Dec 24, 2016

How to Design a Custom Geek Engagement Ring

First off, congratulations on getting ready to propose!

You've met the Healer to your Tank, crossed all of Middle Earth/Deep Space/Westeros to find your One, and now you want to propose with the perfect ringbecause it's dangerous to go alone (take this!): we can help.

We specialize in custom geek engagement rings. From H.R. Giger to Final Fantasy (and everything in-between), we've created many engagement rings and wedding bands for couples wanting to celebrate their love with their shared fandom.

We understand that designing a timeless piece of jewelry can be overwhelming, so we've created this guide as a helpful jumping off point so that you know what to expect (and hopefully inspire your own geek ring idea):

Custom Final Fantasy Gunblade inspired mens wedding bands

Step 1: Narrowing Down A Design

Every engagement ring starts with an initial concept which you can submit through our website's inquiry form here. You certainly don't have to have a fully fleshed out design with detailed sketches (after all, that's what we're here for), however, we will ask you to supply images of your significant other's favorite elements from the book/anime/video game you're referencing.

It can be anything such as a character or location in the series, a reoccurring symbol or motif, or an iconic weapon or set of armor. If you happen to have images saved of other ring styles that your significant other likes, you're always welcome to send those as well so that we can better understand their jewelry taste.

Rings can be atricky medium because of their limited space. Generally speaking, Takayas can typically fit 1 - 3 different design elements on a ring before your design starts to become crowded, so if you send us a lot of images, we will most likely ask you which ones you want us to prioritize for your design.

If you don't have a preference, you can always let Takayas know that he has permission to use his judgment based on what he thinks would work best with your design.

His and her Fei and Elly inspired mech wedding rings by Takayas Custom Jewelry

Step 2: Selecting Your Ring's Materials

Your ring's materials will largely be dependent on your budget, and we always try to work with you based on what you feel most comfortable spending.

We understand that some customers feel uneasy listing a budget, so if you do not list a budget, we will usually quote your ring using 14K white gold as a starting point because it's a high quality, durable metal that lends itself well to jewelry like wedding rings which are worn every day over a lifetime.

Because all of our pieces are custom made to order, we try to let you know upfront that your ring is going to cost significantly more than a standard engagement ring from a commercial retailer due to all of the time and labor that goes into creating a one-of-a-kind ring from scratch. It varies widely depending on the materials the complexity of the design, but most of our custom projects on average start at $2500 - $5000 USD.

We create all of our designs based on customer requests, but if you need budget-friendly recommendations, you are also more than welcome to ask! If you are on a budget, we typically suggest using 14K white gold and a less expensive semi-precious center stone such as a white topaz or aquamarine.

final fantasy xiv sultana nanamo and kan-e-senna engagement rings by Takayas Custom Jewelry

Step 3: The Design Process

After we have agreed on an overall concept for your ring, we will provide you with a quote based on your design and materials requests. Creating any custom jewelry piece is a very labor intensive process, so we require a first deposit of 1/3 of the total cost to cover all of the time that goes into creating your custom design.

Any time Takayas creates a geek inspired engagement ring, whether it's a Legend of Zelda or Sailor Moon theme, he spends a lot of time researching before he begins the design. If it's an anime or video game based ring, he will often times watch cut scenes on Youtube to see what a character looks like from multiple angles. We will also look up cosplays, figurine collectibles, and in-game screenshots to better understand exactly what you are asking for.

Then, once he has a feel for your design requests, he will design your ring using his 3-D computer-aided design (CAD) software. CAD enables him to create realistic rendered images of your design, and with these images, you will have a clear sense of what your finished piece will look like from multiple angles.

After we send you images, you will have the opportunity to provide any notes or revisions to your ring's design. Our first and foremost concern is that you are 100% happy with the design, and we encourage you to communicate even the smallest adjustments you would like to make.

Custom Chibi Moon and Sailor Saturn engagement rings by Takayas Custom Jewelry

Step 4: The Production Process

Once we have made any necessary modifications to your renders and you have given us your approval, we can begin production on your engagement ring! We make sure that we only proceed with casting once you are completely satisfied with your design.

The first step in the production process is Takayas will convert the CAD images you have approved into a 3-D printed wax model of your future jewelry. He will then use this wax model to cast the different pieces of your design.

Once he has finished casting the pieces, he will begin assembling them into your ring. From there, he will carefully set the stones, engrave any special requests, and put the final touches on your finished piece.