Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 25
No. 242

How do I design a custom ring that matches my partner's style?

Start with their jewelry drawer, not a Pinterest board. That's where the truth lives. Open it and look at what they actually reach for. A pile of thin gold...

No. 243

Can I order a custom ring with a hidden halo?

Yes, you can. I've made quite a few of them over the years. A client named Priya came in last spring wanting one for a 1.24 carat oval diamond she'd...

No. 244

What is a CAD model and how is it used in custom ring design?

About sixty percent of the custom rings I make start with a CAD model. The other forty percent start with wax carvers, hand-fabrication from sheet and wire,...

No. 245

How do I ensure my custom ring is ethically sourced?

This is the question I've been getting more than any other for about three years now. It's also the hardest one to answer honestly, because "ethically...

No. 246

Can I design a custom ring with a tension setting?

You can, but I need you to understand what you're actually asking for before I say yes. A tension setting holds a diamond by compression alone - the metal...

No. 247

What are the best metals for a durable custom ring?

I've been asked this question, in some form, for about 22 years. Usually right after someone finds out what a tension setting actually costs to resize. The...

No. 248

How do I design a custom engagement ring that is also a surprise?

You don't. I'm going to say that flat up front, because I've seen the aftermath of too many surprise engagement rings that went wrong - the ring the partner...

No. 249

Can I customize a ring for a man, like a custom signet or band?

Absolutely. I'd say about a third of my bench time these days is for men's rings, and that number keeps climbing. The question usually isn't whether it's...

No. 250

How do I choose the right width for my custom ring band?

This is the question I get more often than almost any other, and it's one most people get wrong because they're thinking about it from a photo, not from a...

No. 251

What is the difference between a custom ring and a semi-mount?

The difference is simpler than most people think, and it's the kind of thing I end up explaining at least twice a week across the bench. A custom ring is...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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