Although customizing jewelry may seem like a fairly new novelty, historical records show that custom handmade jewelry has existed for at least a hundred thousand years. Initially personalized jewelry with precious and semi-precious stones would cost a fortune and could only be afforded by the upper echelons of society for special occasions such as engagements and weddings. But with the Industrial Revolution, the business became crafty with the use of cheaper, knock-off stones.
Nonetheless, a proposal remains incomplete without a custom diamond engagement ring. It can they be designed to cater to every kind of budget for the buyer. For your future partner, it also adds a special touch that is a keepsake just for them.
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How much does a custom-made diamond engagement ring cost?
In a retail store, a good one carat diamond ring can cost somewhere from $6,500 to $7,500. However, the cost of a unique custom diamond engagement ring also depends on different elements, including:
- The Setting: how many diamonds are arranged, the design and the area of the setting
- The 4Cs of the central diamond: This means the cut, color, clarity, and carat. Suffice to say, the higher the value of the 4Cs, the more expensive is the diamond going to be.
- The ring metal: Metals like gold and platinum will cost more than silver bands.
- The Band: Singular bands, which is a classic design, costs less than its modern cousin- the multiple stacked rings.
Why choose to make a custom-made diamond engagement ring?
Of course, this brings us to the issue of why we should opt for custom diamond engagement rings at all. Don’t they require more effort and time than the average, store-bought ring? Here are a few reasons as to why you should definitely customize your ring:
1. Design something unique
Any custom ring is designed keeping the taste and personality of an individual in mind, meaning that there is no second piece like it. Therefore, custom jewelry is, by definition, one-of-a-kind. Specially designed jewelry can coordinate with and complement a specific style. Therefore, their engagement ring can always match whether your loved one has a classy, punk or contemporary aesthetic.
2. Allocate the budget toward what’s most important to you
Designing a ring from scratch gives you the opportunity to break down the budget. You can decide how much you want to spend on the metal, the setting, and the diamond. This way, you have full knowledge of the final price and its breakdown. At the same time, you also have unlimited options to choose from.
3. Add a sentimental touch
When you design a piece of jewelry for your future partner, you get the opportunity to give them something unique which speaks of your devotion, affection, and lifelong commitment to them. It is a labor of love, time and thoughtfulness. We are sure your loved one will value the effort you put into designing it.
Today, a lot of online stores are providing their clients with the opportunity to customize their rings from scratch. What’s more is that they are doing so in new and creative ways.
For instance, Sunny Eden is one such company. Not only are all their designs completely alterable, but on a unique front, all their diamonds are lab grown. Each diamond is made from a strand of human hair. Therefore, a great idea would be to turn your and your loved one’s hair into the engagement ring diamond. Go for unique diamonds made from the essence of you (and/or your partner).
How to save big money on custom-made diamond engagement rings?
Of course, an alternative to expensive diamonds would be semi-precious stones such as opal, rubies, pearls, sapphires, and emeralds. They are more budget-friendly and add a beautiful splash of color to the piece. However, if you are dead set on having a diamond as the shining star of your ring, there are a few ways to cut costs.
1. Lab-grown diamonds
Lab-grown or man-made diamonds cost almost a fraction of natural diamonds. This is because they can be grown from human hair by isolating carbon atoms from them. Moreover, they tend to be very eco-friendly and conflict-free. This means that your jewelry does not cost lives like other blood diamonds. Check out Sunny Eden™️ diamond price now for more budget-friendly options.
2. Ring setting
Certainly, a big central diamond is beautiful and eye-catching, but also very expensive. A good alternative is having the central diamond surrounded by tiny ones. This creates an optical illusion by, creating the impression that the center is bigger than it actually is.
Another option is to go for stacked rings. The bands stacked on top of each other make the ring look bigger. Also, the cost of the additional metal of the band is less expensive than one large diamond.
3. Online jeweler
Of course, the final price tag on your custom diamond engagement ring depends on your jeweler. Places like LA and New York will be more expensive than places like Texas. On that note, online jewelers are, statistically speaking, at least 30% less costly than physical stores. This is because the lab-grown diamond market has exploded in the last two decades, which means businesses have many competitors.
We suggest taking a look at custom engagement rings online and comparing prices before making a decision. Feeling lost when it comes to online shopping? Here’s a brief guide to help you out.
4. Forgo the central diamond
Rings with central diamonds are classics, but they tend to be more expensive. In fact, apart from the cut, color, clarity, and carat of the diamond in engagement rings, the other cost-driving feature is the center diamond. A great alternative is having many small diamonds in the band rather than having one large diamond offset by smaller ones.
Bottom Line
No matter what recent trends would have you believe, custom-made engagement rings need not be expensive. The old adage that your engagement ring should cost three months’ salary is simply not true today. The post-Covid millennial population is moving towards more eco-friendly and budget-friendly alternatives in almost every aspect of their lives. Consequently, the jewelry business, on a global scale, is switching things around to cater to their needs.
So, don’t hesitate to go for that one-of-a-kind piece you’ve been eyeing for your soon-to-be partner. A few decades down the line, when the white has faded from the fence and the kids are all grown up, the ring is bound to spark treasured memories.
