A Fine Jewelry & Engagement Ring Blog by Knox Jewelers

Hand Crafted vs. Casted Detailing

When purchasing an engagement ring, most people don’t think about, or even realize, how the detailing on their ring was produced. Moreover, how the techniques used to create that detailing can affect the overall quality and appearance of the piece of jewelry.

At Knox Jewelers we handcraft every ring from the ground up in several stages, using traditional and modern applications. Most of our rings are cast blank with stone seats, engraving, milgrain and filigree all carved or created by hand. We do offer some rings with cast-in-place detailing, where detailing is including in the initial cast ring.

The fine art of hand engraving is the process of using a sharpened piece of steel, called a graver, to push through the surface of the metal and create intricate patterning. The high quality, detailed engraving is created by several cuts in the metal varying in length, width and depth. The result is very similar to an artist sketching with pen on paper. It takes a jeweler years of training to fully master these hand engraving techniques.

Hand crafted filigree curls are first formed by the jeweler and then test fit it into the filigree pocket. From here he will fine tune the fit and prepare to solder it to the ring. This is an extremely delicate process that ensures the best quality filigree. Milgrain edging is the beaded border that is featured on nearly all of our vintage inspired custom rings. The jeweler will hand apply this border to ensure the finest finish.

Modern technology and resin construction techniques have now allowed finishing details like engraved-like patterns, filigree and beaded edges to be embossed directly on rings in the casting stage of design.

The benefits of handcrafted detailing include the ability of modify design elements during the creation process. These elements will also be inherently stronger and finer in detail. Finishing by hand also enables you to create the ring in mix metals. Each ring being finished by hand will guarantee your finished piece will be a unique and one-of-a-kind.

The benefit of cast-in-place detailing is that it is less labor intensive and will therefore be more cost effective if you wish to redirect your investment into a larger center stone or a greater amount of side stones.

We offer both hand crafted and cast-in-place detailing to allow you the option that is best for you and your custom created ring. Contact Knox Jewelers today and let us help you create your perfect engagement ring!

Hand-vs-Cast Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers custom engagement rings shown with hand engraving (left) and cast-in-place engraving (right).

Hand-vs-Cast-2 Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers custom engagement rings shown with hand formed filigree (left) and cast-in-place filigree (right).

Hand-vs-Cast-3 Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers custom engagement rings shown with hand applied milgrain (left) and cast-in-place milgrain (right).

Gemstone Spotlight

Diamond-Ring Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Design 3367

According to GIA, only one in every 10,000 diamonds mined will have a fancy color. At Knox Jewelers, we have created several beautiful custom rings displaying extraordinary colored diamonds, and everyone was a singular work of art. There is something almost magical about diamonds displaying an usual body color.

While fancy color diamonds have traditionally been a less desirable than their colorless counterparts, their popularity and availability has grown dramatically in the past several years. A large number of Knox patrons have recently selected colored stones and colored diamond to feature in their custom creations in place of colorless diamond.

This fancy deep brown pear cut diamond is currently featured on our online fancy colored diamond list, and is waiting to be made into a custom created masterpiece!

Fancy colored diamonds are rare and can be found in nearly every hue, with some colors being more common than others. Brown and yellow hues occur more often than the scarcely seen blues, greens, pinks, oranges, purples and reds. These diamonds will have a body color extending beyond the normal D-to-Z diamond color grading scale. They are graded on special scale, with their value increasing with the intensity and saturation of their color.

Let us at Knox Jewelers help you design a custom created piece of jewelry holding the extraordinary pear cut brown diamond featured here or any other available option on our fancy colored diamond list!

Diamond Unique Engagement Rings — Pear Cut Fancy Deep Brown Diamond

March’s Custom Engagement Ring Spotlight

1-1 Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Engagement Ring 3453

2 Unique Engagement Rings — Alternative Views of Knox Jewelers Custom Design 3453

Design 3453 is the newest addition to our ever-growing selection of custom created engagement rings. Here at Knox Jewelers we love any custom engagement ring that combines the clean lines of a contemporary setting with a little added flair of vintage detailing. The band of the ring features a double row of micro pavé diamonds held in u-cut prong settings for extra sparkle. The band leads into a crown inspired center setting that arches between its six prongs. Bead-set diamonds drape along these arches and are outlined in milgrain edging. The vintage inspired center crown and diamond set band are the prefect pairing!

