Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 5
No. 42

Are there ethical considerations for custom ring materials?

Yes, and if you're asking, you're already ahead of most clients who walk into my studio. The ethical questions around custom ring materials aren't a single...

No. 43

Can I design a custom ring with multiple gemstones?

Yes, absolutely. I'd say maybe a third of the custom rings I design involve more than one stone. But "multiple gemstones" covers a lot of territory-from a...

No. 44

What are some popular custom ring styles?

I get this question a lot. A client named Priya asked me last fall, and what she really wanted to know wasn't a list of trends - she wanted something that...

No. 45

What should I consider when designing a custom wedding band?

About 80% of the custom wedding bands I make start with the same problem: someone bought a beautiful engagement ring online, and now they need a band that...

No. 46

Can custom rings be made with non-traditional materials like wood or ceramic?

Short answer: yes. Practical answer: it depends on what you mean by “custom ring” and how long you want it to last. I’ve made rings with wood, ceramic,...

No. 47

How do I choose a gemstone for my custom ring?

I get this question a lot, and the honest answer is that most people start with the wrong end. They fall in love with a color first-a deep blue, a vivid...

No. 48

What are the pros and cons of ordering a custom ring?

I've made somewhere north of 1,200 custom rings at this point, and the honest answer is that the pros outweigh the cons for about 60% of clients - but the...

No. 49

What certifications should I look for in a custom ring maker?

None. Not the ones you're thinking of, anyway. Let me explain. If you walk into a jewelry store and ask "What certifications do you have?" they'll show you...

No. 50

How much does a custom ring typically cost?

About $2,800 to $12,000 for most engagement rings I make. That's the honest range. Below that and someone's cutting a corner you'll feel in five years....

No. 51

How long does it take to make a custom ring?

The honest answer, not the one the marketing site gives you: six to ten weeks. If a jeweler promises two, they're either rushing something or they're not...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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