Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 12
No. 112

Can I design a custom ring with a specific gemstone cut, like a rose cut or emerald cut?

Yes, absolutely. You can design a custom ring with a specific gemstone cut - rose, emerald, old mine, Asscher, whatever you want. The question isn't really...

No. 113

How do I incorporate a family heirloom diamond into a custom ring?

About 70% of the engagement rings I make start with a stone the client already owns. A family heirloom diamond usually comes in something I can't use-a...

No. 114

What are the best ways to clean a custom ring with unusual materials?

Let me start with the short answer: the best way to clean a ring with unusual materials is not the same way you clean a standard diamond solitaire . I've...

No. 115

Can I add a hinge or mechanism to a custom ring?

Yes, you can. But the honest answer-the one I give every client who asks this-is that adding a hinge or a working mechanism to a ring is a specialty job,...

No. 116

What should I know about hallmarking or stamps for custom rings?

Let me save you some trouble: most people don't think about stamps until they're staring at the inside of their finished ring and wondering what that tiny...

No. 117

Can I create a custom ring that incorporates multiple gemstones?

Yes. The real question is whether you should, and how to do it without the ring looking like a souvenir bracelet. I've made plenty of multi-stone rings. The...

No. 118

What is the typical cost range for a custom wedding band?

About $1,200 to $4,500 is the honest range for a custom wedding band from a bench jeweler who isn't cutting corners. That's for a...

No. 119

How long does the design consultation process usually take?

About ninety minutes, give or take, and that's if the client already has a clear idea. If they're starting from scratch - no stone, no sketch, just a vague...

No. 120

What kind of CAD software is used for custom ring design?

Short answer: MatrixGold. If you're in a custom shop and the designer isn't on MatrixGold or its predecessor RhinoGold, they're on an older version of the...

No. 121

How do I incorporate birthstones into a custom ring?

Three ways to do it well, roughly two that won't look dated in a decade, and one I'll politely talk you out of. Let's start with the one I see most often,...

A letter, every other Sunday.

One essay, one object, one quiet recommendation — delivered slowly, the way these things ought to be.