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1. Send the inspiration
Text a photo, a sketch, a diamond shape, or a saved ring to (619) 279-7738. If all you know is what you don’t like, that’s genuinely useful too. I’ll tell you the smartest path from the first message.
From inspiration to finished ring
Send a photo. Approve a plan. Wear the ring in 14–30 days.
The process is built to remove confusion, not add ceremony. You start with whatever you have: a screenshot, a shape, a budget. Every step after that is something you see and approve before it happens.
GIA Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP) · 30+ years in the trade · By appointment at the Jewelers Exchange, first floor
What gets decided
You approve everything. Nothing moves without you.
The stone, the setting, the design, the timeline, and the numbers all get your sign-off before production. That’s the entire philosophy. No do-overs, no surprises, no fine print.
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2. See the stones in person
By appointment on the first floor of the Jewelers Exchange downtown: natural and lab-grown options in your shape and budget, side by side, with their reports on the desk. I shortlist by eye, so the stones whose paper flatters them never make it to you.
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3. Approve the design and the numbers
Setting selected, modified, or CAD-built around your stone. You sign off on the design before production. The money side is just as plain: a short written contract with the terms, a deposit so I can source your stone, and the balance due when the ring is finished or shortly before.
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4. Wear it in 14–30 days
Most rings finish in 14–30 days, because there’s no retail queue ahead of yours. Complicated CAD work can run longer, and you’ll know that before the contract, never after the deposit.
Inspiration, not inventory
Design directions to customize
Oval Solitaire
A graceful oval center stone with clean metal, generous light, and a shape that feels romantic without becoming ornate.
Customize this direction
Classic Solitaire
A focused, minimal ring that lets the diamond carry the emotion, proportions, and light.
Customize this direction
Three-Stone
A center diamond framed by two supporting stones for presence, meaning, and beautiful side views.
Customize this direction
Round Bezel
A round brilliant diamond set in a slim bezel for a clean, modern ring with soft protection and quiet presence.
Customize this direction
Elongated Cushion
A soft rectangular center with a plush outline, generous sparkle, and a less expected profile than a round brilliant.
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Emerald Bezel
A sleek step-cut diamond secured in a clean bezel for an architectural, understated profile.
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Toi et Moi
Two complementary center stones set together for a personal, sculptural ring with strong custom-design potential.
Customize this direction
Marquise
A dramatic elongated shape with pointed ends, strong finger coverage, and a rare editorial feel.
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Pear Pavé
A pear-shaped center with a fine pavé band for movement, shimmer, and a soft directional silhouette.
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Radiant Hidden Halo
A rectangular brilliant center with hidden detail under the crown for sparkle that feels discovered up close.
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East-West
A center stone set horizontally for a lower, modern line across the finger.
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Vintage Step-Cut
Asscher, emerald, baguette, and antique-inspired geometry with warm detail and measured restraint.
Customize this directionGuides for this decision
Guide
How Custom Engagement Rings Work
A clear guide to the custom engagement ring process, from photo inspiration and diamond selection to setting changes, CAD, approvals, and production.
Read guideGuide
How Long Does a Custom Engagement Ring Take?
A realistic timing guide for custom engagement rings, including fast paths, CAD projects, approvals, and proposal deadlines.
Read guide“I had about three weeks before I shipped out and every store quoted me six to eight. Andrew asked for my date, said that’s doable, and the ring was in my hand in 17 days. She said yes with time to spare.”
Questions couples ask before the first appointment
What should I send first?
A photo of the style you like, your rough budget, your timeline, and whether you want natural, lab-grown, or to compare both. One text covers all of it.
Can you help if I don't know jewelry terms?
Yes. Photos and plain language are enough. Translating them into the technical decisions is literally my job.
When does money actually change hands?
After you’ve agreed to the plan: a simple written contract, then a deposit that lets me source your stone and materials. The balance is due when the ring is done, or shortly before. Nothing before that.
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A photo, sketch, or even a rough idea is enough to start. I can usually tell you whether the smartest path is a sourced diamond, a modified setting, a CAD build, or a short call to compare options.