Three Diamond Oval Rings

Looking to Purchase a Diamond Ring? Here Is Everything to Prepare Before Walking Into Your Appointment

If you are reading this article, congratulations! You are interested in purchasing an engagement ring or diamond upgrade and have scheduled your appointment with a custom designer. We are so very excited to sit down with you and make this an enjoyable experience. 

At this point, you might be wondering to yourself, “What should I expect walking into my appointment?” “How should I prepare?” “Could I trade in my old jewelry towards this new upgrade?” etc. Don’t you worry! This article will help answer these questions and prepare you for a fun, exciting, and productive diamond upgrade experience.

 How Should I Prepare for My Appointment?

Gather Inspiration:


Start by browsing our website for inspiration. We have thousands of customizable ring designs to explore. Take screenshots of different designs you like, and we can combine these elements to create your dream ring during your appointment. You can also get an idea of mounting prices (the center diamond is not included in this pricing) which can help in the creation of your budget.

Research Center Stone:

After researching different mountings that you like, you can also research the center stone shape and size that you like on our website as well. You can filter by color, clarity, carat size, and more to find your perfect stone. Our diamonds are certified and ready for purchase, with transparent pricing to help you solidify your budget.

Read our blog on Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds if you're unsure about the best option for you. This article breaks down the differences between the two, helping you make an informed decision.

Prepare A Budget:

Before coming in, we ask that you come prepared with a budget in mind to discuss. We know that discussing pricing can be a touchy subject for many people, but we want to remove the stigma. Your custom designer is here to work for you, not against you. They are not commission-based employees, so you do not have to worry about them giving recommendations only to benefit themselves. They want to help you get what you want.

To help you as best as possible, we need to know your budget. This will help prevent wasting weeks of your time bringing in different stones or creating renderings that are not a good fit for your price range.

Trade-In-Trade Up:

Trade-in, Trade-up is a smart way to upgrade your jewelry collection by exchanging old or unwanted pieces—like broken chains, unworn family heirlooms, or jewelry sitting forgotten in a drawer—for a stunning new piece, such as your dream ring.

Please bring any pieces you would like to trade into your appointment so that we can have our estate evaluators determine our offer price. Typically, but not always, you will be offered a higher price to trade in your piece than selling it just for cash.

To learn more about our estate-selling process, please click here.

How Long Will My Appointment Be?

Appointments typically last from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your needs. Give yourself enough time to get all your questions answered.

How Long Will This Custom Process Take?

The time frame can vary on a wide range of factors, however, the more personally prepared you are for the first appointment, the faster the process.

Once the final design is chosen and pricing finalized, your custom piece usually takes about 4-6 weeks to make. If time is of the essence and a full custom design isn’t necessary, we’ve completed rings within a week or two depending on the request.

Final Words:

We hope this blog helps you prepare for your appointment. If you have any questions, bring them with you. We can't wait to see you soon!

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