CAD review for custom design

[mxp154030]

Had my eyes set on a ring design, but wanted a round diamond center instead of the princess cut it came with. Sadly the setting did not allow for a simple switch in diamonds. Had to go the custom route, but the design is apparently copyrighted and I had to change some leaves to marquise diamonds to set it apart. On another note, I got the ring from Kay’s and am also making my custom ring with them. I thought since I got the ring literally from the same seller, they could easily make a very similar ring design. I’ve included photos of the original inspiration and my CAD. They look different (original ring is size 7 with 0.3 princess cut center, and my new CAD is for a 4.25 ring size with a 0.74 round center diamond), but I’m hoping the ring still comes out nicely once polished.



How accurate are the CAD designs to what the ring will look like in reality? I honestly think it’s a little bulky but I figure some metal will be lost during polishing. Also, what are your thoughts on the bezel setting for the marquise? I had them set that way for security of the stones, but does it stand out too much from the rest of the design? I’m a little fatigued as this is the 4th round. I’m becoming blind to possible flaws and am unsure if this still looks good. I don’t know what else to tell the designers.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I would not make a custom setting with a company like Kay’s. What are they charging you?

 

[mxp154030]

I would not make a custom setting with a company like Kay’s. What are they charging you?

Unfortunately I don’t have a choice but to go with them. My fiancé purchased the original engagement ring (inspiration photo) on his own and gave it to me past the 1 month return window. We were allowed to exchange it for another ring or use that ring’s purchased value for a custom ring. Since I liked the ring so much (except for the shape of the stone) he convinced me to get a custom ring that would accommodate a round diamond. He was so sure since he bought that inspo ring from them, that they could make the same design. But so far seems like I am working with a salesperson who can order the diamonds, but who doesn’t know much about ring design, but who also has to mediate my ideas between the CAD design team. It is a long process so far since despite them having reference photos of the original ring on the Kay website, my salesperson isn’t able to describe what I want to the CAD team or they can’t seem to just copy the original design. I’ve had to do research to describe settings in technical terms along with drawings etc to explain my vision. The design itself has come a long way from the previous drafts. Who knew it was so complicated to replicate one of their own rings? I’m in too deep now. Sunken cost fallacy I guess. It’s costing my fiancé an additional 2k to get this done, with the price of the original ring already discounted.

 

[Rfisher]

Ask them to see one of their past project renderings and an actual photograph of the finished ring from that. Ideally of a similar project and similar shank style/width/height. More ideally see the past piece in person.
That’ll give you an idea, outcome will vary somewhat from jeweler to jeweler, even bench to bench.

My impression & guess:
what will be produced from the rendering CAD you’ve shown in first post will not look that much like the (also computer generated render, not real photo of a ring) inspo ring you have shown. If the difference seen bothers you now, I can’t see where you’d be ok with the end piece. Not that much is polished off & and dare I say intentionally shaped to get it more like your inspo. If it were- you’d be more in hand crafted territory, and Kay’s isnt that.

How accurate are the CAD designs to what the ring will look like in reality?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Fisher had good advice. I might advise you to keep and enjoy the original ring and buy another in the future that suits your fancy more. 2k on top of what you already spent is too much for poor quality! I know this is. It what you want to hear. I am not optimistic about how this CAD will turn out as it is not fluid and organic and graceful like you want. It is messy and chunky despite your admirable efforts.

 

[elizat]

Fisher had good advice. I might advise you to keep and enjoy the original ring and buy another in the future that suits your fancy more. 2k on top of what you already spent is too much for poor quality! I know this is. It what you want to hear. I am not optimistic about how this CAD will turn out as it is not fluid and organic and graceful like you want. It is messy and chunky despite your admirable efforts.

This, fully agree. Just keep the original and chalk it up to lesson learned. You could probably get your vision made with a lab stone and come in close-ish to your budget with the craftsmanship needed. I will be blunt- the render is really really really bad. It's clunky, non-cohesive, and just unattractive. There are vendors that can do this type of custom work. Kay isn't it.

I feel like this vendor is close to your aesthetic.

Custom Nature Engagement Rings | Green Lake Jewelry https://share.google/0MFwkIDBCgqe0xBpV

Take a look. Big difference in the bulk, flow and overall design.

Kind of a similar look to my eye, that you want:

Vine Engagement Ring

Sapphire leaves accent a diamond center stone in this beautiful vine engagement ring.

www.greenlakejewelry.com

 

[mxp154030]

Ask them to see one of their past project renderings and an actual photograph of the finished ring from that. Ideally of a similar project and similar shank style/width/height. More ideally see the past piece in person.
That’ll give you an idea, outcome will vary somewhat from jeweler to jeweler, even bench to bench.

My impression & guess:
what will be produced from the rendering CAD you’ve shown in first post will not look that much like the (also computer generated render, not real photo of a ring) inspo ring you have shown. If the difference seen bothers you now, I can’t see where you’d be ok with the end piece. Not that much is polished off & and dare I say intentionally shaped to get it more like your inspo. If it were- you’d be more in hand crafted territory, and Kay’s isnt that.

I can ask to see previous custom work, that is if they reveal who their jeweler will be.

