Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 67
No. 662

How do I check the quality and craftsmanship of a custom ring?

You look at the parts that can't be faked. A ring can photograph beautifully and still be a nightmare under a loupe. I've seen it a hundred times - a ring...

No. 663

What is the return policy for custom rings?

There isn't one. Not really. A custom ring is made for one person, to one set of specs, and that ring cannot be returned to the jeweler and sold to someone...

No. 664

How do I propose with a custom engagement ring?

You don't hand the box. Not if you've gone through the trouble of having a ring made. Here's the thing about proposing with a custom engagement ring: the...

No. 665

Can I get a custom ring with lab-grown diamonds?

Yes. And I do it all the time. About 40% of the custom engagement rings I've made in the last three years have used a lab-grown diamond as the center stone....

No. 666

Are there ethical considerations for custom ring materials?

Yes, and if you're asking, you're already ahead of most clients who walk into my studio. The ethical questions around custom ring materials aren't a single...

No. 667

Can I design a custom ring with multiple gemstones?

Yes, absolutely. I'd say maybe a third of the custom rings I design involve more than one stone. But "multiple gemstones" covers a lot of territory-from a...

No. 668

What are some popular custom ring styles?

I get this question a lot. A client named Priya asked me last fall, and what she really wanted to know wasn't a list of trends - she wanted something that...

No. 669

What should I consider when designing a custom wedding band?

About 80% of the custom wedding bands I make start with the same problem: someone bought a beautiful engagement ring online, and now they need a band that...

No. 670

Can custom rings be made with non-traditional materials like wood or ceramic?

Short answer: yes. Practical answer: it depends on what you mean by “custom ring” and how long you want it to last. I’ve made rings with wood, ceramic,...

No. 671

How do I choose a gemstone for my custom ring?

I get this question a lot, and the honest answer is that most people start with the wrong end. They fall in love with a color first-a deep blue, a vivid...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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