You are finally ready to take the plunge and pop the question, but in an age where there are endless options and copy-paste designs, it can be hard to find a ring that feels like them. You’re not alone—this is exactly why couples are turning to custom. Because the truth is, you’re never going to find the one if it doesn’t exist yet—you have to make it. Now, don’t get us wrong, we love a DIY moment, but we aren’t suggesting you take up jewelry design 😂. The couples that are doing it right are turning to experienced family jewelers who can hold their hand through the process from start to finish. We talked to Arizona-based jeweler Christopher Fine Diamonds (known for their personalized custom design experience and 800+ five-star reviews) to dig a little deeper into what that process looks like and for some tips on how to create a design that is as timeless as it is intentional.
Custom vs. Customized
This is a question that comes up a lot: “What is the difference between a custom design and a design that is customizable?” A custom design is when you start from scratch. You and your jeweler build your ring from the ground up, so to speak. At Christopher Fine Diamonds, they offer in-person consultations using CAD technology, where clients can see their ring come to life in real time and make adjustments before it’s ever created. This route is perfect for couples who have a distinct and defined vision and who want to create something that they’ve never seen before.
If you’re not design-oriented to begin with, the idea of coming up with a completely original design may be a little overwhelming. That’s where customizable designs come in. At Christopher Fine Diamonds, all of their designs are customizable, meaning they can be altered. You can swap different elements like metal, add elements like hidden stones and engravings, and, of course, select your stone[s].
Lab-Grown vs. Mined Diamonds
Speaking of stones, let’s get into it. We know your feed is totally flooded with everyone (and their mom) spouting their opinion about lab-grown diamonds vs. mined diamonds. Here’s what you need to know. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds, so don’t believe the rumors. They are growing in popularity for a few reasons: they allow couples to maximize size and quality while still having the option to create a timeless custom design. That being said, mined diamonds can also be ethically sourced, and Christopher Fine Diamonds has both options for their couples to choose from. What it boils down to is what feels right for you. Do you want to invest more in size or origin?
What Makes A Design Timeless
We’ve been doing this a while, and for the last decade or so, we could look at an engagement ring and tell you exactly what year they proposed. But these days, it’s getting harder to tell. Why? Because couples aren’t shopping based on trends, they are creating pieces that mean something to them. And that fact, in itself, makes your ring timeless. Because there aren’t a million other people wearing the exact same version and posting their “I said yes” pics at the same time. “Timeless” is defined as something that is not restricted by a particular time, era, or trend, remaining relevant, beautiful, or true forever. So, when you’re creating your design, lean on your relationship and personal style to dictate your design choices, not the existing designs that are flooding the current market.
Custom Not Kitchy
When anything is possible, it’s easy to get carried away—it happens to the best of us 😂. Thankfully, if you’re working with an experienced jeweler, like Christopher Fine Diamonds, their experts will help steer the design process and make recommendations along the way. This is also why having a jeweler who can show you a preview using CAD before you commit is so crucial! Here are some ways that Christopher Fine Diamonds says couples are adding meaning to their rings without overpowering the design…
“We had an incredible experience designing a custom engagement ring. Being able to see the design come to life in real time made all the difference.”- Christopher Fine Diamonds Customer
Hidden Stones
Colorful center stones are definitely a thing, but they’re not for everyone. But, let’s say you want to incorporate one without it being the star of the show; Christopher Fine Diamonds can hide a stone somewhere in the design, somewhere only the two of you know to look for it.
Engraving
It’s the same with engraving. Something as simple as a hidden message can be added to any design and instantly make it one-of-a-kind.
Mixed Metals
What if you can’t choose between white and yellow gold? Well, guess what…you don’t have to! Revolutionary, we know! Couples are mixing and matching to make engagement rings easier for everyday wear, so you don’t need to commit to one metal for the rest of your life. You can get the band in one metal and the setting in another. How cool is that?!
Ready to start designing your dream ring? Christopher Fine Diamonds offers private engagement ring consultations in their Chandler, Arizona showroom, where couples can collaborate one-on-one with experienced designers and preview their ring using CAD technology before it’s created. Just book a private engagement ring consultation here and start designing your custom ring today. We can’t wait to see it!
For more inspo, follow them @christopherfinediamonds on IG.
We partnered with Christopher Fine Diamonds to bring you these hot tips on how to create a timeless and meaningful engagement ring. As always, thanks for supporting our sponsors!
