Education & Information

Jewelry 101

When you’re designing something as meaningful as an engagement ring - or any piece of jewelry - it’s natural to have questions. While our team handles the fine-grain details of your individual piece, and is always happy to walk you through options, we also know some people like to dive deeper. That’s why we’ve built this library of articles, written by our own experts, to explain everything from diamonds and metals to styles and care.

Whether you’re just starting or you want to go all the way down the rabbit hole, these guides can help you make sense of the details.

Explore Diamonds & Gemstones

Diamond Basics: Understanding the 4Cs

Learn how diamonds are graded on cut, color, clarity and carat weight to get a perfect center stone at a great value.

Gem Hardness

A guide to gemstone hardness and the Mohs scale

Gem Wearability

An overview of gemstone durability — which gems hold up to daily wear?

Gem color

An overview of all the elements that go into choosing colored gemstones

Beyond The 4 Cs: Cut

Beyond the 4 Cs: Clarity

Beyond the 4 Cs: Color

Diamond Alternatives: Lab-Created, Moissanite, Cubic Zirconia, and more

Diamond Shapes & Diamond Cuts

What Is Each Month's Birthstone?

Explore Metals & Materials

Which gold karat is right for you?

CustomMade offers yellow, white, and rose gold in multiple karats, but which one best suits your needs?

Which white metal is right for you?

A brief overview of the tradeoffs between silver, white gold, and platinum: which option is right for your custom piece?

Explore Buying & Budgeting

How much does a custom engagement ring cost?

A simple breakdown of the four main factors that affect the cost of your engagement ring: center stone, accent stones, metal type, and complexity.

When You’re Ready

Turn Knowledge Into Your Own Design

Our guides and resources are here to deepen your understanding of diamonds, gemstones, settings, and styles. But the real value comes when you put that knowledge into action — creating a custom piece of jewelry that’s designed just for you. When the time feels right, we’ll be ready to start the journey with you.

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