Custom Engagement Rings 101: The Process and Cost, Explained

From initial consultation to final shimmering jewel, a custom engagement ring is as unique as your love.
Elle Cashin headshot
by
Elle Cashin
Elle Cashin headshot
Elle Cashin
The Knot Fashion Contributor
  • Elle writes for The Knot online with a focus on fashion, covering gown design trends and shoppable accessories.
  • Elle is a contributor to wedding publications across the country, including Brides, The New York Times Vows and Modern Luxury Weddings.
  • Prior to shifting to weddings, Elle covered lifestyle, culture and celebrity across Chicago as the editor of the Chicago Tribune’s SPLASH magazine, where she interviewed cele...
Updated Dec 09, 2024
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Custom engagement rings are an extra-special ode to your one-of-kind love: They can incorporate meaningful elements like birthstone accents, feature inscriptions that mean something to your partner, or showcase a diamond in an intricate setting that represents the blending of lives. The good news is that custom engagement rings are becoming more accessible for couples: The cost typically reflects the materials used (meaning it's no more expensive than buying a pre-designed piece), and there are a plethora of online and brick-and-mortar jewelers who can help you design an engagement ring. Keyzar Jewelry is one such jeweler; it's based in New York but offers virtual appointments and fully custom pieces. To get the scoop on the process, we spoke with Keyzar's chief marketing officer, Guy Cohen. Here, he dishes on how rings are made—and how they're priced.

In this article:

The Custom Engagement Ring Process

Though the process may look a little different for each jeweler, there are a handful of key steps in creating a custom ring. Here, Cohen walks us through exactly how to customize an engagement ring.

1. Consultation

The first step in the custom engagement ring process—after finding a jeweler you connect with (more on that below)—is meeting with your jeweler to discuss ideas, likes and dislikes, stones and more. "At Keyzar, the process is personal and collaborative," Cohen says. "We start with an in-depth consultation—virtually or in-person—to understand the couple's style, story and preferences."

2. Initial Design

"Next, we craft initial sketches or digital renderings," Cohen says. "This stage allows couples to visualize the design and provide feedback." There may be a few rounds of this, going back and forth with the jeweler as to-be-weds weigh in on adjustments and changes. Many jewelers today use CAD software that creates a rendering that can be digitally spun and turned on its side to view all angles of the design.

3. Stone Selection

Now comes the really fun part: selecting the diamonds. "Couples can handpick their center stone and any accent stones, focusing on cut, color, carat and clarity," Cohen says. This is where being in-person with your jeweler has a real advantage: You can see the diamonds or gemstones and how they appear in natural light. If you're selecting virtually—and even if you're doing it in person—make sure you decide which elements are most important to you: Opting for a larger stone may sacrifice some of the clarity, and vice versa. Prioritizing one or more of the 4Cs of diamonds over others can help you stay within budget, too.

Note that steps 2 and 3 are often interchangeable. If you're bringing an heirloom diamond from a relative to the table, you'll likely be starting with the stone selection and creating a design based on that, rather than the other way around.

4. 3D Modeling

"Once the design is finalized, we create a 3D model or wax mold, ensuring all details align with the couple's vision," Cohen says. If you're meeting in person, this is where you can try on the model of your personalized ring design, feel it in your hand and see how it will look.

5. Crafting

Now, your one-of-a-kind ring goes into production. "After approval, our expert artisans bring the ring to life using the chosen materials," Cohen says. Here's where quality craftsmanship comes into play: Hand-setting diamonds and gemstones is an incredibly intricate process that takes skilled artisans to guarantee the stones are secure and the ring is durable. Working with a trusted jeweler is paramount.

6. Final Review

Maybe the least glamorous but by far the most important part of the custom process is the final review. "Before delivering the ring, we conduct a thorough quality check," Cohen says. Here, couples can request minor adjustments if necessary, but largely, the jeweler is ensuring that the stones are secure, the ring fits and everything is done right. "The result is a timeless piece that's uniquely yours."

How Long Does a Custom Engagement Ring Take?

Cohen recommends couples start to customize engagement rings at least eight to ten weeks before the planned proposal. "This allows time for consultations, design revisions, stone selection, crafting and any final adjustments," he says. "For couples seeking intricate designs or rare gemstones, starting earlier is always a good idea."

The big question is: Should the proposee be there? "It varies, but we often see both partners involved in the process," Cohen says. "Many couples enjoy collaborating to create a design that reflects their shared vision and story. That said, there are still plenty of occasions where one partner comes to us solo to craft the perfect surprise." It's a personal choice, of course. One idea we love? Designing the ring together but still planning a surprise for the proposal's time and place.

How Much Does a Custom Engagement Ring Cost?

There's no real way to answer this question, as the price will vary drastically based on the design. A simple one-carat solitaire will cost much less than an intricate halo design with a 3-carat center stone, for example. "Custom rings are priced based on the materials—such as the center stone, side stones and engagement ring metal—and the complexity of the design," Cohen says. Be sure to speak with your jeweler about any additional fees, such as design fees, that may add to the engagement ring cost. "At Keyzar, we don't charge a separate design fee," Cohen adds. "The entire cost is bundled into the creation process, ensuring transparency and flexibility for our clients." Make sure you're on the same page; in many cases, custom rings can be equally as cost-effective as ready-to-order ones, and yet entirely more meaningful.

Ultimately, how much to spend on an engagement ring is a matter of personal discretion and preference; and you can create a truly stunning and personal custom engagement ring design on any budget.

Where to Design a Custom Engagement Ring

In order to customize your engagement ring, you'll need to work closely with a jeweler, and the more you trust that jeweler, the better. "The key is finding a jeweler who prioritizes communication, transparency and quality craftsmanship," Cohen says. "Couples should look at reviews, explore designer portfolios and ensure the jeweler can accommodate their specific vision." He continues, "It's also essential that the jeweler provides a collaborative process, offering sketches, 3D renderings or models, so the couple feels confident about the final design."

These days, there are more and more online jewelers that offer custom services, such as Taylor Custom Rings and WOVE, both of which pair you with a designer or consultant to go through the process virtually. Still, many couples going the custom route choose to meet with a local jeweler in person. That way they can see and feel the stones and try on samples or wax models. To find a reputable jeweler in your area and learn more about where to get custom engagement rings, search The Knot Vendor Marketplace.

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