So you've decided to get engaged — congratulations! You probably know there are thousands of ring designs available, but what if you want to create something a little more personal? Designing an engagement ring allows you to put your own personal touches into a piece of jewelry that will last a lifetime. By working with a jewelry designer, you can make your ideas happen. Before you spend your hard-earned money on a unique piece, use these four tips to create the perfect engagement ring in New York City.
Find Inspiration
Before designing your engagement ring, get some inspiration from existing rings. Browsing the selection at a jewelry store can help you determine what you like and don't like. You might also take certain styles from several rings to create your own ring. For example, if you like the shape of the ring's center stone but like the metal detailing on another, you can make a note of that.
Look at the latest trends in the market. It doesn't mean you need to copy the style completely, but sometimes these trends can give you an idea of what you should consider. Bring these ideas, sketches, and photos with you to your initial consultation. The jeweler should offer some assistance as to what works or doesn't work. Together, you can create the perfect custom engagement ring.
Know Your Budget
When you purchase a pre-made ring, you can see the price tag and know if the ring fits your budget. Keep in mind that custom jewelry typically comes with a higher price tag than something you find in a jeweler's case. A custom ring takes a while to produce, mainly due to the design time and construction, so this additional time can increase the cost.
Having a budget can help you plan the intricacies of the design and the materials. For instance, you might choose palladium instead of platinum because it's a lower price but has a similar look. To stay within your budget, you might also opt for a smaller center stone if you want other stones along the side.
The jeweler should confirm your budget at your initial consultation, and they can give you several options based on what you're willing to spend. Many jewelers can redesign or reuse a piece you already own into an engagement ring to help offset the cost of materials. Bring the piece you want to reuse to the consultation so the jeweler can determine how to fit it in your design.
Make a Plan
No matter what, your custom ring will be meaningful because you designed it for your partner. However, it will mean more if you consider her style. After all, she's the one who will be wearing the ring every day. Does she gravitate toward flashier items or prefer something simple? What type of metal dominates her existing jewelry collection? Also, think about her lifestyle and job. Would her engagement ring get snagged on anything at work? If so, you might consider a flush stone.
Once you have a budget and a plan, you can narrow down the styles. Typically, engagement rings can be made out of several types of gold or silver metals:
- Palladium: This hypoallergenic flexible metal creates a silver-white look. It is ideal if she has sensitive skin, and it won't tarnish. It's similar to platinum but usually costs less.
- Platinum: As a rare metal, platinum is dense and durable, meaning it will last a long time. It has a natural pure white color that retains its color over time. It's also hypoallergenic.
- Rose gold: Rose gold gives you the benefits of yellow gold but with a rose tint. It's actually traditional yellow gold with a copper alloy to give it a pink hue.
- White gold: Another variation of yellow gold is white gold. The ring starts as yellow gold and receives rhodium plating to achieve the white coating. However, this coating can wear away over time, exposing the yellow gold underneath. Jewelers can reapply the plating as needed.
- Yellow gold: This common material is a natural metal with a warm hue. It's an easy metal to work with and one of the more affordable options. Gold that is 24 karats too soft for use in jewelry, so you'll find that most rings are 10-, 14-, or 18-karat. Ten- and 14-karats contain lower gold content, resulting in a lower cost.
After you choose the metal, figure out what gemstones you want. Most engagement rings have a large center stone, but that doesn't mean you have to design your ring with one. You could also add side stones in several configurations as accents. Diamonds are the most common option as they create a stunning effect and work well in almost any setting. However, you aren't limited to just using diamonds. Consider using her birthstone or other colorful stones such as amethyst, sapphire, ruby, or topaz. You could even combine several types of stones on the ring.
Find a Reputable Jewelry Dealer
Ultimately, designing your dream engagement ring should be an enjoyable and memorable experience topped by the actual proposal where you can present your future spouse with your creation. The jeweler you select is one of the most important aspects of creating your custom engagement ring. Working with a reputable dealer with years of experience in creating and designing jewelry is important. You want someone who understands your vision and budget without making you feel pressured.
That's why you should visit Martin Busch Jewelers. As the oldest continually open jewelry store in our New York City neighborhood, we've remained a constant despite the area undergoing plenty of change. In business for more than 60 years, we pride ourselves on fostering strong customer relationships, with many lasting several decades. We're a family-run jewelry store that treats every customer like family, so we know how important it is to create a unique piece of jewelry that can last several generations. Contact us today, and we can get started on making your engagement ring design a reality.