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

Can I design a custom ring that incorporates family heirlooms?

Yes - and honestly, this is my favorite kind of project. About two-thirds of the custom rings I make involve a stone or a piece of metal the client already...

No. 43

What are some unique design ideas for a custom ring?

I get this question a lot - “What should I do that nobody else is doing?” - and my answer's usually a letdown: start with what the ring needs to do, not...

No. 44

How do I choose a setting for my custom ring?

The short version: start with what the stone needs, then go look for the band. You'd be surprised how many people do it backward. About three years ago, a...

No. 45

What questions should I ask a jeweler before ordering a custom ring?

Start with the one most people skip: "How do you handle a design I don't like?" A client named Marco came in last year with a sketch he'd been carrying...

No. 46

How do I ensure the quality of a custom ring made by an overseas jeweler?

You’re asking the right question, and the honest answer is: you can’t fully ensure it, but you can stack the odds heavily in your favor. I’ve seen enough...

No. 47

How do I care for a ring made with unusual materials like antler or meteorite?

I get this question maybe once a month now, usually from someone who bought a ring with a meteorite or antler inlay online and didn't realize what they were...

No. 48

How much does it cost to add side stones to a custom ring?

About $400 to $1,800. That's not a hedge - it's a bracket so wide because the variables aren't small. I've quoted both ends of that range in the last six...

No. 49

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. 50

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. 51

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...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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