I will definitely ask if the sharp edges can be smoothed out and if the overall look will be thinner after polishing. I expect the ring to look different since the band has been shortened to accommodate my 4.25 ring size and the large diamond and of course the marquise stones I was required to keep to differentiate the design. I’m hoping it can be polished to still somehow retain the delicate, organic ‘vibe’ of the original inspiration. Consensus seems to be doubtful, though my fiancé remains optimistic about this ordeal.

 

[mxp154030]

Fisher had good advice. I might advise you to keep and enjoy the original ring and buy another in the future that suits your fancy more. 2k on top of what you already spent is too much for poor quality! I know this is. It what you want to hear. I am not optimistic about how this CAD will turn out as it is not fluid and organic and graceful like you want. It is messy and chunky despite your admirable efforts.

Keeping the original ring and just eating the lost cost is looking pretty appealing right now. That was my initial plan after I found out they couldn’t simply switch the stones and we couldn’t get a refund, but my fiancé felt so bad about getting the center diamond wrong he insisted on going the custom route with them.

I appreciate your honest feedback. Everyone around me has been telling me it looks great, but my mind knows what the original looked like and am disappointed at how it is not.

 

[mxp154030]

This, fully agree. Just keep the original and chalk it up to lesson learned. You could probably get your vision made with a lab stone and come in close-ish to your budget with the craftsmanship needed. I will be blunt- the render is really really really bad. It's clunky, non-cohesive, and just unattractive. There are vendors that can do this type of custom work. Kay isn't it.

I feel like this vendor is close to your aesthetic.

Custom Nature Engagement Rings | Green Lake Jewelry https://share.google/0MFwkIDBCgqe0xBpV

Take a look. Big difference in the bulk, flow and overall design.

Kind of a similar look to my eye, that you want:

Vine Engagement Ring

Sapphire leaves accent a diamond center stone in this beautiful vine engagement ring.

www.greenlakejewelry.com

I appreciate the brutal honesty. I really am considering just keeping the original. I’ll be honest this process has been so tedious I think I may just hold onto my purchased diamond for several years before I attempt to make a custom ring again. Thank you for the recommendations. I am now understanding the importance of doing research and finding an expert jeweler to take on intricate projects like these. Can’t just go to any big box retailer. They are just sales people when it comes down to it.

My fiancé is remaining optimistic about this. He has insisted we wait for the wax mold to really see how I feel about the ring before making decisions to stop or continue with production. He’s sweet but I think he really wants this to work out since he hadn’t asked for my input on rings before buying one and probably feels bad about it now. Lessons learned for the both of us.

 

[newtojewels]

Keeping the original ring and just eating the lost cost is looking pretty appealing right now. That was my initial plan after I found out they couldn’t simply switch the stones and we couldn’t get a refund, but my fiancé felt so bad about getting the center diamond wrong he insisted on going the custom route with them.

I appreciate your honest feedback. Everyone around me has been telling me it looks great, but my mind knows what the original looked like and am disappointed at how it is not.

I'm going to just chime in to agree that this is probably the best option. Enjoy your engagement and your ring that your fiance chose with its graceful setting, and save the money to do a custom ring with someone who can execute your vision if you want to in the future. You sound pretty miserable and there's no need to add stress to this busy time. It's sweet that he wants to get it right, and this gives you a chance to think about what you would love rather than sunk-cost-fallacy-ing your way further down this rabbit hole.

 

[mxp154030]

Forgot to show photos of the inspiration

 

[Dreamer_D]

Forgot to show photos of the inspiration

Is this your ring? It is very pretty and I think you should keep it. The CAD will look nothing like it undortunately.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I would definitely keep the original and ask for a refund for the new diamond you purchased. Kay's is not well known for its quality in diamond cut or fabricating. The original ring looks very pretty on your hand and will work until you can really find the ring you want to be your forever ring.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I also want to add that many of us here did not get the engagement ring we imagined and while it feels like an urgent problem when first engaged, after a few decades I can say it is not really such a problem and better to just enjoy what you have and plan to buy your dream diamond ring later when finances and time allow.

 

[mxp154030]

Is this your ring? It is very pretty and I think you should keep it. The CAD will look nothing like it undortunately.

That was my original ring before I returned it to start this custom one. I believe the custom work is non refundable, but I’m wondering if I can just put the rest of the charges towards getting my original ring back and resized, and pay for the CAD designs and wax mold.

Will ask all these questions once I view the first wax mold. My fiancé thinks it’ll look better in real life and that I need to give it a chance before making any decisions so we’ll see.

 

[Dreamer_D]

That was my original ring before I returned it to start this custom one. I believe the custom work is non refundable, but I’m wondering if I can just put the rest of the charges towards getting my original ring back and resized, and pay for the CAD designs and wax mold.

Will ask all these questions once I view the first wax mold. My fiancé thinks it’ll look better in real life and that I need to give it a chance before making any decisions so we’ll see.

lol… I like his enthusiasm but is he a jewelry expert and connoisseur with lots of experience custom designing jewelry?

 

[Mreader]

Keeping the original ring and just eating the lost cost is looking pretty appealing right now. That was my initial plan after I found out they couldn’t simply switch the stones and we couldn’t get a refund, but my fiancé felt so bad about getting the center diamond wrong he insisted on going the custom route with them.

I appreciate your honest feedback. Everyone around me has been telling me it looks great, but my mind knows what the original looked like and am disappointed at how it is not.

I agree this is the best advice. For 2K you can get one of our PS approved designers to recreate a new ring (minus the stone) where you can keep both.