Custom Made Engagement Rings in New Zealand: What You Should Know

Sometimes you see a beautiful engagement ring that does not suit your hand. Perhaps the stone is too high, or the band is uncomfortable.

custom made engagement rings provide a great solution to this problem as you can choose the stone, band and setting to suit your preferences.

Couples in New Zealand can start by thinking about what design elements are important for them. This could be using a photo, your favourite jewellery piece or simply having a chat about your lifestyle.

Consider Who Will Be Wearing the Ring

Before comparing different diamonds, think about who will be wearing the ring.

If they have a practical, manual job they might like a smooth band and low setting. If they like chunky jewellery they may like a large centre stone or different shaped diamond.

Consider what style they currently wear. Are they wearing yellow gold or white metals? Do they wear thin rings or chunky rings?

These little hints will help you make informed choices.

Diamond Shape

Diamonds come in different shapes which can alter how it looks, is set and the proportions.

Round brilliant diamonds are a classic option and give great sparkle. Oval diamonds are long and sleek. Emerald cut diamonds give wider flashes of sparkle due to the step cuts.

Pear diamonds give an asymmetrical look and can look very unique with a simple solitaire setting.

When comparing different shapes, pay attention to the actual measurements. Two diamonds of the same carat could look very different.

Lab Made Diamonds

Lab made diamonds are real diamonds but created in a controlled environment. They have the same chemical composition and crystal structure.

They are a great option for couples looking for custom engagement rings as they can help with getting a good size, quality and budget friendly diamond.

Generally lab grown diamonds are more affordable than mined diamonds, depending on individual specifications.

When looking at your diamond consider the 4 Cs.

Cut – the way the diamond has been cut will impact how the light interacts with it.

Colour – whether there is any visible colour.

Clarity – inclusions and blemishes.

Carat – weight of the diamond which can impact the size.

If possible get an independent grading report and look at the actual measurements of the stone.

Novita Diamonds is a great place for New Zealand buyers to look at the different styles of engagement rings and lab grown diamonds.

The Setting

The setting can influence how comfortable the ring is, how durable it is and how it looks.

Prong settings leave the centre stone very exposed. Bezel settings wrap the edge of the stone in metal, giving a smoother look and extra protection around the girdle.

Halo settings surround the centre stone with smaller diamonds to add extra detail and width.

Consider how high the setting is. High settings may mean you can have your wedding band closer to your engagement ring but can snag more easily on clothes.

Ask your jeweller to view the ring from the side.

Metals

Yellow gold will add warm tones. White gold will give a lighter look. Rose gold gives a softer pink look and Platinum can be considered.

However, do not just choose the colours.

White gold is often rhodium plated and this can need to be topped up. Platinum does not need to be rhodium plated but can get surface scratches.

Consider how chunky you want the band. Very thin bands can look elegant but will depend on the metal type, stone weight and setting.

Confirm Important Details

Before getting anything made for your custom ring, make sure all important details are in place.

Many jewellers will use a computer aided design (CAD) to give you an idea of how the proportions will look.

Check the thickness of the band, height of the stone, prong positioning and view from different angles.

If you plan on wearing a wedding band with it, make sure they will fit well together.

Check the size of the ring to suit the New Zealand sizing. Some designs can be difficult to resize, especially if there are diamonds going around the band.

Considerations

Custom jewellery often means there are more considerations. Before paying any deposit make sure you know how long it will take to make, if you can make any changes to the design, payment and aftercare.

Will it be resizable?

When looking at options from Novita Diamonds or another jewellers in New Zealand, make sure you are aware of what the current terms are for custom pieces. This can vary.

If you need it for a specific proposal date, allow extra time to get it made. This can depend on the design being approved, diamonds sourced, made and delivered.

Overall your ring should be comfortable to wear on a regular basis. Often the smallest changes can make the biggest difference.