Custom Rings

calindi

So we went to the jeweler on Saturday, and they said they thought they could find "the ring", the one I fell for last summer.  Turns out, they can't.  And I didn't realize how disappointed I'd be until they told us that.

So my guy now wants to custom make a ring so I can get something I love.  He wants me involved in the designing process (since I'm picky - it's the artist in me!), but I won't see the finished product until he gives it to me.  I'm perfectly okay with this.  Didn't Elle do this, if I'm remembering correctly?

We've started working with Green Lake Jewelry, and I really like their work online and they seem to have fantastic reviews overall.  But I'm nervous about shipping my family diamond across the country!

Any advice on designing your own ring?  Things to check for or ask?  If you ever have the ring shipped - any problems?  How do you make sure they don't lose it???

loves2shop4shoes

Oh Cate.  I'm so sorry about them not being able to find your ring.  I know what a disappointment that must be.  Rest assured that your BF will make something that you will end up LOVING.

I didn't have my ring custom made, so I can't help you out much there.  But I will say, why should you have to ship your diamond out?  Have them make the setting to your specifications, they can ship it to Miami, and then you can have a local jeweler set your diamond for you.  Setting a diamond takes a few hours and at most a few hundred dollars.

Hazel_B

I agree with Loves to shop, I think you can ship the setting where ever you need it and just get the diamond set when the setting arrives.

PolkaDotBella

Oh Cate! I'm sorry they couldn't find your ring! I know how much you loved it!

I'm going to agree with Shoes and Hazel... see if they can ship your setting to your jeweler and have them set it...

Keep us updated! Good luck!

[Deleted User]

I'm sorry they didn't end up fnding your ring! I know how excited you were when they said they did find it!  I agree with what other PP said about getting the ring shipped to you.  I'm sure that they'll be able to create the ring with the right carat and shape in mind. 

It's awesome, btw, that you have a family diamond!

NurseyK

Oh noooooo! I can understand the disappointment, especially once you get your heart stuck on something happening a certain way. Have faith that the right one will be found or made. 

I'm with the rest and I wouldn't want to ship the heirloom across the country either. Make sure you check out the company with the better business bureau. Personally, if they won't do ship the setting, then I would move on because that would put a red flag in my mind. 

I really hope this works out for you though! Is he still going to hold on to it for a formal proposal? Are you so excited that you are about to pee your pants?

calindi

Haha, thanks for the advice girls!  It seems SUPER reputable, checked Yelp and BBB and even Google Checkout reviews - they are almost universally recommended with 5 stars, with your odd complaint thrown in about being "snooty" or something, but not a single comment about unprofessional, losing/damaging/switching jewels, etc.  I'm feeling really comfortable about going with this company.

I'll see if they're willing to ship it without the diamond.  I would definitely have to give them exact measurements so they could make it there, and it'll probably be more expensive since we'd have to pay a separate jeweler, but at least I wouldn't have to ship that diamond!  It's one thing for them to insure a diamond you buy from them - you can replace that.  I can't replace 100 years of family history!

I'm not going to try to make it look like the other ring I loved, because I'd always end up comparing it.  We've decided on a different style that incorporates some of the same elements that I liked about 'that ring', but is otherwise completely unique.  Yes, he does still want to propose, so the plan is to work on the design together (we're having both e-ring and wedding band made at the same time), then once I approve the wax mold, I'll step out of the process and it's up to him - I'll see the finished product for the first time when he proposes.  So I guess there is still kind of that element of surprise, no?  Anyway, I couldn't care less if it just showed up and I unwrapped the package and stuck it on my finger, but he wants his proposal, and I think that's sweet. 

mellimel19

Ugh that must have been so disappointing after getting your hopes up!! Shoes made a good suggestion about having them make the setting based on your specifications then shipping to you. I'd also be concerned about sending a family heirloom diamond to them.

Elle1036

Indeed, I did this.  I even considered using Green Lake, but I ended up going with the same jeweler Panda uses (Joseph Schubach) because their response time was faster and their quote was lower.

My biggest piece of advice is to communicate with pictures, rather than trying to explain yourself.  I ended up sending the jeweler 5 different pictures, I think.  I was like, "the band from this ring, with a halo like this one, but prongs like this, etc..."

Otherwise, just make sure they send pictures of the wax mold before they cast anything.  Ask them if they plan to do the wax by hand or using a CAD.  If your ring is going to have sidestones (from the way I've heard you describe it before, I think it does), get pictures of the sidestones sent to you before they're set.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.  Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

ETA:  I had to send in my stone to get the wax made.  From what I understand, they shove it into the wax and carve around itto make sure the fit is correct.  If they do a CAD, you may be able to get away with just sending in the measurements.

