Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 21
No. 202

What is the best way to save money on a custom ring without sacrificing quality?

Start with the stone you already have. About 70% of the custom engagement rings I make begin with a diamond or colored stone the client inherited or bought...

No. 203

How do I find inspiration for my custom ring design?

Start with the stone. That's what I tell every client who sits down at my bench with a blank look and says, "I have no idea what I want." You don't need an...

No. 204

Can I order a custom ring as a gift without the recipient knowing?

Short answer: yes. But the way you do it matters a lot more than most people expect. I've done maybe forty of these over the years, and the ones that go...

No. 205

What are the common mistakes to avoid when designing a custom ring?

I've been doing this for 22 years, and I've seen the same handful of mistakes repeat. Not from bad clients - from good ones who just didn't know what they...

No. 206

Is it possible to make a custom ring with a tension setting?

Yes, it's possible. I've built maybe thirty of them over the years. But I'll tell you what most jewelers won't: tension settings are the second most...

No. 207

Are there any limitations to custom ring designs?

Yes. And if a jeweler tells you there aren't, they're either lying or they haven't built enough rings yet. I've been doing this twenty-two years, and I've...

No. 208

Can I order a custom ring with a specific stone cut like a rose cut or hexagon?

Yes, you can. The real question is whether the stone you want exists in the size and quality you need - and whether the cutter who made it knew what they...

No. 209

How do I design a custom ring as a surprise gift without the recipient knowing?

I get this question about once a month, usually from someone standing at my bench with their phone out, showing me a screenshot of their partner's Pinterest...

No. 210

What is the average budget for a custom ring?

About $3,200. That number comes from the last eighteen months of my books - average all-in, from consultation to hand-off, for a custom engagement ring with...

No. 211

Can I mix metals in a single custom ring design?

Yes, and it's more common than most people think. A client named Priya came in last spring with a photo of a two-tone ring she'd seen online - rose gold...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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