Why You Should Consider a Custom Engagement Ring

No matter how your love story started, if you're engaged, chances are that you want an engagement ring that isn't the same as everyone else's. That means you probably won't be shopping on store shelves. If this sounds like you, a custom engagement ring may be what you're looking for.

With a huge variety of options available, a custom design is a perfect way to get exactly what you want. Keep reading for everything you need to know to find the perfect ring for your finger.

Where to Buy a Custom Engagement Ring

When you shop at traditional jewelry retailers, you are just one of the hundreds of customers that the staff helps on a weekly or monthly basis. It takes the average couple close to four months to find the unique engagement ring they are looking for. With that in mind, the average retailer won't have the time to devote to your desires.

It's best to work with specialty jewelers or visit showrooms where you can get more of the one-on-one attention you need as you create a one-of-a-kind piece that suits your wants and desires.

Working with a single jeweler, rather than a chain store, also gives you the chance to explore options that fit with your lifestyle. For example, perhaps you want a conflict-free moissanite diamond. Or maybe your wish list contains a ring that allows you to take part in the design process, from start to finish.

Creating a Custom Design

Once you've chosen someone to help you create your diamond engagement ring, it's time to focus on the design. If you're someone that wants to veer away from the traditional and create something that no one else will be wearing, there are lots of factors to keep in mind.

There are countless stones, metals, and designs to choose from, giving you free rein to put together exactly what you want. It's a good idea to have an idea of what you want before you see your specialist, but if you aren't sure, he or she can also give you plenty of ideas to inspire you.

Let's talk a bit more about each of the ring's elements to help you get started visualizing what you want your own engagement ring to look like.

Metals

Gone are the days when wedding rings are made from yellow gold and nothing else will do. These days, brides are opting for other metals to get a ring that they can call their own. Of course, gold is still an option if you want to choose it. However, there are other precious metals to give some consideration to as well.

Many custom engagement rings are made with silver, white gold, or platinum. Rose gold is another option. This metal has a slightly pink hue that makes it stand out from other engagement rings. The metal you choose should meld with the stones and other design elements that you choose. Keep reading to find out more about them.

Stones

It's no secret that stone takes center stage when it comes to bridal sets. After all, that's how a woman announces to the world that she's engaged. A solitaire engagement ring will always be a classic choice that will never go out of style. However, it's not your only option. Today's brides often opt for something a bit out of the ordinary.

Maybe you want your something blue to be a blue sapphire, rather than a diamond. Or maybe you want an emerald, aquamarine, or amethyst if you love the color. There's no rule that says that your engagement ring has to contain diamonds. That's the beauty of customizing it - you can get virtually anything you want, including less traditional gemstones.

Stone Shape

Diamonds come in all shapes and sizes, giving you lots of options for finding what you love best. The diamond shape can transform an ordinary ring into something really special. Normally, there's a single center diamond, but that's certainly not your only choice.

For example, an Asscher cut diamond is an octagon with a square border and a layered look. Not only is it unique, but also produces a lot of brilliance when it hits the light. Perhaps you'd prefer a marquise diamond, which is elliptical in shape, with a wide center, narrowing at either end.

An emerald-cut diamond is rectangular in shape and lends an air of sophistication and class to your ring. Though it's an older style, you can still make it your own with other design elements that make it stand out.

Other shapes you might consider include oval, baguette, round, bezel cut princess, pear, or radiant. Again, the shape that works best depends on the other design elements you choose.

You may also want to include diamond accents or side stones. Perhaps you have a large center stone and add additional stones on either side.

The Custom Design You Want

In addition to choosing your own metals and stones, a customized ring also allows you to choose exactly how you want it to look, which goes beyond the color of the stone and the shape you decide on.

There are a huge number of engagement ring styles for you to look at. Chances are that one will stand out to you and you'll know you've found what you've always wanted. However, if you're still having trouble deciding, your jeweler can give you some inspiration.

For example, a halo engagement ring features a ring of smaller stones around the entire perimeter. A diamond halo is a fashionable option that has become quite trendy. If you like the way it looks, you can make it unique by choosing a colored gemstone for the center and diamonds for the halo.

Pavé diamonds are another engagement ring design element that you may like. This style where tiny diamonds are set very close together, creating the look of a continuous line, which enhances the sparkle of smaller stones.

You should also consider the prongs that hold your stones. A 4-prong ring will make your stone look larger, though a 6-prong setting may diminish its size just a bit. The option you choose depends on the shape of the stone. For example, choosing fewer prongs for a round diamond can make it look more square.

The shank of the ring refers to the band and the part that goes around your finger. There are several shank designs to choose from and the one you opt for depends on the size and shape of the stone you choose:

• A straight design means the ring's width is even all the way around
• A tapered design means it gets narrower the closer the band gets to the stone.
• A further narrowed band is called a knife-edge.
• A bypass shank attaches to either side of the stone rather than the middle.
• A split design means the band separates into two and attaches on each side of the center stone.
• A pinched design is when the band narrows just before it attaches to the stone as if it's been pinched between your fingers.
• A cathedral design is when the band leaves a space that leads to the setting. If you turn it to the side, it resembles the architecture of a church, hence the name.

Choosing Diamonds for Your Custom Jewelry

When you choose wedding bands, it's a good idea to understand more than just what you want the ring to look like. Keep the 4 Cs in mind - carat, cut, color, and clarity. Each of these contributes to the look of the stone, but also the value.

The precision of the diamond's cut is something to be aware of. The more precise and defined, the more the stone is worth. At the same time, the cut plays a role in the stone's brilliance and how it reflects the light.

Diamonds come in a range of hues, from colorless to yellow, pink, and even brown. Colorless diamonds are rarer, which makes them more expensive. Sometimes a diamond with a slight hue goes unnoticed to the naked eye and will be a good way to choose a larger stone at a price you can afford.

Diamonds often have exterior blemishes or interior exclusions. While not always visible to the naked eye, they do influence the value of your diamond. Diamonds without any of these characteristics are quite rare, but most blemishes can only be detected with a magnification device.

Finally, carat refers to the physical weight of the diamond. The higher the carat weight, the larger the stone tends to be. Don't get tied down to just the size of the diamond. Consider all the 4 Cs so you can get a brilliant stone that suits all of your preferences.

Benefits of Customizing Your Engagement Ring

There are a variety of reasons why a customized ring makes a great choice. As mentioned above, you have more control over choosing where the diamond comes from. If you're worried about so-called "blood diamonds," a moissanite ring is a fantastic alternative.

Moissanite is a lab-created material that mimics the look of a diamond. It's a choice that many people make, both for financial reasons, but also to be sure their stone isn't coming from a mine that doesn't treat its workers well.

Buying local is another reason many people opt for a custom bridal set. You can work with a jeweler who operates in your community, rather than a big-name retailer that operates all over the country. You'll know you're getting something truly unique, rather than a mass-produced bridal set that other women might be wearing.

You can also expect a higher quality when you design your own ring. That's because you have a part in the entire process, from start to finish, rather than selecting something you don't know much about. You can choose the details so you know the ring is made with the utmost care and quality. Custom rings are a great option if you want to create an engagement ring that becomes a family heirloom.

There's also a certain sense of symbolism that goes along with designing your own ring. Whether you have something specific in mind or not, the care and attention that goes into the design is a sentimental aspect that gives the set more meaning. This is also a great choice if you have stones from another piece of jewelry that you want to incorporate into the engagement ring.

Finally, customizing your ring allows you to work within your budget. You can choose the elements that you're comfortable paying for, while also getting exactly what you want. Often, there are payment options available that allow you to pay for the ring over time, rather than paying for it all upfront.

Make sure you also understand the warranty that goes with the piece so you know what it covers, in terms of loss, damage or theft.

Personalized attention is another perk to creating your own engagement ring. You won't have to compete for the attention of the sales staff and will get to work together to create exactly what you want.

This is a good time to learn more about diamonds and other stones, as well as metals and design elements. It's also the best time to bring all of your FAQs to your specialist. Write them down so you can make notes on the answers and so that you don't forget to ask anything important.

A custom engagement ring is a great choice for couples who want something different but want to stick with the tradition of wearing rings. Once the bridal set is designed, you can choose a wedding ring for the groom that coordinates.

Matching metals is something that most couples choose, but you can make it unique by adding stones or an engraving to make it stand out. No matter what you create, you'll both have a memorable experience to add to your wedding preparations and will end up with a set that speaks to who you are and commemorates the special relationship you have with each other. Congratulations!