Gifting someone a ring is always thoughtful, but it becomes even more special and sentimental if the jewelry is custom-made. Custom rings are a way to personalize jewelry to reflect your loved one’s uniqueness and style, but the process can take a bit longer than buying a ring as-is.
It takes somewhere between four and six weeks to make a custom ring. The turnaround time depends on how busy your preferred jeweler is, how quickly you can finalize the design, and your custom ring’s material and design complexity.
In the rest of this article, I’ll discuss everything you need to know about making custom rings and how long you can expect them to be made. If you’re considering a custom ring, keep reading!
Factors That Will Determine Your Custom Ring’s Turnaround Time
You may think that making a custom ring takes many months, but in reality, many custom rings are ready in four to six weeks, depending on the design, materials, and jeweler. Below are some factors that influence how long a custom ring will take to be ready.
Which Jeweler You Choose
Some jewelers are busier than others, and their wait times for custom rings can be quite long. If you’re in a hurry, I recommend asking for jewelers who will have time to get started on your ring immediately. If you have some wiggle room, you can choose a jeweler with a busier schedule.
If you’re struggling to find a jeweler you like, I recommend asking your friends and neighbors to see if they have any recommendations. Your jeweler should be certified and educated in the field, and they should adhere to a code of conduct.
How Many Design-Related Decisions You’ve Already Made
Making a custom ring begins with a consultation meeting. Once you’ve selected which custom jeweler you want to make your ring, you’ll need to meet with them to discuss your desired ring and the specifications you’d like.
If you already know what size, shape, and materials you want your ring to include, this consultation will be straightforward and not take long.
Some people embark on the custom ring journey unsure of what they want. In this case, it may take multiple appointments—which can take weeks—before the design is finalized and construction of the ring can begin.
Your Jeweler’s Use of Computer-Aided Design Software
Often, it is difficult for a customer and a jeweler to agree on a finalized design unless the jeweler uses computer-aided design software, which makes it easier for a customer to see or visualize the future ring in realistic and exact detail.
If a jeweler uses this technology, it is more likely that you’ll reach an agreement on the final design sooner, reducing the general turnaround time.
The Availability of Required Materials
In most cases, your jeweler will already have access to a supplier where they can get everything they need to make your ring.
However, if you’re after a unique gemstone or material, the jeweler may have to work harder to acquire it, which may take additional time.
Payment Terms
Many jewelers won’t start constructing a custom ring until they receive a deposit. On the other hand, they can start working on the ring immediately if you can pay the deposit right away.
If you need more time to pay the deposit, this waiting period will add to the custom ring’s overall turnaround time.
Some jewelers offer suggestions about how much one should spend on an engagement ring, but ultimately, the decision is yours. You should plan your budget according to your financial situation and your priorities. Some people are willing to spend more on a ring because they know they’ll have it forever, whereas others prefer to save money on a ring and save for a house or vacation.
The Complexity of Your Design
Some rings require more work and craftsmanship than others, so if you want a complex design, you’ll probably have to wait a little longer to get your ring because it will require more time to construct.
For example, one of the most complicated setting designs is the tension setting, so if you have your heart set on that, you should factor in more time for the construction.
How Much Does a Custom Ring Cost?
Custom rings are usually more expensive than choosing one at a store, so you should consider your budget beforehand. Rings composed of various gemstones can cost anywhere from $500 to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the materials and design complexity.
Here are the key factors that determine how much a ring will cost:
- If the jeweler charges a design fee. Most jewelers require that you pay a design fee at the very beginning to pay for the time and effort of developing the design and creating models and graphics. Typically, this charge is somewhere around $500.
- The complexity of your design. Complicated designs require more knowledgeable and skilled labor, increasing the overall cost.
- Your base metal and gemstone. The materials themselves dictate the bulk of your ring’s overall cost.
Let’s take a look at the different decisions you can make that affect the price of a custom ring:
The Center Stone
Choosing the center stone for a custom ring is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Center stones influence a ring’s price and value over time more than any other element.
Although diamonds are widely considered to be traditional and classic, there are other center stone options that come with hefty prices. For instance, colored diamonds, such as pink or blue diamonds, add an extra touch of luxury to any jewelry piece. Sapphires or rubies can also be used as center stones, and they can be more expensive than diamonds due to their quality and rarity.
If your loved one is open to diamond alternatives, I recommend looking at morganite, aquamarine, or amethyst stones.
You’ll also have to consider your stone’s size. For example, larger carats cost more than smaller ones, and high-grade diamonds are more expensive than lower-grade diamonds.
