Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 2
No. 12

Can I design a custom ring that matches an existing piece of jewelry?

Yes, absolutely, and I do it all the time. About a third of the custom jobs that come through my bench start with someone holding up a ring next to an...

No. 13

How do I choose between a CAD-designed and hand-drawn custom ring?

I get this question maybe three times a week, and the honest answer is that you're asking the wrong question. The real question isn't CAD versus hand-drawn....

No. 14

What are the ethical considerations when sourcing gemstones for a custom ring?

I get this question a lot, and I’m glad it’s being asked more often. The short answer is: start with a stone that has a clear, unbroken chain of custody,...

No. 15

Can custom rings be made with lab-grown diamonds?

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds work just fine in custom rings. I set them regularly-probably about a third of the engagement rings I make now use lab-grown...

No. 16

How do I insure a custom ring?

The short answer: you get a standalone jewelry policy through a specialty insurer, not a rider on your homeowners or renters insurance. That's where I...

No. 17

What is the typical resale value of a custom ring compared to a branded one?

Short answer: a custom ring will almost never resell for what you paid, and a branded one will almost never resell for what you paid either. The difference...

No. 18

What are the best custom ring designs for men?

About 60% of the men who come to me for a custom ring don't want anything flashy. They want something that fits - their hand, their life, their work. The...

No. 19

Can I design a custom ring that matches my wedding band?

Yes-and most of the time the answer is simpler than people think. The real question is whether you want a true match (identical metal width, profile, and...

No. 20

How do I get a custom ring insured?

You don't insure the ring. You insure yourself against losing it. Big distinction, and one a lot of people miss until they're standing in a hotel bathroom...

No. 21

What is the resale value of a custom ring compared to a branded one?

Let me be direct: a custom ring usually has no meaningful resale value relative to what you paid for it. Neither does a branded one, in most cases - but the...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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