Want an engagment ring that doesn’t exist yet? That’s the magic of going custom. It takes a little more time, sure—but you’re not here for off-the-shelf designs. You’re here to create something wildly personal and worth the wait.
In this guide, we’re breaking down exactly how long it takes to make a custom engagement ring—from your first mood board moment to that glorious package arrival (yes, we track it obsessively too).
Ready to start designing now? Head here →
Curious about our full process? We wrote you a guide →
Need some inspo? Peek our custom gallery →
So...How Long Does It Take to Make a Custom Engagement Ring?
Most custom rings take about 6–8 weeks from consultation to delivery. We’ve created some in as little as 3 weeks, and others can take a little longer—especially if we’re sourcing rare stones, tweaking designs, or making something ultra-intricate.
Quick Timeline cliffsnotes:
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Consultation:1 week
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Stone Selection: 1–3 weeks
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CAD Design + Revisions: 1–2 weeks
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Production: 4–6 weeks
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Apprasial + Shipping: 1 week
Step-by-Step Custom Ring Timeline
Step 1: Consultation + Stone Sourcing (2-3 Weeks)
Your custom ring starts with a design consult—virtually or in person at our San Francisco showroom—where we talk vision, vibe, and budget. We’ll chat for 30-45 mins and get to know you, your aesthetic, and every detail you’re envisioning. We’ll go through your inspo (Pinterest boards, saved posts, or even notes on what not to include), and we’ll walk you through gem options, gold tones, timelines, and ring size (don’t worry if you don’t know it - we can mail you a sizer or guess from a photo if it’s a surprise).
We sourceethical gemstones from trusted partners worldwide—including sapphires, colored gems, andresponsibly sourced diamonds. We prioritize mine-to-market stones likeMontana Sapphires and Australian sapphires, and support fair-trade programs likeMoyo Gems, which empower women miners in East Africa.
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Stone sourcing typically takes 1–3 weeks — less if you fall in love with one of our in-stock stones.
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Once we finalize your gem and your vision, you’ll place a $200 design deposit, which is credited towards your stone purchase.
Already have a deadline in mind? Let’s plan it out early.
Explore Loose Stones →
Book Your Free Consult
Step 2: CAD Design + Revisions (1–2 Weeks)
Now it’s time to see your dream ring take shape—digitally, at least. We’ll create 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) renderings that show every curve, angle, and prong in crisp, true-to-life detail. It’s like a preview of your ring before it exists IRL. You’ll give feedback, we’ll make tweaks, and together we’ll perfect the design down to the tiniest detail before we get to crafting the real thing.
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You’ll receive up to 3 rounds of edits—each round typically takes 3 days or more. Don’t worry, most people are elated after 1 or 2 small tweaks.
- Once the design is approved, we'll collect a 75% deposit and move into production.
Step 3: creating your ring (4-6 Weeks)
From there, our artisans get to work - casting, setting, polishing, and hand-engraving your ring. Every ring is crafted by hand, no stock settings, no shortcuts—just obsessive attention to every last millimeter.
Curious how things are going? Just say the word—we’re always happy to send progress pics and videos as your ring takes shape.
Step 4: Final Touches, appraisals + Shipping (1 Week)
We complete the final polish, do a thorough quality check, and add any finishing touches like extra hand-engraving. Need engraving inspo? →
Want an appraisal for insurance or peace of mind? We work with a trusted third-party Gemologist in San Francisco who can appraise your ring for $150 in about a week. Totally optional, or you're welcome to use your own appraiser. Read more about appraisals →
Your ring ships in a stunning proposal-ready box, fully insured via overnight or two-day shipping. Signature required on delivery.
What Can Affect Your Custom Ring Timeline?
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Stone Sourcing: Custom cuts or ultra-rare gems can add time but are always worth it if you’re not short on time.
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Design Complexity: Intricate details or complex layouts can take a little longer.
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Revisions: Each design tweak adds a few days, and multiple rounds may extend the timeline.
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Holiday Rush: November–February and May–July are busy seasons—order early to stay ahead.
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Your Responses: Quicker replies = a quicker ring!
Tips to Keep Your Timeline On Track
If you’ve got a proposal date (or just don’t want to wait), here’s how to keep things moving:
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Let us know your deadlines right from the beginning
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Come with inspo pics and stone preferences
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Respond as quickly as you soon to CADs and design edits.
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Get started 2–3 months before your ideal proposal date, especially if you’re planning to travel. This leaves enough time for every stage of the process.
Rare bi-color pink-blue emerald cut sapphire custom engagement ring
Reviews From Our Custom Engagement Ring Clients
Cate's Custom Engagement Ring
“My husband worked with Sara to design my custom engagement ring, so when it was time to select a wedding band there was no question we’d be returning to Gem Breakfast. We worked with Sara to select a perfect ombré of 5 sapphires for a band to complement my existing center stone in the engagement ring. After a number of iterations, we landed on a perfect design and set of stones. I get compliments on my stack all the time! I’m completely obsessed with the final result.”
Nicole's Custom Engagement Ring
“My fiancé and I worked together to design my ring with Cat and her team and they were communicative, responded quickly to emails about feedback on design, and was so helpful to my fiancé about finishing touches and getting it to him in time for our trip during which he planned on proposing. It came out beautiful, fits perfectly and I'm just in love! Highly reccomend working with Cat and her team.”
katherine's Custom Engagement Ring
“After Gem Breakfast cooked up my dream engagement ring I knew I had to come back for the band to complete the stack. Sara and the chefs literally made my dreams come true. I’m soooo obsessed and can’t wait to come back for my next piece. 1000000/10”
vera's Custom Engagement Ring
“We had an absolutely amazing experience designing our custom ring with GB. From the initial chat all the way to delivery it was a smooth and transparent process. The team's dedication to making our dream ring as perfect as possible payed off big time. We are just so happy with the result! I wouldn't change a thing. Shout out to Sara and Catherine for keeping up up to date throughout and working so hard to make it perfect ❤"
FAQ: Custom Engagement Ring Timelines
Can I rush a custom ring order?
Sometimes! Let us know your timeline—we’ve made it happen in 3–4 weeks depending on the design.
What if I already have a stone?
We don’t work with heirloom stones at this time.
How much does it cost to make a custom engagement ring?
For a fully bespoke engagement ring, we recommend budgeting at least $2,500. Our simplest custom solitaire setting, Stella, starts at $1025 without the stone and can be made with natural diamonds, lab diamonds, or colored gemstones. We can work with almost any budget to create a one-of-a-kind design you’ll never stop staring at.
See what’s possible at every budget—from under $5k to $9k and beyond.
Is it worth getting a custom engagement ring?
If you want a ring that’s one-of-a-kind and completely captures the essence of your partner —custom is the way to go. You choose the stone, the setting, the gold, the engraving, and end up with an heirloom exclusively made for you.
Can I start designing before I’m 100% sure?
Totally. You don’t need to have it all figured out—half the fun is dreaming it up together. We’ll help you explore the possibilities and get the ideas flowing.
Do I have to visit in person?
Nope—we work with clients around the globe virtually. But if you’re ever in San Francisco, swing by our showroom for a jewelry date with our Chefs!
Is it worth the wait?
Always. You’re not just getting a ring—you’re creating a once-in-a-lifetime original.
Start Sooner Than You Think
Most custom engagement rings take 6–8 weeks from the first consult to finished ring, but we always recommend starting early. If you're dreaming of something one-of-a-kind, the best time to start is now!