How Much Does a Custom Engagement Ring Cost?

Most custom engagement rings cost between $1,500–$7,000, but it varies based on the diamond, design, metal, and extras.

At Mikado, we design rings from $900 to $20,000+, always with clear pricing and professional guidance to help you get the most sparkle for your budget.

But pricing is just the tip of the iceberg.

Choosing custom means navigating materials, size, setting complexity, and whether you’re going lab-grown or mined. And while some jewelers keep costs vague, we believe transparency matters.

We walk you through every step with one-on-one support and itemized clarity, no guesswork, no showroom pressure. Whether you’re designing from scratch or customizing a base style, we’ll help you stay within budget without compromising beauty or meaning.

Want to see what really goes into custom engagement ring pricing, and how to make it work for you? 

Let’s dive in.

How Much Does a Custom Engagement Ring Cost?

The 4 Core Factors That Drive Cost

No two custom engagement rings are the same, and neither are their price tags.

The total cost of a ring depends on a handful of big variables. If you understand these four core factors, you can confidently shape your dream ring around your budget instead of the other way around.

1. The Center Stone (Biggest Price Driver)

The center stone is where most of your budget goes, and that’s a good thing. It’s the visual centerpiece and often the most meaningful part of the ring.

A 1-carat lab-grown diamond typically starts around $1,500, while a 2-carat can range from $2,800–$3,500, depending on cut and clarity. The same size as a mined diamond? You’re often looking at $4,000–$8,000 and up.

That’s why lab-grown diamonds are such a game-changer.

We’ve created breathtaking 3–5 carat rings for under $6,000, and even helped a few couples design 10–12 carat showstoppers that would’ve cost six figures with mined stones.

Prefer something non-traditional? Moissanite and colored gems (like sapphires or emeralds) are growing in popularity too, and can bring the center stone cost well under $1,000.

2. Accent Stones and Hidden Sparkle

Accent diamonds, like halos, hidden halos, pave bands, and three-stone settings, can add another $500 to $2,500 to the total, depending on quantity and size.

But here’s what most jewelers won’t tell you. 

The biggest cost here isn’t the diamonds.

It’s the labor. Setting dozens of tiny stones by hand is incredibly detailed work. So whether you’re choosing lab-grown or mined for accents, don’t expect a huge cost difference; it’s the craftsmanship that counts.

3. Metal Type and Weight

Your choice of metal impacts both the look and the longevity of the ring. Platinum is the most durable, and often the most expensive. 18K gold carries more pure gold and costs more than 14K, which is slightly less yellow but harder and more scratch-resistant.

Does ring size affect cost?

Slightly. A size 4.25 will use less metal than a 7 or 8, but the savings aren’t usually more than $50–$150. It’s more about design width than finger size.

4. Design Complexity

This is where personality really shows, and where pricing can climb.

Custom engraving, Edwardian-style scrollwork, hidden birthstones, dual-tone metals, or floating halos all increase labor time and craftsmanship.

One client told us their original quote nearly doubled after adding delicate filigree and hidden design features.

If you’re thinking about a detailed or vintage-inspired design, factor in extra time and a few hundred to a few thousand dollars in cost, depending on complexity.

Custom Ring Price Ranges (With Examples)

So how much should you really budget for a custom engagement ring?

In short, it depends on your materials, design preferences, and stone size. But here’s a more helpful breakdown based on hundreds of custom rings we’ve built at Mikado and what we see across the industry:

Starter Range: $900–$2,000

If you're working with a tighter budget, you still have amazing options. A simple solitaire in 14K gold with a smaller lab-grown diamond, moissanite, or even a colorful center like amethyst or aquamarine can fall well under $2,000.

For example, we’ve designed minimalist solitaire rings starting around $900, and one recent favorite, a 14K white gold cathedral setting with a 3.5ct asscher-cut moissanite, came in at just $875. Yes, really. It’s all about knowing where to spend and where to save.

Sweet Spot: $2,500–$7,000

This is where most Mikado clients land. With a budget in this range, you can choose a lab-grown diamond between 1.5–3 carats, add a halo or pave accents, and go with 14K or 18K gold or even platinum.

One example?

A stunning halo ring in 14K rose gold, set with 0.50ct of accent diamonds, came in around $2,600. The client tweaked a base design with some custom details and still stayed well below the national average for engagement rings.

High-End Range: $10,000+

If you’re going all-in with a 2ct+ mined diamond, a three-stone setting, custom engraving, or platinum with mixed metals, you’re likely crossing into five-figure territory.

One of our favorite designs in this range was a custom three-stone ring, made in a platinum and rose gold combo, featuring hidden birthstones inside the band, a deeply personal touch.

Final cost?

A little over $6,000 with a lab-grown center, and it looked like something you’d expect to cost double that in a showroom.

