Best custom designers for men''s diamond ring?

[Hughrock]

I''m trying to pick a designer who can make a custom ring every bit as nice as those I''ve seen made by Harry Winston and Graff diamonds.Finding excellent quality sizable diamonds with a online vendor is only half the battle in my search to buy a great looking men''s ring.

Once the stone is found next step will be to pick a custom designer who has imagination someone who can make a heavy classy ring that can support a 3 1/2 ct stone. Most rings made for men look cheap,plain,horrible or made to look unisex. Is there any wonder lots of men don''t consider wearing a ring!

Who would you suggest to make a great custom men''s ring to rival Harry Winston and Graff diamonds? My budget is about $60K(not including ring) for a single solitaire Radiant or Asscher cut diamond.

 

[kenny]

Good question.
I often think of getting a custom platinum setting for my asscher.
I have even dreamed of setting designs that are clean, simple, understated but classy while revealing almost all of the asscher and not detracting from it.

We men are at a disadvantage since most diamond rings are made for women.
That's where the design experience is.
Our options are few.

Gent's rings are often extraordinarily butt-ugly.
Perhaps this is because men are paranoid enough about wearing a diamond big enough to see, let alone wearing it in a setting of beauty.
It's like, if you have to wear a diamond the least you could do is put it in something you'd expect to see on a Neanderthal.

I'm looking forward to following your diamond AND setting safari.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I would trust Whiteflash if you know exactly what you want, Brian Gavin does some excellent design work in addition to excellent quality CAD/cast rings.

Why not call up Leon Mege and see what he would do? I have never seen a men''s ring on his site.

How about Mark Morrell? He is a real artist too. Call around ,request some sketches, see if they can impress.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 2/26/2010 9:28:02 PM
Author: kenny
Good question.
I often think of getting a custom platinum setting for my asscher.
I have even dreamed of setting designs that are clean, simple, understated but classy while revealing almost all of the asscher and not detracting from it.

We men are at a disadvantage since most diamond rings are made for women.
That''s where the design experience is.
Our options are few.

Gent''s rings are often extraordinarily butt-ugly.
Perhaps this is because men are paranoid enough about wearing a diamond big enough to see, let alone wearing it in a setting of beauty.
It''s like, if you have to wear a diamond the least you could do is put it in something you''d expect to see on a Neanderthal.

I''m looking forward to following your diamond AND setting safari.

matter of taste...i like simple settings.

 

[Hughrock]

Date: 2/26/2010 9:28:02 PM
Author: kenny
Good question.
I often think of getting a custom platinum setting for my asscher.
I have even dreamed of setting designs that are clean, simple, understated but classy while revealing almost all of the asscher and not detracting from it.

We men are at a disadvantage since most diamond rings are made for women.
That''s where the design experience is.
Our options are few.

Gent''s rings are often extraordinarily butt-ugly.
Perhaps this is because men are paranoid enough about wearing a diamond let alone wearing it in a setting of beauty.
It''s like if you have to wear a diamond at least the setting can be something you''d expect to see on a Neanderthal.

I''m looking forward to following your diamond AND setting safari.

My ring search does at time feel like a safari hunt. I can understand why a client would consider paying a premium with a high end jeweler if their desire is to find what they want with out all the fuss.Paying 15- 25% more for the diamond can be questionable to any person who is interested in getting the most for their money.

But when you factor in great customer service,"imaginative designers"(even for men''s rings) and excellent trade up policies, I wonder if that extra 15-25% premium is all that unreasonable? Online vendors can source great diamonds but with out a equally wonderful designer all you have is a stone.

Because the industry caters to women 99% of the time high end jewelers might have an advantage for male clients since they offer in-house do it all for you operations like Harry Winston,Graff Diamonds.Plus the fact thus far for men''s rings I''ve seen great looking rings made by the high end houses only. I think they invest more money for materials for their jewelry and spend time in their creations.That can be very appealing for men who are not yet on the radar screen of mom and pop designers.But still hoping I find a great designer. All recommendations are welcomed!

 

[iheartscience]

I''d contact Leon Mege. He''s an amazing designer and he does make men''s jewelry. Here''s a photo of a ring he made for an NFL player and the link

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 2/26/2010 11:10:37 PM
Author: Hughrock

Date: 2/26/2010 9:28:02 PM
Author: kenny
Good question.
I often think of getting a custom platinum setting for my asscher.
I have even dreamed of setting designs that are clean, simple, understated but classy while revealing almost all of the asscher and not detracting from it.

