Custom by Sophie Hughes

Our Custom process offers you the opportunity to personalize Sophie’s signature designs through customizations like band style, design alterations, metal color, and hand-selection of your own diamond from a collection curated just for you!

Sophie thoughtfully designs each ring to be hand-crafted in our in-house Boston studio, all with meticulous attention to detail and our client's requests. We love collaborating with our clients to create their dream ring, each one unique and truly singular to them!

Our Process

1. We love to kick things off by connecting over a Discovery Call! We'll guide you through all of our options for creating or choosing your perfect engagement ring, and answer your key questions.

2. At a private showroom appointment, we'll dive into the collaborative process of honing the vision for your dream ring. We'll try on rings, look at samples, and chat in depth about diamonds, the wearer's lifestyle, and everything else you need to know to make an informed and stylish purchasing decision.

3. Your ring will be meticulously hand-crafted from scratch, around the stone of your choice and to your particular measurements, by our in-house Boston studio team, in about 8-12 weeks.

4. Once your ring is complete we'll coordinate with you to arrange a pick-up date, or a discrete and secure delivery, at your convenience.

Custom Ring FAQs

Where are your rings made?

Our rings are made at our in-house Boston studio, by Sophie and her team. Sophie personally sets each diamond. You might get a peek at the studio when you visit!

What metals do you use?

All of our metal is recycled, prioritizing recirculation over new mining - without compromise to the integrity of the material. Our signature metal is an 18k yellow recycled gold, and nearly all of our jewelry is crafted in this. The color is bright and luscious, it's durable, and it's a dream to work with in the studio! For our white, we love 18k grey recycled gold (scroll down for more info), available by special order. We can also do most styles in 14k gold by special order.

What kind of diamonds do you use?

We specialize in reclaimed diamonds - a.k.a. vintage and antique diamonds - that have lived a prior life, and allow us to avoid contributing to new mining. Even our melee is reclaimed (unusual!). Every reclaimed diamond set in our Ready-to-Wear rings is hand-selected by Sophie for its distinctive beauty and unique character. Unlike much of the industry, we focus on high-clarity “VS+” stones, skipping over lower “SI” grades, to ensure each diamond’s integrity and brilliance. Our natural diamonds (generally .50ct+) come with a GIA report, the leading diamond quality evaluation.

Do you offer lab grown diamonds?

Yes! Upon request, we offer SCS-Certified Sustainable lab grown diamonds in made-to-order and custom rings. Unlike typical lab grown diamonds, which require massive amounts of energy—often from fossil fuels—our sustainable diamonds are grown using renewable energy, have a fully traceable chain of custody, and support their local communities and environments. Modern innovation meets true sustainability and ethical responsibility.

Can I choose my diamond?

Absolutely! Following a review of diamond qualities with you, Sophie and team will curate a collection of diamonds personally for you, based on your preferences (shape/cut, color, carat weight, etc.). After Sophie carefully reviews each stone to ensure it meets her quality standards, we will meet with you to present our favorites for your selection.

I have my own family heirloom diamond or metal - can you use it?

Please inquire about your specific family heirloom diamond by sending us an email with a photo and any documentation you have on the piece. The diamond will need to still be in its original setting, must be round, and must be over .50ct. The heirloom piece must be appraised, and insured with Jewelers Mutual. Though we truly cherish the sentiment and the sustainability of reuse, our studio is unfortunately unable to use clients' gold, gemstones other than diamonds, or small diamonds ("melee" a.k.a. "chips").

How much does a custom ring cost?

We work with our clients to learn about their desired investment up front, so we can present the best options to maximize their budget. Prices vary based on diamond characteristics, as well as the ring design. You can get a rough sense of pricing by exploring our existing collection of Ready-to-Wear Engagement Rings.

Can you make a ring like X?

We love seeing inspiration and may be able to weave elements into your design, but even our custom designs are true to Sophie's aesthetic. We do not replicate other designer's work. Sophie's custom designs are directly based off of her existing portfolio.

Do you offer Salt-and-Pepper Diamonds or Montana Sapphires for custom rings?

Unfortunately, due to limited availability and other considerations, we are not currently able to source Montana Sapphires or alternative diamonds for custom rings.

Do you make custom wedding bands?

There are lots of customization options for your wedding bands, such as band width, gold color, diamond placement, and metal finish! We can also tweak the curve of many bands for you, however we do not make fully-custom wedding bands (i.e. "shadow bands").

How long will it take to receive my ring?

Our custom rings take 8-12 weeks to hand-craft, following your final design decisions and deposits. Times can vary depending on design complexity and our current production schedule. Please be in touch if you have a shorter timeline, and we can advise regarding options with a quicker turnaround.

How will my ring be delivered (if shipping)?

Your ring will arrive tucked in a slim ring box that can fit discreetly in your pocket. The ring box & diamond report will be packaged securely in a larger express shipping box, with care in a discrete box without logos. It will be sent to you via express shipping, typically overnight. Most importantly, the package will be insured and will require a signature for delivery. We also have same-day local courier options.

How do I find out my (or my partner’s) ring size?

For the most accurate size, we recommend visiting our shop so we can size you in person. You can also pop into a big-box store for an accurate sizing. Alternatively, plastic sizers can be purchased here.

Can my ring be resized?

We offer one complimentary resizing within 90 days of purchase for engagement rings. Resizing typically takes 1–3 weeks. When purchasing an in-stock ring, we suggest sticking with the current size for now, so we can resize it accurately when we’re able to measure the recipient. We craft our rings at a common average size. There’s a limit to how much rings can be resized, and eternity bands cannot be resized, so be sure to inquire if you have concerns.

What is 18k Grey Gold?

18k Grey Gold is a premium gold alloy that contains palladium, a metal in the platinum family. It holds a polish much better than platinum, which can dull over time. We love it for its warm undertones and strength. It’s a nickel-free hypoallergenic option (unlike traditional white gold), making it the perfect choice for someone who prefers white gold but has a nickel sensitivity. Additionally, Grey Gold doesn’t require the rhodium plating traditionally done over white gold - thus avoiding a toxic process and headaches of frequent re-plating upkeep.

What sort of upkeep will my ring need?

Jewelry will require some maintenance over time, and we're here for you! Metal and diamonds are strong, but not invincible - your jewelry should be worn thoughtfully and serviced periodically. We recommend removing your jewelry for any heavy lifting, exercising, washing dishes, swimming, long bike rides, gardening, and any other metal-to-metal contact. Prongs should be checked for tightness every six months, and we're pleased to offer this service complimentary as well as complimentary cleanings. For at-home cleanings of gold and diamond jewelry, you can use warm water and dish soap - more info here.