Traditionally, diamonds are thought of as the gem of choice on an engagement or wedding ring and most of our rings on http://ringsunique.com/ are shown with the ever sparkling radiance of diamonds.
However, an artistic customer from Switzerland asked for a variation of an imaginative custom ring using a variety of gemstones in different colors, no diamonds.

This ring is the hand carved and engraved Imagine #3 ring, definitely a favorite. It 10mm wide and showcases botanical designs like a walk through a garden. We call it the “Vine and Leaf” band in 14k white gold with 6 small but very high quality gems, each fully faceted, for a total carat weight of about 0.40pts. They sparkle like the sun’s rays on an ocean of blue-green water.
Our Swiss customer asked for the highest quality gemstones, two sapphires, two emeralds and two alexandrites instead of diamonds. These were top AAA quality natural gemstones, carefully selected by the ring designer for color, balance and beauty. The result is a painting as lovely as a Monet canvas with soft colors ever-pleasing to the eye. A glance at this lovely ring will bring a smile each time, and the warmth of its glow will never fade over a lifetime.
Her comment yesterday was “…thank you so much I love it. I really enjoy how the alexandrite changes colors in different lights. I will send you a nice picture with it when I get chance. Thanks again, it is so me.”

What is your unique? Find it, design it and create it with Rings Unique.

The Damascus steel “Forged” rings are a great collection with amazing fluid-like patterns in the hardest of metals. They are made from re-cycled iron and steel…folded and forged like blacksmithing, a very difficult 20 step process with each one unique. They are not stainless steel but they do not rust because of daily wear and tear as well as the oils from your hand help preserve the metal.

Forged Sea Floor Damascus Click for video

The #10 Forged Sea Floor design is super cool, a ring that is wonderful to look at each day. It is about 7mm wide, has filaments of gold we call Seaweed along with small diamonds and multiple gold dots. Shown is an 18k yellow gold lining and edges which is very distinctive.

RINGS UNIQUE is a specialty of Clarksville Gallery, a legendary retailer of fine upscale gifts and jewelry in Austin, TX since 1976. We believe purchasing an engagement or wedding ring is far more than buying a piece of metal with diamonds or gemstones. A ring should be a personal reflection of a person receiving it, the person giving it and your relationship.
We are picky about this, as each ring we provide is custom made to the exact specifications of the individual. We have helped hundreds of couples all across America and many worldwide.
Here is our philosophy:

First, a wedding ring is far more than an object of jewelry. It is a symbol of commitment and love to another. Unlike anything else in the jewelry box or personal wardrobe, a wedding ring is worn every day. With such a personal piece of symbolic jewelry, it should represent love to one another, a relationship, the person’s personality, and become part of a person’s life.
Second, wedding rings can be mass-produced by the hundreds, made wherever, and easily seen at mall jewelry stores all over the country. Usually, these are available in large quantities and only need to be quickly sized for the customer. For some, this is just fine but they are not unique, they are not personal and they say little about the relationship. They are just objects. For us, rings are made by the “ones.”
Third, wedding rings can be custom made only for the individual. This usually takes a little more effort than several web searches or visits to jewelry stores. Custom rings are best viewed at small boutique jewelry stores or galleries, at a jewelry artist studio, maybe a local art fair or on less visible web pages.
Fourth, custom making a ring just for the individual and partner requires some introspection about who you are, your partner’s personality, some imagination about what you want. It will require patience as the person considers designs, metals and use of gemstones. But, for a small discriminating segment of the population, this is the only path to follow.
Fifth, a “unique wedding ring” should meet these criteria:
• It should be custom made from start to finish just for the individual;
• Its design and craftsmanship should be of the highest quality, using the finest materials available;
• It should be made in a studio at a jeweler’s workbench, not in a factory;
• It should be signed by the artist;
• It should be uncommon with design and details only you have personally selected;
• Most importantly, it should make you smile, warm your heart and affirm daily your life’s relationship with another person.
We urge you to take some time to view hundreds of handcrafted ring ideas at www.ringsunique.com Then contact us at ringsunique@gmail.com or 1-877-907-9079 for your personal ring design and a handcrafting experience unlike any other.
What is your unique? Find it, design it, create it.

When an internet search is conducted for Gibeon Meteorite rings, thousands of results show mostly common looking rings with gold or palladium linings and edges, some even with with wood, how puzzling…keep durability in mind.
With so many standard ordinary looking rings, one must ask: Where’s the unique? Are these for you?
The best way to envision your many options is to take a look at this collection of a few recently made custom Meteorite rings.
We believe the best way to stretch the envelope of Meteorite ring design follows a customer asking: “Can you, would you, could you? “Our answer is “Of Course.” (B)ring it on!

Rings Unique works with each customer to find out what unique style excites them. So far, we have made rings in dozens of different combinations. Here are a few:

• Flat surface with straight narrow rails in “precious” metals or “performance” metals;
• Flat surface with quarter-rounded narrow or wide rails;

Damascus Lined


• Rounded meteorite with narrow or wide rails;
• Rounded meteorite with stepped edges;
• Meteorite lined in Damascus stainless steel (For the warrior, can you handle it?);
• Satin, stone, polished or hammered edges;
• You name it, we can probably do it.

Finally, we ask this simple question: What is your unique? Find it, design it, create it.

A helpful diamond tutorial and new diamond search utility are part of Rings Unique.com

For the first time, we are offering users an opportunity to search for a lovely diamond during their visit to America’s top website of unique handcrafted rings. This significant enhancement to our website places a vast inventory of certified and conflict free diamonds at the fingertips of visitors as they review our artistic designs for beautiful custom made engagement rings.

We have always insisted that a custom unique engagement ring should have a high quality diamond or gemstone of excellent pedigree to complete and balance the design.  For us, it is still design first, diamonds second. But, a single diamond search on Rings Unique was not possible. Today, an easy to use guide helps a visitor learn about diamond characteristics and review hundreds of diamonds with search capability for the 4 C’s of diamonds–carat weight, color, clarity and cut. And remember, we always stress a 5th C–cost as well as a 6th C–confidence. All of these factors must come together for a viable diamond search.

