Why choose a custom engagement ring
A ready-made ring is chosen. A custom ring is shaped around one person. That does not have to mean something elaborate. Often the difference is small and specific: a band a little slimmer than standard, a centre stone sitting lower so it catches less on knitwear, a hidden detail that only the two of you know about.
Custom also gives you control over the parts of a ring that catalogues rarely let you choose: the exact proportion of stone to band, the height of the setting, and the profile of the shank. Those decisions decide whether a ring looks right on this hand.
What "custom" means at STELLIVON
We use the word carefully. For us, a custom ring means:
- the design starts from your brief, not from a fixed product;
- you approve a hand-drawn line sketch before any modelling begins;
- you approve a CAD model built around the measurements of your actual stone before anything is made; and
- the ring is produced for one person, once.
Some couples start from one of our outlines in the Setting Gallery and personalise it. Others bring a completely new idea. Both are custom work. If you are unsure which route suits you, our guide to personalised versus original ring design explains the difference.
The process, step by step
1. The brief
This is a conversation, not a form. We will ask about:
- the wearer: their style, their hands, and how they live and work;
- the shape you are drawn to: round, oval, emerald or something else;
- your preferred metal: 18k white, yellow or rose gold;
- the budget and how you would like to balance stone and setting; and
- the ring size, if you know it.
Photos of rings you like are welcome as a reference for feeling. We do not copy another designer's work, but references help us understand what you are responding to.
2. Stone selection and quote
We propose lab-grown diamond options that fit the brief, with their grading details where a report applies. You choose the stone, and we confirm the full price of the ring in writing.
3. Deposit
A 75% deposit confirms the commission and reserves your stone. We ask for a substantial deposit because the stone is reserved and design work begins straight away. If you cancel before production, the deposit is refundable, as set out in our Custom Order Terms.
4. Line sketch
A designer draws your ring by hand: the outline, the proportions and the details. A sketch is the fastest way to agree the idea before measurements lock things in, so this is the stage to change your mind freely. See an example on our design sheet page.
5. CAD confirmation
Next we build a CAD model to the actual dimensions of your stone. You will see accurate views of the height, the band width and the prong placement. You approve the CAD before production. If something needs adjusting, we adjust it and show you again.
6. Balance and production
The remaining balance is due after you approve the CAD. Then the ring is cast, set, polished and checked.
7. Delivery and aftercare
Your ring arrives with its documentation. One size change is free (you cover shipping). A change of up to 2 Hong Kong sizes is possible but requires a new band, charged separately; your centre diamond is reused.
How long does it take?
Timing depends on the design, the stone and the number of revision rounds at sketch and CAD stage. We confirm an estimated timeline with your quote, and again when you approve the CAD. If you have a date in mind, a proposal, a trip or an anniversary, tell us at the brief stage so we can plan backwards from it. Our article on custom ring timelines explains what affects timing.
What does a custom ring cost?
The stone is usually the largest part of the price. Its shape, carat weight, cut, colour and clarity all move the number. The setting adds metal weight, labour and any accent stones: a plain solitaire costs less than a pavé halo. Custom work does not have to cost more than a ready-made ring of similar specification. What you pay for is the design attention.
We would rather discuss a clear budget openly than guess. Tell us the range and we will show you where it goes furthest.
Policies to read before you pay
Because each ring is made for one person, we are upfront about the terms:
- 75% deposit to begin, with the balance after CAD approval.
- Deposit refundable if you cancel before production starts.
- No returns once a ring has been produced.
- One size change is free (you cover shipping). A change of up to 2 Hong Kong sizes is possible but requires a new band, charged separately; your centre diamond is reused.
These rules exist to protect both sides of a one-off piece of work. Read the full Custom Order Terms before you start, and ask us anything that is unclear.
How to prepare
- Find the ring size, or plan how to find it discreetly. Our ring size guide has methods for both.
- Save a few reference photos and note what you like about each one.
- Decide your budget range.
- Think about daily life. A nurse, a climber and a pianist may all want different setting heights.
- Read our quote checklist.
Start your ring
You can begin from the outline or from the stone. Start with a setting, or start with a diamond. If you would rather talk first, contact a designer. Either way, you will approve a line sketch and a CAD before anything is made.
What a good brief looks like
The more precisely you describe what you want, the faster and more accurate the first sketch will be. A strong brief usually covers:
- The wearer. Their everyday style: minimal, classic, vintage or bold. The jewellery they already wear, and which hand they write with.
- Their life. Do they work with their hands, play an instrument, climb or garden? This decides setting height and protection.
- Three references, each with a reason. "I like the slim band in this one", "I like how low the stone sits in that one". The reasons matter more than the photos.
- One thing to avoid. Often this is as useful as what you like, for example "nothing that catches on jumpers".
- The budget range and the date. We plan everything else around these two.
What you receive at each stage
- After the brief: stone options with their details, plus a written quote.
- After the deposit: the hand-drawn line sketch, showing the outline, proportions and details.
- After sketch approval: CAD views built to your stone's exact measurements and your ring size, showing the top, side and profile.
- After CAD approval: an invoice for the balance, then production.
- On delivery: the ring, its documentation and, where applicable, the grading report.
Personalised outline or original design?
Starting from an existing outline in our Setting Gallery is often the quickest route. You change the details, such as band width, claw style, a hidden halo or an engraving, without starting from a blank page. An original design starts from the brief alone. It takes more exploration at the sketch stage, and it is the right choice when you have a specific idea that no outline captures. Both routes go through the same two approval points, and both are made one at a time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my mind after the sketch? Yes. The sketch stage exists so you can. Adjust the outline, the proportions or the details until it feels right, then we move to CAD.
Can I change things at the CAD stage? Yes, within the agreed design. CAD refinements are about precision: height, band width and prong positions. A completely new concept at this stage may mean a new sketch and an updated timeline.
Do you copy rings from other brands? No. We are happy to look at references to understand what you like, but every STELLIVON ring is drawn as an original design.
What if I do not know the ring size? Many proposals are planned in secret. Our ring size guide covers discreet methods. If you are not certain, it is better to choose a size you can adjust than to guess. Remember: One size change is free (you cover shipping). A change of up to 2 Hong Kong sizes is possible but requires a new band, charged separately; your centre diamond is reused.
Is a custom ring harder to insure? Not usually. Insurers generally ask for a valuation or invoice and a description of the ring. Our insurance guide explains what to keep.
Who approves the design if it is a surprise? The buyer approves the sketch and the CAD. If you would like to involve a friend or family member who knows the wearer's taste, you are welcome to share the sketch with them before approving.