Best place to get customized wedding band

[Niwrad]

Getting quotes from $1500-5000 for a custom wedding band I have in mind, not sure where to go and whether or not to skim on the quality to get a lower price from a different custom designer. Any recommendations?

I've gotten quotes from several places already and when I try to ask about the quality of what they want to bring in terms of diamonds into the wedding band it always seems to get them tied up so I just want to be sure I'm getting a good quality band in the end - I can be very picky, and I don't want to feel like I got ripped off either.

 

[tyty333]

You'll need to describe the band or show us some similar pictures before we can make some recommendations. If the level of detail is high you may
need one of the masters.

 

[Niwrad]

You'll need to describe the band or show us some similar pictures before we can make some recommendations. If the level of detail is high you may
need one of the masters.

My fiancee always felt she had the spirit of the calico cat inside of her and I wanted to get her a calico colored ring - orange black and white - in all diamonds. My initial idea to all the jewelers was to get an eternity or near eternity band with alternating orange black and colorless diamonds in 14K white gold (i want the polish to last in between polishing). I was surprised that I got quotes nearly reaching 5000 so I'm not sure what I am doing wrong.

To be more specific I was looking for 2mm or 1.5mm thick band, so I'd need 1.5 or 2mm melee. I want to get orange diamonds because the often recommended gem was citrine which is relatively soft in the moh scale. Orange sapphire was another option but since colorless and black were already in the band I want them all to be diamond. I can see why it can be hard to get orange melee so I am open to having orange irradiated diamonds in in order to get the number and size i want

edit:

Also I want to make sure the orange diamonds are in high color quality as much as possible. seems like there's only "burnt orange" as an option

 

[tuckie]

Is this calico themed band something you and your fiance have discussed?

 

[Niwrad]

Is this calico themed band something you and your fiance have discussed?

yeah

 

[HappyNewLife]

I'd reach out to David Klass

 

[rockysalamander]

For fancy colored diamonds, try DiamondbyLauren.

 

[Octo2005]

A quick search of James allen shows that Orange diamonds can very greatly in color, tone and saturation. Also, they are extremely expensive, running 2-3K for a 0.25ct stone.

My advice to you would be to first be absolutely certain that this is what your fiancee wants for her wedding band. While I love the sentiment behind it, it might not be a band that she wants to wear everyday for the the rest of her life. It is a great idea and I think that you could have a lot of fun with a stacking band or even a more funky/fun version for a RHR. Just my 2cents and she may be totally onboard with the idea.

Second, I know you mentioned that you wanted all diamonds, but that may be easier said then done given the budget constraints. Have you considered yellow topaz? It can be found in orange shades, is much harder than citrine and is more budget friendly.

 

[WinkHPD]

I wish to respectfully disagree about using yellow topaz for a wedding ring. With a Moh's hardness of 8, they are not really hard enough for extended daily wear in my opinion.

Wink

 

[Octo2005]

I wish to respectfully disagree about using yellow topaz for a wedding ring. With a Moh's hardness of 8, they are not really hard enough for extended daily wear in my opinion.

Wink

Thank you for that info @Wink. I recently ordered a custom bangle with diamonds and birthstones in leu of a mother's ring. One of my boys is a November birthday and it was suggested to me to opt for the yellow topaz instead of citrine for a harder stone. Do you think that I should be concerned or change this plan?

Sorry for the thread jack, but certainly worth discussing when looking for yellow/orange accent stones.

 

[WinkHPD]

For a bangle that will not be struck with the force that you are likely to subject your rings to, the topaz will most likely do. Certainly, it should be better than the citrine.

Wink

 

[bludiva]

i think you could get the look you are after using different shades of brown diamonds (very very light, orangy-yellow, and very deep brown) which should help your budget considerably. someone mentioned Diamonds by Lauren, that's a good place to get an idea of the various shades available and maybe they can get the melee that you want. cute idea - good luck!

 

[tyty333]

What about a pendant with the 3 different colors of a calico? It just seems like it would be so much easier than an eternity where you have to have so
many orange stones of the same size. I think they would be hard to find (but I'm not a jeweler). With a 3 stone pendant you only need to find one
nice orange diamond.

I agree with Bluediva about speaking to Diamonds by Lauren. I would think he could do it. Especially if using orangish brown diamonds.
Here is a link to calibrated orange sapphires.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/483901...6249d7818cb74982ef856d125a56462ec8f:483901011

 

[rockysalamander]

I happen to be the keeper of a calico cat, and when you mentioned your plan...I immediately thought of mokume gane. The colors can be swirly or linear and you could get a lovely version of that calico she sees. Something like these with a scatter of diamonds.


Switch out a red for this yellow.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/454108204/teatree-twisted-forged-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_4


https://www.etsy.com/listing/585495043/mokume-gane-ring-wedding-set-with?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=mokume gane ring diamond&ref=sc_gallery-1-2&plkey=57be445f26a020dd75a31c714c614644b8d92cb9:585495043


https://www.etsy.com/listing/229787203/wedding-band-set-fashioned-with-14k?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=mokume gane ring diamond&ref=sr_gallery-2-19

My calico girl with her tabby brother using her as a pillow

 

[Niwrad]

I happen to be the keeper of a calico cat, and when you mentioned your plan...I immediately thought of mokume gane. The colors can be swirly or linear and you could get a lovely version of that calico she sees. Something like these with a scatter of diamonds.


