Diamonds and Metals: Tips to Choose the Perfect Combination for Your Custom Ring

A lot of new-age customers and jewelry buyers prefer creating a custom piece for themselves instead of just picking a ready-to-wear design off the shelf. At A.JAFFE, we have seen this trend grow stronger in the recent past and for good reason. After all, when it comes to premium jewelry like diamond rings, engagement rings for women, or wedding bands, why settle for anything less than your dream piece?

With jewelry brands like A.JAFFE offering a wide range and high degrees of customization options, building your dream ring is easier than you think today!

However, creating that perfect engagement ring calls for a smart balance of aesthetics, trends, comfort, and material, all the while keeping your budgetary limits and personal preferences in mind.

If you are considering investing in a custom designer engagement ring, here are a few quick tips to get you started:

1. Set a budget cap

   This one is a no-brainer and yet we see a lot of customers get carried away during their ring customization process. It is important that you decide how much you can realistically pay for the ring and then make all the other choices and decisions within this framework. Your jewelry consultant can help you understand a broad range within which you can get your designer engagement ring made, but you must determine what your upper cap is so you do not end up going overboard.

2. Choose the right metal

   The base metal forms a large part of your ring, so while we understand your focus on choosing the prettiest gemstone(s), it is equally important that you focus on the metal your diamond will be perched upon. Some of the most sought-after base metals and colors include:

   • Yellow gold

     The warm, yellow hues of this metal give your ring a timeless and classic appeal. Yellow gold typically consists of pure gold which is alloyed with some other metals such as copper or zinc to add strength and durability to your ring. Its anti-tarnishing qualities make yellow gold a top choice for engagement rings for women as well as wedding bands. This type of gold is generally hypoallergenic and skin friendly, making it a good option for everyday wear. Jewelry made using yellow gold requires frequent care and maintenance, but you can do this yourself at home. Over a period of time, if you notice that your accessory is losing its original shine, you can consider getting it plated with rhodium or polished from your jeweler.

   • White gold

     If you prefer a more contemporary and new-age look, opting for white gold would make more sense. White gold looks just like silver (albeit with a higher degree of white, as the name suggests), thanks to the presence of rhodium in the alloy. The alloy generally consists of some amounts of nickel or palladium, too. While jewelry made using white gold is quite durable, regular wear and tear may cause its natural deterioration over a period of time. The presence of nickel in it may cause allergies to people with sensitive skin, especially if the jewelry is used on a daily basis.

   • Rose gold

     Rose gold, as the name suggests, has a rosy red/pink tint that makes it a really gorgeous option for women’s jewelry. The reddish hues lend a distinct, romantic appeal to the jewelry and is fast becoming one of the most sought-after metal options among younger buyers. Rose gold jewelry generally contains a generous dose of copper which lends its pink-red color to the jewelry. While the copper content makes rose gold rings look really enigmatic, it also affects the overall strength of the jewelry. Hypoallergenic and safe to wear regularly, rose gold jewelry is also quite easy to maintain. You can consider polishing your rose gold designer engagement ring once in while to retain its original shiny appearance.

   • Platinum

     The most expensive option on this list, platinum jewelry is considered more premium because of its rarity and density. The metal is equal parts durable and good-looking. Its sophisticated and natural gray-white appearance combined with its ability to withstand daily wear and tear makes it a great option as a base metal for any kind of jewelry. For those with sensitive skin, platinum is an excellent choice. This low-maintenance base metal looks great on all skin tones and is quite versatile, too, meaning it can be easily paired with a variety of outfits.

3. Select the right diamond for your ring

   Selecting the perfect diamond for your engagement ring can be overwhelming, thanks to the abundance of choices in the market. You need to look at things like the diamond shape, cut, clarity, carat weight, color, price, and several other factors when making this all-important choice. And that is where a reliable and experienced jewelry partner can come to your rescue, hand-holding and guiding you through the entire browsing and buying journey.

   The first thing to decide is what style and design you are looking at. For example, if you wish for a modern and unique design, all the other decisions can be taken keeping this in mind. The most popular diamond shapes or cuts include round, oval, princess, cushion, emerald, and marquise. Once you finalize the shape, look at aspects like the color, carat weight, and clarity of the stone. Ideally, colorless diamonds are considered the best, so make sure you ask your jeweler about the diamond grading before you select one.

   After you have looked at the key aspects of diamond quality, it is now time to settle on the setting of the ring. The setting refers to the structure that holds your chosen stone in place. Some preferred settings include the good-old prong, the minimalistic bezel, and channel. In fact, pave engagement rings are one of the most desired type of rings in the market today. This popularity of pave engagement rings can be attributed to the pave-set diamonds that create a continuous sparkling effect. If you are considering customizing your ring, you can look at this setting for a unique, eye-catching, and gorgeous look. The only downside to pave rings is that the smaller stones are susceptible to falling off especially if you wear the ring every day.

   It is also critical that you do some research around what kind of care and maintenance is required for different types of diamonds and ring styles. After all, you do not want to be spending your hard-earned money on a ring that cannot be worn every day.

4. Match your metals and diamonds

   It is essential that you get this combination right, or else you will end up with a stone that does not complement the metal or vice versa – and that is the last thing you would want. Consider things like your partner’s personal style and aesthetic preferences before you finalize either of these things. For instance, if she is into classic jewelry, a solitaire diamond ring with a yellow gold or white gold metal band could prove to be an appropriate choice for her. On the other hand, if she likes minimalistic jewelry, you could opt for a bezel-set diamond ring on a white gold or platinum band. And if you are marrying someone who does not mind experimenting a bit or setting her own unique style standards, you can even look at offbeat choices such as a pave engagement ring with a rose gold band.

   You need to make sure that your base metal of choice perfectly complements the color and appearance of the diamond that is encrusted in it. Colorless stones like diamonds look really appealing when they are paired with white colored metals like platinum or white gold. On the other hand, gemstones with colored hues and warm tones might pair better with rose gold and yellow gold.

5. Add a touch of personalization to the ring

Rather than opting for a factory-made ring, it is always better to put some thought and effort into customizing your ring so that it means something to the wearer. Consider adding a personal touch to the ring by exploring options such as engraving, adding accent stones, etc. so that the ring you finally get is meaningful and truly one of a kind. Consult your jeweler so you can find out the different ways in which you can customize a ring. At A.JAFFE, we pride ourselves on offering a high degree of personalization and customization options to our patrons.

In the end, what matters is the fact that whichever ring you choose supersedes current trends – it must serve as a physical representation of your love story! So, go ahead and explore the massive range of designer engagement rings for women at A.JAFFE and get started on your journey to find that perfect stone-metal match.