Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 9
No. 82

Can I get a custom ring made with a lab-grown diamond instead of a natural one?

Yes. Absolutely. I set lab-grown diamonds all the time. Let me save you the sales pitch and tell you what's actually going on. Lab-grown diamonds are real...

No. 83

Can I design a custom ring that is adjustable or expandable for future resizing?

Short answer: yes, but with a stack of caveats. I've done this maybe two dozen times in twenty-two years, and every single time the conversation started the...

No. 84

What is the typical warranty or repair policy for a custom ring?

The short answer is: it depends entirely on who made it, and you should read the fine print before you hand over a deposit. A real custom ring isn't a...

No. 85

How do I verify the quality of the setting and craftsmanship before finalizing the custom ring design?

Let me walk you through how I actually check a ring before I sign off on it - because that's what you're asking about, even if you didn't know it. You're...

No. 86

Can I order a custom ring set, including an engagement ring and wedding band?

Yes. The short answer is yes. About a third of the custom jobs I do are ring sets - engagement ring plus matching wedding band, designed together from the...

No. 87

How do I ensure the custom ring maker uses high-quality craftsmanship?

You're asking the right question. Most clients walk in wanting to talk about the stone or the design, and those matter. But craftsmanship is what makes a...

No. 88

Can I design a custom ring with a specific gemstone cut, like a princess or oval cut?

Yes, absolutely. That's actually the whole point of working custom - you don't pick from what's in a case; you pick the exact stone, the exact cut, the...

No. 89

What is the resale value of a custom ring compared to a branded ring?

The short answer: a custom ring will almost never resell for more than the metal and stone value. A branded ring - Tiffany, Cartier, Van Cleef - commands a...

No. 90

Can I design a stackable custom ring that fits with other rings I already own?

Yes, absolutely. And I’d argue it’s one of the most practical reasons to go custom in the first place. The question isn’t really whether it can be done -...

No. 91

What is the typical turnaround time for a custom ring from initial consultation to delivery?

Six to ten weeks, if everything goes right. That's the honest range. Anyone promising you two or three weeks is either rushing something or using stock...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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