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Women's Wedding Rings - Classico Oval Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring in White Gold

How a Custom Engagement Ring Is Made, Step by Step

A guide to the journey of designing and crafting your engagement ring at Orsini

6–8 weeks from consultation to collection

Natural & lab-grown diamonds

Digital renders before crafting

Handcrafted in our Orsini workshop

These are the moments that will shape your love story, and we're thrilled to be a part of it. From the first spark of inspiration to the moment you hold your ring in your hands, our process is a blend of artistry, craftsmanship and personalisation.

Choose from our curated selection in store and refine from there, or bring your own ideas and let us guide you. This guide walks you through every stage, so you know exactly what to expect.

Book an Appointment

The short answer

How long does it take to design an engagement ring?

Designing and crafting a custom engagement ring at Orsini usually takes 6–8 weeks from your first consultation to collection. The process follows six stages:

  1. Your consultation
  2. Choosing your diamond or gemstone
  3. Choosing your setting and metal
  4. Design and render approval
  5. Handcrafting in our workshop
  6. Collection and aftercare

Below, we explain what happens at each stage, the decisions you'll make along the way, and how to plan around a proposal date.

Before you start: four things to think about

  • Budget. A comfortable range is all you need. It helps us recommend the right balance of stone, metal and design.
  • Style. Save photos of rings you love, and notice the jewellery your partner already wears: the metal tone, whether it's bold or delicate, classic or modern.
  • Ring size. If it's a surprise, borrow a ring they wear on the same finger. Our ring size conversion chart can help.
  • Timeline. Allow 6–8 weeks, and start earlier if you have a proposal date in mind.
Sarah designing a bespoke emerald ring

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Step 1: Your consultation

This is where we get to know you and your partner's style. Whether you arrive with a clear vision or are starting with a blank canvas, our friendly in-house team will guide you through designs, diamond options and customisation ideas in our private Parnell atelier.

What to expect in store:

  • View and try on a range of different rings
  • Discuss style, timeline and budget, at a pace that's comfortable for you
  • Compare natural and lab-grown diamonds, or other precious gemstones
  • Refine details such as finger size, with advice on how different designs wear day to day
  • Leave with a clear plan for your ring's design and creation

What to bring: inspiration photos, a ring your partner already wears (for sizing), and any heirloom stones or gold you'd like to reuse.

diamonds sparkling at orsini

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Step 2: Choosing your diamond or gemstone

We work with both natural and lab-grown diamonds. Each has its own character, and both can be exceptional choices depending on what matters most to you. Our role isn't to steer you towards one or the other, but to help you understand how each will look, feel and wear in your ring.

Cut matters more than origin. Visual balance, proportion and light performance, and how the diamond sits within the design, all influence how beautiful a ring appears. Of the 4Cs (cut, colour, clarity and carat), cut has the biggest effect on sparkle, and beyond a certain point colour and clarity differences are invisible to the naked eye. In store, we'll show you stones side by side so you can see the difference for yourself.

Natural or lab-grown? Natural diamonds formed deep within the earth over time and carry rarity and heritage. Lab-grown diamonds are created using technology that replicates this process; visually and structurally they are the same, and they usually cost less for the same size. The difference lies in origin, not beauty.

Coloured gemstones. While diamonds remain a timeless classic, many clients are drawn to sapphires, emeralds and other precious stones for a more personal touch. Some are softer than diamond, so we'll advise on which wear best every day.

Signature engagement rings collection by Orsini Fine Jewellery image

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Step 3: Choosing your setting and metal

The setting holds your stone and shapes the whole look of the ring. The most popular styles are:

  • Solitaire: a single stone on a simple band. Timeless, and it lets the diamond take centre stage.
  • Three stone: a centre stone flanked by two smaller stones, often chosen to represent past, present and future.
  • Halo: a circle of small diamonds around the centre stone, adding sparkle and making it appear larger.

Metal. [Confirm range.] Platinum is naturally white and hard-wearing, while yellow and rose gold bring warmth. White gold is rhodium plated and needs re-plating from time to time to stay bright. If you're not sure which to choose, look at the tone of the jewellery your partner already wears, unless other hints have been dropped.

Customise a Signature design, or start from scratch. Our Signature Collection of timeless, Italian-inspired designs is the perfect starting point, and every piece can be customised to make it uniquely yours. Prefer a completely original piece? Our bespoke jewellery design service starts from a blank page.

Read our complete guide to diamonds and gemstones for engagement rings

Design and render approval

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Step 1: Design and render approval

Once you've made your selections, our designers work closely with you to create detailed digital renders that bring your vision to life. This is where your ring takes shape, and you can see it from every angle before anything is made.

It's the time to refine the details: the height of the setting, the width of the band, and how it will sit next to a wedding ring. [Confirm: Most designs are finalised within X rounds of changes.]

On request, we can also create a physical mould of your design, so you can try it on and feel completely confident in the end result.

Jewellery_Workshop_for_custom_made_jewellery_square_image_2__jpg

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Step 2: Handcrafting in our workshop

Your ring comes to life in the Orsini workshop, handcrafted by our skilled master jewellers and diamond setters. Every element, no matter how small, receives the utmost attention, so your ring is made to the finest quality and designed to last a lifetime.

Crafting is the longest stage of the process, and part of the reason we recommend allowing 6–8 weeks overall.

orsini atelier space engagement area store parnell showroom

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Step 3: Collection and aftercare

When your ring is ready, we'll welcome you back to the atelier to collect it, check the fit, and show you how to look after it.

Caring for your ring:

  • Take it off for the gym, gardening and swimming, where knocks and chemicals can cause damage
  • Clean it gently at home with warm soapy water and a soft brush
  • Have the claws and setting checked every [6–12 months]
  • Insure it, [confirm: using the valuation we provide]

[Confirm aftercare: complimentary cleaning, resizing and warranty details.]

How long does a custom engagement ring take?

Designing and crafting a unique engagement ring usually takes 6–8 weeks from consultation to collection. As a guide:

Consultation and stone selection
[1–2 weeks]
Design and render approval
[1–2 weeks]
Handcrafting
[3–4 weeks]
Final checks and collection
[A few days]
Total
6–8 weeks

Complex designs, rare stones and the busy lead-up to Christmas can add time.

Planning a proposal? Work backwards

If you have a date in mind, count back at least [8–10 weeks] and book your consultation then. That leaves room for design changes and time to plan the proposal itself. If your timeframe is tighter, let us know at your first appointment and we'll do our best to meet it.

Keeping it a surprise? Many clients design the ring on their own. Bring a ring your partner wears for sizing, or choose a design that's easy to resize after the proposal.

Frequently asked questions

Ready to start designing your ring?

Book a consultation in our Parnell atelier, or find out more about our bespoke jewellery design service.

Book an Appointment

If you have any questions or would like to book a private jewellery appointment, our team of experts are available to help.

Let us know a time that suits you and we'll confirm, making sure one of our expert team is available to assist you.