The following are the most common choices for center stones, and I’ve arranged them according to their average prices, from most expensive to least expensive:
- Alexandrite
- Ruby
- Diamond
- Emerald
- Sapphire
- Tanzanite
- Black opal
- Tourmaline
- Morganite
- White opal
- Pearl
- Topaz
- Amethyst
Metal Type
Another major factor in the overall price of a custom ring is the type of metal you select for the band. The most expensive choice is platinum, but it is still popular because it is the most secure, durable, and tarnish-resistant band option.
Gold is the next most expensive type of metal you can choose for your custom ring. Gold is durable and available in various colors, so you’ll have to choose if you want white, yellow, or rose gold. Higher-karat gold is more expensive than lower-karat gold.
Sterling silver is the most affordable metal option, but it scratches easily, so it won’t look as nice for as long. Silver is also more prone to tarnishing than gold or platinum.
Your ring’s band thickness also influences the price because it changes how much metal you need to use. Thicker band designs are more expensive.
Design
Your ring’s design greatly influences its cost. One of the biggest price contributors is if you want accent stones. Increasing the number and size of accent stones on the ring drives up the price.
For example, rings with a halo design are more expensive than rings without this element. However, don’t let this discourage you from choosing to have accent stones if you love them; small sizes can be extremely affordable.
Additionally, if your design is extremely intricate or sculptural, it will require more time, labor, and skill to construct. This additional effort will increase the price. Simpler designs are more affordable and can be just as chic and classic.
Is a Custom Ring Right for You? Pros and Cons
Before consulting a jeweler for a custom ring, you should ensure that going with the custom option is the right choice for you. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of going with a custom design:
Pros
- The ring will reflect your loved one’s style and personality. Most rings at retail stores aren’t that unique or special, and they may not be exactly what your loved one wants to wear on their finger for the rest of their lives. If you choose a custom design, you can ensure that the ring is exactly what your loved one wants.
- You can choose materials that suit your lifestyle. Some materials, settings, and gemstones are sturdier and more durable than others. If you use your hands a lot or are generally less careful, you may want to select those options instead of more delicate or breakable styles.
- You’ll feel more connected to the ring’s story. The ring will likely be a sentimental gift either way, but if you play an active part in the design process, you’ll probably feel more connected to the final product.
- You can personalize the ring to add sentimentality. Not only are custom rings more unique, but they also provide an opportunity to add a personal touch. For example, if your loved one has children, you can incorporate the children’s birthstones into the ring design.
Cons
- You may have to learn about ring design elements. If you don’t already know a lot about rings and ring design, you’ll probably have to take some time to learn so you know what decisions to make before going to a consultation meeting.
- The proposal won’t be as much of a surprise. If you plan on proposing with a custom ring, the proposal might not be as surprising because you’ll have to ask your partner about their design preferences. They might get suspicious if you ask your partner if they prefer a round or pear gemstone shape.
- Designing a ring can be overwhelming. There are a lot of choices and decisions you need to make if you’re creating your own design, so the process is a lot more time-consuming and complicated than simply going to a retail store and choosing a ring you like.
- There’s a chance you won’t like the final product. Advanced technology makes it possible for people to see their ring design in great detail before it is made, but ultimately, you won’t be able to see the ring until it is complete. Because of this, there’s a small chance you might not like the finished product as much.
- You usually can’t return custom rings. Hopefully, your loved one will love the ring, and this won’t be an issue. However, if a proposal doesn’t go as planned or your loved one doesn’t like the design, you usually can’t return a custom ring to the shop or studio. Therefore, you’re out a lot of money unless you can sell it yourself.
- Custom rings can be costly. Not only are you paying for the materials and the gemstones themselves, but you’re also paying for the labor and time it takes to construct the ring. Therefore, most custom rings are more expensive than retail options.
- Custom rings take longer. You can simply walk into a retail store and select a ring you like and walk out with it the day of, or you can even buy a ring online and wait a few days for shipping. However, custom designs require more time to finalize and construct, which may be a hindrance if you have a specific day in mind you’d like to propose or give your ring to your loved one.
You must consider all these pros and cons before deciding on a custom ring design to ensure you’ve made the right choice.
Conclusion
Creating a custom ring is a great way to honor your loved one’s uniqueness and style. However, you’ll have to wait four to six weeks before the ring is ready, depending on your preparedness, your jeweler, and the complexity of your design.
Ultimately, getting a custom ring has many advantages and disadvantages, and they might not be the right choice for everyone. It may not be the most affordable option, although many factors influence the price.
