Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 51
No. 502

How do I choose a setting that protects the gemstone?

About 60% of the damaged stones I see come in from settings that looked good in the store window but weren't built for how people actually live. A 1.8 carat...

No. 503

What are the best custom ring styles for small hands?

Let's start with what I see across the bench. Small hands - usually a ring size 4 to 5.5, or finger length under about two inches from base to knuckle - get...

No. 504

Can I order a custom ring with a specific engraving style?

Yes. But let's be specific about what "engraving style" means, because the word covers a lot of ground, and the execution depends on who's doing it and with...

No. 505

What is the typical markup on custom rings?

About 100 to 150 percent over raw costs, depending on your jeweler and where they're working. That sounds high. It is high, until you see where the money...

No. 506

How do I verify the authenticity of the gemstone in a custom ring?

Start with the lab report. That's the single honest answer. For any stone over about half a carat - diamond, sapphire, ruby, emerald, anything you're paying...

No. 507

Can I design a custom ring that matches an heirloom piece?

Yes, with caveats. I get asked this about once a month, usually by someone holding a cell phone photo of a grandmother's ring that's been taken apart or...

No. 508

How do I incorporate a specific birthstone into a custom ring?

The first thing I'd ask is what birthstone you're using, and where it came from. A lot of people walk in with a birthday-gift stone from a relative - maybe...

No. 509

What are the latest trends in custom ring designs for 2025?

I get asked about trends a lot. Usually by clients who don't want to look dated in photos, which I respect. But here's the thing about 2025: the trends I'm...

No. 510

Can I get a custom ring made from recycled metals?

Yes, you can. And I do it more often than not. About 70% of the clients who walk through my door already have a stone or a piece of scrap they want...

No. 511

Can I create a custom ring with a unique gemstone cut?

Yes, absolutely. The short answer is: if you can draw it, or describe it clearly enough for me to draw, I can have it cut. The longer answer involves some...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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