Rings Unique showcases engagement and wedding ring creations from the top independent designer jewelers in the country. These ring designs are not found in standard jewelry stores or internet sites. They are made only for the individual by the ones, not by the thousands for the masses. These are the designs that capture the “unique” of the individual wearing it and get rave reviews and applause from those that see the breathtaking design and craftsmanship.

At Rings Unique we ask this simple question:

What is your unique? Find it, design it, create it.

“From vision to reality” is the theme we constantly cherish as couples define their “own unique” in search of a wedding ring that will reflect their journey together.

Recently, local couple Richard and Minna, decided to adapt a favorite design from the Eternity Collection, the #2 ring, to their own special ideas and relationship. Working with top Rings Unique designer jeweler, Timothy Sens, a wax model of a double diamond ring was created for approval. Several meetings were held with slight modifications until the perfect look was achieved.

The model was crafted in the tradition of “Lost Wax Casting” then polished into a perfect ring with two 0.25ct. diamonds.
In this ever-changing world of new contemporary commercial metals, gold still remains the universal standard for wedding rings, clearly the most important and enduring piece of jewelry a person will ever wear.

Here are some interesting facts about gold detailed in a pamphlet by Stuller:

• For thousands of years, gold has been the symbol of love and commitment since as early as 200 AD;
• Gold symbolizes the timelessness of marriage;
• Gold has been an essential part of celebrating love and commitment from Roman marriage rings to those worn by soldiers in WWII,;
• Gold is easily malleable, yet strong, allowing for a wide range of designs;
• Gold warms to body temperature making it extremely comfortable to wear;
• Gold is re-sizable, making it ideal for a lifetime of enjoyment;
• Gold is priceless as a symbol of your commitment, but is priceless as well to your children and children’s children; a gold ring purchased 25 years ago is worth ten times that amount today;
• Gold is a rare naturally occurring element, no metal has ever been as sought after or captured mankind’s imagination more; all the gold ever mined could fit into two Olympic swimming pools;
• Gold does not corrode or tarnish and can be subjected to the elements and intense pressure without being destroyed. The oldest gold jewelry dates from 6,000 years ago and looks the same today as when first created.

What is your vision for a unique gold ring for your marriage? Let us help it become reality.

Our new slogan: What is your Unique? Find it, design it, create it.

We were challenged recently to make an engagement ring with a diamond halo for a local woman with a smallish 3 1/2 finger size. This request enabled us to work with Stuller, Inc., the country’s leading supplier and supporter of small independent retailers like Rings Unique in Austin, TX.

This contemporary design is not featured on our site http://ringsunique.com/ so we had to improvise with Stuller’s latest technology in CAD assisted rendering to achieve the customer’s wishes.

This was an amazing learning and crafting process, beginning first with a ring design specifically for the customer. Once approved, we sourced a lovely 0.76ct. center diamond with Hearts and Arrows for the center stone.

Of special interest was the special attention paid to the mounting to hold the diamond. You see, the diamond was completely mapped by the CAD system so the tiniest metrics of the diamond could be perfectly set exactly in the head. Most jewelers would simply have bent the prongs over the stone, job done. In contrast, this custom setting accounted for every detail of the diamond…variances in width, micro changes in the girdle faceting, table and depth proportions and other dimensions. The result was a mounting totally custom made for the diamond, fitting only one way. Then the diamond was perfectly set by hand and secured with the prongs. Perfect!!

This video captures most of the process to craft Sarah’s engagement ring.Making Sarah’s Ring_0001

We learned that there is a new generation of CAD capability that will help with custom crafting a unique engagement ring. We will be incorporating this technology with new designs from Rings Unique to help with complex rings.

And with this capability, we can confidently ask and answer this question:

• What is your unique?
• Find it, design it, create it.

 

It is not uncommon for a woman with a lovely engagement ring to ask us to custom make a wedding ring to snug fit as her bridal set. Last week, sweet Megan, with a beautiful emerald cut blue sapphire engagement ring, offered us the opportunity to make her wedding ring. She was very enthusiastic about the project and gave us her engagement ring for about a week so we could craft a perfect fit wedding ring. In the meantime, she wore a homemade engagement ring using a button fastened with a twist tie, how inventive. She received a lot of comments about this.

Click this link to watch the process: Megan’s Wedding High Res

The resulting wedding ring was perfect and she loved it.

Her fiance, Patrick, is getting a Patterns Mokume ring.

You will never meet a more delightful couple.

What is your unique? Find it, design it, create it with us.

 

We need to get the right size the first time otherwise there will be frustration and disappointment. Remember, our rings are custom made from start to finish so a proper size is essential. We can certainly re-size a ring, but it leads to anxiety and expense, leaving the fiancee to wonder just how serious was the presentation and how much planning did the person really do to find a ring that fits her “unique” both finger size and design.

Let’s not guess. Here are some ideas how to do this:

1. Get an existing ring worn on a ring finger and take it to a jeweler to get it sized. Likely it will be from a right hand, not the wedding ring finger from the left hand. If the person is right handed, we should drop the size by 1/2.
2. Go play at jewelry stores and pretend to shop for rings. Make sure you get finger sized for both of you and remember it, write it down. Actually go to several stores even though most of the rings you will see will be the same, but at least you will get confirmation of finger sizes.
3. Call a family relative or a best friend as they may be able to help you.
4. Flat out ask: Do you know your finger sizes because I was thinking about getting you a goofy-fun ring?
5. I could send you a sizing kit, a plastic template with lots of sizes to punch out and try on. You could make a game out of it, pretending to get your size for each other. Put the sizers on all fingers…that would really be fun.

 

This picture captures a magical moment when local customer Joel Bush presented lovely Jennifer with her ring. Joel and I discussed the ring size often before we custom made her ring from our Timeless collection at this link: http://ringsunique.com/art-deco-antique-style-rings/timeless/ Amazingly the exact presentation was photographed in real time by a passer-by photographer. This perfect picture made it to various websites, even local TV, but most importantly into the hearts of this lovely couple. What a privilege to have helped them. Read more about this here: http://mashable.com/2012/08/03/marriage-proposal-reddit/

QUESTION: What is the best method for ring sizing a finger?

