Are Custom Engagement Rings More Expensive Than 'Off The Shelf'?

Are bespoke engagement rings really as expensive as they sound? The short answer is no. Not only is the process of having a bespoke ring cheaper than you might have anticipated, it's also not as intimidating as it might sound, and you needn’t be a design pro to create a truly exquisite engagement ring.

Creating a custom-made engagement ring may sound a little daunting. Whether it’s a tailor-made suit or you’re commissioning a piece of art, having something created just for you conjures a fear of expenses you might not incur when buying something ready-made. But that isn’t quite the case with engagement rings. Here, we explain why a bespoke ring typically costs the same, if not less than, an off-the-shelf engagement ring.

• Understanding custom-made vs off-the-shelf engagement rings

• Breaking down the cost of off-the-shelf vs. custom-made rings

• Are custom engagement rings more expensive?

• Tips to make your custom ring both more affordable and valuable

A custom-made engagement ring, also known as a personalised or bespoke ring, is a ring that is designed and crafted from scratch. It is usually a unique piece that incorporates the personal touch of styles and story. A custom-made ring often takes longer to design and create.

An off-the-shelf ring, also known as a ready-made or standard engagement ring, is pre-designed and available in various standard and classic styles. This engagement ring is available for instant purchase. At Queensmith, we even offer a range of fast delivery engagement rings, which are our most popular engagement ring designs.

Based on the idea of personalisation and uniqueness, it is often said that a bespoke ring is more expensive than an off-the-shelf one. But let us break down the price in more detail.

Age-old myths, conjured as marketing ploys by the world’s biggest diamond retailers, have suggested one, two or even three months’ salary should be dedicated to your engagement ring. Forget these rules, and instead consider what you’re comfortable spending – remember, there will be a wedding to pay for eventually, too. Our experts have gone into greater depth, including the average spend on engagement rings and simple steps for budgeting, in our guide: How much should I spend on an engagement ring?

In general, the cost of an off-the-shelf ring revolves around the centre stone, the setting and the band. The stone type, carat, cut, clarity and colour are some factors, and metal, design complexity and band thickness are the other factors. And, of course, there are some hidden fees, including middleman markup, labour, high retail overheads, inventory costs and branding, which contribute to inflated high-street prices.

You're likely to shop around and compare prices, but while doing so, remember the importance of online reviews from past clients. If one jeweller is a little more expensive than another, consider the level of their service, aftercare and, most importantly, the quality of the diamonds available and the rings they produce. This price difference may be worth accommodating in the long run to ensure your ring is crafted by a highly skilled artisan to last a lifetime.

What are the factors that influence the cost of custom rings?

• Design complexity: Intricate details mean more design hours.

• Stone quality: Carat, cut, clarity and colour. This is essentially the same as a ready-made ring.

• Metal choice: It may vary at other jewellers, but this has little impact at Queensmith.

• Craftsmanship & brand: Consider if you would like to choose a boutique or an independent jeweller, as this will influence the price as well.

• Labour & design fee.

The price of bespoke engagement rings start around £995 for the ring setting, plus the cost of the centre diamond or gemstone. This price does, of course, depend on the complexity of your design and how much detailing or extra diamonds it will require. Generally, you can expect prices of different settings (without the cost of the centre stone) to start from the following:

• Bespoke solitaire engagement ring: £995

• Bespoke diamond band engagement ring: £1,550

• Bespoke trilogy ring: £1,575

• Bespoke halo ring: 1,650

So, compared to some off-the-shelf engagement rings, there's not a huge difference in price. If you want to add more stones and details to your setting, the price will increase – but it's very possible to design a unique custom engagement ring for an affordable price at a trusted jeweller like Queensmith.

We are jewellers with a transparent ring crafting process, where there are no hidden costs or middlemen to hike up the prices. Every step of our engagement ring creation happens in-house, thanks to the expert efforts of in-house gemmologists, designers, goldsmiths and diamond setters.

