How to Design a Custom Engagement Ring That Feels Like You
Designing an engagement ring isn’t just about choosing a style—it’s about translating emotion into form. At Lauren O Jewels in Petaluma, we approach every project as a collaboration between your vision and our decades of jewelry-making experience.
Step 1: Discover Your Design Language
We begin with conversation. What stories, textures, or places inspire you? Many clients bring heirloom pieces, sketches, or even photos from their travels. Lauren and Terry listen closely, identifying design cues—stone shapes, metal tones, proportions—that express your aesthetic and lifestyle.
Step 2: Education Meets Exploration
A custom ring should empower you, not overwhelm you. During your first consultation, we walk you through gemstone and diamond basics: how the 4 C’s interact, what light performance means, and why cut quality outweighs carat size. With 65 years of combined trade experience, we distill gemological complexity into clear guidance so you can choose with confidence.
Step 3: Visualize Before We Craft
Using CAD (Computer-Aided Design), we create high-definition renderings that let you preview your ring from every angle. You can adjust stone height, band width, and fine details long before casting begins. This process merges artistry with precision—an approach that defines Lauren O Jewels as a true private jeweler rather than a retailer.
Step 4: Selecting Your Center Stone
We personally source diamonds and colored gemstones from our trusted network of ethical suppliers worldwide. Whether you’re drawn to the fire of a diamond or the color play of a sapphire, we help you compare options side-by-side under natural light. If you love color, explore our Custom Sapphire Sourcing and Colored Gemstone Education pages.
Step 5: Craftsmanship and Finishing
Once approved, your design moves to production—hand-finished in gold or platinum, inspected for balance, polish, and setting integrity. The result is a ring that embodies artistry, ethics, and emotion.
A custom engagement ring is a tangible symbol of your partnership. Learn more about our process on the Custom Engagement Rings page.