Should You Get A Custom-Made Or Pre-Made Engagement Ring?
The thing about unique engagement rings in Singapore is that there is a significant difference between getting them custom-made yourself and buying a mass-produced ring from a jewelry store. You might even say the difference is akin to writing her a love letter versus buying her a greeting card with a pre-written message.
Both options show that you care. However, only one can truly express your heartfelt emotion and show that you have put extra thought into making your significant other feel like she is one-of-a-kind.
Nevertheless, some factors, such as your deadline and budget, may affect your choice. So, how should you go about deciding what kind of ring to pick?
The Difference Between Custom-made and Pre-made Rings
A pre-made engagement ring is one that is already part of the jeweler’s current collection of styles. These are finished rings with a diamond or gemstone of a pre-determined size and quality that has already been set.
Some consider this option if their partner has fallen in love with something at a particular store and does not want to make any tweaks to it. Others may choose a pre-made ring if they are in a hurry or do not wish to spend time understanding the different elements that go into a custom proposal ring.
On the other hand, a custom-made engagement ring is one that is designed from scratch to suit the wearer. This process gives you maximum freedom, so you can either use a reference design as a base and tweak a few elements or create something entirely original.
An example of our Goddess ring which was designed with a blue gemstone in mind. You can see how we played with different shapes in the design before deciding on the final one
The idea here is to go on a journey to discover what might be the best for yourself or your partner. With a professional jeweler to guide you, you will have free rein to decide on the different elements that go into your ring - the type of gemstone, its shape, how to complement it with an appropriate design etc.
If you have done some research and found yourself gravitating towards specific elements from different designs, the custom process is best suited to pull these together to help you achieve your vision of the perfect ring.
Are Custom-made or Preset rings More Expensive?
There is a misconception that custom engagement rings are more expensive than preset ones and perhaps out of reach for most. However, that could not be further from the truth.
Because of your ability to alter the different inputs that go into your ring, the final price range can be just as varied and you can play a huge part in keeping the project within budget.
The price of a custom proposal ring is determined by several factors:
1. The Gemstone You Choose
A significant factor that determines the final price of your ring is the type of gemstone you choose to feature. Diamonds are the most popular because of their sparkle, symbolic significance and durability, but natural ones can be relatively expensive.
Popular alternatives in recent years are lab-grown diamonds and other colored gemstones, which can be selected based on what will suit you or the recipient of your ring the most.
You can even save costs if you already have a gemstone passed down from your family, since your jeweler will be able to incorporate it into the piece, adding an extra special touch to the ring.
2. The Size of Your Gemstone
Choosing the right size of gemstone for your ring is part and parcel of the custom process
The size of your gemstone also determines the final cost of your ring. Especially when dealing with natural diamonds and colored gemstones, the rough is harder to come by in larger sizes, especially in gem-quality color and clarity. Therefore, the larger the gem you select, the more expensive it can be.
3. Your Gemstone Cutting
Gemstones come in a wide variety of shapes and cutting standards - we specialize in helping our clients select the right one to create their dream ring
The quality of a diamond or colored gemstone's cutting plays a significant role in the beauty of your final ring.
As background, a tremendous amont of planning and skill goes into cutting and polishing each and every finished gem - from the center stone in your ring to the side diamonds that might be part of the design.
In general, Fancy cuts (i.e. non-round shapes such as Ovals, Cushions, Emeralds etc) can be particular tricky as they require extra precision to yield the ideal proportions and sparkle.
As you evaluate your options, it is important to set a budget and ask a professional jeweler like August Bespoke for the right options that can help you stay on track.
4. Your Choice of Ring Material
Selecting the right metal color can impact the final look (and price) of your ring
Your choice of material - Platinum versus Gold - can affect the final price of your ring. The difference is because of the demand and rarity of certain metals such as Platinum, which is a true-white metal. The popular choice of White, Rose and Yellow Gold can also vary slightly based on the alloy chosen (14K vs 18K).
If you are trying to make a decision about Platinum versus White Gold, watch this video here. Alternatively, consult your jeweler about picking the right one for your ring.
Conclusion
Priorities and budgets vary greatly in different cases, and the options are endless when it comes to engagement rings. If you are in a rush and do not have time to go through the discovery process, you may opt to propose with a pre-made ring.
If you have the benefit of time and would like to express your love with a custom-made ring, it doesn’t have to be as daunting or expensive as you think. With August Bespoke, your dream ring can have the highest quality gemstones and craftsmanship and stay within budget.
A classic custom-made Hidden Halo ring with a timeless round diamond from August Bespoke
During our initial discovery call, we will do a deep dive to understand you and your partner so we can outline the major decisions to be made for your bespoke engagement ring. Our clients love us because we are neutral experts who will then guide you through every step of the process for a ring that is truly one-of-a-kind.
Contact our custom jewelry makers in Singapore to book a consultation today.
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