ANSWER:   The absolute best method is a visit to a jewelry store to discuss proper sizing with a competent jewelry professional. Most jewelry stores have the circle of sizes, narrow or wide, from a size 1 to a size 15, shown here. Use the narrow one please. If you are extra large, we also have a circle of sizers from a size 16 to a 24 which we could send if necessary.
A proper finger size is when a ring sizer slips on over the knuckle (the left hand ring finger) with light effort, then a touch harder effort to slide it back off. A ring should be comfortable but secure for normal daily wear. A ring with a center diamond should be snug, not only for security but to also make sure the stone stands up straight and does not flop from side to side. Also, the wider the ring, the more a bump in finger size should be considered.

Rings should never be worn swimming as cool water shrinks and lubricates the finger so a ring slips off easily. Many a ring has been sacrificed to the water gods.
The plastic template shown here (and we provide free for finger sizing upon request) is actually quite accurate. It has whole and 1/2 sizes to punch out and try on. It is best to wear a sizer about the house (or show it off to friends as your new blue ring) to see if it is right for you. We can make rings in 1/4 sizes also.

Do not use a string or a paper sizer off the internet, a very bad idea and quite inaccurate.

Your ring size should be discussed with Rings Unique owner, Tom Quilter, as some of the artist custom made rings vary slightly from center sizing to leading edge sizing.
Next time, I will be talking about covert finger sizing if you want keep the unique engagement or wedding ring a secret until presented.

Thank you, Tom  1-877-907-9079

Many couples want matching wedding rings, reflecting each person’s bond and love for another. In many situations, this is simple…just buy or order the same ring in different sizes or widths and voila, you have matching rings.

But these are not unique nor are these wedding rings made only for the couple.

In contrast, there is a technique where two rings are made from the same source and are unique for the couple only. This is called Mirror Image where a billet of folded Mokume Gane is sliced to produce matching rings intended for only one couple. The top artist and designer jeweler for this is George Sawyer whose work is showcased in the Patterns collection on <www.ringsunique.com>

Rings Unique has helped many couples with this unusual artful technique. Recently, we arranged for a Texas couple to acquire Mirror Image rings in mokume using three colors of gold, each layer separated by etched copper. This image shows how the wood grain of each ring mirrors the other, just flip one ring over the other and you will see how the match works.

Here is also a quick video that shows similar Mirror Image rings made about a year ago using a two colors of gold along with sterling silver and copper. This is mesmerizing.

IMG_0620 Click to view.

With twelve color palettes available and many options for adding diamonds or gemstones, there is a mokume gane Mirror Image matching wedding ring set for you.

 

Titanium wedding rings have been popular for years but most have been simply machined circles of metal, rather plain and soulless. For many guys or even couples, this has been just fine for their lifestyle.

But, Titanium rings can be customized to very unique and unusual designs, perfect for the challenges we like at RingsUnique. Remember, we don’t make rings by the thousands but by the ones, specific to the express wishes of our customers.

 

Titanium w/ Notched Binary Code

With this in mind, Colorado customer, Michael-clearly a computer geek, wanted a ring customized to read like binary code on the blue anodized center. Why not? He specified the code and sent us the details. We measured the millimeter length of what he wanted and grooved the notches to his code. I have no idea what this code means but it is a pretty cool ring.

What is your unique? We can likely make it. Just send us an idea and we’ll get on it.

Let’s say you could compare engagement and wedding rings side-by-side, one manufactured somewhere and the other handmade by a solo independent artist in America. Would there be a difference? Yes!

Rings that are manufactured and mass produced lack the attention to detail that is the very essence of a unique custom handmade ring made one-at-a-time vs. an average ring made in a factory by the thousands.

A great example is our Heart Leaf Ring shown here in rose gold from the Imagine Collection. It is lovely, a work of art actually. This ring could not be mass produced at the level of perfection we provide. This ring has also become a starting point for many custom designs requested by individuals around the world. Recently, a woman from New Zealand sent us her Mother’s 1.00ct. diamond to use in a variation of this ring. That’s trust!

Here is a close up photo taken to show the hand-engraving and etching which details the veining and texture on each leaf. This is a tedious undertaking taking hours of effort and the skill only achieved by years of experience.

With Rings Unique, each ring we send to a customer is lovingly handmade by an independent artist who devotes a professional life’s work to the art and craft of making rings. This is why we excel in making masterpieces for each person, a true passion for perfection.

What is your Unique? Find it, design it, create it.

Meteorite wedding rings made from the 4.5 billion year-old Gibeon meteorite are becoming favorites for both men and women. Why? First-the beauty, second-the story, third-the symbolism.

Meteorites result from meteoroids in the cosmos having traveled from a distant source through space for billions of years. When they happen to hit the earth’s gravitational pull and are drawn to our atmosphere they become meteors. When they hit the earth, they are meteorites.

Where and how they started is unknown. But, one thing is certain, they are truly relics from the origins of the solar system. A great summary is here:http://www.meteorite-recon.com/en/Gibeon_Iron_Meteorites_1.htm

The Gibeon meteorite used in our rings is very special. We don’t know where it originated, likely a black star that condensed in its final seconds then exploded into billions of fragments that began a cosmic journey in all directions. At least one fragment found its way into our solar system and then to the earth’s atmosphere where it again exploded into fragments that hit the African continent about 30,000 years ago in what is now Namibia.
Discovered in the late 1800s, the Gibeon meteorite is classified as a fine octahedrite composed of mostly iron ore and nickel with a few trace elements. one of the largest to actually hit the earth. And chunks and fragments are now in museums. Smaller pieces, some the size of footballs or softballs, were strewn across hundreds of miles in the desert.

It is these fragments that become specimens for our meteorite wedding rings. Today, each meteorite ring is cut in a core that results in an unbroken circle of this mysterious material. The pattern is unique to each person, no two are alike.
Eternal–just about…mysterious–you bet…cosmic–out-of-this-world.

 

FOR MEN ONLY
If you are like me, you put things off until the last minute. I justify this by telling myself it is part of the male genetic code, so we just can’t help it…we are born with it.

