Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 24
No. 232

Can I get a custom ring with a milgrain or filigree detail?

Yes. You can. But there's a difference between getting a ring with those details and getting one where they look right. I've seen both, and I've ruined a...

No. 233

How do I design a custom ring that incorporates birthstones?

The first thing I tell clients about birthstones is stop treating them like a set. You don't have to use every family member's stone just because you can....

No. 234

What is the typical deposit required for a custom ring?

Usually fifty percent. That's the short answer, and it's the one I'd give across the bench. But the real answer has edges, and those edges matter. The...

No. 235

How do I decide between a round or cushion cut for a custom engagement ring?

This is a question I get about twice a month, and the honest answer isn't about one being "better." It's about what you want the ring to do on the hand....

No. 236

What are the latest trends in custom ring designs?

I get this question at least twice a week. And I usually pause before answering, because what most people mean by "trends" is what they saw on Instagram or...

No. 237

What are the ethical sourcing options for custom rings?

I get this question a lot. More than I did ten years ago, and that's a good thing. The short answer is that there are several real options, but they come...

No. 238

How do I design a custom ring for a man?

Men's ring design starts from a different place than women's, and most clients get it backward. They walk in thinking about style first - brushed finish,...

No. 239

What are some unique gemstone shapes for custom rings?

I'll say it plainly: most people asking for something "unique" end up with a cushion cut or an oval, which is about as unique as a black taxi in London....

No. 240

Can I get a custom ring with a specific gemstone cut, like a rose cut or princess cut?

Yes. The short answer is yes. The longer answer is: it depends on what you mean by "a specific cut," and on who you're working with. Rose cuts and princess...

No. 241

What are the advantages of a custom ring with a flush setting?

A flush setting - also called a gypsy setting - is one of those rare settings that solves more problems than it creates. The stone is seated into a drilled...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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