We men are at a disadvantage since most diamond rings are made for women.
That's where the design experience is.
Our options are few.

Gent's rings are often extraordinarily butt-ugly.
Perhaps this is because men are paranoid enough about wearing a diamond let alone wearing it in a setting of beauty.
It's like if you have to wear a diamond at least the setting can be something you'd expect to see on a Neanderthal.

I'm looking forward to following your diamond AND setting safari.

My ring search does at time feel like a safari hunt. I can understand why a client would consider paying a premium with a high end jeweler if their desire is to find what they want with out all the fuss.Paying 15- 25% more for the diamond can be questionable to any person who is interested in getting the most for their money.

But when you factor in great customer service,'imaginative designers'(even for men's rings) and excellent trade up policies, I wonder if that extra 15-25% premium is all that unreasonable? Online vendors can source great diamonds but with out a equally wonderful designer all you have is a stone.

>>> Could be 50 - 100% more in my experience.

Because the industry caters to women 99% of the time high end jewelers might have an advantage for male clients since they offer in-house do it all for you operations like Harry Winston,Graff Diamonds.Plus the fact thus far for men's rings I've seen great looking rings made by the high end houses only. I think they invest more money for materials for their jewelry and spend time in their creations.That can be very appealing for men who are not yet on the radar screen of mom and pop designers.But still hoping I find a great designer. All recommendations are welcomed!

Try Leon Mege, Ocean Pearlman, Mark Morrell, Maytal Hannah, Mcteague and Mclelland. Great for Women not sure about for men.
You will have to be very technical and specific as to what style you want though, the difference between high end and low end may be execution and not necessarily the basic style of the piece.


I personally choice George Sawyer and no stones, Mokume Gane is more my style http://www.georgesawyer.com/Expand.asp?Category=Wedding%3ARound+Edge&ProductCode=RE-1 but to each their own.

 

[bgray]

actually verdura and van cleef arpels will custom design using your stones. mctiegue mcclelland are also in the top 1% of craftsman out there. carven french and raymond yard--

 

[Michael_E]

Before you go looking for names, you need to make some decisions about the details that you consider worthy of including in this ring and what sort of requirements you have in order for the setting to be aesthetically on par with the stone it will hold. Most men''s rings are boring because most men don''t care enough to take part in the design process. Since you obviously care about what this looks like, I would suggest having a well defined list of requirements upon which your chosen designer can build upon. In my experience one of the best ways to make a man''s ring more detailed and artistic, without appearing more feminine, is to dress it up with fine, deeply carved engravings. The attached picture is one that I''ve saved from my internet meanderings which illustrates this type of effect very nicely. What sort of detailed requirements do you have for this ring ?

 

[bgray]

this is new to LM''s website. I would prefer it without the row of round diaomonds.

 

[chas]

Hi bgray,

That particular one is mine!

Leon was great!

 

[kenny]

Date: 2/27/2010 3:10:53 PM
Author: chas
Hi bgray,


That particular one is mine!

Leon was great!

Cool.
Nice ring.

Are there more pics?
I'd love to see them and more info on the diamond.
Can you post them in Show Me The Ring forum?

 

[bgray]

Date: 2/27/2010 3:10:53 PM
Author: chas
Hi bgray,


That particular one is mine!

Leon was great!

OH my I ADORE this ring!! Seriously I love it--!

 

[chas]

Thanks bgray!

It really is a presence to be sure.

Thanks Kenny

- I bought the asscher from Jonathan at GOG. It is and E color VVS1. This was one of his proprietary asscher cuts at the time. The trapozoids were all custom cut to the asscher. All in the same clarity and color as the asscher.

I will have to go through my files and see if I can find some more pics and specs on the stone.

 

[kenny]

My asschers are from GOG too.
Gotta love GOG for them asschers!!!!!!!

Did GOG or Leon get those traps cut?
Looking forward to pics.

 

[chas]

Leon had the traps cut for me!

 

[Hughrock]

Date: 2/27/2010 12:49:01 PM
Author: Michael_E
Before you go looking for names, you need to make some decisions about the details that you consider worthy of including in this ring and what sort of requirements you have in order for the setting to be aesthetically on par with the stone it will hold. Most men''s rings are boring because most men don''t care enough to take part in the design process. Since you obviously care about what this looks like, I would suggest having a well defined list of requirements upon which your chosen designer can build upon. In my experience one of the best ways to make a man''s ring more detailed and artistic, without appearing more feminine, is to dress it up with fine, deeply carved engravings. The attached picture is one that I''ve saved from my internet meanderings which illustrates this type of effect very nicely. What sort of detailed requirements do you have for this ring ?

