Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 49
No. 482

Can I make a custom ring using 3D printing technology?

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: it depends on what you mean by "3D printing technology," and whether you're OK with the part where the printed object...

No. 483

How do I design a custom memorial ring to honor a loved one?

I've done maybe three dozen memorial rings over the years, and the ones that work best share a few things. They start with a specific object, not a vague...

No. 484

Can I design a custom ring that can be sized up or down later?

Short answer: yes, but not every ring, and not by much. The real question is how much room you're asking for, and whether the design can handle it without...

No. 485

Can I design a custom ring with a specific gemstone cut, like a rose cut or emerald cut?

Yes, absolutely. You can design a custom ring with a specific gemstone cut - rose, emerald, old mine, Asscher, whatever you want. The question isn't really...

No. 486

How do I incorporate a family heirloom diamond into a custom ring?

About 70% of the engagement rings I make start with a stone the client already owns. A family heirloom diamond usually comes in something I can't use-a...

No. 487

What are the best ways to clean a custom ring with unusual materials?

Let me start with the short answer: the best way to clean a ring with unusual materials is not the same way you clean a standard diamond solitaire . I've...

No. 488

Can I add a hinge or mechanism to a custom ring?

Yes, you can. But the honest answer-the one I give every client who asks this-is that adding a hinge or a working mechanism to a ring is a specialty job,...

No. 489

What should I know about hallmarking or stamps for custom rings?

Let me save you some trouble: most people don't think about stamps until they're staring at the inside of their finished ring and wondering what that tiny...

No. 490

Can I create a custom ring that incorporates multiple gemstones?

Yes. The real question is whether you should, and how to do it without the ring looking like a souvenir bracelet. I've made plenty of multi-stone rings. The...

No. 491

What is the typical cost range for a custom wedding band?

About $1,200 to $4,500 is the honest range for a custom wedding band from a bench jeweler who isn't cutting corners. That's for a...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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