Do you know exactly what kind of engagement ring you want, but haven?t found it yet? Rather than shop around endlessly for a ring that meets your expectations, you could consider having one customized, instead. The process is a lot easier and more affordable than you probably think. Here are some tips to follow if you decide to have your ring custom made:

Know What You Want

Before you begin the customization process, it helps to have an idea of what you want. Whether you have a photograph of a beautiful ring or you want to play a part in designing a unique ring from scratch, it helps to have an idea of what the ring should look like. Some people are inspired by photos of rings that they have seen while others have certain design elements in mind that they want incorporated into the design. The more clearly you know what you want, the easier the customization process will be.

Establish a Design

Once the jeweler understands exactly what you are looking for, the next step would be for the designer to create a wax model of the ring for approval. After you describe what the design should look like or show a photograph, the jeweler will then create a design using CAD, or computer aided design. From there, the designer will print a wax model of the ring for approval. Seeing it visually is the best way to understand if you and the jeweler are on the same page. It?s much easier to tweak a design when it?s in the modeling stage than it is to make adjustments while the metal is already cast! So if you?re not quite happy with the design, this is the stage when you should speak up.

Enjoy the Process

Customizing an engagement ring from design idea to completion can take a couple of weeks to a month or so ? so plan accordingly. It is a fun process as you get to see the ideas in your head to come to fruition. There are design decisions to make because when you customize your own ring, and details to consider that you may not have thought of. It is much more hands-on than it would be if you bought a ring that was already premade. Searching for the perfect ring can be frustrating, but not when you customize it! Although it can take time to solidify the design and to have it made, this beats looking at ring after ring, only to find that everything falls short. By working closely with your jeweler, you will end up with an engagement ring that is exactly what you were looking for!