How to Design Your Own Engagement Ring
Kimberly Zerkel | July 5, 2022
Kimberly Zerkel | July 5, 2022
Creating your very own custom engagement ring or fine jewelry with lab-grown diamonds is a little like falling in love. It starts with a simple conversation and ends with a shared vision for the future.
The future here entails our master craftsmen, designers, and diamond experts creating a one-of-a-kind VRAI selection featuring diamonds from our zero-emissions foundry for you to cherish forever.
What can seem like a complicated process is simplified when speaking with diamond experts. To understand more, Grace, VRAI’s Director of Sales and the head of the diamond expert team explains why customers fall head over heels for an innovative, sustainable, white-glove creative process unlike any other.
Can You Design Your Own Engagement Ring?
Yes. By booking an appointment with our diamond experts, you can discuss ideas you have for your very own engagement ring.
The design team will confirm whether or not your vision can be translated directly into a design. Once you’ve set a budget, it will be time to buy a diamond. When you give final approval of the budget and design, production will begin.
Why Choose Custom Design Engagement Rings and Fine Jewelry?
Diamond experts like Grace and her colleagues create a close relationship with the customers who purchase engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry through in-person or virtual appointments. These individuals return again and again out of love for timeless, modern designs and a personal alignment with VRAI’s sustainable values — but often, they have questions or special requests. Through care and a deep understanding of each of VRAI’s designs, the team is able to address their concerns both great and small.
The customization route is decided upon when these customers realize how one-of-a-kind their selection will become when even the smallest adjustment is made. “People are often hesitant to make these asks because they seem minor, but they can really change the aesthetic of the piece.”
Sometimes, customers don’t even have a question, but rather a specific look or feel that they simply want to bring to life. Whatever the case may be, the team is happy to walk them through the many options available, listen to what inspires them, and turn their personal design into a bespoke VRAI piece.
What Is The Custom Design Process?
When a customer knows that they want a custom made piece, they book a consultation virtually or in person. Diamond experts like Grace or a member of her team then present them with style options and give in-depth diamond education so that they know which VRAI created diamonds should be purchased as a part of the bespoke engagement ring setting.
1.Set a budget and select your diamonds
Once budget, setting, and diamond specifications have been confirmed, selecting and purchasing the loose VRAI created diamonds begins. This means exploring different carat weights and price points from VRAI’s inventory; once the diamonds have been purchased, the behind-the-scenes creation process starts.
“Once we have an idea of what the customer wants, our diamond experts communicate closely with our Lead Design Expert, Serin, who helps the idea come to life in true VRAI fashion,” Grace explains. “She’s been with the company from the beginning and her attention to detail and understanding of the VRAI style and the VRAI customer are invaluable in the design process.”
2.Receive a Computer Assisted Design
The customer is provided with a computer-aided design (CAD) of the custom engagement ring or fine jewelry, which is also used by the team as a blueprint during manufacturing. The diamond experts check in regularly to follow up on the design — and even find inspiration for future collections.
“The diamond experts and customer experience teams are always in communication about interesting new design ideas and modifications, and we have a monthly meeting set aside to discuss the particulars of these requests. If we find a request is being made frequently, we often move towards making that a permanent part of our collection,” Grace says.
3.Enjoy your custom made engagement ring
Once you approve the final design and price, production will take place over an estimated 14 business days before shipping. Then it will arrive at your doorstep.
To ensure quality and craftsmanship, VRAI cannot rush-order a custom engagement ring or fine jewelry design. We ask customers to please begin the process in advance to ensure they receive their custom-made piece in time for their planned proposal, wedding, or event.
What Are Popular Diamond Ring Designs?
Most who want a custom-designed ring want something unique as opposed to popular. However, there are certain details that a custom design team is asked for again and again.
“Our most frequent requests are minor tweaks or adjustments on our existing designs — the style of this band but the pavé size of another, rotating a diamond East to West instead of North to South,” Grace says.
Adding a Halo to a certain design, customizing a Three Stone engagement ring setting, or requesting unique diamond shapes like a Half Moon are also popular ways of creating a custom look.
Tips For Designing Your Engagement Ring Setting
The first tip for designing your own engagement ring is to look at existing collections. With so many customization options, you may discover that the setting you are looking for already exists. Even if you don’t find exactly what you want, this is the best way to garner inspiration.
Next, consider what two or three details from pre-existing rings you might like to combine. Would you like a Toi et Moi engagement ring with a Knife-Edge band? Would you like a Three Stone with a bezel setting and thicker band? Speak with a diamond expert to make sure that these ideas are feasible.
Lastly, think of diamond shapes or color combinations that you might like to add. Would you want a Keystone solitaire? What about a Two Tone prong setting for your Hidden Halo? Think out of the box but always consult a diamond expert to ensure the design can be brought to life.
Ring Design FAQs
Commonly asked questions about the custom design process.
How Long Does It Take To Design An Engagement Ring?
It takes approximately 14 business days before a custom order is complete. The client then receives their very own VRAI custom jewelry design, delivered to their door. But the work and enthusiasm from our team of diamond experts doesn’t stop there.
“Our diamond expert team is quite tight-knit. We love sharing images and details of the pieces we are working on as a team,” Grace reiterates. “Our favorite moments are when customers send proposal pictures or images of themselves wearing the pieces we’ve created together. Knowing what other diamond experts have created with their customers can act as inspiration for future designs.”
Can You Design An Engagement Ring With Loose Diamonds?
Yes, but it may depend on the origin of the loose diamonds.
While some custom designers will use loose diamonds from a third party, VRAI will only use diamonds created in our zero-emission foundry for custom designs. This is to ensure the quality and sustainability of each of our designs.
How Do You Design A Wedding Ring?
Through the same process as designing a custom engagement ring. Book an appointment with diamond experts to go over your initial design, select diamonds for the ring they should feature in the setting, and then production of your wedding ring may begin.
Are There Custom Ring Designs For Men?
Of course. Custom designs are unique to each individual including men, women, and gender nonconforming folks. So designing an engagement ring, wedding band, or piece of unisex jewelry for men is always a possibility.
Speak With Our Diamond Experts
Ready to speak with our diamond experts and turn your inspiration into a reality? Book an appointment to begin the process.
If the perfect ring or fine jewelry already exists for you, explore all engagement rings or our fine jewelry now or book a virtual appointment to discover your options from our permanent collections.