But, with a little nudging, we can overcome this tendency and make someone’s eyes pop and heart throb this holiday season with a custom-made ring from Rings Unique, the top online and Austin, TX showcase for custom handmade rings. But, unlike the mall or chain jewelry stores, Rings Unique makes rings by the ones, not by the thousands in a factory somewhere, each ring lovingly handcrafted by one of our independent award-winning American designer jewelers, truly a solo jewelry artist.

A solo American artist is not bound by conventional designs, marketing research from Madison Avenue or what the factory schedule dictates. An American artist gathers inspiration from nature, art history, civilizations-past and present, and by pioneers in the finest tradition of American craft.

But, like all things handmade, this effort takes time. We can’t re-size a ring in the back room and have it ready in a few hours. Most artist custom-made rings take a few weeks because the artist has to purchase materials from a network of eco-friendly suppliers, create a model or strike a die or, for some, begin their work with a solid block of gold or platinum. Time, skill, tools and the best materials create perfection. This is acknowledged when the artist signs their initials on the ring as their original work of art.

The next 2-3 weeks are crucial to get started on a custom-made ring intended for a holiday presentation. We are easy to work with…a simple phone call and consultation with me, Tom Quilter, owner of Rings Unique, will give you the confidence to get underway.

Browse our collections on www.ringsunique.com of over 500 rings. If one stands out, let’s get going. If you have something else in mind, we can likely make it if you provide a sketch, idea or picture from somewhere else.

The IMPORTANT thing is to start now.

Connie and I are very proud parents of our adult children, Jennifer and Jason. Jennifer is a writer/editor for a prominent digital ad agency in Austin and Jason is a tall ship captain with 20 years of sailing experience.

Of interest to everyone reading this blog is Jason’s latest journey just underway. This is a scientific expedition in the Pacific Ocean to survey the damage that plastics have done to our environment.  You can read more about this trip here: http://www.sea.edu/plastics/

There will be daily blogs from the scientists and students aboard the vessel.  We urge all of you to follow this expedition as well as examine your own use and disposal of plastics. There is far greater damage than all of us can comprehend.

We congratulate both Jennifer and Jason as part of the now “fix it” generation of young adults striving to make a difference for the better in this ever-changing world.

Tom and Connie Quilter

Unique and unusual wedding rings take on new meaning when they are made in the artful technique of Mokume Gane, a Japanese term for wood grain metal. These rings have the distinctive layered look of wood and are descendent from the art and craft of Samurai making centuries ago. Today, instead of steel, many layers of gold and other metals are hand forged in a billet, fused, folded and hammered to reveal the edges of the metal layers, totally mesmerizing.

Each ring is one-of-a-kind. Couples can order Mirror Image mokume rings where the billet is sliced to produce two rings, completely identical to each other, where the folds and curves match the other person’s ring.

In these unique rings, each layer of metal can be followed around the ring, unlike other inferior mokume on the market where twists could result in a weakness in the technique. We make unique wedding rings for a lifetime, and totally edge grain mokume is superior–wearing better over the decades to come. Each inevitable scratch or ding on your ring becomes a memorable reflection of your life on your ring. This ring is your life revealed on your ring.

Click on this link below for a short video of the ring above.
IMG_1607

We are excited to add a new unique wedding ring design to our collections, the popular hammered ring look, a favorite with both men and women. There’s something very organic and natural with this wedding band design, sure to please many individuals looking for a simple ring but with a little texture to emphasize their own individuality.

The options for this style of ring are nearly endless with the types of hammered surfaces, soft or aggressive, each achieved with different types of hammer heads as well as the strikes made by the jeweler. These are not machined or mass produced where there are hundreds of identical rings. With Rings Unique each ring is totally custom made and finished by an individual artist one-at-a-time. This makes the hammered finish ring truly unique for each person.

A hammered ring can also have a polished, satin or stone surface. Sometimes, a smooth edge to a hammered ring adds a nice variety. Then, a two-tone look using different colors of gold is really fun and different. This can be achieved in a bold way such as hammered yellow gold over white gold or a simple milgrain edge that contrasts in color with the hammer surface.

The new Hammer Collection has just 12 pictures to view but the options go far beyond this. Our goal is to custom make the ring you want with the specific details that best fit your unique lifestyle.

Often, we think of unique engagement and wedding rings for 20 or 30 somethings. Yet, there are many other occasions for couples to search for rings, especially to celebrate an anniversary. Mature couples want the artistry and uniqueness of handcrafted rings, far different than the usual bling jewelry from standard jewelry stores.

Recently, we had the privilege of helping Mac and Lynette of Austin get new ring for their 40th Anniversary. His was a Shakudo inlay of 14k rose gold and copper and Lynette’s was a masterpiece from our Timeless collection. Her’s had a 1.25ct. ruby, perfect and lovely.

It is also a privilege to re-set a diamond in a new ring. This could be the original diamond from the first engagement ring or a donor diamond from even a Grandmother’s ring. We take great care when handling a diamond as it is not sent to a factory but an artisan’s studio where it is safe and secure.

Recently, a woman from New Zealand sent us her Mother’s 1.00ct. diamond which we reset in a beautiful ring. This is a great story and a testament of how we treat a treasured family gemstone.

Every woman wishes for a unique engagement ring, one that is from given the heart and soul of her partner, and is unlike those of her friends but one that still gets raves when it shown for the first time. Every woman wants her engagement ring to sparkle and be applauded, catch glances from others and is noticed at even the most mundane of daily chores such as shopping for groceries at the market.

So, what makes an engagement ring unique? Is it the size of a diamond, the shape of the diamond, the number of diamonds, the setting, a halo of diamonds on the ring, gemstones for an enhanced look?

If the size of the diamond makes an engagement ring unique, then why do you see these all over the place…in boutique shops, mall jewelry stores and the big box retailers? By definition then, it is not “unique” because it is “common” seen nearly everywhere. But, if this is what she wants, then there are lots of places to buy one.

With Rings Unique, we don’t follow the common or ordinary pathways because our rings are made by independent jewelry artists all around the country. This means we are not bound by conventional designs seen everywhere. Our artists are motivated by the abundant creativity of their own imagination.

