Introduction to the custom engagement ring design process

Custom is in, if it was really ever out. Engagement rings might be the most emotional item any of us ever buy, and so the option to design it makes it even more special. But, “where to start” is always a tricky question. Should you find a ring you like and recreate it? Or should you work with an experienced jeweller who can create a unique design that is truly yours? Our guide will answer all of these and more.

How much does it cost to make a custom-made engagement ring?

Custom engagement rings are inevitably more expensive than non-custom ones, and this is the best place to start; your budget. Gone are the days of an engagement ring needing to be worth a three-month salary. Rather, research the costs of what your partner wants - perhaps they are set on mined stones, or want a ring over a certain carat size - and compare this to what you’re comfortable spending.

If you are worried about the budget, we offer a range of payment plans to allow you to pay off your ring at a pace that suits you. Additionally, if they are looking at a mined diamond, the best way to save is to go with a lab grown diamond.

Custom rings cost more than regular ready-to-buy/ship rings, as they involve more steps like sketching out the ring and creating a CAD. They’ll understand what you like, and adjust it with multiple iterations until they get to the final design. Considering how much work goes into the ring before it’s even made, the extra cost will be well justified. At Cullen Jewellery, once your ring design has been finalised, it will be crafted within 8 weeks, ready for you to pop the big question.

Designing a custom ring with lab-grown diamonds

If you are trying to be cost-effective but aren’t finding what you want in the ready-to-ship ring range, you can opt to make a custom engagement ring with lab-grown diamonds.

If you’re looking for coloured stones to include in your engagement ring, coloured diamonds are significantly more expensive than white diamonds and are much rarer, which is driving up their price even more. Coloured lab-grown diamonds at Cullen Jewellery are available in yellow, pink and blue; which would make wonderful unique centre stones in an engagement ring. Trends in engagement rings are signalling that people are looking for more unique and personalised pieces than a cookie-cutter traditional style. If you want a unique ring with a classic silhouette, a coloured lab-grown diamond would be a wonderful way to achieve this.

Where to start with custom designing an engagement ring

Once your budget is set, it’s time to start with the task of designing the ring. Hopefully by the time it comes to the design stage, you and your partner have an indication of what you like and don’t like. If not, the best place to start is by trying on rings from jewellers, even if it’s not where you intend to buy the ring from.

All engagement rings are beautiful in their own way, and, especially when it comes to custom-designed engagement rings that are tailored to your tastes, the more options you see, the more confusing the process can get.

By trying on rings beforehand you can get a feel of how big your partner wants the ring to look on their hand. The same goes for the metal colour. Some metals are trendy [for example, yellow gold engagement rings are making a big comeback right now, thanks to the old-money aesthetic drawing trends back to a time when this metal colour was favoured]. However, if your partner prefers silver metals, then opt for a platinum or white gold engagement ring to match their personal style.

What size should an engagement ring be

When it comes to band size, jewellers aren’t magicians, and won’t be able to estimate a ring size from a picture. The most common women’s ring size is L ½ - M ½, and we always suggest making the ring a little bigger than it needs to be if you aren’t certain of the size, as it’s always easier to resize a ring smaller than make a band bigger. The best way to be certain is to use one of your partner’s rings to be measured by your jeweller. If the proposal isn’t a complete surprise, Cullen Jewellery can send a free ring sizer directly to your home.

All-in-all, the process of designing an engagement ring isn’t as daunting as it might seem. In fact, it gives you a lot more control over your budget and the look of the ring; arguably the two most important things. If you do want to speak to us in more detail about customising a ring, get in touch to book an appointment here.