Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 59
No. 582

How do I design a custom ring as a surprise gift without the recipient knowing?

I get this question about once a month, usually from someone standing at my bench with their phone out, showing me a screenshot of their partner's Pinterest...

No. 583

What is the average budget for a custom ring?

About $3,200. That number comes from the last eighteen months of my books - average all-in, from consultation to hand-off, for a custom engagement ring with...

No. 584

Can I mix metals in a single custom ring design?

Yes, and it's more common than most people think. A client named Priya came in last spring with a photo of a two-tone ring she'd seen online - rose gold...

No. 585

How do I take care of a custom ring with a tension setting?

You don't. Or rather, you can't in the normal sense, because a tension setting isn't really set into the ring - it's held in place by the spring tension of...

No. 586

What are the best gemstones for a custom ring that is worn daily?

Start with the stone that's going to survive fifty years of hand soap, desk edges, and whatever else life throws at it. That means you want a mineral that...

No. 587

Can I design a custom ring that converts into a pendant or necklace?

Yes, you can. But the way most people imagine it-a ring that unscrews or snaps apart to become a pendant-usually produces a piece that's mediocre at both...

No. 588

Can I customize the band shape of a custom ring?

Yes, you can. That's one of the main reasons people come to me instead of a mall jeweler. The band shape-not just the width, but the cross-section...

No. 589

How do I choose between a halo and a solitaire setting for a custom ring?

The short answer: start with the stone, not the setting. Most clients walk in asking about halos or solitaires before they've even picked a center stone,...

No. 590

What is the typical markup on a custom ring compared to retail?

About 22 years ago, a client named Priya walked in with a photo of a ring from a Madison Avenue store. The retail price was $4,800. I built the same ring -...

No. 591

Can I design a matching custom wedding band and engagement ring set?

I probably make about two dozen matching sets a year, and the answer is yes - but the word "matching" does a lot of work. What most people actually want is...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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