We’re Engaged! How We Designed My Engagement Ring

October 29, 2013

Designing Your Own Engagement Ring

 

I’m really excited to blog about this news…. I’m engaged!  The engagement itself was a surprise, but the process of getting a ring ready took some time, as we decided to use some heritage pieces that were passed down through my family.  I’m very fortunate that I was given my grandmother and great grandmother’s engagement and wedding rings to use for my engagement ring and our wedding bands.

I wrestled with the idea of redoing the rings since they were such special gifts, but after talking it over with family and friends, it seemed just as fitting to celebrate their legacy by joining their two rings into one and being able to wear both rings as one piece as we start our married life together.  Initially, I was worried about changing their rings permanently, but being able to wear both of their rings instead of having them sit in a drawer for years and years, seemed like a special way to commemorate their legacy- I still see them every time I wear my new ring.

In the initial phases of ring shopping, we did look at settings that would either just use one of the diamonds or find a setting that would work with the diamonds that were given to me.  The process at first was overwhelming and frustrating- most traditional settings I liked had one giant center stone with teeny diamonds on the side and nothing seemed to work with the stones we were given.

 

Make Your Own Engagement Ring

 

I tried on a lot of rings, and after a somewhat frustrating session, we decided to go home and think it over- nothing seemed right.  Choosing a setting that would only use one stone meant the rest would sit in a drawer for years unused- plus, any paving of teeny diamonds I didn’t already have would start to add up quickly- the savings we would have using some of the diamonds but adding others to work in an existing setting started to wash out.

We decided to sit down with the jeweler again a few weeks later- this time bringing in the rings and seeing what we could come up with.  Honestly, completely resigning two rings into one still made me nervous- I had no idea what would work with what we had to work with and was totally unsure if I’d be able to come up with something that…gulp… I would wear for the rest of my life.

 

Design Your Own Engagement Ring

 

The picture above is of the rings I was given (yes, I feel so totally blessed) by my Gram and great grandmother.  The ring below has been on my Pinterest board for quite some time (see? pinning comes in handy!).  I never thought it would be useful until the jeweler asked me to pull up any random ring designs that could be useful.  Then, after seeing this one again at the jewelers- it made sense:  we would use all of the diamonds in a “hodge podge” look and see how it came out.

We left the jeweler that day with some random ideas and a whole bunch of different sized stones that wouldn’t work in a traditional setting. The jeweler came up with a C.A.D. (Computer Animated Design) and emailed us a mockup of the ring after a few days.  This is what we came up with:

Designing Your Own Engagement Ring

 

 

After some minor adjustments and emails back and forth, I came up with a design similar to this, but with less of a “daisy shape” on the top, and more of an oval shape using diamonds, and less embellishment on the top of the ring itself.

I was super nervous to give the final call and have my ring cast in wax, but knowing that I would be able to see it in person before we committed to having it set in metal was a huge relief.  Does everyone else agonize this much about their engagement ring?

After a few rounds and emails back and forth, the wax casting was made and we came in to try it on.  Typically, to preserve the shape of the wax and preserve the setting, you can’t try it on- but luckily they took pity on my nervous heart (what if it was too bulky or felt weird on?) and let me delicately try it on.

 

 

Design Your Own Wedding Ring

I got to try it on and a deposit was made.  We left the store and it was officially out of my hands until the Mr. decided to put it on my ring finger with the most epic question he could ask me.

I totally thought it would be a few months, but apparently, it was burning a hole in his pocket.  The weekend I was in Nashville, he picked the ring up and by Tuesday he had popped in a TARDIS ring box (yes, Doctor Who fans rejoice) to ask me said epic question.  He drove me to the spot where Route 66 begins in downtown Chicago and got down on one knee.

 

TARDIS Ring Box Proposal Doctor Who Proposal

 

Of course, I said yes (like there was ever any question!) but man, after that I was pretty speechless.  

Designing my own ring was a unique experience- admittedly, I was a bit nervous about creating something from scratch but it’s turned in to something special.

We used every part of my the existing rings- all parts were recycled into my engagement ring and our wedding bands.  The only thing we had to pay for was the consultation fee for the design, the white gold for my rings- but the rest was melted down to be his wedding band.  Honestly, I feel so blessed to inherit this gift.  We saved a lot of money by using materials in the family, and it’s extra precious to us as we start our lives, to know the materials that formed our rings have so much hsitory.

