How to Design a Custom Engagement Ring: A Step by Step Guide

Every love story is one of a kind; your engagement ring should be too. 

If you’ve ever looked at rows of identical diamond solitaires and thought, “That’s just not me,” you’re not alone. More couples are designing their own custom, non-traditional engagement rings that reflect their story, values, and personal style.

Whether you’re drawn to earthy gemstones like moss agate, celestial sapphires, or magical opals, here’s a complete guide to designing your own engagement ring, step by step.

Pictured: Our "Willa" engagement ring with turquoise and our "Ezra" wedding band in hammered black zirconium with whiskey barrel and patina copper inlays.

Why Choose a Custom, Non-Traditional Ring

Designing a custom engagement ring is more than a design choice; it’s a declaration of individuality. It’s the difference between wearing jewelry and wearing a story.

A non-traditional ring allows you to:

• Choose meaningful gemstones that symbolize your love.

• Incorporate personal details like textures, mixed metals, or hidden accents.

• Create something intentional, not mass-produced.
  

Whether you love organic, nature-inspired styles or sleek, modern shapes, a custom ring ensures your piece is truly yours.

Step 1: Define What “Non-Traditional” Means to You

Before gemstones and sketches come into play, spend time imagining what feels like you.

Ask yourself:

• What colors, textures, or symbols are you drawn to?

• Do you want something organic and nature-inspired, or sleek and minimal?

• Is there a place, forest, ocean, or mountain that holds meaning for you both?

Create a small mood board: save photos, materials, or even words that represent your relationship. This step gives your jeweler insight into the emotion behind your design, which helps shape every creative choice.

Tip: Non-traditional doesn’t always mean “wild.” It simply means personal.

Pictured: Our "Annora" engagement ring in yellow gold with a lab-grown diamond and our "Oak" wedding band in silver.

Step 2: Choose the Perfect Gemstone

The heart of a non-traditional ring often begins with the stone.

Popular Alternatives to Diamonds:

• Sapphire: Sapphires are a durable alternative to diamonds and come in a variety of colors, ranging from blue, green, pink, and even white.

• Alexandrite: A stunning alternative, alexandrite shifts between shades of green, blue, purple, and red depending on the light.

• Moss Agate: The perfect stone for a nature-inspired design, moss agate features unique inclusions that resemble moss. Every stone is one of a kind due to these inclusions, making it the perfect stone for a unique engagement ring.

• Salt & Pepper Diamond: Salt & Pepper diamonds feature inclusions that make each stone one of a kind. These inclusions can be white or black and often resemble tiny galaxies encapsulated in stone.

• Champagne Diamond: A fancy colored diamond that ranges in shades from light gold to cognac, champagne diamonds are an alternative to colorless diamonds.

• Moissanite: Almost identical to diamonds, moissanite is a cost-effective option for those who prefer a colorless stone.

Step 3: Pick a Setting That Matches Your Story

The setting frames your gemstone and defines the overall feel of your ring. Non-traditional designs often play with unexpected symmetry, organic curves, or unexpected accents.

Some of our favorite settings include:

• East-West: a horizontal twist on classic elegance.

• Nature-Inspired: vines or florals add a unique touch.

• Multiple Stones: using accent stones for aesthetics or symbolism.

• Hidden details: surprise details, like carvings or accents under the stone, are unexpected and subtle.

• Sculptural band: a bold or curved band is a unique twist on a classic solitaire.

Pictured from right to left: a custom ring featuring an east-to-west parti colored sapphire, our "Artemis on the Vine Divine"  design with a branch-style band, our "Blossom" design featuring peridot and citrine accents, our "Selene" design featuring a carving under the stone, and our "Sybil" design featuring a sculptural band.

Design note: A good setting balances both beauty and practicality, especially if your stone is softer or irregular in shape.

Step 4: Select Metals, Textures & Finishes

Your choice of metal transforms the mood of your ring:

• Yellow Gold: Warm, timeless, and glowing with vintage charm.

• Rose Gold: Romantic and soft, pairs beautifully with earthy stones.

• White Gold: Sleek and modern.

• Mixed Metals: Unexpected and artistic, perfect for a non-traditional twist.

Pictured: Our "Sage" engagement ring in rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold.

Step 5: Collaborate With Your Jeweler

Designing a custom ring is a partnership. At Staghead Designs, each piece begins with a conversation and ends with a creation that could only belong to you.

Here’s what the custom engagement ring design process typically looks like:

1. Consultation: share your ideas, mood boards, and budget.

2. Sketch or CAD design: see your vision come to life.

3. Approval & production: your piece is handcrafted by our artisans.

4. Finishing touches & delivery: your story becomes tangible.

Ask your jeweler about timelines, stone sourcing, and design revisions. A transparent process ensures your ring turns out exactly as imagined.

Step 6: Budget, Timeline & Expectations

Every custom ring is unique, so costs can vary. Your budget depends on factors like stone rarity, metal type, and setting complexity. Custom rings typically take 8-10+ weeks from design approval to completion. Always allow a few extra weeks if you're sourcing a gemstone with our team. After finalizing your design, our team will provide you with a custom quote before moving on to the next steps.

How to Begin Your Custom Ring Journey

Ready to bring your vision to life?

Here’s how to start:

1. Gather a few inspirational photos or sketches.

2. Set a comfortable budget range.

3. Think about gemstones or colors that feel meaningful.

4. Contact our design team by submitting a custom design form here.
   

Pictured here: A few custom engagement rings we've created recently. For more inspiration, view our custom ring gallery.