Custom Engagement Rings
Creating your personalized custom engagement ring is easy and fun. Ready to bring your engagement ring dreams to life?
Your Vision to Reality
Your love has a story and our team of designers, gemologists and goldsmiths will help you transform your story into a beautiful, personalized custom engagement ring. Your ring will be created by hand right here in our shop in Durham, NC.
- You can reset, repurpose, reuse your own heirloom family diamond or gemstone.
- We can help you find the perfect diamond, lab-grown diamond or colored gemstone.
Why Jewelsmith for Your Engagement Ring?
Choosing where to design your engagement ring is a big decision. Here's what makes Jewelsmith different.
- We make it here. Every engagement ring we design is handcrafted on-site in our Durham, NC workshop by our team of seven goldsmiths — the same people you may meet when you visit. You can watch your ring being made through the windows that look directly into our workshop — something you won't see at a chain store or online retailer.
- Your designer is your partner. You'll work one-on-one with an AGS-certified designer from your first sketch to your final fitting. Our designers — Mary, Tiffany, May, Katherine, and Tracy — each bring years of expertise and a genuine investment in getting your ring exactly right. They're not salespeople. They're artists who happen to be exceptional listeners.
- Truly custom means truly yours. Many jewelers who offer "customization" are really offering variations on existing lines — swapping a center stone shape here, adjusting a band width there. At Jewelsmith, we design each ring from scratch, specifically for you. Because we're creating your piece one at a time in our own workshop, the design possibilities are nearly infinite. If you can imagine it, we can design it.
- Your story belongs in your ring. Have a family diamond you'd like to reset? A grandmother's gold you'd like to reuse? A vision you've been sketching in your notebook for years? We love hearing your special story. There's no corking fee for using your own stones, and our Same Molecule Refining process means your sentimental gold can become your new ring — not someone else's.
- You'll have choices most other jewelers don't offer. Natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, Canadian diamonds, Montana sapphires, colored gemstones, moissanite — and metals in any karat and any color, including yellow, white, rose, and green gold. If you're not sure what you want, no problem, that's exactly what a consultation is for.
Considering a colored gemstone or diamond alternative? Here's what to think about before you decide.
- We've been doing this since 1976. Jewelsmith is an employee-owned studio with nearly 50 years of history in Durham, NC. Two of our team members are among only 265 Certified Gemologist Appraisers in the entire United States. We hold AGS accreditation, which requires us to meet the highest standards of ethics and gemological expertise every year.
- Your consultation is free — and there's no pressure. Come in with a vague idea, a Pinterest board, a loose stone, or just curiosity. Our inspo gallery is another great resource for ideas. We'll meet you where you are. Appointments are available in-person at our Durham studio or virtually, wherever you are in the country.
Natural or Lab-Grown Diamond?
It's one of the first questions most people ask, and there's no wrong answer. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds — the difference is origin and price. We offer both, and we'll walk you through the tradeoffs without steering you toward the more expensive option. Read our full guide to lab-grown diamonds if you want to go deeper before your consultation.
Custom Engagement Ring FAQ
These are our most often asked questions. Check out our full list of engagement ring related FAQ's.
How far in advance should I start the custom engagement ring process?
We recommend reaching out at least two to three months before your planned proposal date. Most custom engagement rings take 6–8 weeks from design approval to completion, and you'll want time for your consultation and design phase plus you'll likely feel less stressed if you build in a little extra time. If you're working with a tighter timeline, contact us — we do our best to accommodate, and we'll always be upfront about what's realistic.
What happens at a free consultation?
You'll meet with one of our designers for a dedicated appointment — no rushing, no pressure. You'll talk through your vision, your partner's style, any stones or metals you'd like to incorporate, and your budget. Your designer will ask questions, show you examples from our cases and archives, and start translating what you're describing into a design direction. Most people leave their first appointment surprised by how clear the path forward feels. You don't need to know exactly what you want — that's what we're here for.
What should I bring to my consultation?
Anything that helps us understand your vision — inspiration photos, a Pinterest board, a sketch, or a piece of jewelry your partner already loves. If you have gemstones, heirloom jewelry, or gold you'd like to incorporate, bring those too. If you have nothing at all, that's completely fine. We've helped a lot of people who walked in with just a budget and a gut feeling.
If you're not sure where to start, our guide to five timeless engagement ring styles is a good first step.
Is there a minimum spend for a custom engagement ring?
No. Our pricing is based on materials and labor, and we work with a wide range of budgets. We'll always be transparent about costs at every stage so there are no surprises.
Can I design an engagement ring remotely?
Yes. We offer virtual consultations and have completed custom engagement ring projects for clients across the country. The design process works just as well over video. We can even ship a wax model to you so that you can see the dimensions in person.
Do you offer engagement rings that aren't custom?
Yes. We have a selection of ready-to-wear engagement rings in our cases, ranging from approximately $3,000 to $30,000 and above. If you fall in love with something you see, it's yours. And if you want to modify it — a different metal, a different stone, a small design change — we can often do that too.
I originally considered purchasing an engagement ring from an online vendor, but after my experience at Jewelsmith, I couldn't be more pleased. From the moment I walked in, she offered consistent, clear, and transparent support with a shining artistic vision offering no less than perfection. The care at Jewelsmith in both customer service and craftsmanship is not just about the jewelry, but the timeless memories it inspires. I couldn't be happier with this experience and highly recommend Tracy and the team to anyone looking for stellar service with a dazzling personal touch.
We loved our experience and got the most beautiful engagement and wedding rings made. We were so happy to work with Tiffany L. She was kind and knowledgeable.
Jewelsmith is incredible! They created the perfect custom engagement ring for my fiancé. Mary and Erin were wonderful to work with, and Patrick brought our vision to life. My fiancé loves her ring, and we couldn’t be happier. Can’t say enough good things about this team!
I purchased a loose diamond and brought it to Jewelsmith to help me design a custom engagement ring. The experience was phenomenal in all respects, and the end result is exactly what I had in mind. Thank you Mary!
Tiffany at Jewelsmith is by far one of the most talented, compassionate, intuitive jewelers we have had the pleasure working alongside. She reset my great-grandmother’s ring gifted to me by my late aunt that would become my engagement ring...What a gift to have pieces created with such thoughtfulness and care. We feel ourselves, our stories, and loved ones no longer with us will be forever honored. Thank you to Tiffany and the entire Jewelsmith team.
I couldn’t have had a better experience with Jewelsmith! Mary was such a pleasure to work with and helped me design the most beautiful and perfect ring for my fiancé! Would recommend them to anyone, especially those looking for a local jewelry shop!
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