Want mined diamonds and the works? That same design with a 2.5ct mined center would’ve landed closer to $12,000–$15,000.

This is where working with a pro matters. We help you align the ring you want with the budget you have, whether that’s $1,000 or $15,000. The right design strategy can unlock a lot more beauty for your money.

Why Custom Rings Can Cost So Much: A Look at the Labor

It’s easy to see the diamond and the gold. What you don’t see is everything behind the scenes, where a big chunk of the cost comes from.

A true custom engagement ring isn’t just picked from a catalog.

It starts with CAD design, where we model your ring digitally with exact proportions. From there, we 3D-print or carve a wax mold, cast the metal, set every stone by hand, and inspect the final product with jeweler’s loupes and microscopes.

Every curve, every prong, every polish pass is intentional.

So what does that mean for your budget?

• Materials: Your diamond or gemstone, gold, platinum, etc.

• Labor: CAD work, mold creation, stone setting, polishing, resizing

• Markup: Some jewelers pad this heavily; others (like us) keep it lean and clear

We’ve had many clients come to us after frustrating experiences elsewhere: paying more for less value, or being quoted thousands without ever seeing a clear breakdown of what they were actually getting.

That’s why we always walk you through what you’re paying for. No vague line items. Just transparency.

And yes, that includes helping you decide when a design upgrade is worth it, and when it isn’t.

Can Custom Rings Be Cheaper Than Retail? (Yes, Here’s How)

Let’s bust the myth right now. Custom does not automatically mean more expensive. In fact, going custom, when done right, can actually save you money.

Here’s why. 

Big retail brands build in hefty markups to cover their showrooms, advertising budgets, and sales commissions. You’re not just paying for the ring; you’re paying for the lighting, the logo, and the overhead.

Here, we skip all that.

As a boutique jeweler, we work directly with each client and operate online, so we can keep prices down without cutting corners.

For example, a fully custom ring with a 2-carat lab-grown diamond, solid 14K gold setting, and halo accents? We’ve delivered rings like that for under $3,500, rings that would easily retail for $7K or more elsewhere.

Clients are often shocked by the price difference. But the truth is simple: you’re paying for the ring itself, not the markup behind it.

Custom doesn’t have to mean extravagant. It means intentional.

You’re designing something that reflects your style and values, not a brand’s inventory. And if you’re thoughtful about materials and design choices, custom can be the smartest way to stretch your budget.

What’s the Price Difference Between Full Custom and Semi-Custom?

Not all custom rings are created equal, and not all of them require starting from a blank slate. The good news? You can get a one-of-a-kind design without paying top-tier pricing.

It just depends on how “custom” you want to go.

Full Custom Rings

When we say full custom, we mean designing your ring completely from scratch. That includes:

• Custom CAD design

• Wax modeling and casting

• Your choice of stone, metal, and setting style

This process typically falls between $1,500–$5,000 just for the setting, depending on complexity, materials, and detail. Add your center stone on top of that, and you're looking at a full build tailored to your vision from day one.

Semi-Custom Rings

Semi-custom means we start with a base design, something we’ve built before, and modify it. Think:

• Swapping a round diamond for an oval

• Adding a hidden halo

• Tweaking the band shape or metal

Because we’re not reinventing the wheel, semi-custom settings often fall under $1,200. That’s a smart way to create something meaningful without going deep into full-design territory.

Most of our clients actually choose semi-custom.

We start with a design they love, then personalize it, whether that’s adding a hidden birthstone, switching metals, or tweaking prong style.

It’s the best of both worlds: creative freedom with a price tag that feels reasonable.

“What If It Doesn’t Turn Out Like I Imagined?”

This is one of the most common (and valid) fears we hear. You're investing thousands of dollars into something you've never held, never seen in person, and what if it doesn’t match your vision?

Here’s where most custom ring experiences go wrong.

You don’t get to speak with the actual designer. You’re passed from a sales rep to a production team, or you’re working through some templated design portal. That’s where miscommunication and disappointment happen.

We do things differently.

From day one, you’re working directly with a human specialist, usually me. We talk through your ideas, share renders, go back and forth on revisions, and make sure every detail is aligned before production even starts. You’re never left in the dark.

And we don’t drag things out.

While some jewelers quote 8–12 weeks, our average turnaround is 4–6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the design. Clear expectations. Transparent updates. No surprises.

Because the only surprise you should experience is how beautiful the ring looks when it’s in your hands.

How to Make the Most of Your Budget

You don’t have to spend more to get a ring that feels like more. You just need to know where your money actually goes, and how to stretch it further.

1. Prioritize Cut Over Clarity

This one surprises a lot of people. You don’t need a flawless diamond. In fact, most high-clarity grades (like VVS1 or IF) have inclusions you’ll never see with the naked eye.

