Interview with Leah Ingram

Writer, editor, and spokesperson Leah Ingram sat down to interview Lisa about the importance and symbolism of custom wedding rings. Take a look!

What is the level of expertise at Krikawa?

Our expertise lays specifically in designing, engineering and crafting wedding and engagement rings, one of a kind, one at a time. Our talented team of professionals specialize in the various aspects of custom rings, including a designer with dozens of awards, world-class gemologist, master modeler, diamond pavé expert, master goldsmiths and top of the line customer service specialist

Why should I choose Krikawa instead of going with someone local?

The entire focus of our company is the production of one-off rings, and we have made an enormous number of custom rings. With this experience comes a phenomenal amount of knowledge and expertise relating to the design and structural integrity of a piece of jewelry that is looked at every day and takes a lot of beating when worn. We have perfected the method of designing and creating custom wedding bands for a clientele all over the world, and our collaborative and educational process is rewarding for both parties.

These facts are backed up by our 100% satisfaction guarantee policy and our A+ ranking with the Better Business Bureau, who also awarded us the 2009 Southern Arizona Ethics Award.

Why do couples choose to have custom-made weddings bands for their special day?

What stands out most is the couples' desire to express their uniqueness. More than any other object of the wedding, the bands hold the power of a talisman. The couples want everything to be a perfect expression of their unique love, taste, and personality. And how is that to be achieved with a ring set that is mass produced in a factory? Moreover, the ring is something that is worn everyday, rarely if ever taken off. It is in front of ours and others eyes most of the time; driving, typing, drinking champagne, etc.

In many cases, the couple shops for the bands, finds something close to what they want, and when they realize it cannot be ordered or altered to their specifications, they opt for the custom route. As a footnote, with the new economy, consumers attitudes are changing about mass produced goods. Couples may be more inclined to eliminate spending on fluff, but when it comes to their rings, they don’t mind investing in custom rings that will be worn for a lifetime.

What do couples see these custom bands as signifying for them?

Most of all, the couples see the wedding bands as a symbol of their love and their unique relationship. For some, the actual ceremony of exchanging and/or blessing the rings is extremely important, while for others, the idea of wearing the band at all times is most significant. The ring says, "I am in love. I am loved. I am safe. I am protected."

What are some of the ways that couples customize their bands—metal choice, precious stones, design overall, etc. How do those choices end up making the band even more meaningful for them?

There are many different ways to customize a wedding band. We start with the overall size and width, then proceed to thickness, taper or straight, metal color or colors, precious stone types, shapes and setting style, design, and modifications. From there, we move to symbols, phrases or dates to be etched or hand engraved onto the outside or inside of the ring. Another special option is the placing of birthstones inside the ring, not visible when the ring is worn.

What do couples need to know when working with a custom designer like yourself about the band creation process?

Well, the creation process is never fast, so it is good to plan ahead. For any custom ring, the couples should plan ahead, allowing 2-4 months, depending upon the designer. When choosing a designer, it is good to explore the inventory of designs that they have already created, to make sure that the designer’s style and craftsmanship is in synch with the couple’s style.

It is always prudent when having something custom made to confirm the design process: Will you be an integral part of it? Will you see any drawings? Will you be allowed to make changes? What is the typical turnaround time? If there are problems, will there be enough of a buffer before the wedding date to get things worked out?

As far as researching the reputation of the designer, it is prudent to do your due diligence by looking up any references and their standing with the BBB [Better Business Bureau]. Couples should inquire about the return policy, and whether or not it is provided in writing.

What are some of the trends you’re seeing in custom bands?

Current trends include mixed metals, modern styling, personalization with natural fancy colored sapphires and diamonds, and the inclusion of symbols, phrases and dates.

Any do’s and don’ts for custom wedding bands?

DO...

Decide upon your personal style. Is it modern, antique, contemporary, organic, eclectic, baroque, architectural, etc.? Go with something that is pleasing to your eye.

Feel good about expressing yourself. Go to the design consultation prepared! Have your notes, images, research all ready. Consider going with bands that don’t match exactly; the individual style of each person can be expressed while still getting a wedding set that is clearly a set.

Consider colored diamonds or sapphires if you are strongly moved by a certain color. Consider white diamonds for their sparkle and durability. Consider platinum for its supreme wear resistance.

Give the designer’s advice strong consideration. Be willing to let your idea be refined due to the designer’s aesthetic recommendations and structural integrity advice.

Enjoy the process with your partner. It can be a very rewarding experience! Let your partner get something they love. Take the time to mull the rings over.

Wear your ring; enjoy it!

Talk to the jeweler about any issues or questions after you receive it. Remember all finishes on precious metal are superficial. The ring will take on a patina of wear over time.

DON'T...

Let yourself be talked into something that you won’t like later, or rush into committing to a certain design. Sleep on it!

Put semi-precious gemstones, pearls or opal into the ring on the outside (inside the ring is the exception, where it touches the finger).

Get your ring in a size too big. Always test the size with cold water and soap. If it flies off, then it is too loose!

Get 14k white gold, rhodium plated, if you want your ring to always look white!

Wear your ring when handling steel tools, barbells, pots and pans, etc.

Get a wedding band with a “top” and a taper, if you don’t want to be fiddling with it all the time. It will spin.

Explain your process for working clients who have commissioned custom wedding bands from you.

We start with a phone consultation. We make sure they have spent some time reviewing images and information on the website in their free time. If they have drawings or images, they email them to us. Lengthy discussion, either by email, phone, or in person, will be focused on design, metal education, diamond and gemstone education, and any other pertinent information. In house consultations typically run 1-3 hours with a prepared couple. By email, it can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks with multiple emails to reach a conclusion. If it is a new design, and no images are available to represent it, I will create a “counter sketch,” and provide that to the client either in person or by email, to confirm the design.

At this point, with a green light from the client, we will collect a 50% deposit and put the customer into our schedule, which is currently booked out around 10 weeks. The next step is confirming the clients' ring size, which we do with our calibrated, house-made sizing rings that are in all the widths and sizes. Once the size is confirmed, we will create detailed 3-D renderings of new designs (ones not available by photograph) from the top, front, side and perspective view. With the go-ahead from the client, we go into production, and contact the client when the ring is finished.

How do you work with people who aren’t located nearby?

Most of our clients are outside of our state, and 10% are outside of the country, so this is the norm for us. While some couples choose to fly over for their design consultation, the majority opt for phone and email conversations.

If we are setting colored stones in the rings, we can send those for color approval. To get the correct ring size, we send our sizing rings all over the world. And in the end, FedEx delivers the final ring overnight (in the US).

What else should people reading this article know about you as a jewelry designer, the work you do, or commissioning a custom band in general?

Each designer is different. We will not create just anything; it does need to fall within certain design parameters. We will make aesthetic and structural recommendations, and we analyze both of these factors as the design and creation of the ring progresses. We will not hesitate to make alternate recommendations at any time in the ring making process. We design and engineer each ring to optimize harmonious proportions while providing a ring that will withstand daily wear and tear.

We love challenges, we are resourceful, and we believe the experience of having a custom ring made should be enjoyable, educational, and rewarding. Our expertise lays specifically in creating custom diamond and mixed metal wedding and engagement rings for a world wide clientele. We honor every opportunity to create the most special and personal piece of jewelry that represents the ultimate human experience: love.