If you're considering a custom engagement ring, you're probably wondering exactly what's involved in bringing your dream ring to life. Whether you're looking to propose with something completely unique, want to incorporate a family heirloom stone, or simply can't find the perfect ring in existing collections, custom design offers the ultimate in personalisation.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the custom engagement ring process, from initial consultation to final pickup. You'll discover how long the process takes, what decisions you'll need to make along the way, and why choosing custom might be the perfect option for your proposal.
At Cushla Whiting, we've guided thousands of couples through the bespoke journey. As specialists in custom engagement rings, we combine traditional handcrafting with modern CAD technology, ensuring every ring is perfectly tailored to your vision. Our expertise comes from years of creating one-of-a-kind pieces, with our GIA-certified gemologist Hamish hand-selecting every stone and our master jewellers bringing each design to life in our Melbourne workshop.
First of all. How long does a custom engagement ring take to make??
The most common question we hear about custom engagement rings is: "How long will it take?" The answer is that our bespoke engagement rings typically take 6-8 weeks from start to finish.
Here's how the timing breaks down:
Initial 2 weeks: CAD design creation and approval Following 8 weeks: Casting, handcrafting, setting, and finishing
Several factors can influence timing:
Design Complexity: Simple solitaire settings may be completed slightly faster, while intricate multi-stone designs or completely new creations require more time for crafting and setting.
Stone Selection: If you're choosing from our existing collection, the process moves quickly. If you need us to source a specific stone, this can add 1-2 weeks to the timeline.
Production Method:
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Rings require 2-3 weeks for casting cleanup and assembly
Setting Time: Complex settings or rings with numerous small diamonds require approximately 2 weeks for our master setter to complete under microscope.
Final Stages: We always allow one week for final polishing, quality control, and photography.
The key is proper planning - if you have a specific proposal date in mind, contact us at least 8 weeks beforehand to ensure everything is ready in time.
Custom Engagement Rings The Process:
Our bespoke process is designed to be collaborative and enjoyable, ensuring your ring perfectly captures your vision. Here's what you can expect at each stage:
Step 1: Initial Consultation & Design Development
What Happens: Your journey begins with a personalised appointment in our showroom or via virtual consultation. We start by understanding your vision, style preferences, and budget.
Decisions You'll Make:
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Overall design aesthetic (classic or modern)
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Gemstone preferences (diamond or sapphire shape, color, size, or alternative stones)
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Metal choice (18k yellow, white, or rose gold, or platinum)
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Setting style (solitaire, two stone, three-stone, cluster, halo,other)
Your Experience: You'll explore our collection for inspiration, trying on different styles to understand what appeals to you. If you have reference images or mood boards, this is the perfect time to share them. We encourage you to create something uniquely yours.
Step 2: Stone Selection & CAD Design
What Happens: Once the design direction is clear, our gemologist presents carefully curated stone options that fit your criteria and budget. After stone selection, our CAD technician creates a detailed 3D model of your ring.
Decisions You'll Make:
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Final gemstone selection
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Approval of detailed design specifications
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Any adjustments to proportions, claw shapes, or band details
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Confirmation of ring size and metal choice
Your Experience: You'll view your selected stones in natural lighting, seeing how they perform in different conditions. The CAD process involves reviewing detailed renderings of your ring from multiple angles, with the opportunity to request modifications so that you're completely happy with the design.
Step 3: Production & Crafting
What Happens: With your approved CAD, production begins. Your ring components are cast, then meticulously handcrafted by our master jewellers. Each ring goes through multiple quality control stages.
Decisions You'll Make:
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Final approval at the Cad stage
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Confirmation of pickup or shipping arrangements
Your Experience: We keep you updated throughout production with our "final stage" email when your ring goes to setting.
Step 4: Setting & Finishing
What Happens: Your stones are expertly set by our master setter under microscope, ensuring perfect placement and security. The ring then undergoes final polishing and comprehensive quality control.
Your Experience: You'll receive a "ring complete" email letting you know when your ring is completed with the option to collect it at our Melbourne or Sydney showrooms or have it posted out to you if you live interstate or overseas.
Step 5: Collection & Aftercare
What Happens: Your ring is carefully packaged and ready for collection. We provide documentation, care instructions, and information about our aftercare services.
Your Experience: You'll see your completed ring in person, ensuring you're completely delighted with every detail. We'll provide guidance on care and maintenance, plus information about our complimentary services like professional cleaning and annual ring checks.
Is A Custom Engagement Ring Better Than A Regular Engagement Ring?
The choice between custom and ready-made rings depends on your priorities, timeline, and personal preferences. Here are the key differences:
Custom Engagement Rings Offer:
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Complete Personalisation: There are two custom options, firstly, bespoke, which is customising one of our signature or preexisting designs to meet your design preferences and budget OR Custom by CW whereby we can create a new design outside of our existing designs to meet your design brief - this option starts at $10,000
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Meaningful Process: The collaborative creation journey becomes part of your story
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Optimal Value: We can custom design the ring to meet your budget preferences *within reason
Ready-Made Rings Provide:
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Immediate Gratification: Available for immediate purchase or quick delivery
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Proven Designs: timeless styles with known aesthetic appeal
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Preview Advantage: You can see and try the exact ring before purchasing
Which Is Right for You?
Choose custom if:
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You want us to customise one of our existing designs to meet your budget and style preferences
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You are wanting a custom design created that we don’t have available in our collection
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You enjoy being part of the creative process
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You have time for the 6-8week creation process
Choose ready-made if:
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You love an existing design exactly as it is
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You're working with a tighter timeline
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You prefer the certainty of seeing the finished product first
At Cushla Whiting, we believe that whether you choose custom or collection, the most important thing is finding a ring that perfectly represents your unique love story.
