When a client asks how long their custom ring will take, we say four to six weeks. That number is not marketing. It is the honest average across the last year of benches, and it comes from a real sequence of steps that cannot safely be skipped.
Week 1 — Consultation and CAD. We talk through what you want, look at references you have collected, and our CAD designer builds a 3D model. You review it, ask for changes, and we revise. This step is where most of the back-and-forth lives, and it is worth getting right because every later step copies this shape.
Week 2 — Wax and casting. Once the CAD is approved, we 3D-print a wax, check it by hand, and invest it for lost-wax casting. Casting is a single moment: the metal goes in, the wax burns out, and the ring emerges. We cast in small batches to keep quality high.
Week 3 — Stone setting and finishing. Our setter seats the center stone and any accents, then we file, sand and polish the band through four stages. This is where a rough casting becomes something that feels finished against skin.
Week 4 — QC, certificate and shipping. We run three inspection passes: setting security, finish quality, and sizing. We attach the GRA certificate and our bench jeweler's marks, pack it, and ship insured to you.
Where delays hide. Most delays are not on our bench — they are in the review cycle. The fastest projects are the ones where clients reply to the CAD questions within a day. If a stone needs to be sourced or a size is uncertain, add a week. We would rather tell you the longer number and delight you by shipping early.