subject: Design Your Own Ring [print this page] Design Your Own Ring Design Your Own Ring
Although jewelry stores and online suppliers offer a huge selection of ladies' rings, for some, the chance to create their own truly unique design is one not to be missed. Not only does designing your own ring give you a great deal of control in terms of the specification, but in selecting the setting and the center stone independently you can also keep control of the costs.
Selecting the Setting
One of the first things to consider if you have decided to design your own ring is the setting that will be used, and it can often be helpful to research a variety of sources to come up with design ideas. Solitaire settings, three-stone rings and multi-stone settings are all popular choices, and a jeweler who specializes in loose diamonds and other precious gemstones will often be able to offer you a good selection of unfinished settings into which your own loose stones can be placed. In some cases, considering the shape of the stone which is to form the centerpiece of the ring can be a helpful starting point when deciding on the setting. Emerald rings and diamond rings which use the princess or emerald cut, for example, would call for a square or rectangular setting, whilst ring designs for sapphire and ruby rings might well involve a cluster setting.
Choosing the Stones
Choosing the stone or stones for your ring is one of the most pleasurable parts of the ring-designing process. Jewelers who specialize in loose stones should be able to offer you a wide choice of gemstones in a variety of qualities to meet your budget, but as the choice of stone is such a subjective matter, it is always advisable to make your selection personally. When you consider your options, always bear in mind that the aim should be to strike the right balance between size and quality in order to stay within your price range.
Selecting the Metal for the Setting
Another significant factor when creating diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire rings is the metal that will be used in the setting. While yellow gold often tends to be the least expensive option, many consider white gold or platinum to be a more modern choice. Although the purity of the metal will help to dictate the price, platinum will almost certainly be the most costly option.
How to Control Pricing
One of the great beauties of customizing your own ring is the ability to control pricing, and this can be achieved in a number of ways. While the metal that you choose for the setting is one thing to consider, both the quality and the size of the stones will also play a part in determining the final costs. Playing around with this combination of factors should, therefore, allow you to stay within your budget. You might, for example, choose to go for a higher quality centerpiece stone and compromise on the quality of any auxiliary stones and the metal for the setting, or select a more expensive or purer metal and opt for a smaller or lower quality stone.
