Thinking about designing a custom engagement ring but not sure where to start? Wondering which stones are best for daily wear or what “stackable” actually means?
Whether you’re dreaming of a Montana sapphire solitaire or just deep in a Pinterest spiral, we’ve got you. We gathered the most-asked custom engagement ring questions from the Gem Breakfast community — and we’re serving up all the answers.
Here’s what we’re covering/TABLE OF CONTENTS:
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Can I use a pearl or emerald for my engagement ring?
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What stones are best for everyday wear?
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What’s a stackable setting — and should I get one?
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Can you remake a past Gem Breakfast design?
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What if I want to change my ring design after seeing the render?
Ready to start designing your dream ring? Book a free consult with a GB Chef Catherine or Sara (both GIA Diamonds Graduates) or browse our custom ring gallery.
Can You Recreate a Past Gem Breakfast Ring?
Absoutely! We love to recreate any of our custom settings. In terms of the center stone, we do our best to find a gem that looks alike but since we're dealing with nature, it can be tough to find two stones that look exactly the same. 100% of the time though, we'll find you a similar stone that you love more than the original within your price range.
Can I Use a Pearl for My Engagement Ring?
We don’t recommend pearls for an engagement ring. Pearls are rated 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning they’re very easy to scratch or chip. Pearls can also dehydrate and crack in intense sunlight and are easily damaged by chemicals in cosmetics, hair products, perfumes, cleaning products, and even sweat. Extreme care needs to be taken to preserve pearls and they just aren’t suitable for a wear-everyday engagement ring – you can literally wreck it with a spritz of your hairspray or favorite scent! We want you to love your engagement ring for years (and generations) to come so we can’t with good conscience make you a forever ring with a non-forever stone.
Can I use an emerald for my engagement ring?
We also don't recommend emeralds for an engagement ring even for the most careful, conscientious jewel wearer. Rated a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, they have “fair to good” toughness, meaning they can become scratched or chipped fairly easily just doing day-to-day life. They also don't hold up well against intense light or the chemicals in everyday items like lotion, perfume, and cleaning products.
If you love the look of emeralds but want a more durable, easy-to-care-for stone, look into green sapphires! Read our blog for more about green sapphires and their differences/similarities with emeralds!
I have a bunch of inspiration pictures I love but I can’t decide what would look good - can you help me design?
YES! This is what we’re here for. We love translating your vision and inspiration photos into a final design you’re obsessed with. Book a free consultation with us anytime to chat custom!
For more on the custom engagement ring design process, read our in-depth blog.
What Gemstones Are Best for Engagement Rings?
Since you’ll be wearing your engagement ring every day, you want a durable stone that will hold up to the demands of your life and last forever. So, what makes a stone durable? The most important factor is hardness which is rated by a system called the Mohs hardness scale. Diamonds are rated a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale - one of the three hardest materials on Earth. This means they’re very difficult to scratch, chip, or damage. That’s why diamonds are the most popular stone for engagement rings – and also because they’re stunning, obvs!
Sapphires are our second choice for engagement rings – with a hardness of 9, they’re almost as durable as diamonds and are the hardest colored gemstone on the planet. Sapphires come in every color of the rainbow (even white which looks just like a diamond except much less expensive). Rubies, which are actually just red sapphires, are also rated a 9 and are a unique and regal engagement ring stone option. For more about sapphires, read our Ultimate Guide to Sapphires.
Other gemstones like spinel and chrysoberyl are slightly softer but still make a great engagement ring stone for those who are careful with their jewels. Read our blog on diamond alternativesfor more on which colored gemstones we’d recommend for engagement rings and which ones we’d avoid.
Of course, regardless of hardness, we always recommend taking off your engagement ring at night and during strenuous or abrasive activities. For more on caring for your engagement ring, read our blog.
Should I Choose a Stackable or Low-Profile Setting? What are the pros and cons?
Low profile engagement ring on the left & stackable engagement ring on the right
Stackable rings
"Stackable" or high-set rings have a lifted head (which holds the stone), allowing straight bands to nestle in underneath the setting and sit flush alongside your engagement ring.
Pros of stackable or high-set rings
- Makes the diamond appear larger and more prominent.
- Allows your diamond/gemstone to sparkle more with extra access to light.
- More options for stacking straight wedding bands.
Cons of stackable or high-set rings
- The added height can make your ring more susceptible to snagging on clothing and hair.
- It can be more prone to damage as it’s lifted higher off your finger.
Stackable or high-set engagement rings
Low-profile rings
Non-stackable or low-profile rings either sit very low or totally flush against the finger, leaving no room for straight bands to fit underneath the setting. For an uninterrupted fit, these rings pair best with tiara bands or curved bands which will frame your center stone in an ultra-aesthetic manner. There’s also nothing wrong with a gap in your stack if you’d rather a straight band!
Pros of low-set or non-stackable rings:
- The lower setting better protects your gem from damage and snagging if you have an especially active or high-impact ifestyle.
- Can be more comfortable to wear for some people.
Cons of low-set or non-stackable rings
- Usually only suitable for smaller stones or rose cut stones with a flat bottom. Larger stones need a lifted basket to accommodate them.
- A gemstone’s sparkle may be dulled slightly when placed in a lower setting.
