Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 58
No. 572

Can I request a specific size for a custom ring if I have large knuckles?

Short answer: yes, and you should. Long answer: it's not just about the knuckle - it's about how the ring has to get over that knuckle and then sit properly...

No. 573

What are the benefits of using a local jeweler versus an online custom ring service?

About 60% of the rings I resize started their life online - bought by a well-intentioned partner, shipped in a box, and then someone in a store like mine...

No. 574

Can I design a custom ring with a hidden halo or other secret details?

Yes, absolutely, and it's one of the most fun things a client can ask for. A hidden halo is probably the most common secret detail I build, but it's far...

No. 575

What is the best way to save money on a custom ring without sacrificing quality?

Start with the stone you already have. About 70% of the custom engagement rings I make begin with a diamond or colored stone the client inherited or bought...

No. 576

How do I find inspiration for my custom ring design?

Start with the stone. That's what I tell every client who sits down at my bench with a blank look and says, "I have no idea what I want." You don't need an...

No. 577

Can I order a custom ring as a gift without the recipient knowing?

Short answer: yes. But the way you do it matters a lot more than most people expect. I've done maybe forty of these over the years, and the ones that go...

No. 578

What are the common mistakes to avoid when designing a custom ring?

I've been doing this for 22 years, and I've seen the same handful of mistakes repeat. Not from bad clients - from good ones who just didn't know what they...

No. 579

Is it possible to make a custom ring with a tension setting?

Yes, it's possible. I've built maybe thirty of them over the years. But I'll tell you what most jewelers won't: tension settings are the second most...

No. 580

Are there any limitations to custom ring designs?

Yes. And if a jeweler tells you there aren't, they're either lying or they haven't built enough rings yet. I've been doing this twenty-two years, and I've...

No. 581

Can I order a custom ring with a specific stone cut like a rose cut or hexagon?

Yes, you can. The real question is whether the stone you want exists in the size and quality you need - and whether the cutter who made it knew what they...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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