I've been looking at engagement rings lately (I know its totally around the corner) and I don't really feel like getting a generic setting. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how much a custom designed diamond ring would cost (just for the setting). It would also help if you could recommend some jewelers/designers in the NYC/Boston/Chicago area!
Custom Designed Engagement Ring?
- Thread starter A<3sbb
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
That is a very hard question to answer. The price could vary a lot! Questions you have to ask yourself: Do you want diamonds in the setting? How big are the stones? What type of setting do you want? How much gold or platinum will it take to make your setting? How much time it will take the jeweler to create the setting?
COMPLETELY depends on how many stones, what kind of stones, their quality, what metal you want to set them in, etc. . . 
Thanks ladies for your inputs! To answer AntiqueShopper's question: I would like diamonds in my setting (some of favorites so far are in tiffany's legacy line). I haven't bought the diamond yet but I was considering buying a loose diamond online (which is also a maybe coz I am still conflicted about diamond size vs brand name)..Time is really not a concern at this point coz I want to do my homework so that I can help him out with his search 
I did do a lot of homework last night when I read through the posts and I must say: You guys are awesome at helping everyone out. So thanks for being on here! I am definitely going to check out Leon Mage and Brian Gavin!
I did do a lot of homework last night when I read through the posts and I must say: You guys are awesome at helping everyone out. So thanks for being on here! I am definitely going to check out Leon Mage and Brian Gavin!
I had MAJOR Quality issues with Whiteflash rings. Their diamonds were killer. But their craftsmanship was ...awful.
The cost will depend on how "custom" you want to go. Are you just going to be picking an existing setting but changing the center stone or are you wanting to design a ring completely from scratch? I would think the "from scratch" way would be very expensive because of the work involved with creating molds, etc.
My fiance and I did a custom-ish ring. We picked an antique-style setting from a catalog our jeweler had. It had milgraining around the bezel the center stone sits in, the edge of the halo, and down the shank. I didn't want milgraining anywhere but on the shank, so the jeweler was able to alter the setting to me specifications. We also chose a different shape center stone than would have gone into it.
Out the door the whole ring was just under $3k. Of course it's in 14k white gold plated with rhodium to help us save on the cost and this price includes all the diamonds (even center stone). If you were going platinum, of course it would be much more.
I hope this helps.
My fiance and I did a custom-ish ring. We picked an antique-style setting from a catalog our jeweler had. It had milgraining around the bezel the center stone sits in, the edge of the halo, and down the shank. I didn't want milgraining anywhere but on the shank, so the jeweler was able to alter the setting to me specifications. We also chose a different shape center stone than would have gone into it.
Out the door the whole ring was just under $3k. Of course it's in 14k white gold plated with rhodium to help us save on the cost and this price includes all the diamonds (even center stone). If you were going platinum, of course it would be much more.
I hope this helps.
Thanks Ame and Sophie for your replies! Ame, I'm definitely going to check out diamonds on whiteflash. So far, I am a little inclined to buy the stone from blue nile but my bf thinks we can get better rates from a wholesale jeweler..
Sophie, thank you so much for all the information.At this point, I feel like I may spend a few $$s less on the stone and use them for the band itself..your ring sounds beautiful, would you be kind enough to post a picture of it or share a link?
I spent sometime yesterday looking through Leon Mege's work and it blew my mind. I've also heard he is very frank about what he thinks might work and what won't, I think I would like that. Now I am going to go though designs to see which one would work for me..and then ask a few jewelers for a quote..so excited!
Sophie, thank you so much for all the information.At this point, I feel like I may spend a few $$s less on the stone and use them for the band itself..your ring sounds beautiful, would you be kind enough to post a picture of it or share a link?
I spent sometime yesterday looking through Leon Mege's work and it blew my mind. I've also heard he is very frank about what he thinks might work and what won't, I think I would like that. Now I am going to go though designs to see which one would work for me..and then ask a few jewelers for a quote..so excited!
If a "wholesaler" is selling to you he's not a wholesaler, he's a jeweler. Actual wholesalers don't sell to anyone but jewelers. Blue Nile is fine, but sites like Goodoldgold.com, whiteflash and brian gavin diamonds, among others, offer MUCH better service and much more data about the stone, and often have it to view in person, or can get it that way. Blue Nile is a drop-shipper, which means they don't have the stones in house and can't judge how nice they are or not.
Leon is definitely finicky but it's worth it. And while you might want to spend more on a setting, DO NOT SKIMP ON CUT. Thats why the diamond sparkles. Ideal cut is the way to go. Get an AGS cert or a GIA cert and see it before you just take it.
Leon is definitely finicky but it's worth it. And while you might want to spend more on a setting, DO NOT SKIMP ON CUT. Thats why the diamond sparkles. Ideal cut is the way to go. Get an AGS cert or a GIA cert and see it before you just take it.