Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 45
No. 442

What are the risks of designing a custom ring without seeing it in person first?

I've taken in about a dozen "I bought it online and it's not what I expected" rings in the last five years. Some were fixable. Some were not. And the ones...

No. 443

What is the difference between CAD design and handcrafting a custom ring?

A client named Marco emailed me last spring with a photo he'd taken off Pinterest and two questions: "Do you do CAD or hand-fabrication, and which is...

No. 444

Can I incorporate fingerprints or handwriting into a custom ring?

Yes, you can. I've done it maybe forty times over the last decade. It's one of those requests that sounds sentimental and ends up being technically more...

No. 445

Can I customize a ring to include a hidden gemstone or inscription?

Yes, absolutely. I've done both for clients more times than I can count. Hidden gemstones and inscriptions are two of the most personal things you can add...

No. 446

What is the typical deposit required to start a custom ring order?

Fifty percent. That’s the standard number I’ve worked with for about 23 years, and it’s what most custom jewelers I respect use. Half up front, half on...

No. 447

Can custom rings be made to fit over knuckles or for arthritic fingers?

Yes, they can, but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. A client named Marco came to me last spring with exactly this problem - his grandmother's...

No. 448

Are custom rings a good investment compared to branded rings?

I get this question about twice a month, usually from a client who's been browsing a brand website and comparing a custom quote against a price tag. The...

No. 449

What are the ethical considerations for custom rings using recycled metals or lab-grown diamonds?

I get this question a lot, and it's usually from someone who's done some research before walking in. That's good. It means you're thinking about where the...

No. 450

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

Yes. But the answer depends on what "match" means to you, and on what the existing piece is made of. I get this question about once a month - someone...

No. 451

What are the latest trends in custom ring designs for men?

About six years ago, a client named Marco sat down across from me and said, "I don't want anything that looks like my father's ring." He was thirty-four,...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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