Can you customise an engagement ring?

Engagement rings symbolise love and commitment, representing the start of a new chapter in someone's life. While many beautiful rings are available off the shelf, it can be hard to find one that feels personal to you. You want a ring that reflects your relationship and is as unique as you are.

So, can you customise an engagement ring?

Absolutely! Here at Diamond Rocks, we believe your engagement ring should reflect your unique love story. That's why we offer a bespoke service, where you can create a customised engagement ring that is as special as the love you share.

Customised engagement rings are becoming increasingly popular, and with good reason. One of the most appealing aspects is that they are almost certainly one-of-a-kind. No one else will have an engagement ring like yours! Or, if you have your sights set on a celebrity's ring or one that belongs to a family member, we can help you create a replica.

With so many options, our bespoke service can make your dream ring a reality.

Engagement Rings

Psst, it's not as complicated as you might think

Here we will run you through how to customise an engagement ring with Diamond Rocks step-by-step, but before we delve into the nitty-gritty, let's get started on the 4Cs.

When purchasing a diamond, it's essential to keep in mind the quality of the materials. Make sure you understand the 4 Cs; Carat, Colour, Clarity and Cut. All of these factors make a huge difference and will ultimately affect the look and quality of the ring, so it’s important to choose wisely.

Carat is the unit of measurement for the physical weight of diamonds. If you want a truly show-stopping ring, then you’ll need to choose a heavier diamond, however, keep in mind that bigger isn’t always better, as a diamond with a smaller carat weight can still be very beautiful, simple and understated.

Colour is graded on a scale from D (no hue) to Z (a yellow-hued diamond). 

Most diamonds used in engagement rings are graded between D-J on the colour scale, as these diamonds appear colourless when set in white gold or platinum.

Clarity is another critical factor, as this will affect how many blemishes or inclusions are present in the diamond. The clarity of a diamond is graded on a scale from Flawless to I3 (imperfect). Diamonds that are graded Flawless - VS2 are considered to be eye clean, meaning that any imperfections are not visible to the naked eye. 

The fewer blemishes or inclusions, the higher the quality and price of the diamond. However, don't be too discouraged if you're on a budget, as there are still plenty of beautiful diamonds to choose from that have a few blemishes.

Cut is the only one of the four Cs that's affected by human intervention, and in some cases, this can make all the difference. A grading of Excellent will have maximum levels of brilliance, fire and scintillation, therefore the light will bounce through the diamond’s angles and back towards the viewer. 

If a diamond's been cut too deeply or shallowly, considerably less light is reflected back to the eye and the difference between Fair or Poor cuts can be very noticeable.

What about the diamond shape?

Round, princess, emerald, and cushion are just a few different cuts you can choose when shopping for diamonds.

This year, oval-cut diamonds are all the rage thanks to celebrities such as Kourtney Kardashian and Hayley Bieber, both of whom wear oval-shaped engagement rings. Oval diamonds are frequently regarded as the ideal compromise between a round, pear and marquise diamond since they combine the best of both worlds. 

A classic round-cut diamond is a fine choice if your loved one prefers a timeless look. Round diamonds have been popular for centuries and will never go out of style. They also appear larger than other cuts, making them a good choice if you want a statement ring on a budget.

The perfect setting

Once you have found the perfect diamond, it's time to select a setting. This is where you can get creative with the ring's design, and there are so many different setting styles to choose from. If you want something truly unique, then you might want to consider a halo setting, which features a ring of small diamonds around the centre diamond.

The solitaire is probably the most classic and traditional engagement ring setting. It features a single diamond set in the middle of the band with no other adornments. This is a timeless setting that has been popular for centuries, and it allows the diamond to take centre stage.

Or, if you're looking for something a little bit different, you might want to consider a cluster or halo setting.  The cluster features a group of small diamonds clustered together to create a larger, statement-making diamond. The halo is a more modern take on the classic solitaire setting, featuring a single diamond in the centre and surrounded by a "halo" of small diamonds. These settings are prevalent because they make the centre diamond appear larger and more dazzling.

Metal type

If you're not too overwhelmed by all the different diamond options, it's time to start thinking about the metal type. The most popular metals for engagement rings are yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum. Each metal has unique properties, so choosing one that will complement the diamond and your personal style is essential.

• Yellow gold is a classic choice for an engagement ring. Gold is a durable metal that will withstand everyday wear and tear. It's also a good choice if you have allergies to other metals, as gold is hypoallergenic.
• White gold is a popular choice for engagement rings because it gives a ring a modern and sleek look. White gold is yellow gold that has been plated with Rhodium, which is a white metal. This process gives a ring a bright white colour that will never fade or tarnish.
• Rose gold is a beautiful and unique choice for an engagement ring. It's made by mixing yellow gold with copper, which gives the metal its pinkish hue. Rose gold is an excellent choice if you want something a little bit different from the traditional yellow or white gold.
• Platinum is the most expensive metal used for engagement rings, but it's also the most durable. Platinum is a white metal that doesn't tarnish and is very hypoallergenic, so it's a good choice if you have sensitive skin.

How much do I need to budget?

The cost of a customised engagement ring will depend on a number of factors, one of the biggest determinants being the weight of the carat

The carat is the unit of measurement used to describe the weight of a diamond, and the price of diamonds increases exponentially with size. So, if you're working with a limited budget, then you might want to consider a smaller diamond.

As we touched on earlier in this magazine entry, the clarity of the diamond is another important factor to consider. The clearer the diamond, the more expensive it will be. However, you don't necessarily need to go for a flawless diamond in order to get a beautiful ring. Some small imperfections are actually quite common in diamonds, and they can actually add to the overall character of the stone.

What is the timescale?

Once you've completed creating your unique engagement ring and submitted it to our team, we'll move on to creating a digital mock-up of your ring using the most up-to-date Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software.

Once approved, our highly skilled craftsmen will begin creating your perfect ring right here in our Hatton Garden workshop. The ring will take approximately three to four weeks to complete, however, if you need the ring sooner, please do let us know as we can generally accommodate this for you.

Every love story is unique, so why not create an engagement ring as one-of-a-kind as your relationship? With our bespoke service, you can design your own engagement ring and bring your vision to life. Head over to our website to get started. Our team of experts are on hand to help you through the design process every step of the way.