Why would someone be interested in a custom engagement ring? The engagement ring that you use to propose to your partner will represent both your relationship with them and your partner. This can make finding or creating the right ring a daunting task, especially because there is such a large variety of styles of engagement rings. If your partner prefers classic, clean styles with a diamond center stone, you will want to shop for styles like this. However, if your partner is one of many who prefers jewelry that is not necessarily traditional or cookie-cutter, you may want to explore the option of having a custom engagement ring created.
Why do people create custom engagement rings for their partners?
Though there is a vast selection of pre-made engagement and wedding rings, you aren’t always able to find the ring that will fit your partner. If a diamond ring and diamond band, or any of the other engagement ring styles that you find, won’t fit into your love story, why not create your dream ring?
A custom engagement ring design is a great way to show that you know them and to illustrate your commitment to them. On top of this, your partner’s rings are going to be one of the first things that people see whenever they meet them, so you want them to be representative of your partner and your relationship.
If your partner can be perfectly represented with a diamond engagement ring and a gold, simple band design for their wedding band, finding that combination of rings while you shop would be your next move for them. So, for those that are a bit more unique in their tastes, having the perfect custom engagement ring and wedding band combination created for them should be your next move.
How do I design a custom engagement ring?
Follow the design process! The specifics of the design process will vary for each design, so be sure to collaborate with your jeweler in order to ensure that you’re not missing anything for the design.
1. Sketch out your idea.
Start by asking yourself what your vision of the ring that you want is. You know your partner, so trust your instincts and don’t overthink your initial design ideas!
Once you know what your vision is, sketch out your idea (to the best of your ability). If your sketch/idea isn’t super-specific, or if you simply want to build on your initial idea, start shopping around on online jewelry stores and images on the Internet. As you go, add elements (filigree, unique setting, organic lines, mixed metals, etc.) that catch your eye to your sketch. The more specific your sketch is, and the more that you understand how to express your wishes to your jeweler, the more likely you are to have the ring that you want created.
2. Find a jeweler.
Once you have an idea in mind, you’ll need to find a jeweler who can bring your vision to life. Start with a jeweler you know and trust, if you have one. If you don’t have a jeweler that you trust, shop online jewelers to find one that has a good reputation and seems as though they are a good fit, or ask family and friends for referrals to jewelers. While shopping for a jeweler to create a custom engagement ring, you should ask to see some previous work that the jeweler has created. Keep in mind that jewelers and jewelry designers are artists, so they will likely add his or her own touches to your idea. You’ll want to ensure that you like the elements that are shown in their previous work and that it is in-line with the style of ring that you want to create.
3. Collaborate
You have your sketches of the ring that you want to create. You have a trusted jewelry specialist. Now it’s time to have a conversation to get your project moving in the right direction. Once the custom ring design is in progress, make sure that you review a full-color illustration, a picture made by computer-aided design, or CAD, or see a mock-up in wax of the final product. This is going to give you a much better idea of what to expect and you’ll be able to give input and shift directions if it’s not what you expected or the design that you want.
Also, be sure to see all the elements (metal and stone or stones) in person prior to the ring being created, in order to get a better idea of how the ring will turn out. It’s normal to feel strange when speaking to an experienced jewelry designer about your vision for your ring. The ring designer is an expert, with years of knowledge, artistry, and passion; you’re working with them with your idea sketches. Don’t let this stop you from asking questions and voicing concerns. It’s your ring, not the designer’s, and they may not recognize some of the details as being outside of what you want if you don’t speak up.
How do I make sure I’m designing the right ring?
Stones
Which stone types does your partner gravitate towards? This is going to be their engagement ring, so you’ll want to make sure that it features stones that they would choose. If your partner loves diamonds, a diamond ring may be the best choice for them. It will still be a custom design, this won’t take away from that at all! If your partner prefers more fun gemstones, such as blue sapphire, ruby, or emerald, don’t be afraid to use their favorite gemstone as the center stone or as the side stones!
After this, you will want to explore the variety of the popular stone shapes, such as round cut, princess cut, emerald cut, marquise cut, asscher cut, and so on through a variety of clean, crisp shapes. You’ll also want to explore the option of an engagement ring with a stone that has a natural, uncut look to it. Taking a look at what your partner likes and tends to wear more often will help you to choose the perfect stone with them that will also match their fine jewelry on date night!
Metal
Another big thing to consider for creating your partner’s custom engagement rings is the metal of the band. There are a variety of things to consider whenever it comes to the band’s metal, including not only the type of metal, but also the texture. Some examples of metal textures are:
- Parallel Hammer – This texture gives the metal a long, linear hammered shape going around the band.
- Round Hammer – This texture is likely what you think of when you think of hammered metal; it gives the metal a round hammered shape going around the band.
- High Polish – A ring with a high polish is going to be smooth to the touch. This type of polish is much more easily marred than other metal finishes but is a quite popular finish for engagement rings, even custom engagement rings.
- Matte Finish – A matte finish to the ring is going to have that matte, textured feeling while still keeping the same finish throughout with fewer inconsistencies than other textures. This finish is much easier to nick and show imperfections on.
- Brushed – This texture gives the band the long-lined texture that makes it look a bit more weathered. This is a superficial finish, like high polish and matte, that will show wear as time passes.
- Charcoal Plating / GunMetal Plating – This will make the metal that you choose appear much darker, often dark grey or black, and is often used along with a polish. Because it is plating, the finish typically will not wear off over time and will keep the same finish. When paired with rose gold or yellow gold, the grey will appear warmer, while it will appear cooler on metals such as white gold or sterling silver.
The metals of the engagement band that you choose should either match or complement one another. Most brides choose to have the band and ring use the same metal so that they match more, but if your partner tends to mix metals and enjoys the look of complementing colors more than matching colors, they may prefer to have a complimentary metal instead. A great combination example is a white gold engagement ring paired with a rose gold wedding band!
Engraving
Whether you’re looking at having a message engraved on the inside or a design etched on the outside, there are a ton of ways to make the engagement ring even more unique and personal. If you would like to add an engraving, you should keep in mind that more delicate etchings are likely to trap dirt later on and may be difficult to clean. An engraving is a simple, lovely way to personalize custom engagement rings.
Custom Bands and Stone Settings
Another thing to consider, if your partner is more free-spirited, would be a nature-inspired, custom engagement ring. Many brides are choosing rings that have a floral, delicate look to them. This is often done by having the band twist and wind around their finger like a vine with leaf details added on. Sometimes, the stone is a more classic cut, but you can choose to have a stone that has more of a floral look to it placed in the center of the engagement ring, in order to look like it is growing on the vine!
If your partner isn’t the nature-inspired jewelry type, you can consider other types of custom bands as well! There is no end to the number of options for this, as the way to do it is up to your imagination and what your jewelry designer offers. Other band styles can be created by using a band that looks like two or three strands twisted together, with a shank ring style, with a crossover style, and any other style that you can think of to entertain the band!
OroSpot Custom Engagement Rings & Wedding Bands
No matter what combination of metal and stone(s) that you choose, OroSpot is here to help you create the perfect engagement ring and wedding band combination for your partner. We have something for everyone! You can browse some of our premade bands to customize below or shop for unique and vintage-inspired rings in our store!