Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 8
No. 72

Can I customize a ring to include a hidden gemstone or inscription?

Yes, absolutely. I've done both for clients more times than I can count. Hidden gemstones and inscriptions are two of the most personal things you can add...

No. 73

What is the typical deposit required to start a custom ring order?

Fifty percent. That’s the standard number I’ve worked with for about 23 years, and it’s what most custom jewelers I respect use. Half up front, half on...

No. 74

Can custom rings be made to fit over knuckles or for arthritic fingers?

Yes, they can, but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. A client named Marco came to me last spring with exactly this problem - his grandmother's...

No. 75

Are custom rings a good investment compared to branded rings?

I get this question about twice a month, usually from a client who's been browsing a brand website and comparing a custom quote against a price tag. The...

No. 76

What are the ethical considerations for custom rings using recycled metals or lab-grown diamonds?

I get this question a lot, and it's usually from someone who's done some research before walking in. That's good. It means you're thinking about where the...

No. 77

Can I create a custom ring that matches an existing piece of jewelry?

Yes. But the answer depends on what "match" means to you, and on what the existing piece is made of. I get this question about once a month - someone...

No. 78

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

About six years ago, a client named Marco sat down across from me and said, "I don't want anything that looks like my father's ring." He was thirty-four,...

No. 79

Can I design a custom ring that incorporates both modern and vintage elements?

Yes, and honestly, that's where custom work shines. Purely vintage or purely modern pieces are easier to buy off the shelf. The interesting rings - the ones...

No. 80

Is it possible to match a custom ring to an existing engagement ring for a wedding band?

Sarah came in last November with a platinum solitaire she'd had for eight years. The basket was a low six-prong, the stone a 0.93 carat round, F/VS1, with a...

No. 81

What is the best way to protect a custom ring with delicate details during daily wear?

The short answer? Take it off before you do the things that will break it. I know. Nobody wants to hear that. A client named Priya came in last spring with...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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