Ordering a custom engagement ring can feel a little stressful at first. With so many different ring styles out there, a lot of people assume the process is going to be complicated or confusing, especially if they’ve never done it before.

The good news is, the custom engagement ring process at Rustic & Main is actually pretty easy. It’s straightforward, collaborative, and one of the best ways to end up with a ring that feels personal and made specifically for you.

This guide breaks down the full custom process from start to finish so you know exactly what to expect, how involved you’ll need to be, and when the big decisions happen.

Step 1: The Initial Conversation

Everything starts with a conversation. This can happen through email, a form submission, or in person at the shop.

And don’t worry, you don’t need to have every detail figured out right away. Some people come in with a clear vision and reference photos, and others just know they want something different than what they’ve seen online.

We’ll usually talk through things like:

• The overall style you’re drawn to

• Whether you prefer diamonds or another type of gemstone

• Metal type and color

• Stone shape and general size range

• Any images you would like to take inspiration from

If you bring inspiration from another jeweler, we won’t recreate it exactly, but we can absolutely pull ideas from it and combine them with your preferences to create something custom. Creating one-of-a-kind rings like that are our favorite type of rings to make.

At this stage, we’re building direction and the “bones” of the design first. The fine details come later.

Step 2: Design Direction and Feasibility

Once we understand the direction you’re going for, we’ll walk through what’s realistic from a design and durability standpoint.

This is where our experience really comes in. Some rings look amazing in an AI rendering or a photo, but they don’t always translate into a real ring that wears well every day.

We’ll give honest feedback on things like:

• Stone security
• Proportions and balance
• Band thickness and long-term durability
• How the ring will sit on your finger
• Whether it might snag, and how to avoid that

If there are multiple ways to approach your design, we’ll explain the options so you can choose what feels best for your style and lifestyle.

Step 3: The $125 Design Deposit

Once we’re aligned on the design direction, the next step is the custom design deposit. There’s a $125 nonrefundable design deposit, and it goes toward your final ring purchase. This covers the time and creative work it takes to build your ring in CAD, create mockups, and dial in the full design. Once that deposit is paid, your project officially moves into the design phase.

Step 4: CAD Design and Mockups

This is where your ring really starts to come to life. We’ll create a 3D CAD model image based on everything we discussed. If there are a couple of different directions worth exploring, we might send multiple design options so you can compare them.

The CAD gives you a solid idea of:

• The ring’s structure
• Stone placement and spacing
• Proportions and overall layout
• Band width and thickness
• Prong or bezel style

One thing to know, these CAD mock up images aren’t the final product. They’re a technical tool that shows the raw design before polishing and before the stones are set. So it won’t look as smooth or finished as the final ring.

We’ll guide you through what matters most when reviewing the CAD mock up so you don’t get hung up on tiny details that will naturally look better once the ring is finished by hand. If you would like the assurance of a 3D printed ring we can provide you one based on the 3D CAD design you choose.

Step 5: Revisions and Fine-Tuning

This part is very collaborative, and it’s totally normal to make changes.

You’ll have a chance to request adjustments like:

• Changing the band width
• Switching the prong style
• Tweaking stone size or spacing
• Making the ring sit higher or lower
• Refining the overall proportions
  

Paying attention to small details here can make a huge difference long term, both in comfort and in how the ring wears over time. We don’t rush this step, we want it to feel right.

Step 6: Final Pricing Approval

Once the design is finalized, we’ll send final pricing based on:

• Metal type (Gold, Platinum, or Silver) and how much it weighs
• Stone selection
• Labor
• Any custom details included

At this point, pricing is accurate and locked in. If you choose to move forward, that $125 design deposit is applied to your total.

And if the price starts to feel outside your comfort zone, there are usually ways to adjust the design and bring it back within budget, within reason of course, without losing the overall look.

Step 7: Stone Sourcing or Using Your Own Stone

If your ring includes a diamond or gemstone, we can source it for you, or we can work with a stone you already have.

If you're sending in your own stone, we’ll send you simple step-by-step shipping instructions. Most of the time, it’s just placing the stone in a small bag, wrapping it securely in bubble wrap, and shipping it insured through UPS or FedEx.

If stones need to be custom cut, we’ll walk through the timeline upfront so there aren’t any surprises.

Step 8: Production Begins

Once you give us the final OK and everything is approved and paid for, we’ll order everything your ring needs and begin production.

This includes:

• Casting the ring
• Hand-setting the stones
• Polishing and finishing
• Quality control checks
  

Most custom rings take several weeks, depending on the design. We’ll always give you a realistic timeline and keep you updated if anything changes.

Step 9: Final Quality Check

Before your ring leaves the shop, we do a final inspection to make sure:

• Stones are secure
• Prongs are finished correctly
• The ring is polished and clean
• Everything matches the approved design
  

We don’t rush this step. Your ring should feel solid, comfortable, and ready for everyday wear.

Step 10: Delivery or Pickup

Once your ring is complete, we’ll set up shipping or in-store pickup, depending on what works best for you.

If it’s shipped, it will be fully insured and packaged securely. If you’re picking it up in person, we’ll make sure it fits well and feels right before you leave.

After You Receive the Ring

Getting a custom ring crafted by us doesn’t end once the ring is delivered. You’ll always have a connection with us if you ever want another ring, need a repair, want a resize down the line, or decide to create a matching band in the future.

A lot of custom clients come back for:

• Wedding bands
• Anniversary bands
• Stone upgrades
• Redesigns using existing rings or stones
  

So if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Why Custom Is Worth It

The biggest advantage of going custom is that the ring is designed specifically for you, not pulled from a mass-produced template.

With a custom ring, you get:

• Control over every detail
• Honest guidance throughout the process
• A ring built for real-life wear
• Something truly unique
  

The process is structured, transparent, and easy to follow, so you’ll never be left guessing what’s happening or what comes next.

If you’re thinking about starting a custom ring and have questions, reach out anytime. We’re always happy to help you explore options and figure out the best direction.