Wedding Rings

Custom Wedding Bands

Question:

It sounds as if what you are requesting is not very difficult at all.  If you can describe it, any competent jeweler can see it through. (some better than others) If you are trying to create a ring that fits exactly with your existing ring, this is a little more involved.  We call these types of rings "tracer" bands because they trace the contour of your existing ring.  These type of rings often cause more problems, due to the fact that most people approve a "wax model" before casting.  Usually there is signifigant shrinkage, and results can be different than expected. Tell me the details, and I will advise you as best as I can. Regards, Jason — Jason Robbins                            "The Online Jewelry Store" 801 Walnut St., Phila. Pa. 19107            http://www.r8w.com fax: 1-215-629-4089                         http://www.weddingband.com

Response:

We’re getting our rings (all 3) made by a local jeweller and it also seems to be cheaper than ordering from one of the bigger companies (i.e. Christian Bauer).  The engagement ring I liked is called a "Tulip" and done all in platinum.  It would’ve cost about $1600 (w/out a diamond) to order it from Lazaare (sp?), but the jeweller is making it for $800… then we just had to buy the diamond.  A companion wedding band in platinum will cost $400.  For my fiance, he is making a platinum ring with a small diamond in a bezel setting for $1000 – a similar ring by Christian Bauer in yellow and white gold was priced higher than this platinum ring!   I think we got a better deal having them made… even though they were not "custom designed". Marnie

Response:

Hi there, I had my wedding band custom made by an Internet company, "Tradeshop.com" – my marquise engagement ring was an unusual band and needed a custom wedding  band.  I had a 14K custom band made to fit the engagement ring, with .24 baguettes of diamonds in it for $660, which I thought was good.  I liked being able to see the wax of the ring beforehand, and "approve" my conception of the design. Check them out at http://www.tradeshop.com and ask for Ray – they are very helpful and REASONABLE!  My ring (along w/ zillions of others) is shown there….

Response:

My finance and I are having his wedding band made b/c my engagement ring /wedding band set is quite unique.  The goldsmith we visited this weekend is willing to make a band that had one band of gold, one band of platnium and then another band of gold, 2mm. thick with a comfort fit for $575.  I thought that was really reasonable considering Christian Bauer’s similar design is being sold for $1040 in the jewelry store down the street.  I also like the idea of having something done that was especially for you. Mindy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I would like some input about custom made wedding bands.  I was thinking > about something along the lines of a simple yellow and white gold or > platnum band with some sort of simple design on it. > Is it that much more expensive to have something like this made than it > would be to order one from a jewelry store? > I don’t want anything out of this world, just simple and unique. > What kind of experiance has anyone had with having one made? > Opinions?  Ideas? > Thanks:)

Response:

We had our wedding rings made.  MINE was a disaster, but I won’t go into that because I am still pretty upset about that.  It was fairly complicated so I presume my problems were unique. My husband had a white gold band made–nothing too special, he just had a certain width and degree of rounding on the surface in mind, and then wanted it to taper a bit so it was narrower on the underside.  It cost us just under $300.  It did not require too much workmanship, or it would have been more. Workmanship is expensive on an original ring.  It can quickly become more expensive than the gold itself. One thing that did surprise me, when we looked, is the amazing variety of rings out there.  You might be able to find one you like and save yourself some money.   — KZ * * I have a wedding page with a collection of ideas for small weddings, * theme weddings, and destination weddings : * * http://www.umich.edu/~kzaruba/wedding.html *

Response:

>I would like some input about custom made wedding bands.  I was thinking >about something along the lines of a simple yellow and white gold or >platnum band with some sort of simple design on it.

We had all 3 of our rings made; we found the cost to be cheaper than "ready-made", since making a ring = working directly with the wholesale manufacturer.  The only additional cost was paying for the ring’s "wax molds", which ran about $35 per band.  But since we weren’t paying retail, the overall cost was less than what we’d seen in stores. Be aware that platinum is about 3x more expensive than white gold. My rings are white gold, my husband’s is a platinum and yellow gold mix.  My wedding band cost $150 (3 mm wide, size 6 women’s, custom-fit for my engagement ring).  The design is very similar to one offered by Tiffany’s — for $450.  Dave’s ring was $850 (9 mm wide, men’s size 10, 2 outer bands of platinum, 1 inner band of yellow gold).  Similar men’s rings at Macy’s were running over $2K. >What kind of experiance has anyone had with having one made?

Very good.  Ask to see catalogs; frequently the jeweler can get something you like ready-made; they just don’t have room to display all the various styles. You must allow more time; ours took about 2 weeks each.  50% downpayment, rest upon delivery. Find someone who is *excited* about making a special ring for you, rather than resentful.  Someone who is willing to let you think, and sketch, and plan.  Someone who is willing to suggest things you might like. Our jeweler liked Dave’s design so much, he rushed ahead to make the ring before we had a chance to see the wax mold (as we’d agreed).   He just called to say that the ring was ready!  We were bummed, because we were afraid we wouldn’t like it in 3D, and talked it over with the jeweler before we saw it.  He agreed that if it wasn’t what we’d envisioned, he’s make another for us and just sell the one he’d made. Happily, we liked it.  And the jeweler has now made a couple more for his store, so we know he liked it!  :^) I think having your rings made can be a meaningful (and frugal!) choice. Sandi (& Dave) 11/3/97 (a Monday!)

Response:

I would like some input about custom made wedding bands.  I was thinking about something along the lines of a simple yellow and white gold or platnum band with some sort of simple design on it. Is it that much more expensive to have something like this made than it would be to order one from a jewelry store? I don’t want anything out of this world, just simple and unique. What kind of experiance has anyone had with having one made? Opinions?  Ideas? Thanks:)

Response:

My fiance had my engagement ring made, and we just went last week to talk to a jeweler about getting our wedding bands made.  My engagement ring is white gold, yellow gold, and 3 small diamonds (more white gold than yellow).  He paid $1000 for the ring. When we spoke to the jeweler (a different jeweler than the one who made the engagement ring) last week about the wedding bands, he quoted us a price of $175 for a custom yellow gold band to fit with my engagement ring, and $600 for a yellow and white gold band for my fiance.  Price will change a little when the rings are finished, based on how much gold was actually used. My fiance originally chose white gold for my ring because platinum is way too expensive, and silver tarnishes, and wouldn’t have looked as good with the yellow gold.  The jeweler was actually the one to suggest it. Also, even though white gold is cheaper than platinum, it is still more expensive than yellow gold. Basically, your price will be determined by the type and amount of gold or silver or platinum that you choose.  And, jeweler’s, I’m sure have to include a fee for making the rings for you, but I wouldn’t know how much, since we’ve always just gotten straight quotes on total ring price. As an aside, I’ve gotten many compliments on my ring.  People have asked me where I got it, and it’s always nice to tell them that my fiance had it made for me. Hope that helps Heather (and Kacey) May 17, 1998 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I would like some input about custom made wedding bands.  I was thinking > about something along the lines of a simple yellow and white gold or > platnum band with some sort of simple design on it. > Is it that much more expensive to have something like this made than it > would be to order one from a jewelry store? > I don’t want anything out of this world, just simple and unique. > What kind of experiance has anyone had with having one made? > Opinions?  Ideas? > Thanks:)

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