The 21st century is all about being yourself, and if you’re going to be yourself, then you’re going to want to look like yourself. And why shouldn’t you? We all have different styles and tastes, and at the end of the day, what does and doesn’t look good or “fashionable,” is extremely subjective. This is true for a pair of jeans you might own for a couple of years, but it’s especially true for an engagement ring that you’re going to be wearing for the rest of your life.
You could go to the jewelry store and buy whichever ring the salesman tells you is the most popular right now, and that’s perfectly fine if you happen to think that ring looks beautiful. If it’s not to your tastes, however, you shouldn’t choose it just because everyone else has been doing so. Try something different, something that’s more, well, you. Of course, most engagement ring shoppers don’t just stroll in and buy the first – or even second or third – ring they’re told is in vogue right now. But even if you take your time and peruse all the options at a number of different jewelers, you may still find yourself thinking that they’re all just a bit too same-y, too mass-produced looking.
If you’re nodding your head in agreement (and maybe frustration), then know that there is a third option. You can always have a ring custom made if you either want something that you can truly say is unique and personal and/or if you already have a stone you want to use but not the setting. Here are some quick tips for getting the custom engagement ring of your dreams.
Pay Attention
Do you know what kind of jewelry the person you’re going to propose to likes to wear? You should, but if you don’t, well, you’ll just have to raid his or her jewelry box. This will give you a strong sense of what type of ring he or she likes. Next, think about whether or not you want to work something culturally significant into the ring or if you want it to reflect a certain era, like contemporary or art deco. This may seem a bit complicated, but it’s actually going to help you by winnowing down your many, many options. Finally, do a little field research by getting out to various jewelry stores and getting a sense of what you like.
Find the Right Designer
If you happened to identify a designer you loved while doing the recon work above, great! A salesperson will be able to put you in touch with them and will act as your liaison. Your other options are to either get referrals from friends or family members or hop online and start searching. If you do decide to shop online, it’s always good to look into how long they’ve been in business and find out if you can see their work in person somewhere, which will allow you to verify their level of craftsmanship.
Be Expressive
What do you want your ring to say? It’s a tough question to answer if you’re not an artist. Try writing down words that describe how you feel about your future fiancé and how he or she makes you feel. If writing isn’t your strong suit either, then try looking for something graphic that fits those feelings: paintings or photographs can be great reference points.
Take It Slow
You should get the ball rolling on this process well before you plan to propose. You’ll need time to conduct your research and figure out what you want; more time to go back and forth on final specs with the designer; and up to six weeks for delivery once the order is placed.
Don’t Forget About the Wedding Band
What comes after an engagement? A wedding, of course, and you need to be ready for that. Your options are to go all in on a ring that will stand by itself (as in, be worn on the right hand after the wedding band goes on) or to have something designed that looks great by itself but even better when paired with a band, which itself can either be custom or store bought.
Start Saving
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but custom rings tend to cost more than store-bought ones. Why? Because they require more thought, effort and time to make, and they require multiple pieces to be assembled by hand. If you’re going to have a ring custom designed then you better start saving. Yesterday.
Protect It
Find out ahead of time what sort of guarantees your designer will provide and make sure you get a quality grading report or have the ring appraised. Finally, consider getting a CZ engagement ring instead — Russian Formula CZ engagement rings are far more affordable, but they still maintain all the shine and luster of the real deal. That means you can get a bigger rock for less as your engagement ring, or get a CZ ring for wearing when traveling or taking part in activities that might cause you to lose or damage the ring.