Cut quality, on the other hand, is what gives your diamond that incredible sparkle.

So if you're trying to stay within budget, choose a well-cut diamond with slightly lower clarity (like VS1 or even SI1 if eye-clean). You'll get more visual impact for less money.

2. Consider the Upgrade-Down-the-Road Strategy

If your budget is tight now, there’s no rule that says you have to start with a 2-carat stone. Many of our clients begin with a beautiful 1 to 1.5ct diamond and plan to upgrade later, for an anniversary, milestone, or even “just because.”

We design all our rings with this in mind, so upgrading your center stone later is simple and stress-free.

3. Go Lab-Grown for Accent Stones

You already know lab diamonds can save you thousands on the center stone, but they’re also smart for side stones, halos, and pave bands.

Why?

Because at small sizes, the sparkle is the same, but the cost difference adds up. It’s one of the easiest ways to get a luxe look without blowing your budget.

We’ll walk you through these trade-offs and help you build a ring that feels high-end, looks breathtaking, and stays financially comfortable.

What to Watch Out For

Custom doesn’t mean complicated, but it does mean knowing what to avoid. Here are a few red flags that can drive up costs or leave you with a ring that doesn’t hold up over time.

1. No Pricing Breakdown? That’s a Red Flag.

If a jeweler won’t show you a clear, line-by-line quote, run.

A vague “all-in” number often hides inflated markups, and it becomes impossible to tell how much you’re paying for the diamond, the setting, or the labor. 

We believe clarity builds confidence, so every quote includes a detailed breakdown of materials and design work.

2. Don’t Get Burned by Delicate Designs

We love dainty details, but only when they’re structurally sound.

Some ultra-thin bands, micro-pave settings, or ornate vintage designs may look stunning at first, but they can wear down quickly if you’re not careful.

We’ll always tell you when a design choice comes with durability trade-offs, and how to strengthen it without sacrificing beauty.

3. Mined Diamonds Aren’t “Better”, Don’t Let Anyone Tell You Otherwise

There’s a persistent myth (usually pushed by legacy retailers) that mined diamonds are superior to lab-grown.

The truth?

Lab diamonds are chemically and visually identical.

And we regularly use them in 2–5ct rings that outshine anything on a big-box showroom floor.

A good jeweler educates you. A bad one pressures you. We’re here to help you make a smart, values-aligned choice, not chase trends or tradition for tradition’s sake.

Custom Means Clarity

Let’s be honest, shopping for an engagement ring can feel overwhelming.

Not because you don’t care, but because you do. You want to get it right. You want the ring to reflect your relationship, your values, your story. But most of all, you want to feel sure.

That’s the biggest worry we hear from clients: “I’m afraid I’ll make the wrong decision.”

Our job is to take that fear off your shoulders. We guide you one-on-one through every step, from design and diamond selection to pricing and production timelines. No upsells, just honest support.

You don’t need a flashy showroom or a famous brand name to create something extraordinary. All you need is a clear vision, a thoughtful process, and someone in your corner who knows how to bring it to life.

And that’s exactly what we’re here to do.

Ready to See What Your Custom Ring Could Cost?

If you're dreaming of a custom engagement ring but unsure where to start, or how far your budget can take you, let’s talk.

Whether you want to modify a design or create something entirely from scratch, we’ll help you make every dollar count, and every detail shine.

Book a virtual consultation or explore our custom ring process to see what’s possible. No pressure. Just honest guidance from someone who’s been where you are.

Let’s make something unforgettable, together.

FAQs About Custom Engagement Ring Pricing

Still sorting through the details? These are some of the most common questions we get from couples trying to make sense of the custom ring landscape, and the answers might surprise you.

Can I Just Buy the Setting Without a Diamond?

Absolutely. Many clients come to us with a center stone already picked out, whether it’s a diamond, moissanite, or colored gem, and we custom-build a setting around it.

Setting-only projects typically cost between $800–$2,500, depending on the design, metal, and any accent stones.

Why Don’t Some Jewelers Show a Pricing Breakdown?

Because they don’t want you to see the markup.

A lump-sum quote makes it hard to tell what you’re really paying for. Here, we do things differently. We believe you deserve to know what every part of your ring costs, from the CAD design to the last melee diamond.

Is Local Cheaper Than Online?

Not necessarily.

Some local jewelers are great; others rely on outdated inventory and high-pressure sales. What really matters is transparency and flexibility, not whether your jeweler is five minutes away or five states over.

Our clients often try on styles in-store, then come to us for better value, design support, and clarity.

What If I Want to Finance My Ring?

We get it, dropping several thousand dollars at once isn’t always doable. That’s why Mikado offers financing options like Affirm, as well as layaway and discounts for bank wire payments. If you love the design, we’ll help you find a way to make it work.