By Max Janssen
One of the most rewarding parts of what we do at Diamond Soirée is take a dream ring idea from a client and turn it into something real.
I always tell my clients that part of what I love most is that process— each person getting their input of how they see that vision taking shape, leaving them with not only a beautiful ring, but a sentimental story they share of how they created it together.
In 2026, a large majority of couples are making custom engagement rings, and more and more are insisting on designing the ring together. Many times, jewelers can’t carry everything in stock, which is exactly why the ability to adapt, create, and personalize every detail has become so important.
So what does that process actually look like behind the scenes? How does a simple idea turn into a fully crafted ring?
Let’s walk through the steps of creating a vision with a client:
Starting the Journey — Diamond Selection & First Designs
A lot of the time, it starts simply, with a shape they like, a few photos saved on their phone, or just a feeling of what they want it to be.
I usually begin by asking if there’s anything they’ve seen that they’ve connected with, or even just a shape they’re curious to try on. That first step is really about exploring.
There’s no pressure in this part. Sometimes clients come in with a very clear idea of what they want, but end up falling in love with something completely different once they see it on their hand. The goal early on is to cast a wide net.
Once we start narrowing things down — the diamond shape, size, and overall design direction — that’s when things begin to take form. I’ll typically start with an initial hand sketch so clients can fully visualize the piece. It helps bring everything together, making sure the proportions feel balanced and that the center stone complements any side stones or design details.
If someone is deciding between a few ideas, I’ll often sketch multiple options. Seeing them side by side makes it much easier to understand what truly resonates.
From Sketch to Screen — 3D & 360° Renderings
Once we’ve reviewed the sketches and have a clear direction, we move into creating a 3D design, or CAD, along with a full 360° rendering of the ring. This is where everything really starts to come together visually.
The CAD includes a rendering of the ring from all angles, so clients can see each detail
On our end, the CAD gives us much more than a sketch. It allows us to understand exactly which diamonds are needed, how each component of the ring fits together structurally, and also helps us determine the amount of metal required to bring the piece to life.
For the clients, it’s how things start to feel real. They can fully see the ring in color from all different angles, and turns their idea into something they can connect with, before it’s even made.
The ring then becomes a fully in color 360 rendering, so its easier to see everything as it will look finished
Bringing the Ring to Life — Into Production
When a ring receives the final approval from our clients, we move onto the last step before the ring is put on a finger: production.
It begins with the casting process. The CAD design we created together is first 3D printed into a wax model of the ring. That wax model is then placed into a kiln, where it melts away, leaving behind a perfect mold of the design. From there, molten gold is poured into the mold, forming the ring exactly as it was envisioned.
Once the base of the ring is created, our skilled jewelers take over. Each diamond is carefully set by hand, and the piece goes through a detailed polishing process to bring out its full shine.
Polishing is one of the final stages of the process-- it ensures the ring has a fresh, clean finish and is ready for wear
Finally, our clients have a fully realized piece, created from the vision that they built with each other
The Big Moment — Ring Pickup & The Proposal
One of the best parts of this entire process for me is seeing a client’s reaction when they see their ring for the very first time. There are always lots of smiles (and sometimes a few tears), as we go over every detail together, and I start asking about the plans for proposal
For me, the engagement ring is just the beginning. What matters most is the relationship that comes from it. From wedding bands to anniversaries, push presents, and all the moments in between, I love being part of each new chapter in their story.
My goal is simple — that every client walks away not just with a ring, but with a sense of trust, knowing they have someone they can come back to for anything they need.
