored gemstones that you want to incorporate into your design. The options are limitless, and you can borrow ideas from anywhere.

But most importantly, don’t forget to keep your partner’s personal aesthetic in mind when you’re considering potential designs. An out-of-this-world halo engagement ring with a dazzling accented band might not be the best choice for someone with a more minimalist style. Similarly, a sleek solitaire ring might not live up to the hype for someone who likes to be all glam all the time.

Modernize an Already Existing Piece

Heirloom rings present a wonderful opportunity for a custom design. Add new gemstones or rework the metal for a few personal touches to the already existing ring. You can also browse engraving ideas to enhance the ring with a message that is unique to you and your partner’s relationship. Or, let the heirloom inspire a totally new ring, and draw inspiration from this important piece of family history.

Start the Design Process Early

Building fine jewelry from scratch takes time. It’s important to keep in mind that the custom design process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months from beginning to end. Be sure to stay organized and start designing early so you don’t find yourself in a time crunch.

Find a Custom Jeweler That You Trust

With an impending proposal just around the corner, it’s important that you choose a reputable jeweler to help you create your unique engagement ring. Your jeweler should be someone that you have open communication with and can trust with your ideas and custom ring design.

So how exactly can you know which companies are trustworthy? To start, ask your friends and family members if they have any recommendations. Did they have a great experience with a specific jeweler or jewelry designer? Another option is to turn to the web. Scour the Internet for reviews and examples of past work to help you determine which path is best suited for your one-of-a-kind ring.

Start Designing

Once you’ve determined who you want to work with, now it’s time to design your perfect ring. From metal type to engagement ring settings, there are several design elements to consider when creating your custom piece.

Pick Your Precious Metal

A color that’s always trending, rose gold features a dreamy pinkish hue and pairs well with vintage pieces. If you prefer a timeless classic, try yellow gold for a metal that’s always in style. Or, go with white gold for a metal that catches the eye and compliments every engagement ring setting.

Try platinum or palladium if you like icy hues and are looking for something more durable. While slightly more expensive than the traditional gold options, these two metals are super strong, making them more immune to daily wear and tear.

Choose Your Center Stone

Are you eyeing a diamond for your center stone? If so, you have several options to consider. Between natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds and synthetic diamonds, which adventure will you choose?

Easy to find at nearly any jewelry store, natural diamonds probably come to mind when you think about a diamond engagement ring. However, if you’re looking for a stone with the same brilliance and fire for a fraction of the cost, you might want to consider a lab grown or simulated diamond instead.

Lab grown diamonds contain the exact same chemical composition as natural diamonds, meaning that even though they’re man made diamonds, they are 100% real diamonds. Many consumers opt for man-made stones due to their low environmental and human impact. They are a favorable alternative to mined diamonds, which have a bad reputation for the destruction of land and poor working conditions.

Alternatively, maybe you have your heart set on a colorful gemstone to act as your custom ring’s center stone. If you’re having trouble deciding which vibrant gem to choose from, birthstones are always a great place to start. Or, for the best of both worlds, try a diamond center stone with colorful side stones or vice versa for a unique look.

Choose Your Preferred Cut

Now that you’ve settled on your ideal stone, it’s time to determine your stone or diamond cut. Traditional ring cuts include round, princess, radiant and Asscher. For something a little more flashy, try a trendier style like oval, emerald, pear or marquise.

Choose Your Ring Setting

Next, it’s time to pick your custom engagement ring setting. Selecting the right setting comes down to style. If your partner likes to keep things simple, try something a little more subtle like bezel, solitaire or even a basic accented style. If they enjoy a little bit of bling, but don’t want to go overboard, go with a classic three stone setting or a vintage style. Finally, if they prefer to live life on the flashy side, go bright and bold with a halo, accented or glam setting.

Add a Wedding Band to the Mix

For the best deal, design your wedding band (or bands) at the same time as your engagement ring. This can save a lot of time and money, and some jewelers will even give you a special offer on the price. If you were wondering how to engrave a ring, your jeweler can also give you specific recommendations for both your wedding bands and engagement ring.

Whether you are looking to create a custom engagement ring or personalized wedding ring, we have the options you need to make your forever jewelry just as unique as you are.

*Here at Diamond Nexus, we strive to provide valuable information while being clear and honest about our products. The Nexus Diamond™ alternative is a patented lab created diamond simulate that, among all simulants, most closely imitates the look, weight and wear of a diamond, with two exceptions – it is absolutely perfect in every way, and it costs significantly less. Price points and environmental facts expressed in this blog were taken from popular online retailers and may vary. Learn more about the environmental impact of mining by visiting our blog.