- Less choices for stacking straight wedding bands (unless you don't mind a gap - we don't!) Having said that, there are infinite options for curved bands and tiara bands that add so much to the overall design – this might be a big pro for those who want a stack with height!
Low-profile rings
Can You Source a Stone I Don’t See Online?
Absolutely! The stones on our website only represent the inventory available at Misfit Diamonds, one of our favorite dealers of alternative and original stones you won’t find elsewhere. Beyond Misfit however, we have an extensive network of trusted diamond and gemstones dealers all over the world that we regularly source stones from. Whether you’re looking for something simple like a classic round brilliant diamond or something avant-garde like an octagon bi-color sapphire, we will find the stone you can’t stop staring at.
Can I Use a Family Heirloom Stone in My Ring?
At this time, we don't work with customer provided stones for custom rings.
Can You Recreate Another Jeweler’s Design?
No, we will never copy another Jeweler’s designs but we can use other rings as inspiration and a guide to discover what you like - maybe you love the raised basket on this ring, the gemstone color on that one, and the side stone shape on another.
Many custom designs begin with a Pinterest board of former Gem Breakfast rings and other rings a client loves. We specialize in translating your inspiration into a one-of-a-kind design that is incredibly distinctive yet forever timeless, that feels like you and the unique energy and history that’s yours and only yours. After all, why make a ring that someone else has when you can have an only-one-in-the-world ring, am I right?!
Will I See a Rendering of My Ring Before Production? I am struggling to imagine the final look.
Absolutely! We use a digital design program called CAD to design your setting. You’ll see true-to-life 3D renderings of your ring that show every angle of the design.
Once you’ve approved the CAD design, we make a wax rendering of the final design that looks exactly like the ring, except you know, in wax.
What If I Want to Edit My Ring Design After Seeing the Rendering?
Of course! All custom designs include 3 rounds of design edits at no extra cost. Each round typically takes about 3 days (or more depending on the complexity) until we reach your vision of perfection.
Once the design is finalized and approved by you, we move forward with production. At that point, no further design changes can be made — your custom masterpiece is in motion!
Can a custom engagement ring be resized later?
Most Gem Breakfast rings can easily be resized — up or down about 1–2 sizes. That said, some designs (like eternity bands) can be trickier, so we’ll always advise during the design process.
Pro tip: If you’re expecting, we offer free maternity resizing after you’ve had your baby — because finger sizes shift and you shouldn’t be stuck with a ring that doesn’t fit. Learn more about our maternity resizing promise.
What metals can I choose for my custom ring — and which one’s best for everyday wear?
We work with 14k and 18k gold (yellow, white, rose, and our exclusive Peach Gold), plus platinum and palladium. Each metal has its own vibe and durability perks — and the best choice depends on your style, lifestyle, and stone.
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Yellow gold is buttery, timeless, and easy to maintain.
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Rose gold brings warmth and romance
- Peach gold is the goldilocks of gold - a balance between rose and yellow gold
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White gold has that icy shine but needs re-plating over time.
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Platinum is heavier, hypoallergenic, and stays silvery forever.
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Palladium is rare, durable, and lighter than platinum.
Want a full breakdown on color, karat, patina, and pairing? Read our Ultimate Gold & Metal Guide →
How much does a custom engagement ring cost?
We create custom rings at a wide range of price points, starting around $2,500 and going up based on stone, setting complexity, and metal choice. Whether you want something minimalist or full-on maximalist, we’ll work with your budget to create a one-of-a-kind ring that never feels like a compromise.
Bonus: We never mark up custom work just because it’s “custom.” Every ring we sell is made from scratch, no stock settings ever.
How long does it take to make a custom engagement ring?
On average, the full process takes 6– 12 weeks from design to finished ring, depending on how complex your design is and how quickly we finalize the CAD. If you have a tight deadline (looking at you, holiday proposals), just let us know — we’ll do our best to accommodate!
Check out our custom ring timeline blog for a step-by-step breakdown.
Can We Meet In Person to Design My Ring?
Absolutely! If you're in the Bay Area, you can book a custom engagement ring consultation at our San Francisco showroom and work with us in person. You'll meet with Catherine or Sara (both GIA Diamonds Graduates) to explore stones, sketch ideas, and design your dream ring together — all while sipping Gem Breakfast champagne and soaking in our whimsical pink, breakfast-themed paradise.
Whether you’re just starting your ring journey or finalizing the details, an in-person appointment lets you see gemstones up close, try on different styles, and bring your Pinterest board to life. Bonus: our showroom is appointment-only, so you’ll have the whole space to yourself (plus Harper, our jewel-obsessed pup and unoffical mascot).
Want to try on engagement rings in San Francisco or plan your own custom design? Book your visit here →
Can I choose a lab-grown diamond or natural stone?
Absolutely! We work with both natural and lab-grown diamonds, and will happily walk you through the pros, cons, and vibe of each.
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Natural diamonds are Earth-made, one-of-a-kind, and hold strong long-term resale value.
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Lab-grown diamonds are optically identical to natural diamonds, often more affordable, and a great choice for more-is-more queens on a budget.
Need help deciding? Our lab-grown vs. natural diamond guide breaks it all down.
Still have questions about custom rings, gemstones, or settings? We’ve got you.
Book your free virtual consultation →
Explore our custom ring gallery →
Meet in person in San Francsico →