We don’t mass produced rings by the thousands for the masses… we craft rings by the ones for a single person, a one-of-a-kind undertaking by an American artist devoted to jewelry design and crafting as a profession, for a very special woman–your fiancée.

With this philosophy and approach, Rings Unique invites you to view the imaginative collections on our site and let us know how we can match your ideas and passions with the creation of a custom unique engagement ring just for you.

In a world increasingly relying on mass produced items for daily living, it is helpful to take a step back and reflect about the most important things in your life that define who you are and give you pleasure.

Start with wedding rings, the single item worn daily, never changing. Of all the clothes in your wardrobe, dresses, suits, ties, blue jeans, sweaters, jewelry for adornment, the one item that never changes is your wedding ring. Why? Because your wedding ring is worn daily as your permanent symbol of union with another person, the most important relationship in your life.

A wedding ring symbolizes your love…the joining of lives, a journey of togetherness, a reflection of who you are and a personal statement to the world.

With this in mind, does it make sense that your wedding ring is commonly mass-produced, one of thousands made in a factory somewhere? Does this really reflect your own uniqueness and relationship? Hardly!

This is why a Custom Made wedding ring is so important. “Custom Made” means that your wedding ring is made only for you, to your exact wishes and desires, with details you have specified to reflect your own unique personality and marriage.

With Rings Unique, each ring is Custom Made. We don’t manufacture rings by the thousands but handcraft rings by the ones, each ring a single effort completely handmade from scratch by an independent artist-designer jeweler whose life and work is devoted to a profession they love.

From start to finish, a custom made wedding ring is intended for you only, no one else, created with a personal touch using the type of metal and gemstones you have asked for. When an artist signs their initials and mark on a ring they have custom made, you know it is a work of art and the result of a profession they love.

For us, a custom made ring is a unique undertaking to craft a unique wedding ring for a unique individual, you. We believe it is a privilege and honor to be asked to make the wedding ring that you will wear daily for a lifetime.

Whether your unique ring idea is for an engagement, a wedding or a very special gift, please plan ahead. With Rings Unique, custom made rings take time to create, usually 4-6 weeks. So, the time to GET STARTED is NOW!

Unlike standard jewelry stores where a common ring is re-sized in the backroom and is ready to go quickly, a custom handcrafted ring is made from scratch using the finest materials and gemstones you have personally selected. This makes a handmade ring so meaningful and loving, your priceless gift. It is even more special because your thoughts and heartfelt emotion was part of the creativity giving life to a timeless ring. Then, when an artist signs their initials on the inside of a finished ring, you know it is a work of art, a labor of love and was made for you only.

To help you get started, here are a few tips:
Check out our 17 Collections of rings to see the vast unique ideas we have. There are over 450 individual rings. Then, once you are in a Collection, click on a thumbnail to see the image in a larger view. The average starting prices for most rings appear above a ring.

To get started with a specific ring just for you, please email from our “Contact Page” or “Get Your Quote” link and let me know the following:
1. The collection and # of your favorite ring(s);
2. The finger size for the ring you want (very important);
3. The special custom details you want such as type and color of metal-gold, platinum or palladium- any gemstones you want including diamonds, sapphires or rubies;
4. Remember, if our standard designs are not quite the answer but you have an idea, just let us know and we can probably make it.

Of course, you can always call us for a personal consultation over the phone 1-877-907-9079. This may be the fastest way to determine options, review ideas and what works well with your budget.

We look forward to helping you with your special gift.

 

#10. Guys usually forget that a wedding ring, worn on the inside of an engagement ring (by tradition), will need to be purchased later to fit snugly with with the engagement ring.

#9. Guys easily succumb to Madison Ave. jingles such as “It can only be ______” or “Every kiss begins with _” and rarely bother to think about trying to match the unique personality of the woman to ring that is uniquely designed just for her.

#8. Guys try to become experts in micro-evaluating the details and pricing of diamonds, a very tricky undertaking in an extremely complex industry. Better to just read my diamond page on this site.

#7. Guys often don’t know the differences among a 0.01 carat, a 0.10 carat and a 1.00 carat diamond and frequently overlook the more important elements of a diamond’s color, clarity and cut of the stone.

#6. Guys don’t realize that the majority of engagement rings in jewelry stores are made off-shore, usually in China, re-sized in the backroom of a store and a diamond mounted on the pre-cast head with its prongs tipped over, how romantic.

#5. Guys spend way too much for an engagement ring, going into long term debt needlessly for a ring that depreciates faster than a car (or may not last as long as a car).

#4. Guys think it’s all about size…of the diamond.

#3. Guys often misjudge the point in a relationship when to “ask” the question.

#2. Guys frequently have no clue about a woman’s finger size, even which finger or hand it is worn on. Please don’t use a string, a piece of paper from an internet site, or explain to the jeweler that it should fit on my pinky. Get a proper size or request a sizing kit from us.

#1. Guys think a diamond makes a ring unique, it doesn’t.

 

This is the cover page of the October 14 issue of The Austin Chronicle, the weekly alternative paper in Austin, TX with news, opinion, sassy and irreverent–but accurate–observations of what is really going on in our fast-moving ever-vibrant city. This paper is the source for all things artsy, musical, political, personal, shows, events and more.
With a readership in the hundreds of thousands, it appeals to all age groups. Check it out weekly at austinchronicle.com

This special issue unveils the coveted “Best of Austin” awards, an annual listing of what readers and the paper’s own critics have deemed the year’s top experiences for all things Austin. This issue is a great read from cover to cover.

Well, we are happy (and a tiny bit proud) to report that our very own Rings Unique specialty received a critic’s award for “Best Ringing Endorsement” citing “there’s something in Rings Unique’s ring case that will tickle your loved one’s fancy.”

 

We were especially happy to read the comment “Between its beautiful selections, its informative website, and the personalized attention from owners Connie and Tom Quilter, Rings Unique can make a daunting prospect – finding a special ring for that special someone – seem all the more neighborly.”

We believe that helping you with a wedding ring decision is about match-making, finding a perfect ring to fit your personality and your special relationship, not about the retail transaction. This is why we publish so many stories of happy couples finding their perfect rings at Clarksville’s Rings Unique showcase.

What’s your story? We are here to help with your own special wedding rings.