Switch out a red for this yellow.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/454108204/teatree-twisted-forged-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_4


https://www.etsy.com/listing/585495043/mokume-gane-ring-wedding-set-with?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=mokume gane ring diamond&ref=sc_gallery-1-2&plkey=57be445f26a020dd75a31c714c614644b8d92cb9:585495043


https://www.etsy.com/listing/229787203/wedding-band-set-fashioned-with-14k?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=mokume gane ring diamond&ref=sr_gallery-2-19

My calico girl with her tabby brother using her as a pillow

Yeah looks interesting for sure

She likes the last one so I messaged the etsy seller to see what he can do

 

[Niwrad]

What about a pendant with the 3 different colors of a calico? It just seems like it would be so much easier than an eternity where you have to have so
many orange stones of the same size. I think they would be hard to find (but I'm not a jeweler). With a 3 stone pendant you only need to find one
nice orange diamond.

I agree with Bluediva about speaking to Diamonds by Lauren. I would think he could do it. Especially if using orangish brown diamonds.
Here is a link to calibrated orange sapphires.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/483901011/untreated-orange-sapphire-natural?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=orange sapphire&ref=sc_gallery-1-1&plkey=10b276249d7818cb74982ef856d125a56462ec8f:483901011

interesting! so thats what they look like. seems like she prefers the shades 1-4 a lot better so in the end getting burnt orange may not be that great

 

[Niwrad]

i think you could get the look you are after using different shades of brown diamonds (very very light, orangy-yellow, and very deep brown) which should help your budget considerably. someone mentioned Diamonds by Lauren, that's a good place to get an idea of the various shades available and maybe they can get the melee that you want. cute idea - good luck!

From the quotes I've gotten and public websites I've seen I found these prices

Diamonds by Lauren said that he sells the orange (hue not really specified) at 2500/carat at the 2 point weight

Some public websites
nwgems sells the 2 points at 1700/carat
langerhan-diamonds sells the 2 points at a whopping 6000/carat

From the custommade site for 2 pointers of orange color and black and 14k ring all in was 1800

Brian Gavin offered the 2 pointers in a similar setup with the signature melee for 2300

 

[Niwrad]

Thank you for that info @Wink. I recently ordered a custom bangle with diamonds and birthstones in leu of a mother's ring. One of my boys is a November birthday and it was suggested to me to opt for the yellow topaz instead of citrine for a harder stone. Do you think that I should be concerned or change this plan?

Sorry for the thread jack, but certainly worth discussing when looking for yellow/orange accent stones.

my consultant at custommade also recommended topaz for orange in place of citrine as well

 

[Niwrad]

A quick search of James allen shows that Orange diamonds can very greatly in color, tone and saturation. Also, they are extremely expensive, running 2-3K for a 0.25ct stone.

My advice to you would be to first be absolutely certain that this is what your fiancee wants for her wedding band. While I love the sentiment behind it, it might not be a band that she wants to wear everyday for the the rest of her life. It is a great idea and I think that you could have a lot of fun with a stacking band or even a more funky/fun version for a RHR. Just my 2cents and she may be totally onboard with the idea.

Second, I know you mentioned that you wanted all diamonds, but that may be easier said then done given the budget constraints. Have you considered yellow topaz? It can be found in orange shades, is much harder than citrine and is more budget friendly.

Yeah the larger ones definitely do run a bit more expensive, especially since they usually have far better hues than the smaller irradiated naturals which seem to accompany the smaller colored stones market.

I think with this in mind I might opt to swap out all the gems for more affordable ones (or just swap out the orange) to get a better color but for a bit less shine and hardness in addition to the wedding band.

I really wanted to get the best and unique obviously so thanks for all the tips

 

[Octo2005]

Yeah the larger ones definitely do run a bit more expensive, especially since they usually have far better hues than the smaller irradiated naturals which seem to accompany the smaller colored stones market.

I think with this in mind I might opt to swap out all the gems for more affordable ones (or just swap out the orange) to get a better color but for a bit less shine and hardness in addition to the wedding band.

I really wanted to get the best and unique obviously so thanks for all the tips

Best of luck and congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

Exploring the other gems is a great option. I also think that the swirly ring with a scatter of diamonds would be a great option if they can do it in the colors that you desire. It would be a best of both worlds since you can have the colors that you desire along with the sparkle of high quality diamond melee. It is also very unique, I doubt that you will run into anyone else with the same band, they may even be able to customize it size/width wise to have a flush fit with her ER and not compete with it.

 

[Niwrad]

Best of luck and congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

Exploring the other gems is a great option. I also think that the swirly ring with a scatter of diamonds would be a great option if they can do it in the colors that you desire. It would be a best of both worlds since you can have the colors that you desire along with the sparkle of high quality diamond melee. It is also very unique, I doubt that you will run into anyone else with the same band, they may even be able to customize it size/width wise to have a flush fit with her ER and not compete with it.

I want the best gems and diamond definitely seems to be the best, but I do like this wood grain ring and she likes it too. I don't know about getting it flush because she says it will feel weird if one of the rings is sort of bent, so she said she would just wear the wedding ring on the other hand. She also asked for the setting the engagement ring is in so I'm pretty sure she intends to wear one ring at a time, saving the engagement one for more fancy occasions.

She said she just wants one of the ones she saw in the store but I really feel like I should add a unique twist to a simple eternity band and this one seems to keep that eternity band style but with our own special flavor added.

off topic -
I might get her some earrings in the other gems since they don't need to be as durable as diamond. However she never had earrings before and is deathly afraid of getting needles poked through her ear. She said she loved the tanzanite earrings I showed her online but I'm not sure how to help her get her ears pierced. I looked online and it seems like tattoo shops are the best at doing this?