PandaBurr

I live like.. 2 miles from them, haha.

My personal experience with them is that they are INCREDIBLY overpriced because of their reputation. Yes, they do very very beautiful work, but every time I've gotten a price quote from them, it's been outrageous. The last thing I quoted from them was remaking my mom's ring. I had all the stones already, and I just needed a 14k white gold setting pretty plain band setting. They quoted me like $3500 for it. My jeweler quoted me $750. So I would definitely shop around. My jeweler is Schubach Jewelers in Arizona. There's also Winfield's (winkcz.com), who also has really good reviews for custom work, as well as Knox Jewelers in Minneapolis (but they're also really pricey due to their reputation).

As for shipping your stone, it's your call if you want to send it to them to have them set it or not. I've sent jewelry through the mail no problem several times, but it only takes one time to lose your precious stone! My advice is to ship with the USPS because they're the only ones that actually insure jewelry for the full value. UPS and FedEx do not (unless you have an account with them, I think).

calindi

Wow, Elle and Panda, thanks for the input!  Very helpful!  I think we'll reach out to Schubach and Winfield's for alternate quotes.

It is a CAD design, which I find very cool (my brother is an engineer, and I love seeing real-to-scale models that look like photographs before the object even exists!).  The prices weren't ridiculous that we saw as rough estimates, but then again, they haven't given us our specific quote yet!  We gave them a budget of around $3000 for both the engagement ring setting and the wedding band, which I think is more than reasonable.  We'll see if they can work with it!

ETA:  What I mean by prices "not being ridiculous" is that they aren't significantly more than we would have paid for a stock ring at the stores we've been looking at.  'That ring' was under $2000, so I wouldn't want to spend significantly more than that.  Certainly nowhere near the Tacori ring the jeweler was trying to sell me at $3500!

Elle1036

I think doing a CAD is smart.  Mine was hand-carved, and while I love being able to tell people that my ring "is completely custom and hand-made" there are a couple of minor imperfections that probably wouldn't be there if we'd gone the computer route.  It's not anything that I expect anybody else to notice... ever... but it's enough to bug me sometimes.

PandaBurr

Joe was telling me that hand-carved leads to more... fluid? lines but CAD designs lead to more symmetry and "perfection". For my design, I preferred the hand-carved. It really depends on what kind of ring you're looking to design. I'd say anything organic or floral, like mine, you should go with the hand-carved. Anything geometric, like a halo like Elle's, you should go with the CAD.

calindi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_custom-rings?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:a68bc993-1e43-46d8-8def-76ab7207e7c4Post:9c20cb04-24af-4296-a336-d81eafd2a968">Re: Custom Rings</a>:
[QUOTE]Joe was telling me that hand-carved leads to more... fluid? lines but CAD designs lead to more symmetry and "perfection". For my design, I preferred the hand-carved. It really depends on what kind of ring you're looking to design. I'd say anything organic or floral, like mine, you should go with the hand-carved. Anything geometric, like a halo like Elle's, you should go with the CAD.
Posted by PandaBurr[/QUOTE]

Very interesting... and what if it's supposed to be symmetrical but fluid?

These are my inspirations:


<a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/1/2/112cc4b9-e6e9-43dd-8248-738ff99d9ae6.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', '112cc4b9-e6e9-43dd-8248-738ff99d9ae6', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));" class="PhotoLink"><img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/1/2/112cc4b9-e6e9-43dd-8248-738ff99d9ae6.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

Love the swirls, with the small diamonds in it!  Not so hot on the tension setting, though I do like the diamond very low-profile, but would prefer a prong with a bit of side filigree, like this:


<a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/0/3/609954e1-3da9-4e69-b304-5814e8936b3e.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', '609954e1-3da9-4e69-b304-5814e8936b3e', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));" class="PhotoLink"><img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/0/3/609954e1-3da9-4e69-b304-5814e8936b3e.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

And then for a wedding band, these are my inspiration, but a bit thinner (if possible - closer to the 3rd band's thickness rather than the first 2):


<a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/11/6/abf3ddb4-73ba-464a-a6c7-e02f743ba4cb.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', 'abf3ddb4-73ba-464a-a6c7-e02f743ba4cb', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));" class="PhotoLink"><img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/11/6/abf3ddb4-73ba-464a-a6c7-e02f743ba4cb.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>


<a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/13/5/4dc7086b-6f1d-423d-95f5-184ce083c151.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', '4dc7086b-6f1d-423d-95f5-184ce083c151', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));" class="PhotoLink"><img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/13/5/4dc7086b-6f1d-423d-95f5-184ce083c151.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>


<a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/6/8/56564136-cd26-4346-885a-d51bfe105a9e.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', '56564136-cd26-4346-885a-d51bfe105a9e', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));" class="PhotoLink"><img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/6/8/56564136-cd26-4346-885a-d51bfe105a9e.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

Elle1036

Ask your jeweler what they recommend.  If they want to do hand-carved, just make sure that you and your BF look very closely at the pictures of the wax before you approve it.

calindi

Panda and Elle, would you be so kind as to AW your rings so I can oogle them please?