Meet Rob and Nadine. They live in NYC but were visiting Rob’s sister in Austin last week. In addition to enjoying all the fun of Austin, Rob had a secret mission—to find the perfect engagement ring for Nadine.

Rob’s sister, Joyce, suggested he check out Clarksville Gallery to find a unique handcrafted ring.

Several rings caught his eye and his excitement was evident. Of course, Joyce and Rob visited other jewelers but his focus was on his first instinct, a Timeless ring in our case. All in all, Rob came back to see it about three times just to be sure.

Then came Sunday, truly a magical day. Rob brought Nadine in the front door and asked her to take a look in the ring case. She was surprised, breathless and overwhelmed. They hugged like teenagers but finally got their composure so I could help them. Rob’s first choice was also hers, Timeless #10, indeed a perfect 10. The entire planet must have felt the stars align because this moment was so powerful.

Rob and Nadine will never forget this day, nor will I. This makes us rejoice again that we have helped a loving couple take the next step in their journey together.

This impeccable ring was completely handcrafted by the Mastery Collection goldsmith for local customers, Hanna and Jon. They envisioned an arched engagement ring with a halo of diamonds around an oval center diamond. It had to be completely handmade by an artist and of the utmost quality.

We accepted the challenge, sourced a lovely 1.00ct. oval center diamond as well as the melee, a total of 56 tiny 1.5pt. diamonds, each one ideally cut. The project took about 4 weeks from start to finish because of the intense labor. You see, this ring was never cast, but totally hand sculpted from a solid block of 18k white gold, the hardest way to make jewelry. It is a masterpiece.

When Austin’s top independent jewelry appraiser saw the ring, all he could say was “Wow!” He said it was a ring for generations because of its quality and construction.
It would wear like “iron.”

Do you have an idea for a totally custom ring? Just let us know. One of our many artists would be happy to get it underway for you. Use our Contact Rings Unique Contact Form to let us know your dream ring.

Click on the ring for a 360 view.

 

Earlier this year, Meredith, a lovely Austin woman, came into our gallery searching for a unique engagement ring.  She had already visited other standard or prestigious jewelry stores in the area. She was recommended to us by a colleague because we have unique handcrafted rings.

At first, Meredith was a bit overwhelmed by our many non-traditional and uncommon choices but her eye caught an interesting two tone ring in our case with a trillion shaped spessartite garnet (deep orange from the presence of the element manganese). Meredith asked if this Contemporary ring be done with a diamond.

We love “What if” or “Could You?” questions. Well, of course we can!

Take a look at the original ring from our case, then see the brilliant engagement ring she has with a fabulous diamond.

Meredith sourced her triangle diamond, about 1.00ct. and brought it to us to make her ring. The artist, Susan Fox of Michigan, is the Contemporary ring artist on http://ringsunique.com/  Susan is about 4′ 11″ but her smallish stature belies the bold museum quality sculpted pieces she makes in all aspects of jewelry design and crafting. Susan and I love to trade weather stories since she lives in the snow belt and we are in the heat zone of Central Texas.

Meredith, a health professional, and Serge, a PhD English professor,  were married in May. Her wedding ring was a simple narrow white gold ring, notched with a V to custom fit around the diamond point and Serge’s ring was custom made by our local artist for the Eternity Collection, Timothy Sens. Both rings were hand engraved by Marc Milosevich of Michigan.

This lovely couple has affirmed and energized our passion for what we do, helping wonderful people with the unique rings of their dreams.

Earlier this year, we were challenged by the founder/owner of a computer software company to make a Meteorite ring with an unusual feature–his wedding date engraved on the outside of the ring in binary code. Not only was this a huge challenge, it was also a substantial risk because a mistake in any detail or size would destroy the ring.

Fortunately, we work the top Meteorite ring artist in the country, Chris Ploof, and an old-school engraver who does everything by hand from scratch, no stencils, Marc Milosevich of Michigan (http://www.engravingspecialist.com)

The story involves a very wide ring in a large size 11. Step one involved several sketches back and forth with the customer. The final design consisted of a 12 millimeter wide ring with stepped edges as follows: 3.00mm white gold/ 4.0mm meteorite/ 5mm white gold. Step two was to be sure of the proper finger size. An interim ring was made in sterling silver at 12mm wide in his size 11. The wider the ring, the more difficult proper sizing becomes. The interim ring ensured that we had a nice comfortable but secure fit; this ring could not be re-sized because it would have destroyed the engraving.

The customer supplied the binary code for the wedding date. The customer also wanted a deep engraving on the ring, a very difficult challenge. It had to be done by hand by a master engraver. Chris and Marc discussed in detail of the length of the code and the exact size of each engraving stroke. A third step was taken to make sure the code was correct and in the proper size to perfectly fit the circumference of the ring. A sterling silver 1” X 3” plate was test engraved and sent to the customer for approval.

With the test sterling plate now approved, a fourth step was taken before the final engraving. The engraver made a negative of the code to circle the ring as a guide. It had to be precise with each stroke and space perfectly aligned. Marc needed uninterrupted concentration to complete the ring and he used Easter Sunday for the 5 hour process.

The result is a masterpiece handmade custom crafted heirloom ring, combining new age binary coding with a 4.5 billion year-old slice of Meteorite along with old-school craftsmanship hand engraving. From start to finish, this was about a three month project, longer than first anticipated but well worth every careful step.

Would we take the same care with your custom ring? You bet! We will take every step necessary to make your ring a perfect masterpiece just for you.

Every August, a lovely picture from 1944 permeates my everyday thoughts and takes me to the steps of a Cathedral for the wedding of my parents, Thomas N. Quilter and Mary Angela Comte. This took place in Toledo, Ohio at Holy Rosary Cathedral.

My Father and Mother first met on a picnic date at DeSales College in the early 40’s. That date turned into a marriage that spanned nearly 60 years, sharing lives totally devoted to each other, their family, their church and their community.

My Father was a Naval Officer and a Physician (and later a vintner) while my Mother was a homemaker and volunteer (and later a co-vintner). There were six children, followed by fourteen grand-children and twelve great grand-children. Their lives were rich in the blessings of family and friends.

