How to Design a Custom Engagement Ring in Los Angeles: 2025 Guide

Designing a custom engagement ring is one of the most meaningful experiences you can have in your life. Whether you want to surprise your partner with something deeply personal or design it together as a shared journey, creating a one-of-a-kind ring ensures your story is captured in a piece they’ll wear every single day.

At Bracken Jewelers, based in Santa Monica, California, we’ve helped clients across Los Angeles, throughout California and across the country design custom engagement rings that balance beauty, durability, and personal meaning. With over 40 years of craftsmanship behind us, we know the process can feel overwhelming at first—but with the right guidance, it becomes exciting, memorable, and deeply rewarding.

Step 1: Decide How Involved You Want Your Partner to Be

There’s no one right way. Some clients choose to plan the entire design as a surprise, others involve their future fiancé in every decision, and many take a middle path—working with us on the setting while their partner selects the diamond or gemstone.

Tip: If you want to keep the surprise but still get personal input, bring in a close friend or family member who knows their style.

Step 2: Set Your Budget with Intention

Yes, engagement rings can be a significant investment, sometimes the largest purchase you’ve made besides a car or home. But it’s important to remember:

• This is a lifetime piece, worn daily.

• Quality ensures durability—skimping upfront often means higher repair or replacement costs later.

• We can design within all budgets, from simple elegance to elaborate heirloom pieces.

The old “three months’ salary rule” is outdated. Instead, focus on what feels right for your financial situation and long-term goals.

Step 3: Establish a Timeline

Custom rings take time—especially if intricate details or unique stones are involved. On average:

• Simple designs: 6–8 weeks

• Intricate designs: 8–12+ weeks

If you have a proposal date in mind and want to design a custom engagement ring, start early. We’ll walk you through realistic timing during your first consultation so you can plan accordingly. We will always do our best to accommodate your timeline. If you are really tight on time, consider our wide selection of handcrafted engagement rings and antique engagement rings that in stock and proposal-ready!

Step 4: Explore Styles, Stones, and Metals

Bring us your Pinterest board, sketches, or even just words that describe your partner. Not sure what you want? That’s fine too! We’re experts at asking the right questions to help you uncover their style if they haven’t explicitly expressed it to you.

• Gemstones: Natural diamonds or lab-grown diamonds, sapphires and more

• Metals: Platinum, yellow gold, white gold, rose gold—or our signature California-mined gold for something rare and meaningful.

• Styles: Vintage-inspired, modern minimalist, bold and artistic—we design across all aesthetics.

Step 5: Trust the Process

Our custom design process is collaborative, transparent, and personal:

1. Consultation – virtual or in-person in our Santa Monica studio

2. Design sketches, hand-carved waxes or CAD renderings – see your ideas come to life

3. Stone selection – choose from ethically-sourced diamonds and gems

4. Craftsmanship – decades of experience ensure the ring is made to last

5. Delivery – your one-of-a-kind ring is ready for the proposal

FAQs About Designing a Custom Engagement Ring

• How much does it cost to custom design an engagement ring?

  Costs vary based on metal, gemstones, and design complexity. At Bracken Jewelers, we work within all budgets—whether you want a timeless solitaire or a fully bespoke heirloom piece.

• What is the 3-month rule for rings?

  It’s an old guideline suggesting you should spend three months’ salary on an engagement ring. Today, it’s outdated—your budget should reflect your financial comfort and priorities.

• How long does it usually take to make a custom engagement ring?

  On average, 6–8 weeks. More intricate designs or rare stones may take longer. If you’re on a tight timeline, we’ll suggest options that can be completed more quickly.

• Should I choose a natural or lab-grown diamond?

  We generally work with natural diamonds because of their rarity, retained value, and traditional symbolism. That said, lab-grown diamonds are an excellent option for many couples, offering the same visual beauty and durability with a lower price point. We’re glad to work with either, and we’ll guide you through the differences so you can choose what best reflects your values and budget.

• Can I use an heirloom diamond in a custom design?

  Absolutely. Many clients bring us heirloom stones, whether from a parent’s engagement ring or another meaningful family piece, to be reimagined in a fresh setting. This allows you to honor your family’s history while creating a ring that truly reflects your own story.

The Takeaway

Designing a custom engagement ring isn’t just about jewelry—it’s about creating a symbol that reflects your love and will last a lifetime. Whether you want to surprise your partner or design the ring together, Bracken Jewelers is here to make the process simple, personal, and unforgettable.