Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 39
No. 382

Do jewelers provide a wax or 3D printed prototype for approval?

Yes, but let me be specific about what that actually looks like, because the answer changes depending on who you're working with and how they work. If...

No. 383

What are the best metals for a custom ring that involves daily wear?

Honestly? There's no single "best" metal. It depends on how you live, what you're setting, and whether you're the kind of person who takes a ring off before...

No. 384

Can I make a custom ring from an old family ring that I want to redesign?

Yes. But I need to see it before I tell you yes in a way that means anything. I get this question about three times a month - Tuesday morning, usually....

No. 385

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. 386

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. 387

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. 388

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. 389

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. 390

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. 391

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...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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