06/12/2026
Am I the crazy one here? 😅
UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who took the time to educate me! 🙏❤️
I should have clarified that I've never purchased fine jewelry before and honestly had no idea how the process worked. A special thank you to the jewelry designers who explained the amount of time, skill, and effort that goes into creating CADs and mockups—I genuinely didn't know.
I would never intentionally disrespect an artist or expect free work. I understand now why designers charge for that service. The internet isn't always great at nuance, but I appreciate everyone who shared their perspective.
That said... I still know I'm a little crazy. 😂
For context, this is my engagement ring, and I absolutely love it. We purchased it from an Etsy designer because I wanted lab-created stones and something affordable. It's gorgeous, and I'm thrilled with it.
Now we're getting married in October, and I'm trying to find a custom wedding band that complements the shape and style of my ring. I don't want to work with the original designer again because we had significant issues with shipping and communication.
I've reached out to several other Etsy jewelers, but most either want me to choose a band design before they'll create a rendering or charge a fee for CADs of potential options. Initially, I found that frustrating because my ring isn't a traditional shape, and I felt like I needed to see a few mockups before committing to a design that could cost $500+.
After hearing from so many of you, I now understand why that process works the way it does. Still, I'd love any advice from people who've been in a similar situation. Did you work with an online designer, find a local jeweler, or try on bands in person with your engagement ring?
Thanks again for all the helpful feedback! ❤️💍