Elle1036

Pshh.  Whatever.  I hate showing off my ring.


...

Yeah, right.  I've had real trouble getting a good picture, but here are a couple somewhat successful attempts:

leia1979

If you want precise, symmetrical swirls, I'd vote for CAD. I don't have experience related to jewelry, but I do know a ton of mechanical engineers. Plus, they should be able to show you the CAD images during the design process.

PandaBurr

Hehe, I love my ring, and I love showing it off too.

Side view of the hidden pink sapphires



Good shot of the tiny heart shaped prongs



Top view of the set



"Front" of the set

katanne9

I'm sorry they can't find your ring : ( But at least you'll be able to create the one you want!!

My ring was custom designed.

However, Dh worked with a jeweler in person, not long distance. The CAD model is a GREAT way to do it, so I'm glad you have access to that! From what I remember, you already have the diamond in your possession, yes?

I would definitely recommend using CAD or another engineering software if you want your swirls. Since you won't be working with the artist in person, it will be the best way to guarantee what you want.

My ring has hand-engraved filigree, but it is also pretty detailed. Let me see if I can find some pics...













Oh yess. The one thing I would recommend if you want to do the swirls. See how in the 2nd one down, the engraving stops and it is plain for a little bit on the very back? Our jeweler suggested doing this because if I ever need to resize it down the road, it won't mess up the engraving. I'm not sure if the one with the swirls all the way around it would resize very well.

Let me know if you have any questions! DH was pretty thorough about the whole process, so I can always ask him too. : ) So exciting!


PS - the nice thing about custom is that you can mimic the styles of the high-end brand rings. When I was looking at wedding bands all the jewelers asked if my ring was Tacori. (Not a chance!!) Best of luck!

katanne9

Oh yeah! Also, about shipping. There was a whole to-do about my diamond, so Dh ended up getting it from BlueNile.

He had it certified and overnighted via FedEx and picked it up at the Post Office. I would think you could do the same with your band?

katanne9

Ahh, I need to read more carefully before I start posting! You are ALSO shipping your stone. I didn't see that before.

Well, let me tell you what happened to us.

Basically, the jeweler switched stones on my DH after DH paid for it. DH noticed it wasn't up to par with the grades he paid for (hahaha, cutie, he actually "broke into" a local college science building and used their microscopes). He confronted him and it was a pretty big blow-out. Basically, the only way he was able to prove it was by getting a bunch of appraisals.

I would make sure you have a certified appraisal from a jeweler BEFORE you send it, and have it reappraised afterwards just to make sure. People are weird and things can happen. I would hate to see anything happen to your family stone.

PandaBurr

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_custom-rings?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:a68bc993-1e43-46d8-8def-76ab7207e7c4Post:88cc5d83-5776-43e0-a073-42f1625dcc37">Re: Custom Rings</a>:
[QUOTE] I would make sure you have a certified appraisal from a jeweler BEFORE you send it, and have it reappraised afterwards just to make sure. People are weird and things can happen. I would hate to see anything happen to your family stone.
Posted by katanne9[/QUOTE]

I agree with this. I completely trust Joe, so I don't think it would be an issue with him, but for your safety I would definitely get it appraised and all that, and even the imperfections mapped out if you can. It's a good way to identify your diamond if there is a dispute.

calindi

Thanks ladies!!!

Yes, I'm taking the diamond to get appraised today - reputable jeweler down here that is family friends with a good friend of mine, so at least I have that referral.

Kat, that's hilarious about your DH and the microscope!  Attention to detail.  I would have ripped that jeweler a new one - I hope he posted that on Yelp or something so others are aware!!!  I remember you said that before about stone switching, so I had already planned to get it appraised and photographed.

I also remember you saying that about the design all the way around - I don't think that'll be a problem with the e-ring, as my design will stop around the finger, but the wedding band would be all swirlies all the way around so I'm not sure how that would be expanded... I'll have to ask the designer, thanks!  Maybe we'll do just a little section of plain metal on the bottom to keep things easy.