Custom Engagement Ring Timeline: From Consultation to Proposal
A custom engagement ring takes longer than buying off the shelf — but not as long as most people think. From first consultation to holding the finished ring, the process typically runs four to eight weeks. This guide walks through every stage, what happens at each one, and how to plan backwards from a proposal date.
The Short Answer: 4–8 Weeks
A custom engagement ring from Vanhess typically takes four to eight weeks from first consultation to finished ring in your hand. Simple designs (solitaire, standard stone) trend toward four weeks. Complex designs (intricate settings, rare stones, hand engraving) trend toward eight.
If you have a proposal date in mind, count backwards eight weeks and book your consultation. That gives you comfortable buffer for revisions and sourcing. If your timeline is tighter than four weeks, we may be able to accommodate — talk to us.
Stage by Stage: What Happens and How Long
Week 1
Free Consultation
We sit down — in person at our Coquitlam studio, or over a video call — and talk about what you want. Share images, describe the style, tell us your partner's personality and taste. We'll discuss budget openly, measure ring size if possible, and show you stone and metal samples. You leave with a clear plan and a realistic price range. No commitment required.
Week 1–2
Stone Sourcing
Based on your preferences and budget, we source diamond or gemstone options from our trusted suppliers. You'll see multiple stones with their grading certificates and high-resolution imagery. We explain the trade-offs between each option and make our recommendation — but the choice is yours. Stone sourcing typically takes 3–7 days depending on the specific requirements. Rare coloured gemstones or unusual sizes may take longer.
Week 2–3
Design & CAD Rendering
Mehran translates your vision into a design — starting with a sketch, then moving to a detailed 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) rendering. The CAD shows the ring from every angle: top, side, profile, on-finger mockup. You can see exactly how the stone sits, how the band profiles, where any accent stones fall. This stage includes one round of revisions at no additional cost. Most clients approve after one or two revisions.
Week 3–4
Wax Model & Approval
From the approved CAD, we create a wax model — a physical prototype of the ring that lets you see and hold the exact size, shape, and proportions in three dimensions. This is the last checkpoint before production. Once you approve the wax model, we move to casting.
Week 4–6
Casting & Metalwork
The wax model is cast in your chosen metal (14k gold, 18k gold, or platinum) using the lost-wax casting process. After casting, the raw ring is cleaned, filed, and polished by hand. The prongs or bezel is prepared for stone setting. If the design includes hand engraving, filigree, or milgrain, those details are applied at this stage.
Week 6–7
Stone Setting & Finishing
The centre stone (and any accent stones) are set by hand under magnification. Every prong is individually shaped and tightened. Pavé stones, if any, are set one at a time. After setting, the ring goes through a final polish cycle, quality inspection, and clean. We check every stone for security, every prong for alignment, and the overall finish for any imperfections.
Week 7–8
Final Reveal
Your ring is ready. We present it with photography, the grading certificate for the centre stone, a care guide, and an appraisal document for insurance purposes. You can pick up in person at our Coquitlam studio or we can arrange insured shipping.
What Can Speed Up the Timeline
Simple design
A classic solitaire with a round brilliant diamond is the fastest design to produce — fewer design decisions, standard stone shape, straightforward setting.
Standard stone size
Common sizes (0.50, 0.75, 1.00ct) in popular shapes (round, oval) are sourced fastest. Unusual sizes or rare fancy shapes take longer.
Quick approvals
Responding to design presentations within 24–48 hours keeps the process moving. The most common delay is waiting for approval between stages.
Flexible on details
Clients who trust our recommendations and don't need multiple revision rounds move through design faster. You're always in control — but decisive clients get their rings sooner.
What Can Slow Down the Timeline
Rare or specific stones: A 1.50ct unheated padparadscha sapphire or a specific shade of teal parti sapphire may take 2–4 weeks to source from international suppliers.
Intricate designs: Hand engraving, filigree work, or complex multi-stone settings add craftsmanship hours. These can extend the metalwork stage by 1–2 weeks.
Multiple revision rounds: Each revision cycle (CAD or wax) adds 3–5 days. We include one round free; additional rounds are discussed as they arise.
Holiday rush: October through December and February through April are peak engagement ring seasons. Starting earlier in the year gives more scheduling flexibility.
Planning Backwards from a Proposal Date
If You're Proposing…
Book Your Consultation By…
Buffer
December (holiday)
Early October
10–12 weeks. Peak season — source stones early.
February (Valentine's)
Early December
8–10 weeks. Holiday closures may affect suppliers.
Spring/Summer
8 weeks prior
Standard timeline. Good supplier availability.
Fall
8 weeks prior
Standard timeline. Quieter season — more scheduling flexibility.
Specific date (birthday, anniversary)
10 weeks prior
Extra buffer for a hard deadline. No risk of last-minute rush.
The Best Time to Start
Now. Even if your proposal is months away, an early consultation costs nothing and lets us source the best stones before they're taken. Engagement ring diamonds are sourced individually — the specific stone you want today may not be available next month. There's no obligation after the consultation.
What to Bring to Your First Consultation
Inspiration images: Screenshots from Instagram, Pinterest, or photos of rings your partner has admired. Even vague references ("something vintage but not too ornate") help enormously.
Ring size (if you know it): Or bring a ring your partner wears on the correct finger — we'll measure it.
Budget range: We discuss budget openly. Having a number in mind lets us show you realistic options immediately.
Lifestyle details: Does your partner work with their hands? Play sports? Wear gloves at work? This informs setting recommendations.
Timeline: When are you planning to propose? We'll work backwards from there.
Questions: Anything you've read in this guide series that you want to discuss in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to us — we may be able to accommodate a rush timeline depending on current workload and design complexity. Simple solitaire designs with readily available stones can sometimes be completed in 2–3 weeks. Complex designs with rare stones genuinely need the full timeline. We'll be honest about what's realistic. Contact us to discuss your timeline.
One round of revisions on the CAD design is included at no additional cost. Most clients approve after the first or second presentation. If more revisions are needed, we'll discuss it openly — we want you to love the design, and we'd rather get it right than rush to production with a design you're not 100% confident about.
You're involved at every stage. We present options and make recommendations based on our expertise, but every decision — stone, metal, setting, engraving, proportions — is yours. The CAD rendering and wax model exist specifically so you can see and approve the design before any metal is cut. You sign off before we proceed at every checkpoint.
With multiple approval checkpoints (consultation, stone selection, CAD rendering, wax model), it's extremely rare for a client to be unhappy with the final ring. The whole point of the process is to confirm every detail before production. If despite all that something isn't right, we'll work with you to resolve it. Our reputation is built on clients who love their rings — we don't consider a project done until you do.
In-person consultations are ideal — you can see stones under different lighting, feel metal samples, and try sizing. But we also work with clients remotely across Canada via video call, email, and shipped stone options. Many successful custom engagement rings have been designed entirely remotely. Book a consultation — in person or virtual.
Ready to Start?
Your Ring Starts With a Conversation
Book a free, no-obligation consultation. Tell us what you're imagining. We'll tell you what's possible, how long it'll take, and what it'll cost. No surprises.
