6 Tips for Designing a Unique Custom Engagement Ring

An engagement ring should be as unique and special as your love for your significant other. If you’re tired of browsing through jewelry stores to find the perfect engagement ring for the love of your life, we’re here to help. Finding a beautiful engagement ring that has meaning isn’t an easy task, which is why you should consider getting a custom engagement ring! At Sylvie, no customization is too much or too little!

Want to get a custom engagement ring but don’t know where to start from? Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

1. Set a Budget

It’s vital to have a budget in mind when searching for a custom engagement ring. Buying a ready-made ring is much easier since it comes with a price tag that can help you decide if the ring falls within your budget. When designing your own ring, you have to factor in the cost of various factors, such as the material, elements, and the intricacy of the design. In such cases, not only does a capped budget help you from going over the top but it also helps you make the right decision based on certain design elements.

2. Consider Your Partner’s Taste

An engagement ring is all about your significant other and complimenting their personality. Not only do you want to amaze him or her with the proposal, but you also want to ensure that the ring truly suits their style and personality. You can find out what they might want in their engagement ring by:

• Going over the general styles in their jewelry collection
• Factor in their overall style – does she/he prefer simple or flashy things?
• Seek advice from their close friends or families
• Casually browse jewelry with them to see what catches his or her eye

The ring will be extremely meaningful since it will be designed by you. However, it will be even more precious and sincere if it suits your partner’s taste.

3. Look for Inspiration

Designing a customized engagement ring doesn’t mean you have to decide every facet of the ring from scratch. You can derive the inspiration for your wedding ring from existing rings online or in jewelry stores. Having a look at the selection of rings can help you decide the aspects of a ring that you like and don’t like. If you adore certain aspects about several rings, you can put these features into one flawless design.

4. Choose a Style and Setting

Choosing a style for the engagement ring will help you make further selections of the design elements. From traditional to classic to ultra-modern, engagement rings come in all kinds of styles, which means you can easily create a one-of-a-kind piece for your partner. Some of the most common designer engagement ring styles include:

Once you choose a style, you must move on to selecting the setting, as it impacts the overall style and look of the ring. Standard engagement ring setting options include:

• Prong
• Bezel
• Tension
• Channel
• Pave
• Bar

5. Select the Material

Once you have selected the style and setting of the ring, it’s time to make another important decision – the material of the band. Yellow, white, and rose are the three main colored metal options. However, color isn’t the only choice. You’ll want to choose the carat weight of the metal such as 14k gold, 18k gold, or platinum. The higher the karat weight the larger the percentage of gold is within the ring. Platinum is the purest metal and will be the most durable. Acquainting yourself with the benefits and drawbacks of each metal option makes it easier to make a choice for your engagement ring.

Here are some of the standard engagement ring metal choices:

• Yellow gold
• Rose gold
• White gold
• Palladium
• Platinum

You can also combine metals to create a two-tone effect and make the ring more versatile. Click here to see examples of two-tone engagement rings.

6. Choose the Stone

Although the metal choice determines the overall appearance and durability of an engagement ring, the stone is the most noteworthy aspect of the ring. Most engagement rings have a large stone set in the center and can also be accompanied by several side stones. Not only do these stones highlight the center stone, but they also add some bling and accent to the ring.

Diamonds are the most traditional choice for an engagement ring as they create a brilliant and dazzling effect and look great in any setting. When choosing a diamond, you have several options with different cuts and colors. Right now, oval engagement rings are a fan favorite and the emerald cut engagement ring is making a huge comeback!

The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing the stone for an engagement ring. You can incorporate other stones, such as turquoise, sapphire, amethyst, or topaz, depending on your partner’s personal preferences. Click here to view some examples of our gemstone engagement rings.

The Bottom Line

Designing a custom engagement ring requires making multiple decisions, which can be quite overwhelming at times. If you’re stressing out about the choices, focus on the reason you’re doing all of this. Designing an engagement ring should, ultimately, be an enjoyable process.

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Love these tips and want to see more engagement rings? Browse our full collection of designer engagement ring settings by clicking here! Remember when you’re browsing that ALL Sylvie Jewelry rings can be made with any shape, size of stone, or metal you desire!

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If you’ve never had a custom piece of jewelry made, the thought of creating a custom engagement ring may seem daunting. However, making a unique, one-of-a-kind engagement ring is so much easier than most people think it is. Going custom may take a little more time, but most people would say that the custom creation process is easy, enjoyable and, ultimately, very much worth it.

Creating a custom made engagement ring is actually quite simple– and it can be even easier and more seamless when you know how to prepare for the design process. Interested in creating your own engagement ring design with ease? Read on to learn the 8 things you need to know about creating a custom engagement ring.

1. Going Custom Takes More Time

Creating a custom engagement ring takes longer than ordering a ready-made engagement ring. To create a custom piece of jewelry, you need to gather inspiration, create your design, fine tune your design, and have your ring crafted, all of which takes time. On average, it takes around 3 to 6 weeks to create a custom engagement ring, so make sure you allow for this extra time in your schedule if you’ll be going custom.

2. It’s Important to Set Your Budget First

You should set the budget for your custom engagement ring before you even speak to a jeweler. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally go overboard once you start designing your ring. It will also help your jeweler adjust your design in order to maximize your budget and make sure to prioritize the things you care about most.

3. You Should Select Your Jeweler With Care

A crucial part of the custom engagement ring design process is carefully selecting your jeweler. You don’t want to go to just any jeweler when you’re creating a custom engagement ring. First and foremost, if you want a well made custom ring that will stand the test of time, you absolutely need to go to a jeweler that specializes in creating custom engagement rings. It takes a high level of knowledge, experience, and skill to create a high quality engagement ring, which is something that must stand up to a lifetime of everyday wear. So, make sure you choose a jeweler who is up to the task. Additionally, when you have an initial consultation with a jeweler, make sure that you feel confident that they share your vision before you move forward. You want to feel like your jeweler listens to you and understands you, since this will make the design process smoother and much more enjoyable.

