Slashdot Mirror
Designing and Making Custom Wedding Bands?
dystrophy asks: "I'm planning on getting married shortly after I graduate in December. Because I'm a student who doesn't work much, I don't have tons of money to spend on an engagement ring/wedding band. After discussing this situation with friends and family, I discovered that poverty is the great equalizer. My parents designed their own wedding bands and had them cast for relatively little money because they inherited diamonds and gold from their family. Because of finances, they decided to forgo the engagement ring and spend what they had on wedding bands. I have some decent quality diamonds and gold from my family. I haven't talked to my "wife to be" about the engagement ring yet (touchy topic), but she might be willing to go with a simple engagement ring, or just put the money toward a wedding band. I have just started doing research on the topic of designing rings. I have talked to several jewelry designers in the Bay Area, but they don't want to deal with me. They want to sell me their diamonds and gold (I've heard various and interesting excuses from each). How should I go about this? Where should I go? When it comes down to the design, should I just work with my wife-to-be to create sketches to give a designer, or is something more needed? Any really cool ideas and designs for wedding bands?"
I mean, if you wanted a GPRS/Bluetooth ring, I'd understand...
Anyhow, one idea I can offer for "cool" rings, if you like black (clothes and etc), is Zirconium. It's not just for fake jewels; unlike its crystalline form, its metal state is non-tarnishing and a very cool greyish-black. My wedding ring is half zirconium, half yellow gold (like the top and bottom halves of a sandwich).
My wife has a big 'ol honkin' rock - it's a 4 carat clear Opal. It draws a lot of comment and was within our budget, but as it's a soft mineral it requires some extra care.
Perfectly Normal Industries
I haven't talked to my "wife to be" about the engagement ring yet (touchy topic)
Ewww. Good grief.
My advice. Run away, don't look back.
Buy a second hand ring. They seem to have almost no resale value what so ever.... There are way to may folks out there who spent mad cash on an engagement ring and had things go sour. Their loss, your win. Do your homework, however, and it might not be in your best interest to say it came from some dead lady's estate auction or Bob's pawn shop. Sounds like your time is cheap. Take the time to know when and what a good deal is...
Second, look for the combo engagement / wedding set. A simple 1/3 carrot diamond will save much heartache later. I'd say buy a modest CZ and swap the gem later, but that has critical fumble written all over it. You can always upgrade the gem later in life, but odds are she wont. (You will end up purchasing other jewelry later in life, however...)
Lastly, get yourself a plain wedding band. Keep it simple, second hand preferred.
+++ UGUCAUCGUAUUUCU
My wedding ring is half zirconium, half yellow gold (like the top and bottom halves of a sandwich).
Only on slashdot would you see someone describe the ultimate material symbol of his lifelong unending love, as a sandwich.
What a website!
Photos.
When my Dad passed away, my Mom had the 3 rings (engagement, his/hers wedding bands) melted down and made into a custom ring using the diamond from the engagement ring. The guy that did the work (Phoenix AZ) is an artist that specializes in jewelry, not a jeweler that does custom work. You couldn't buy the stones or the metal (gold silver whatever) from him. His work was flawless, and my Mom will be forever happy with the ring. And he did not charge jewelers prices, in fact we were all surprised how inexpensive it was, considering the obvious quality.
:)
Remember, gold usually can only me formed once or twice before surface pitting becomes a issue. Make sure any "used" gold is not a re-formed ring.
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On a side note, if you can't talk to your fiance about the engagement ring because its a "touchy subject" she may not be the one for you. Common interests and understanding speak volumes.
Good luck.
Nothing says I love you like a simple gold band engraved with the runes of the black speech of Mordor. Why years from now your spouse will be fondly calling it her "preciousss."