A custom-designed diamond engagement ring can cost anywhere between $12,000 and $30,000 depending upon the features you add in the piece. However, you should not just consider the budget when you design your own diamond ring, but also ensure that the elements you customize reflect upon your lifestyle and personality. Besides, the engagement ring should also blend well with your wedding band and make you feel contented.
Below are some of the main factors that can have a say on the cost of your diamond engagement ring. So make sure to keep an eye on these when you design your own diamond ring and make the necessary tweaks as per your budget and styling preferences.
Which Ring Setting To Choose?
This is one of the key things to consider when you choose an engagement ring. Setting refers to how the metal band holds the center stone in the ring, as well as the decorative elements that are added into the precious metal to make it look more stunning. The setting protects the center stone from falling off and against other usual risks. At the same time, it makes the engagement ring more attractive with subtle design elements. Therefore, you need to choose the best engagement ring setting that will offer the right balance of security and style. Some of the most popular engagement ring settings today include:
- Bezel Setting: In this setting, the center stone is wrapped in a cup of precious metal. Bezel setting is ideal for fragile gemstones as well as people who have an active lifestyle.
- Prong Setting: In this setting, the center stone will be held in place securely using 4 or 6 prongs. Prong setting is ideal for getting the maximum fire and brilliance from the gemstone. This setting is also known as tiffany setting.
- Tension Setting: In this setting, the metal band will be calibrated to hold the center stone in place perfectly without using any prongs or bezels. Tension setting is ideal for people looking for a modern and sophisticated engagement ring design.
- Channel Setting: In this setting, the engagement ring will feature a channel of gemstones held in place using higher precious metal sides. Channel setting is ideal for adding accent stones to the ring band and for those who want a flashy ring.
- Pave Setting: In this setting, the engagement ring will feature numerous small gemstones across the surface of the metal band. Pave setting gives an all-over sparkle to the engagement ring and is often used with other settings too.
Which Ring Metal Should You Choose?
Engagement rings can be custom-designed with any precious metal you want. There are a lot of options in that, and all of the precious metals will have their own pros and cons. This can be in terms of their pricing, durability, and attractiveness. Women who prefer a green lifestyle even go for eco-friendly band options for their engagement rings. In general, though, metal bands are more suited to hold a sparkling diamond in place. The most common precious metals that you can choose when you design your own diamond ring include:
- Platinum: This metal offers a trendy and elegant appeal to engagement rings. It is one of the most durable and expensive metal choices for diamond engagement rings. Yet platinum can be a great option for elaborate settings.
- Yellow Gold: This metal offers a warm and classic charm to your engagement ring. You can get yellow gold metal bands in 10k, 14k, 18k, and 24k, as well as in other purity grades too. Yellow gold is malleable and can accommodate any ring style easily.
- White Gold: This metal offers the similar appeal of platinum, but for a relatively lesser price. You can get white gold metal bands in 10k, 14k, and 18k. White gold can also be designed with any preferred embellishment.
- Rose Gold: This metal offers a romantic and warm tone to engagement rings. You can get rose gold metal bands in 10k, 14k, and 18k. Rose gold is cheaper than pure yellow gold as well.
- Sterling Silver: This metal offers a lovely appeal to your engagement ring, while being very affordable. Sterling silver is less malleable than other metal options for diamond rings though.
Which Ring Style To Choose?
The style of the engagement ring band can also greatly influence its final price. However, you need to choose the width, shape, and design of the ring band to suit your lifestyle, fashion preferences, and day-to-day habits. Some of the band styles are more decorative while others are meant to stand the test of time.
- You can go for a wide band of around 5mm width to get a substantial base for your diamond. This will make sure that the engagement ring is durable and that the center stone is secured in the best way possible.
- If you wanted more of a statement piece, you can go for a twisted band You can easily add accent stones in this ring style to support the brilliance and fire of the center stone.
- For an even more sophisticated appeal, go for a split shank band. Here, the ring band will be split into two parts as the metal reaches the center stone. This style is both graceful and durable.