Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 6
No. 52

Can I design a custom ring as a promise ring?

Yes, and I think it's one of the best uses for a custom piece. A promise ring is different from an engagement ring in the same way a conversation is...

No. 53

How long does it typically take to receive a custom ring after placing the order?

Six to ten weeks. That's the honest range for a proper custom ring from a jeweler who isn't cutting corners. If someone promises two weeks, they're either...

No. 54

What is the resale value of a custom ring compared to a brand-name ring?

The short answer: a custom ring has almost no resale value - about ten to twenty cents on the dollar on a good day - and a brand-name ring isn't much...

No. 55

How do I care for a custom ring with delicate or intricate details?

The short answer is: differently than you'd care for a smooth solitaire, and with more attention to what's actually catching dirt and stress. Intricate work...

No. 56

How do I sketch a custom ring design by myself?

I get asked this maybe twice a month, usually by someone who's sketched something on a napkin and wants to know if it's enough to hand a jeweler. Short...

No. 57

What is the typical down payment for a custom ring?

Fifty percent. That's the industry standard, and it's the number I've used for about twenty years now. Some shops ask for 30%. Some ask for 75%. But fifty...

No. 58

How detailed can I get with custom ring engravings?

The short answer: pretty detailed. The real answer: it depends on what you mean by detailed, and whether you're talking about machine engraving or hand...

No. 59

What is the typical markup for a custom ring compared to its material costs?

It’s the question I get most often from clients who are trying to decide between a custom piece and something off the shelf. They want a number. They want a...

No. 60

What are the pros and cons of lab-grown diamonds vs natural diamonds for a custom ring?

I get this question at least twice a week now, usually from a client sitting across the bench with a phone open to a lab-grown site and a confused...

No. 61

How do I choose the right ring style for my finger shape?

I get asked this maybe twice a week, and I'll tell you what I tell every client: finger shape matters, but not as much as you think. A well-proportioned...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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