This custom design centers around a gorgeous round brilliant cut diamond. The round center stone is held in an elaborate six prong setting that draws inspiration from antique engagement rings. Knox’s ability to bring any dream engagement ring to life is illustrated in this breathtaking custom piece. A classic outline with curving vintage details is the perfect way to describe Design 3453. Knox hand finishes and outstanding craftsmanship will ensure that this diamond engagement ring will last a lifetime.

3 Unique Engagement Rings — Production Photos for Knox Jewelers Custom Design 3453

4 Unique Engagement Rings — Production Photos for Knox Jewelers Custom Design 3453

Every ring at Knox Jewelers is made by hand from the ground up. We are extremely proud of our in-house design team that works tirelessly to add even the smallest details to your perfect custom engagement ring. We document the creation of our custom piece with jeweler’s eye view production photos, allowing you the chance to see your beautiful ring come to life.

This outstanding double diamond band engagement ring can be recreated to accommodate any type, shape, or size center stones. Contact Knox Jewelers today to custom tailor this design to your preferred precious metal and central gemstone selection to create your own unique engagement ring!

5 Unique Engagement Rings — Final Production Photo for Knox Jewelers Custom Design 3453

Insuring Your Custom Created Jewelry

You now hold your Knox Jewelers custom created engagement ring in your hands. You have toiled through every step of the process, hand selected your perfect center stone and customized your one-of-a-kind setting. Now its done, and you hold a tiny work of art that will become a future heirloom. There is only one final hurdle to cross before you can wear your custom ring with peace of mind, and that is having your ring insured.

It is a tragedy really, when people lose their custom created jewelry to fire, theft, misplacement or damage. It is an even greater tragedy if that jewelry was not insured for replacement. It may never be possible to replace the sentimental value place on custom engagement rings or wedding bands, but the piece itself can be recreated. We recommend insuring your custom created jewelry, so that is tragedy ever befalls it, you will not have to pay out of pocket to replace it.

The best way to figure out the right option to insure your custom jewelry is to first contact your insurance company to see what coverage is available. Most jewelry can be insured through your renters of homeowners policy, or supplemented by an additional rider. If you have neither of these, independent coverage plans are available through such companies as Jewelers Mutual.

Any ring purchased through Knox Jewelers will be accompanied by a Certificate of Sale that will include all the information you will need to have your custom pieces insured. This includes the details regarding your setting, the specifics on any gemstones featured in the setting and a photo of the piece. After several years, insurance companies may requested an updated appraisal for your jewelry. This is because values change on fine jewelry and your investment should be covered for their current replacement value.

Insuring your jewelry is always recommended. If you have any questions about insuring your Knox Jewelers custom created masterpieces, contact us today and we will assist you towards fine jewelry ownership peace-of-mind.

Gemstone Spotlight

Aqua-Earrings Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Martini Stud Earrings

Aquamarine is the green-blue gemstone variety of the mineral beryl. This pastel toned crystal has been regarded and sought after throughout history. The beryl mineral family holds several other notable gemstones including the mysterious green emerald and delicate blush hued morganite. Small traces of iron in the crystal structure of beryl causes aquamarine’s tranquil bluish-green color. Beryl often forms in large crystals, allowing for the possibility of large faceted gemstones.

The Latin word for seawater is where aquamarine received its name. It is not hard to image why when you consider the gemstone’s greenish-blue color and exceptional clarity. Aquamarine is often associated as the birthstone of March. Here at Knox Jewelers we have created several beautiful custom jewelry pieces featuring extraordinary hand selected aquamarines.

Aquamarine, and all other beryl gemstones, are not as durable as sapphire or diamond, so if you choose to set an aquamarine into one of our custom ring settings, it would need to be worn with care and might not be suitable for everyday jewelry. However, these seawater-like gemstone pair shown here could make a stunning pair of stud earrings. This round aqua gemstone pair is currently featured on our online gemstone list, and they are just waiting to be made into a custom created masterpiece!

For the past two centuries, the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais has been a major source of aquamarine and several other beryl varieties. Aquas are often discovered in the eastern regions of the state. Another important supplier of aquamarine is the elevated mines in Pakistan. Reaching these crystal deposits requires a steep climb to cliffs reaching 13,000 or more feet. These harsh mining conditions are worth the reward, aquas from these deposits are often described clear as water.

Let us at Knox Jewelers help you design a custom created piece of jewelry holding the beautiful aquamarine pair featured here or any other available option on our gemstone list!

Aqua Unique Engagement Rings — Round Cut Aquamarine Pair