How to Design Your Dream Wedding Ring with a Goldsmith
At Katie g. we believe that your wedding bands should first and foremost be an embodiment of your unique love for each other. They should reflect you and your partner, while at the same time be comfortable as they will accompany you for many years to come. That's why we love to help couples create the perfect custom rings for them, offering a distinct alternative to mass-produced options.
The allure of custom bands lies not only in their exclusivity but also in unparalleled comfort, as each ring is crafted specifically for your individual finger shape.
The process of going custom means there's no need for compromise; each detail you want is meticulously incorporated into the design.
Beyond the charm of personalisation, our commitment to sustainable practices enhances the distinctive character of your dream wedding ring.
Each ring we produce is crafted with love in Vienna, using only recycled gold and fair diamonds. Our rings embody a blend of passion, tradition, and environmental consciousness.
These rings transcend mere accessories. They embody a symbol of your journey together—true keepsakes. So, if you are considering to collaborate with a goldsmith, here are the five most important steps to consider when designing your own custom wedding bands. When you book an appointment at our shop, we guide you through all of these steps
Five Steps to Designing Your Dream Wedding Band
We craft your dream wedding ring through a five step journey designed to ensure your perfect selection.
Step 1: Width
Determining the proper width of the wedding band is essential to ensure both comfort and style.
We have to balance your desired aesthetic with the practicality and function of the ring as your wedding bands are made to withstand a lifetime of adventures with your spouse.
First and foremost there are no rules and whatever you like, is allowed. To get you started here is a general guide. Women tend to choose rings between 2.00mm to 4.00mm while men often prefer 3.00mm to 7.00mm bands. We highly encourage you and your partner to both first try on various rings in our atelier and determine which width feels best on your hands.
It’s important to consider swelling of fingers from general movement and heat. The wider a band is, the more you will feel this swelling. Therefore, choose a ring that is proportionate for your hand and avoids potential discomfort. We will be happy to give you our expert advice on this in our wedding appointment
Step 2: Ring Shape
Once you have decided on the right width, it’s time to decide on a shape. The main shapes for wedding rings are:
Oval
Round (For rings up to 2.5mm wide)
Flat
The shape of a ring also influences how it feels on your hand; flat and oval rings will feel different, especially if you have a large knuckle at the base of your finger. Trying each style on for yourself is the best way to determine the true fit for you.
Step 3: Gold Color
Many couples think that they need to wear the same color wedding ring, but this is not true! Choose a ring color that resonates with your personal style. If you happen to love traditional gold but your partner prefers rose or white, why not have both? You each have different personalities and also different skin tones which will affect how you perceive the colour on your hand.
Step 4: Surface Finishes
Next, let’s consider the finishing of your dream wedding ring.
We like to help our customers further customise their rings through unique surface texturing techniques like hammering, filing, melting, blending, and more. This is all done by hand resulting in truly unique textures on each ring we produce.
A perfectly polished surface is only beautiful for so long. It will scratch and dull over time. On the other hand, structured surfaces will just get more personal and beautiful the more you wear them. Any wear marks just get incorporated into the existing texture making each ring more and more personal, the longer you wear it.
And remember: jewellery is a living piece that changes over time; from your first wear, age and exposure will uniquely transform your piece to reflect your journey. In a way life writes its story on your ring and we very much encourage this. If you are looking to care for your piece, we offer detailed care tips.
Step 5: Detailing
Some people like adding diamonds as finishing touches to their wedding bands. We think stargazing diamonds suit wedding rings perfectly. Because they are small, they look beautiful against the metal without overwhelming the band or an engagement ring you may wear with it.
You could, however, opt for larger or even less conventional types of stones. Perhaps you might add birthstones or choose a type of stone that has personal meaning for you. Furthermore, stones can also be set on the inside of a ring if the stone for instance has a very personal meaning to you.
We are happy to recommend various stones based on their meanings as well.
You can also add new stones to an existing piece to mark anniversaries and other special occasions, like a child’s birth.
We can also customise your wedding rings further with engravings. We even produce beautiful handwritten engravings that perfectly capture your partner’s writing and immortalise it in gold.
Special engravings like fingerprints and small symbols are also possible. We encourage you to be completely imaginative and explore all your options!
Capturing Emotional Significance in Your Wedding Ring
One often-overlooked aspect of crafting your dream ring lies not just in the final product, but in the cherished experience itself. The act of creating your own piece, from initial vision to reality is a cherished and lifelong memory.
There is no piece of jewellery that carries more weight than your wedding ring. And what better way to make this invaluable gift more amazing than by creating it yourself? You and your partner can design rings together and make the process part of your love story.
If you are ready to begin your experience, please contact us today to schedule an appointment.
An Heirloom in the Making
Owning a unique piece is increasingly rare. In a world of mass production and one-click purchases, knowing an object has been carefully crafted adds a layer of indisputable value.
This philosophy guides everything we do at Katie g. Jewellery. Our custom pieces are made by hand and take time to produce. They are deeply personal and symbolic, designed to be cherished for a lifetime.
The commitment you make to create custom pieces can be the beginning of a love story that can last generations.
Working Within Budgets and Timelines
Whether you have a large or small budget, a wedding one year from now or in a few months, we want to help you find your dream rings.
It is important to note that custom bands are slightly more expensive than traditionally made, mass-produced models. There are additional costs for materials and craftsmanship, as well as any finishes or details you choose. However, I am sure you will be surprised to know that the difference is not very large.
There are ways to make custom wedding rings more affordable; one of the largest factors influencing cost is the width of the ring. A wider band that requires more gold will cost more to make.
If you are interested in exploring the cost of custom wedding rings, our first consultation is completely free. We would be happy to give you an estimate for a ring using the details covered above (width, shape, gold color, surface finishes, and details).
Based on these factors, we will create a zero-obligation, non-binding offer for you. If your chosen design is out of budget, we can simply suggest alternatives and make slight tweaks to bring the rings within your price range.
In many cases, making slight adjustments allows us to achieve the look you love at a lower price.
As for the timeline, you will receive a final price quote two to seven days after your complimentary consultation. If you accept, the rings will take four to six weeks to make depending on the complexity of the design and our current workload.
For this reason, we suggest reaching out to us as soon as possible if you are interested in custom ring design. It’s always wonderful to have more time to explore designs, discuss your options, and even take some time to consider what you want your ring to look like.
Schedule a Custom Wedding Ring Consultation Today
The path to your custom ring starts with a hello!
We would love to help you capture the beauty of your relationship in your rings. Our expert jewelers offer complimentary consultations to help you discover all your options.
Please contact us today to schedule an appointment. We cannot wait to meet you and your spouse-to-be! For additional inquiries, please email info@katiegruber.com.