Designing your own engagement ring is exciting and fun. Another benefit is that it allows you to get the ring you have always wanted. Traditionally, rings were a surprise given during proposals. Although proposals are absolutely a huge part of the engagement, the ring itself does not have to be designed without your input. Today’s brides have far more say on the type of ring they want. This makes a lot of sense on many levels. Being in a position where you have had the most romantic proposal in the world, only to find that you do not love your ring is never ideal. If your significant other knows your style very well, the risk of this happening is smaller. Another reason to plan your ring is that you can make it truly yours – a style that is unlike all the usual styles out there. The simplest way to get your dream ring is to design it yourself with the help of an experienced engagement ring designer.
Designing Your Own Engagement Ring
Not too long ago, we shared some tips on what to do before planning your own ring. Today, we’re sharing some guidelines on how to design your engagement ring once you’re prepared to get started. Here are some of the top things you’ll need to consider.
The Metal
Metals for bands and settings include yellow gold (a timeless choice), rose gold (a feminine, popular choice), white gold (simple and elegant), and platinum (shiny and strong). All of these metals are beautiful in their own way. This can make it challenging to know which is best. A good tip is to consider your other jewellery. Which metals do you prefer on earrings, necklaces, bracelets, or other rings? Will you wear the ring with similar metal rings on other fingers or do you want to mix metals for something more modern?
The Stones
Diamonds are a natural choice for this type of ring, and for good reason. With a rating of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, no other material is as strong as diamond. These stones will last forever. That doesn’t mean that they are the only stone to consider, however. You may have always loved emeralds. You may be drawn to stones such as morganite or aquamarine. You may want to add a stone with meaning, such as your birthstone. Think carefully about the colours and stones you like and consider whether they can be worn with other jewellery or with clothing or other items that may clash or work together. Remember, you are going to wear this ring all day, every day, so you want it to be a colour that works with your style. Another thing to consider is the hardness rating. Stones of 7-10 are ideal, while those at 6 or 6.5 can work, provided you take extra care to avoid damage.
The Style
Now for the fun part – the style itself. There are many, many styles out there. So many, in fact, that our blog is full of inspiration on clas, modern, feminine, minimal, unique, and bold styles. The simplest way to choose a style is to decide whether you want to go for something conventional (princess, solitaire, oval, pave, or rectangular) or something more contemporary (asymmetrical, cluster, two-tone or geometric). You could also consider elements such as band shape, symbolism, profile, setting, colour combinations or any other factor that appeals to you in some way. This can be a little overwhelming. It helps to start thinking and finding ideas of styles you like before speaking to your jeweller.
Once you have done some thinking about the factors we’ve mentioned above, you can sit down and chat with your jeweller about what you want in your ring. He will also be able to give you suggestions on what is practical and what is not and offer expert advice on diamond carats, metals, and other factors that you’ll need to consider. If you’re looking for a trusted jeweller with a wealth of experience, Joel Graham is your best choice. As the hands (and heart) behind Cape Diamonds, Joel brings his unique talent and vision into every ring designed. Get in touch with us and let us help you design the engagement ring of your dreams.