Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 43
No. 422

What happens if I don't like the final custom ring?

It doesn't happen often, but it happens. Maybe twice a year in my shop. A client sees the finished ring and their face does that thing - the polite smile...

No. 423

How long does CAD design take for a custom ring?

A week, if I'm being honest and nothing goes sideways. Two if the stone is odd-shaped or the design is complex. Anyone who says three days is either working...

No. 424

How do I clean a custom ring with intricate filigree?

Filigree is the most high-maintenance thing you can ask a jeweler for, and I'll tell you why. Every twist of wire, every open space between those little...

No. 425

Can I design a custom ring as a promise ring?

Yes, and I think it's one of the best uses for a custom piece. A promise ring is different from an engagement ring in the same way a conversation is...

No. 426

How long does it typically take to receive a custom ring after placing the order?

Six to ten weeks. That's the honest range for a proper custom ring from a jeweler who isn't cutting corners. If someone promises two weeks, they're either...

No. 427

What is the resale value of a custom ring compared to a brand-name ring?

The short answer: a custom ring has almost no resale value - about ten to twenty cents on the dollar on a good day - and a brand-name ring isn't much...

No. 428

How do I care for a custom ring with delicate or intricate details?

The short answer is: differently than you'd care for a smooth solitaire, and with more attention to what's actually catching dirt and stress. Intricate work...

No. 429

How do I sketch a custom ring design by myself?

I get asked this maybe twice a month, usually by someone who's sketched something on a napkin and wants to know if it's enough to hand a jeweler. Short...

No. 430

What is the typical down payment for a custom ring?

Fifty percent. That's the industry standard, and it's the number I've used for about twenty years now. Some shops ask for 30%. Some ask for 75%. But fifty...

No. 431

How detailed can I get with custom ring engravings?

The short answer: pretty detailed. The real answer: it depends on what you mean by detailed, and whether you're talking about machine engraving or hand...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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