Custom wedding rings are all the rage for couples who want to express their love and individuality through their engagement ring – and sometimes off-the-rack just doesn’t cut it. When it comes down to customising a ring, the sky's the limit. Data also shows the process of choosing an engagement ring is increasingly a collaborative effort between a couple, rather than a complete surprise. Here are our favourite ways you can customise the most important piece of jewellery you’ll ever know.
Contrary to what you might think, there is no part of choosing an engagement ring which is the “most important.” Choosing the stone first might mean you don’t take into consideration the big picture and end up spending unnecessarily. For example if you’re opting for a yellow gold band, you don’t need to focus too much on finding a D colour diamond, as any yellow tinge will be masked by the yellow gold band.
Instead, first really think about the overall look you want, and with customisation you can get creative with the details. What metal are you going for? Do you want the stone to be big, or do you want a dainty look? It’s also worth considering your personal style. Do you like a classic look, or do you like something different and are you willing to experiment with coloured stones? Creating a moodboard can be a great way to see commonalities in the engagement ring designs you steer towards.
Consider Your Budget When Choosing a Stone
Once you know what you like aesthetically, we need to think about budgets. Engagement rings aren’t exactly budget-friendly, but mined diamond alternatives like lab-grown diamonds and moissanite mean everyone can have the look they want at the price they need it. Custom rings usually come with another set of design costs, but at Cullen Jewellery we can customise your ring free of charge. Get in touch with us here to find out more!
If you like the look of coloured diamonds, which are the most expensive and rare category, then choosing coloured lab-grown diamonds or other precious stones like emeralds, rubies or sapphires will be a great way to get the look with gemstones which are as durable. Some brides are opting for a pearl instead of a centre stone, however this is significantly more delicate than a diamond and so shouldn’t be worn for daily activities.
Opt For Multiple Stones
Instead of a large centre stone, a great way to maximise the beauty of small stones is by pairing multiple together - either in a cluster or in a “toi et moi” arrangement by placing two stones side by side, or a trilogy ring setting with a larger centre stone and one smaller either side. These aren't traditional, but are a great way to get a bigger overall look with a smaller budget as smaller stones will be less costly than larger ones, as well as allowing for lower quality stones as any inclusions and slight yellow tinges in the stones aren’t as visible in smaller pieces.
Add a Halo
If you’ve heard of “halos,” but have no idea what it means, it’s worth familiarising yourself as these can be instrumental in creating an eye-catching look. A halo is an engagement ring setting where a line of tiny diamonds lines the centre stone. This works well if you like the look of a big ring however your budget doesn’t stretch far enough for a big stone. If you like the idea, but don’t want to take away from the beauty of your centre stone, you can opt for a “hidden halo” where this line of diamonds is underneath the centre stone, and means your ring will sparkle from all angles.
Personalised Bands
We’ve spent all this time speaking about stones, but the band is actually where you can have the most creative input, and make your ring extra personal. This might be by adding an engraved message on the inside of the band, like a special quote or date. Another great idea is to add special gemstones to the band, this could be your birthstones, or if you have children their birthstones could be a great way to honour them in your ring. If you like this idea but want a plain band, you can incorporate birthstones into a hidden halo.
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