If you’re looking for an experienced custom jeweler in the Los Angeles area, the expert designers and craftsmen at Bridal Rings would love to help you create your perfect design. We have over 35 years of experience creating custom engagement rings and we love helping our customers create one-of-a-kind pieces they adore. If you’re interested in creating a custom engagement ring, make a design consultation appointment at our jewelry store by clicking here or by giving us a call at (213) 627-7620.

4. You Should Think of Your Partner’s Tastes

Ultimately, your partner is the one who will be wearing this custom engagement ring, so you should think about their style and tastes. This includes both their aesthetic preferences and their practical preferences. You want to think about their style (is it classic, modern, vintage, glam, or another style?) and you also want to think about lifestyle concerns. For example, if your partner works with their hands, they may not like a ring with an elevated setting. Or, if your partner often gardens or paints, they may prefer a ring that is easier to clean.

If you’re unsure about your soon-to-be-fiance’s aesthetic tastes, try paying more attention to the types of clothes and accessories they wear. If you try this and are still unsure, you may want to enlist the help of a stylish friend or relative who can help you understand your partner’s style. As far as practical concerns go, think about the types of activities your partner does. Then, chat with your jewelry designer and ask if they have any practical recommendations.

5. You Can Draw Inspiration From Anywhere

It’s common for people to bring in inspiration images at the start of the design process. People often bring in examples of engagement rings they like, which is great. However, we want to point out that you can draw design inspiration from anywhere. For example, you may feel inspired by other types of jewelry. Or, you could feel inspired by beautiful architecture, the colors in a picture you took while on vacation, a description of something within a favorite book, and so on. Bringing in inspiration is a standard part of the custom design process, but just know that your inspiration doesn’t have to be standard.

6. It’s Helpful to Understand Engagement Ring Styles

As you start your journey to create your dream ring, it will be helpful for you to learn about common engagement ring styles. When you know all your options, you can make more educated decisions (and feel more confident about them). You don’t have to get an expert understanding of engagement ring setting styles, but it’s a good idea to research the basics so that you have a solid foundation of knowledge. To help you get started, here’s a primer on some of the most common engagement ring styles:

• Solitaire: Solitaire engagement rings feature only one stone: your center stone. Solitaire rings can feature embellishments, like engravings, but never feature any side stones.
• Diamond Band: Any engagement ring with diamonds on its band could be considered a diamond band engagement ring. Most commonly, however, this term is used to describe a ring that would be called a solitaire if it did not have pavé diamonds on its band.
• Halo: In a halo engagement ring design, your center stone rests within a “halo” of smaller stones. These smaller stones are usually diamonds, but can be any gemstone. Halo settings are also usually round or cushion shaped, but they can be any shape.
• Three Stone: Three stone engagement rings have three center stones instead of one. These stones represent a couple’s past, present, and future together.
• Split Shank: A split shank engagement ring has a band that splits open, displaying negative space. Note that “shank” is simply a jeweler’s term for a ring’s band.
• Vintage-Inspired: Vintage-inspired engagement rings are new designs that draw inspiration from vintage eras, such as the Art Deco era or the Victorian era.
• Prong Set: A prong set engagement ring
• Bezel Set: A bezel set engagement ring features a setting that holds its center stone in place with a ring of metal. As with prong settings, any style of engagement ring can feature a bezel setting, so “bezel set” is more descriptive of a notable design element than of a general style category.

7. It’s Helpful to Understand Engagement Ring Materials

When you’re designing an engagement ring, you want to understand both your style options and your material options. You have two types of materials to think about when you’re creating an engagement ring: your gemstones and your precious metal.

Engagement rings typically feature one higher carat weight center gemstone, then may or may not feature side stones on the ring’s setting. The most common choice for an engagement ring’s center stone is a round cut diamond, but you certainly have other options for your custom ring. You could choose a fancy shaped diamond, such as a princess cut, emerald cut, oval cut, marquise cut, cushion cut, or pear shaped diamond. You could also choose a colored diamond or a colored gemstone, such as a pink diamond, a blue diamond, a blue sapphire, or a ruby. The same goes for your side stones. Small round and baguette cut diamonds are the most common choice for an engagement ring’s side stones, but you can choose any shape or type of gemstone you like.

For an engagement ring’s precious metal, people generally choose one of four precious metals: either yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum. If your partner has a precious metal preference, we would definitely suggest choosing that for their engagement ring. If they don’t, you could choose your precious metal based on style, undertone, and/or any practical concerns you may have. If you’re unsure about these elements of precious metals, here’s a quick overview:

• Yellow Gold: A yellow gold metal with a warm undertone. Considered highly classic and traditional in style.
• White Gold: A shiny white metal with a cool undertone. Considered chic and sophisticated in style.
• Rose Gold: A pinkish-gold metal with a neutral undertone. Considered romantic or vintage in style.
• Platinum: A shiny white metal with a cool undertone. Platinum looks similar to white gold, but has some practical differences. Platinum is hypoallergenic, more durable than white gold, and more expensive than white gold.

8. It’s Important to Enjoy the Process

To close out our overview of what you need to know before making a custom engagement ring, we’d like to mention that creating your ring should be enjoyable. Creating a custom engagement ring is a special, once-in-a-lifetime experience. You should enjoy the creation process as much as you enjoy the final product. So, if you ever find yourself feeling stressed, try to take a step back and re-center. Focus on getting creative, having fun, and thinking about what’s truly important: your relationship with your partner.