After a little shopping around I went with Wheat Jewelers to design and fabricate my now fiancee's engagement ring. The decision was made pretty simple because within a couple minutes of perusing the storefront, Mr. Wheat had me at the computer... and we began designing some custom work.
He was there to provide the technical know-how to the concept I had in my head and proved very helpful from designing the ring itself, stone selection, setting selection, and hand engraving. He actively sought my input throughout the process, advised me on some design nuances which would not work and why, and provided me with wax and computer renditions when we made significant changes. His communication was spot-on. I received emails with updates regularly.
Mr. Wheat personally oversaw the project from the first minute until I left the store ring in hand. The project in total took a few weeks, but only because I changed my mind on a couple of things. If I had it all figured out that first time we had met, I would have gotten a completely original ring within two to two and a half weeks.
Despite the small size of the shop area, the equipment used at Wheat is indeed the best and most modern in the business. This alone should put them at the top of your list if you are thinking of doing some intricate custom work. In the case of my ring, in order to hand engrave the portions of the ring I wanted, each ring had to be first milled to specification, then engraved, then laser welded together. I still have trouble believing this was ever more than one piece of material. The welds are completely seamless and invisible. The ring is rock solid. The level of detail is exactly what I would have hoped to achieve.
In summary, the product is fantastic, and she said yes.