Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 40
No. 392

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. 393

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. 394

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...

No. 395

What is the typical turnaround time for a custom ring with an overseas jeweler?

I'd answer that question with a question: which part of "overseas" are we talking about, and have you ever actually needed to return a ring to an overseas...

No. 396

How do I ensure the ethical sourcing of the gemstone in my custom ring?

Start by asking your jeweler, "Where did this stone come from, and what documentation do you have?" The answer you get tells you almost everything. A few...

No. 397

Can I design a custom ring that is adjustable or has a sizing mechanism?

Yes-but the honest answer is narrower than most people hope. I get this question about once a month, usually from someone who wants to propose with a ring...

No. 398

What are the advantages of using a CAD (computer-aided design) for a custom ring?

I'll be honest with you - I resisted CAD for years. I learned to make rings by hand in Florence, cutting shanks from sheet stock, soldering everything from...

No. 399

What are the options for custom men's wedding rings?

About sixty percent of the men who come into my studio have the same starting point: a plain flat band in platinum or palladium, maybe a brushed finish....

No. 400

Can I design a custom ring with my own gemstone, like an heirloom diamond?

Yes. Every week, someone walks into my studio with a stone in a pouch, a box, or once, a sock. The short answer is yes, you can design a custom ring around...

No. 401

Can I get a custom ring that matches an existing piece of jewelry?

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: yes, but the word "match" does more work than most people realize. I've done this about a dozen times in the last two...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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