Thank Michael E,and all of you guys for the excellent detailed information.I''ll be the first to admit that saving money is very important to me no I do not want to hand over 25 or 50% more to a high end jeweler just to say I own a Graff diamond ring. Especially if I can have the same stylish ring created with a combination diamond vendor/ designer for half the price.

I''m buying two rings plan is to purchase the less expensive one first do a great job with every detail then move on to the bigger investment. Just have to see if I can avoid the cost of a high end jeweler.I know my self I will not be happy with a ring that is less than incredible. I do have a ring in mind sent to me from the best known high end jeweler in America(don''t want to say their name).

Wish I could post the pictures of it here but it does not belong to me yet so it wouldn''t be ethical. Would there be any copy right laws broken if I wanted nearly the exact same ring made for me by a designer? In any case the ring is a heavy wide platinum with a beautiful emerald diamond,the setting is square shape just like the stone,a half very short canopy that covers only the outer edges of the stone but not touching it, very masculine very classy very hot.

Several of you believe Leon is the best designer for custom rings and after visiting his site tonight must say his work is quite original.His designs seem flexible and wide ranging and classy.Like a lot of guys when it come to jewelry I know what I don''t like but not clear on exactly what I''m looking for.I want this first ring as a pinky ring, to look different from the second ring both in stone shape and ring design. The second ring I want as a 4th finger ring.Michael E.,your idea about detailed artistic etchings on the ring is so great.I will look into the possible options The input from all of you is very helpful.

 

[Hughrock]

Date: 2/27/2010 12:59:29 PM
Author: bgray
this is new to LM''s website. I would prefer it without the row of round diaomonds.

That is a very nice ring the stone is very prominent with only the top of the diamond showing which is a excellent design/setting for a gent''s ring. I also would eliminate the smaller diamonds(personal preference) from blocking the center stone and maybe put a small diamond on opposite sides near the top of the ring.Maybe Leon IS the designer to work with. I think a light brownish colored platinum(nearly the color of this ring but with a less smooth finish) ring would look great for a men''s ring.

 

[Hughrock]

This might not post, here goes.This is a ring that caught my eye!

 

[kenny]

HR, that didn''t work; I see a red X.

To attach a pic the file size must be under 100 KB.
You have to give it a name that PS has never see before; I use random characters like 87ruevw3w.

 

[Hughrock]

Hi Kenny.Doesn''t want to work for some reason. Probably just my pitiful computer skills.Here is the address.

phpdIRxcUAM.jpg

 

[Hughrock]

No way this will work.

 

[Hughrock]

Date: 2/28/2010 12:19:08 AM
Author: Hughrock
No way this will work.

I''m shocked it actually worked this is my first time posting a pic.My nephew the ITT graduate would be in disbelief. The pic above I think shows a great look ring and stone.There is another ring which is platinum that I will try to up load. That one I like even more.

 

[Hughrock]

Here is another ring more masculine but busier in style.

 

[Hughrock]

This is a wonderful ring(just found it tonight) very similar to what I''m looking for.I would prefer not to have the east to west diamonds on the band(too busy) but the north to south diamonds look great they high light that large asscher center stone.

 

[bgray]

Hughrock--love these! If it were me-living vicariously through you--I would go with the square emerald or asscher with the tapered trapezoids bezel set up the sides. I dont care for the brilliant cut melee (pave) on the first ring. i do kind of like the round stones bezel set on the outer sides of the second ring.

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

For mens rings .....

www.ahernbrucker.com

 

[Hughrock]

Date: 2/28/2010 12:16:25 PM
Author: bgray
Hughrock--love these! If it were me-living vicariously through you--I would go with the square emerald or asscher with the tapered trapezoids bezel set up the sides. I dont care for the brilliant cut melee (pave) on the first ring. i do kind of like the round stones bezel set on the outer sides of the second ring.

Hi bgray

I share your opinion on all the above rings.You have a good eye for design. I like the third ring the most but with changes and the second ring has potential if toned down a bit. two totally different rings which is my goal.I''m traveling at the moment about to get back on the high way.Will up load a few more ideas so I can get the opinion you and the other PS pros.

 

[Hughrock]

This is a nice one.

 

[E B]

Simple, yet modern and bold: