The WoW Style

An engagement is a milestone most people only get to experience once in their lifetime. At the center of it a ring. Most people assume that custom engagement rings are a luxury only reserved for the rich and famous.

Buying a ring is an emotionally loaded transaction. It’s easy to get paralyzed by indecision given all the factors to be considered.

Getting a custom engagement ring could be the solution you need. Read on to learn more.

Why Go Custom?

• Allows you to add a sentimental touch: A custom made ring gives so much room for creativity. You can include little secrets only the two of you are aware of.

Consider a gemstone that reminds you of a special place or a hidden heartfelt love note. If you can dream it, it can be custom made for you.

• One of a kind rings: Nothing reinforces the fact that your love is special than a custom made ring. Since it is designed from scratch. The cut, size, clarity is so unique you’ll never have to worry about someone else having the same ring.
• The cost is flexible: A custom ring indeed costs a bit more than just walking into a jewelry shop and picking one. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to be expensive. You can stick to a budget without compromising quality.

Tips on Pulling This Off

Sourcing the right engagement ring can be very testing. You want to surprise your partner, but at the same time, you are worried they might not like it. Well, relax we have you covered.

With these easy steps, you are guaranteed to have a one-of-a-kind ring that’s perfect for your partner.

• Find the Right Jewelry Designer

Your success hinges on the jeweler you choose to work with. Everything will go a lot smoother if you are working with an experienced designer that knows their craft.
The ring will be worn for a lifetime, the last things you need are delays and costly mistakes.

Apart from the expertise, you want a jeweler who will listen to your ideas and execute them. The design process is essentially a collaboration. Make sure you’re comfortable with the dialogue you have with them, whether in person or over the phone.

• Start Early

It is no secret that custom engagement rings take longer to make. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.

You also need adequate time to go over the sketches and preliminary designs until you are satisfied with the outcome. After which the jeweler proceeds to craft the ring. Each step is important and can’t be rushed. So the earlier you start the better.

• Prepare Sketches

Things will go a lot faster is you walk into the first meeting with ideas, sketches, and inspiration at hand. It could be anything, from hand drawings to images.

Maybe you liked the setting on one ring and the color of another. Present the images to your jeweler to paint a picture. Your collaboration will be more effective if you’re on the same page.

• Set a Budget

Unlike buying a pre-made ring, there are no price tags to look at. You can only know how much the rings will cost after picking out all the various components.

Having a budget will also help you make decisions along the way. If you’re on a budget, consult your jeweler on cheaper stones and materials to stick to.

• Factor in Taste

This is where things get a little tricky. A survey by Ringspo in 2017 found that only 35.1% of engagement rings are a complete surprise. If you want to completely surprise her, you will have to go the extra mile.
Ultimately the ring is for her and it should suit her style and personality. You can get this information from friends and family or by observing her jewelry collection. You can also play it safe and just ask for her input.

What to Look For in a Custom Engagement Ring

The design process is a lot less complicated than most people realize as explained by this report on the New York Times.

The design evolves from the sketch, then to computer design which is followed by a mock-up and then the final product. To get there, you must make crucial decisions in the following areas.

Setting and Style

The style you pick sets the tone for all the other elements. Styles range from traditional to ultra-modern. Some of the styles are;

• Solitaire: Features one center stone with no other side stone.
• Halo: Has a central stone that is surrounded by smaller stones like a halo around it.
• Three stones: Made with one stone in the middle, flanked by two smaller ones.

The settings to choose from are prong, bezel, tension, channel, pave and bar setting.

Band Metal

Another important decision that you have to make is the material of the band. The traditional choices are gold, palladium, and platinum.

• Gold: it is preferred because it is easier to work with. Gold is popular due to its warm hue. It can also be mixed to form alloys. The quality ranges from 18- karat down to what you can afford. The color can either be yellow, rose or white depending on the alloy added.
• Palladium: This metal is bright and adds a silvery-white appearance to your ring. It doesn’t tarnish and does not affect sensitive skin. It is a cheap alternative to platinum.
• Platinum: Prepare to pay extra for this metal. It is 30 times rarer than gold. It doesn’t fade and is hypoallergenic. It has all the benefits of palladium with the added benefit of a cool tone.

Stones

While metal determines the durability and the fitting of the ring, it’s the stone that ultimately steals the show.

Diamond stones account for 83% of all stones according to the Diamond Trading Company. You can opt for a standard colorless diamond or stray from the norm and pick out colored stones. Colored diamonds are available in a variety of colors.

The next step is choosing the cut of the stone. This will largely depend on the style and setting you chose earlier. Common cuts available are; round, oval, emerald, pear, heart or marquise.

It is also possible to use uncut stones. This means they are used as they are, the setting is what is altered to fit the stone.

Final Word

Getting a custom-made engagement ring can be a challenging and rewarding experience. It is a lot more involving that just walking into a shop and picking one out.
The effort, time and thought that goes into such a gesture will be deeply appreciated. Maybe you should stand out and get a custom engagement ring.