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

How do I clean and maintain a custom ring with an intricate setting?

Let me guess - you've got a ring with micro-pavé, or a filigree basket, or maybe a hidden halo with little diamonds tucked under the center stone. And...

No. 13

Can I order a custom ring with a tension setting?

Yes, you can. I'll do it. But let me tell you what you're actually asking for before you commit. Tension settings look like the stone is floating. No...

No. 14

What is the difference between a custom ring and a handmade ring?

I get asked this a lot, usually by someone who's been reading jewelry blogs and has run into the same confusion I see at the bench. Let me clear it up. A...

No. 15

Can I design a custom ring using recycled metals or lab-grown diamonds?

Yes. Short answer: absolutely. Long answer: I do it every week, and I have opinions about how to do it well. Let me separate the two questions, because...

No. 16

How do I verify the craftsmanship quality of a custom ring before paying?

I get this question maybe twice a week, usually from someone who's about to wire a few thousand dollars to a jeweler they found on Instagram. And I...

No. 17

Can I get a custom ring that incorporates a specific symbol or family crest?

Yes, absolutely. I've done it more times than I can count. The real question is how you want the symbol handled - stamped into the metal, engraved, cut out...

No. 18

How do I design a custom ring if I have an irregular or knuckle-heavy ring size?

First thing: you're not alone in this. About one in five clients I see has a knuckle that's a half-size or more larger than the finger base. And irregular...

No. 19

Can I get a warranty or guarantee on a custom ring?

Short answer: yes, but you have to understand what you're actually getting. The word "warranty" means different things depending on whether you're buying...

No. 20

Can I design a custom ring using a photo or picture as inspiration?

Yes, absolutely. I'd say roughly 60% of the custom rings I make start from a photo. A client's grandmother's ring, a screenshot from a movie, a cluster of...

No. 21

How do I choose the right ring width for a custom ring?

About 2.6mm. That's the width I start with for a woman's engagement ring, and about 3.2mm for a man's band. But that's a starting point, not a rule - and...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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