Both are now deceased but their legacies of giving and self-sacrifice live on. I had the privilege of offering the eulogy for Mother in 2010 and Dad in 2006. Few things in my life have ever given me more satisfaction.

The most important lesson learned from my parents was their work ethic. Dad’s motto was always “work hard,” “do your very best” and always “do the right thing.” Life is really very simple when you apply these three things. This is the three legged stool. And if you look into your own heart, you will always know if you really worked hard, did your very best and most importantly did the right thing.

With Rings Unique, Connie and I know we are blessed with helping customers involved with the most precious and serious of all relationships. Along with our ring artists, we are privileged to be a small part of your lives, your special wedding day or anniversary, and the legacies you will pass on.

During July, we saw gold prices moving upward at a consistent rise of about 2-4% a day. But recently, the swings have been much more dramatic. Of course, the economic news has been sour and political splits in the US have made important long term solutions very difficult to achieve.

Experts in the gold markets attribute the recent 16% change nearly equally to weakening of the US dollar and the impact of a few predominant buyers and traders worldwide.

How does this impact prices for gold rings? Well, most jewelry designers buy gold at current market prices so ring prices are increasing rapidly. There is no stockpile of gold in the backroom of a studio. Artists buy gold at current prices. These days, we can only honor a ring quote for just a few days whereas we used to guarantee the price for 30 days.

Does this make a gold ring a bad buy? Certainly not, as gold will increase in value over time. It is still the metal of choice for most ring buyers, bringing joy and beauty for a lifetime. For an intricate design on a unique ring, gold is actually better than platinum because it has a harder surface and withstands scratching better.

Is there still a way to save on a unique gold ring? Yes, Rings Unique prices rings responsibly according to artist prices. The real question today is value for the ring purchased. Certainly, a unique custom made ring represents the very essence of intrinsic value for such an intimate personal decision. And, it also maintains high economic value for the metal and stones used over time.

Even though our July sale is over, we will always provide a 10% discount for all orders prepaid in full rather than our usual half down with the remainder upon shipping. It all depends on your individual situation.

With the price of gold spiking upward everyday, who doesn’t want to save money? Yes, even though gold is once again at all time highs, trading for about $1545tr oz., after a slight drop in June, we are offering savings during July on custom made engagement and wedding rings.

We rarely have sales because the materials and labor to make a single ring is going up every day. And remember, our rings are not mass produced in a factory somewhere, but in an American artist’s studio by hand, one-at-a-time.

WHY have a sale now? Simple, we want to help you and the artist. This is the best time to order your unique rings for weddings in the Fall. Since an average custom made ring takes from 4-6 weeks to craft, from start to finish, the timing is perfect. The artist fills an otherwise slower time for jewelry making (before the holidays) and you get unique rings in plenty of time for your wedding. No worries about unique wedding rings at the last minute.

Call us at 1-877-907-9079 to get your rings underway.

As owners of an American Craft Gallery in Austin, TX, www.clarksvillepottery.com, voted as a “Top Ten Retailer of American Craft” in the country, we have focused our diverse inventory offerings to primarily art and craft strictly handmade by artisans in the USA. We also carry items from our creative friends northward in Canada.

Why? We believe we should support the creativity and efforts of individuals at home who devote their lives and livelihood making things that reflect the innovation, passion and unique creativity that comes from “Made in America.”

We have nothing against artisans from other countries that live the same lives devoted to a craft or art. In fact, we respect them greatly, acknowledge their skill and applaud their effort. But, we love representing the work of persons we have met face-to-face and see firsthand the beautiful, innovative and original items they have brought to life. For these persons, this IS their life, a devotion to their work and art. America Gets Its Unique from these persons. Without them, we would live our lives with sameness and boredom.

We DO object to mass produced gift or jewelry items made in a factory wherever. They have no soul or spirit. That a company has found a way to make an object by the hundreds or thousands for the masses is fine for electronics and many other items that please and ease our lives. But, when it comes to special occasion gifts and especially wedding or engagement rings, they must speak from the heart, just as that item was custom handmade by an individual with heartfelt passion and love.

Happy July 4th to everyone! In addition to enjoying family, picnics and fireworks, celebrate America’s uniqueness made possible–in part–by artisans who make our most revered gifts, art, and craft, and most especially your engagement and wedding rings. These are today’s new heirlooms that will be treasured for a lifetime and passed on for future generations.

We are often asked whether we will set an heirloom or existing diamond in a fresh new design. The answer is a resounding YES. Not only is this a specialty of ours, we consider it a privilege to be asked to do so. This is giving new life to an eternal stone, providing pleasure to a new generation and preserving the memory of the donor. Often these are diamonds from a mother or grandmother. It is more than rewarding to help with these very special diamonds, it is truly priceless.

Because we work with independent designers in their own studios, your treasured diamond will be handled only by our trustworthy artist, not by many hands in a large factory. This assures careful attention to your diamond and precise setting in the new design you have chosen.

If your existing diamond is in a setting, we will carefully remove it for the new design. We usually recommend putting an inexpensive alternative stone such as a topaz or sapphire in the donor setting so the ring will still be wearable for you or someone else.

Meet Kathleen, a composer, and fiancé Jason, an artist. Kathleen asked us to set her fiancé’s Great Grandmother’s diamond. It was very lovely and in excellent condition for such an old mine cut diamond. She selected the Artistic design #12 for her new bridal set.

 

“Dear Tom,

The rings turned out beautifully!! I am extremely pleased with them! The rose gold really works well with this diamond, and gives it extra fire!

Thank you so very much!! My fiancé loves the setting, too! Please let your artisan jewelers know how happy I am with their work…absolutely exquisite!!

Thanks, again…

Best, Kathy”

We’ll be writing again about this amazing couple in a later blog. Her fiancé is a contemporary artist who plans to paint the wedding dress she will wear! How unique!

Do you have a diamond you want to use? Count on us to perfectly re-set it in a lovely new design that warms your heart and provides a lasting memory of the donor. Then, maybe you too can pass it on to someone else with the same romance and heartfelt love you have for it.

