Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 46
No. 452

Can I design a custom ring that incorporates both modern and vintage elements?

Yes, and honestly, that's where custom work shines. Purely vintage or purely modern pieces are easier to buy off the shelf. The interesting rings - the ones...

No. 453

Is it possible to match a custom ring to an existing engagement ring for a wedding band?

Sarah came in last November with a platinum solitaire she'd had for eight years. The basket was a low six-prong, the stone a 0.93 carat round, F/VS1, with a...

No. 454

What is the best way to protect a custom ring with delicate details during daily wear?

The short answer? Take it off before you do the things that will break it. I know. Nobody wants to hear that. A client named Priya came in last spring with...

No. 455

Can I get a custom ring made with a lab-grown diamond instead of a natural one?

Yes. Absolutely. I set lab-grown diamonds all the time. Let me save you the sales pitch and tell you what's actually going on. Lab-grown diamonds are real...

No. 456

Can I design a custom ring that is adjustable or expandable for future resizing?

Short answer: yes, but with a stack of caveats. I've done this maybe two dozen times in twenty-two years, and every single time the conversation started the...

No. 457

What is the typical warranty or repair policy for a custom ring?

The short answer is: it depends entirely on who made it, and you should read the fine print before you hand over a deposit. A real custom ring isn't a...

No. 458

How do I verify the quality of the setting and craftsmanship before finalizing the custom ring design?

Let me walk you through how I actually check a ring before I sign off on it - because that's what you're asking about, even if you didn't know it. You're...

No. 459

Can I order a custom ring set, including an engagement ring and wedding band?

Yes. The short answer is yes. About a third of the custom jobs I do are ring sets - engagement ring plus matching wedding band, designed together from the...

No. 460

How do I ensure the custom ring maker uses high-quality craftsmanship?

You're asking the right question. Most clients walk in wanting to talk about the stone or the design, and those matter. But craftsmanship is what makes a...

No. 461

Can I design a custom ring with a specific gemstone cut, like a princess or oval cut?

Yes, absolutely. That's actually the whole point of working custom - you don't pick from what's in a case; you pick the exact stone, the exact cut, the...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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