Additionally, there is no extra charge for us to design something entirely original, as opposed to our signature collection - we don’t believe you should have to pay extra to have something exactly as you want it. The final cost of a bespoke ring depends on the complexity of your design as well as the size and specification of the diamond or gemstone you select.

Essentially, like for like, a bespoke engagement ring will cost no more than a pre-designed ring of the exact same size, style and quality, and it could even cost less. Book a bespoke ring consultation to get started.

Below is a direct, like-for-like comparison for an identical engagement ring specification: a 1.2ct Oval Cut Diamond (G/VS2, GIA Certified) in a Platinum Solitaire Setting.

If you fancy a highly intricate design, that is when a custom ring can be more expensive. Plus, the bigger the centre stone, the higher the price. A 1ct carat natural diamond is estimated to cost £3,100 – £8,650, while a 2ct natural diamond can go up to £10,700 – £30,200. Learn more about diamond carat weight with our detailed guide.

If you set out to create a personalised engagement ring, you can ensure you’ll spend exactly as much as you’re willing to, and not a thing more. The beauty of customised rings, created from scratch, means each part is tailored to you, including the price. Rely on the expertise of qualified gemmologists to find the highest quality, best-looking diamond or gemstone for your personal budget, rather than front the cost of a diamond that’s already been set in a ring, without the discerning selection by either you or a gemmologist.

Jewellers can hike up the price of a ready-made diamond ring by exaggerating the quality of the stone, but only by viewing, comparing and learning about loose diamonds and their characteristics can you really know where your money is going. At this point, it’s important to mention that you should only consider GIA graded diamonds for natural diamonds, or either GIA or IGI for lab diamonds, graded by the world’s strictest standards, so you won’t overpay for a diamond that doesn’t live up to the grades outlined on its certificate.

Find a ring design you love (we recommend browsing our Ring Inspiration Gallery), and your dedicated gemmologist will determine how much budget you can afford to spend on the diamond or gemstone, using their extensive industry knowledge to come up with the best options for your unique budget.

If you're interested in creating a custom ring, read through our guide created by diamond ring experts, to help you better understand the process: 6 Steps to Design Your Own Engagement Ring.

Lab grown diamonds are the game-changer in the custom market. They are chemically, physically and optically identical to natural diamonds while costing up to 85% less. Choosing a lab-created diamond as a centre stone often allows your custom ring to be significantly cheaper than a natural diamond ring of the same size purchased from a high-street store. Learn more about how lab diamonds compare to natural diamonds.

Grown by Queensmith™ is our range of sustainably rated diamonds, offering HPHT Diamonds with the best quality. We use green energy as part of all the energy provided by our suppliers, who are capable of supplying green energy alongside traditional energy sources offered by typical providers.

Also, consider emerald, sapphire and rubies if you want something timeless and different. Explore 7 Unique & Alternative Engagement Rings.

Independent jewellers are able to avoid the large overhead costs that big-name brands and chain stores incur, such as marketing costs and expensive retail space. There is undoubtedly a humble quality to makers in jewellery quarters, like Hatton Garden jewellers, that enables independent jewellers to keep their financial outgoings minimal, while crafting super high-quality. Located within Hatton Garden, Queensmith is able to benefit from the long history of the jewellery expertise that is so innate with London’s jewellery quarter, as well as work alongside the best diamond and gemstone suppliers right on our doorstep, building relationships that often enable us to pass on the savings we make to our clients.

Some ‘bespoke’ jewellers use ready-made, mass-produced parts. Find a jeweller with artisanal integrity and an in-house workshop, where each part of the ring will have been crafted with your unique design in mind, just for you. When jewellers need to outsource their labour or ring parts, costs can stack up, which tend to be passed on to the client. Ask to see the jewellers’ workshop and pick their brains about the crafting process! At Queensmith, you’ll be able to see our goldsmiths at work as our workshop is located inside the store. Book an appointment to discuss your bespoke ring and see our goldsmiths at work.