All in all- this process saved us a LOT of money.  We paid about $300 for the consultation and paid for some additional white gold to make the engagement ring.  So for about $1500 we created my engagement ring, his wedding band and my wedding band- a total blessing!

Obviously, not everyone receives this type of gift- but if you’re able to use any gold, silver or stones from your family, it can save you a lot of money or greatly reduce the cost.  You may end up with a different look than the “standard” three stone engagement ring or a different metal than you’d hoped for- but it’s a great way to save and to commemorate your family’s heritage if you have some materials you can recycle from brooches, rings, pendants or necklaces.

25 comments so far.

25 responses to “We’re Engaged! How We Designed My Engagement Ring”

  1. It’s absolutely stunning!

  2. Congratulations! Your ring is beautiful! How special to have been able to combine both rings together to make wedding bands and your engagement ring.

  3. Wow, I know I’ve told you already, but it’s absolutely STUNNING! It looks quite a bit like my husband’s grandmother’s engagement ring. That’s a really fantastic price for all 3 rings, especially since you got exactly what you wanted!

  4. Ashley says:

    This is such a touching story! I love every single part of it. Congrats 😀

  5. That is a great story, and a beautiful ring. If you ever have a daughter to pass it down to that will make even more history 🙂

  6. em says:

    The ring is absolutely beautiful and I love the fact you now have a piece of both family members with you forever in your rings it’s such a wonderful idea.
    Congratulations on your engagement hope there are lots of happy years of happiness, love and fun ahead of you.
    xx

  7. Michelle says:

    So exciting! Your ring is beautiful, and when I saw it in person I was amazed 🙂 It is so sparkly and pretty.

  8. What a cool story!! Mine’s pretty similar- my husband proposed to me with my Grandma’s ring, and then we had her setting reset with a stone he inherited from his Grandma, so my ring is the combining of both families. It’s so much more meaningful than the “must be 1 carat or more” rings girls demand these days.

  9. Janine says:

    Oh! It’s stunning and it’s amazing that you have made a precious treasure that you can pass down to your kids and grandkids!

  10. Congratulations!

    I love that you chose a ring that would have special meaning to you.

    My husband and I tried to design a wedding ring for me and we went through the wax casting and such, but I ended up choosing a simple, plain band because it just fits my personality best; and that’s what it’s all about!

    Anyway, I hope you and your fiance (is it still weird to call him that? I took me forever to get used to it!) plan your wedding around what fits the two of you as a couple and don’t let anyone sway you!!

  11. Brittany says:

    Beautiful ring, and AMAZING TARDIS BOX!!

  12. Miss Thrifty says:

    It’s a dazzler! I love it. This has totally inspired me re. what to do with my broken engagement ring: a bequest from a grandparent, which sadly isn’t sturdy enough to wear anymore. Hmmmmmmmmmm!

  13. Simone says:

    Gorgeous and so unique! Congrats 🙂

  14. Kat says:

    I LOVE what you guys did with those rings and it was an INGENIOUS idea!! Congrats 100 times over, can’t wait to see you soon!

  15. Great post! Been reading a lot about buying a diamond ring. Thanks for sharing this!

  16. Thanks for discuss…. Your publish is really very helpful

  17. DavidBowie says:

    First of all, congrats as you are now engaged. Talking about your engagement ring, it looks absolutely stunning and sparkling. I just love it. 🙂

  18. We offer top quality of Diamond Engagement Rings, Engagement Nscd Diamond Ring, Nscd Diamond Ring at affordable price.

  19. Kate says:

    Hello! This ring is beautiful! My boyfriend and I have two family heirloom rings we’d like to combine but have been having trouble finding a jeweler that does this sort of thing. Any tips on what to look for? Thanks!

  20. Beautiful design. I love this.

  21. Wedding Rings says:

    This is a great story of how a beautiful engagement ring is made. Best wishes!

  22. Great inspiration and awesome ideas thanks for the great p

  23. Right away I am ready to do my breakfast, later than having my breakfast
    coming over again to read more news. gudangbesibaja.com

  24. Walter Duncan says:

    OMG that is a very nice diamond rings, please if you could tell me the details I would really appreciate it. I’m looking to do something like this for my girl and I find it really really nice to do, great post!

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