With a real brick and mortar gallery www.clarksvillepottery.com, we reap the rewards everyday of seeing people select their favorite piece of jewelry, pottery, jewelry box, art glass or unusual gift for someone. It is usually an item for a really special occasion such as an anniversary, birthday, graduation, trip abroad, retirement and so on. These are the occasions when something ordinary, made wherever, will not do.

The person smiles and says “This is perfect” then observes as we gift wrap the item in our signature hand-painted paper (the only way to present a special gift). A smile always accompanies a “Thank you” as they walk out the door.

But, with long distance customers, we don’t get the face-to-face visuals–the first glance, the awestruck look, the smile.

Thankfully, we do get hundreds of testimonials that warm our hearts and reinforce our gratitude to our customers who have placed confidence in us.

Here is a recent note from Matt:

…”I got the ring this morning. It is unquestionably the most beautiful engagement ring I have ever seen (well, maybe I am slightly biased since it is the one I bought). With modern marketing practices, there are few times in life where a purchase like this exceeds expectations- especially when a picture is viewed beforehand. This purchase is one of those moments. The beauty of the ring and the craftsmanship that went into it blows my mind!”

Let us make your experience just as memorable. Get started at http://ringsunique.com/

Having just returned from the world’s largest trade shows for jewelry, diamonds and gems in Las Vegas, after visiting five different independent jewelry shows, walking at least 15 miles along the corridors, glancing at likely 3,500 jewelry and gem booths and seeing all the glitter you can stand with diamonds everywhere, we are happy to report that, amazingly, there are a few unique ring artists in this vast ocean of commonplace and mass production. We believe, unique is not necessarily the diamond–its shape or size–but in the design of the ring, where a diamond or gemstone complements the sculpture, producing an incomparable engagement or wedding ring that pleases the eye, warms the heart and fills the soul.

The trade shows included the largest showcase of all, the JCK Las Vegas, as well as the upscale Couture Show, the AGTA–American Gem Trade Association GemFair, NICHE–The Show and ACRE–The American Craft Retail Expo.

For us, it is a search to find the needle in the haystack, the hidden surprise, an out-of-the-ordinary jewel and treasure that takes our breath away, a custom made approach that fits with our goals. Sometimes these designers are brand new, termed emerging artists, or long standing award-winning artists with a new line of work. We want innovative artists, who are not satisfied with conventional design, and who create new art forms for jewelry and rings.

Out of the thousands of booths, only about a half dozen caught our eyes, and some will be joining our network of American artists in the coming months. We are enthusiastic about these additions to our collections of unique rings.

Happily, we returned to Austin, TX firmly committed to our priorities: 1) HANDMADE by custom order in America 2) Independent ARTIST designed and crafted 3) Strictly UNIQUE, not mass-produced or commonplace.

We are fortunate to work with the most dedicated jewelry designers and artists anywhere. We are also fortunate to be able to present them to thousands of visitors each week at http://ringsunique.com

On a recent flight, I had the pleasure of sitting next to a lovely young woman on her way to Austin to visit her boyfriend, and then on to France together for a nice vacation. Naturally, the conversation turned to a possible engagement, and we talked about her ideas for a ring. She knew her boyfriend shared her values of a simple unique design, handcrafted just for her and using alternative gemstones, not diamonds. Her favorite was Tanzanite. She was in graduate school and an athlete, an accomplished runner on a university team; he was an avid cyclist at the professional level but working as a lawyer in a tech company.
I was pleased to hear her priorities about the importance of unique and handcrafted when it comes to engagement and wedding rings. She would not venture into a mall jewelry store and certainly not one of those mega-chains with a Madison Avenue jingle.

I believe she typifies today’s sophisticated independent woman: smart, driven, talented and embarking on a career to make a difference for our planet.

This is exactly why Rings Unique exists…to serve knowledgeable persons who demand something different, who want a very personal approach to ring shopping and who are determined to make a ring decision that says more about who they are than who they can impress.

A recent search on Google for “wedding rings” produced over 17 million results in 1/5 of a second. Whoooa, that’s impressive. Well, this should make finding a wedding ring pretty easy, right? Lots of choices!

Better load up on some Red Bull or Starbucks dark roast.

Then, a search for “unique wedding rings” produced about 5 million results in a fraction of a second as well. Fewer choices but still a daunting search lies ahead for finding a perfect unique wedding ring for you.

Here’s a free search tip: Most of these sites don’t really have unique rings.

Finally, a Google search for “custom handmade wedding rings” still produces about 5 million results. Where to start?

Start with these concepts and establish your priorities:

First, a wedding ring is far more than an object of jewelry. It is your symbol of commitment and love to another. Unlike anything else in your jewelry box or your personal wardrobe, a wedding ring is worn every day. With such a personal piece of symbolic jewelry, shouldn’t it represent love to one another, your relationship, reflect your personality, warm your heart and become part of you?

Second, wedding rings can be mass-produced by the hundreds, made wherever, and easily seen at mall jewelry stores all over the country. Usually, these are available in large quantities and only need to be quickly sized for the customer. For some, this is just fine but they are not unique, just an object. In contrast, Rings Unique makes rings by the ones, custom made only for the individual.

Third, wedding rings should be custom-handcrafted only for the individual. This usually takes a little more effort than several web searches or visits to jewelry stores. Custom rings are best viewed at small boutique jewelry stores or galleries, at a jewelry artist studio or on less visible web pages.

Fourth, custom-handcrafting a ring just for you or your partner requires some introspection about who you are, your partner’s personality, some imagination about what you want and patience as you consider designs, metals and use of gemstones. But, for a small discriminating segment of the population, this is the only path to follow.

Fifth, a “unique wedding ring” should meet these criteria:

• It should be custom made from start to finish just for the individual;
• Its design and craftsmanship should be of the highest quality, using the finest materials available;
• It should be made in a studio at a jeweler’s workbench, not in a factory;
• It should be signed by the artist;
• It should be uncommon with design and details only you have personally selected;
• Most importantly, it should make you smile, warm your heart and affirm daily your life’s relationship with another person.

Please take some time to view hundreds of handcrafted unique wedding ring ideas at www.ringsunique.com Then contact us at rings@ringsunique.com or 1-877-907-9079 for your personal ring design and a handcrafting experience unlike any other.