The Short Answer
Before giving the go-ahead on your custom ring, confirm the overall dimensions, metal type, prong or bezel style, stone placement, comfort fit profile, and any engraving or decorative details. The CAD stage is where changes are easy and cost-free — once manufacturing begins, modifications become significantly more involved. Take your time with this step.
Why This Stage Matters
The CAD render is your last clear window to change anything before metal is cast and stones are set. It is a three-dimensional preview of your finished ring — accurate in proportions, dimensions, and design detail.
Think of it as the blueprint. A builder does not pour a foundation without confirming the plans. The same principle applies here. Reviewing the CAD carefully is not overly cautious; it is the responsible, sensible approach to commissioning something you expect to last a lifetime.
Your CAD Approval Checklist
Overall Dimensions
- Band width. Measured in millimetres, typically between 1.5 mm and 3 mm for women's engagement rings. A difference of half a millimetre is visible and tactile. If the band looks too wide or too narrow in the render, now is the time to adjust.
- Band thickness. The cross-section of the band affects both durability and comfort. A thicker band is sturdier but sits higher on the finger. A thinner band is more delicate but may wear faster over decades.
- Setting height. How far the centre stone sits above the band. A higher setting lets more light into the diamond and creates a dramatic profile, but it also catches on clothing and is more exposed to knocks. A lower setting is more practical for daily wear. Confirm this matches your preference.
Metal Type and Finish
- Metal choice. Platinum, 18-karat white gold, yellow gold, rose gold — confirm this is correct. If you are mixing metals (a yellow gold band with a white gold setting head, for example), verify that the render reflects this accurately.
- Surface finish. High polish, brushed, satin, hammered — the finish is typically specified but worth confirming. Some finishes photograph similarly in a CAD render, so ask if you are unsure what you are seeing.
Centre Stone Placement
- Stone orientation. For non-round shapes — oval, marquise, pear, emerald cut — confirm the stone is oriented the way you want it. Most ovals sit lengthwise along the finger, but some clients prefer a horizontal or east-west orientation.
- Head and basket design. The head (the part that holds the diamond) can be simple or decorative — a plain four-prong, a six-prong, a cathedral arch, a basket with filigree. Confirm this matches your design intent.
Prong Style
Prongs are small but consequential. They hold the diamond in place and are one of the most visible structural elements of the ring.
- Number of prongs. Four prongs show more of the diamond; six prongs add security and a different visual character. Each choice has trade-offs.
- Prong shape. Round, pointed (claw), flat (tab), or V-shaped (for pointed diamond corners). The shape affects both the look and the way light enters the stone.
- Prong placement. On a round diamond, prongs can sit at compass points or be rotated. On a marquise or pear, a V-prong at the pointed end is standard for protection. Confirm the placement is intentional.
Side Stones and Accent Details
If your design includes side stones, pavé, or a halo:
- Stone sizes and count. Verify the number of accent stones and their approximate sizes. More stones add sparkle but also add to maintenance and cost.
- Setting method. Pavé, channel, bezel, shared prong — each method has a different visual effect and different implications for long-term durability.
- Symmetry. Are accent stones evenly spaced? Is the pavé consistent on both sides? Asymmetric details should be intentional, not accidental.
Comfort Fit
- Interior profile. A comfort-fit band has a slightly domed interior surface that slides over the knuckle more easily and feels smoother against the skin. A standard flat interior is traditional but can feel tighter. Confirm which profile the CAD reflects.
- Ring size. Verify the ring size specified in the model. An incorrect size at this stage means a ring that needs resizing after delivery — avoidable with a simple check now.
Engraving
If you are adding an inscription:
- Text and font. Confirm the exact wording, spelling, and font style. Script, block letters, and hand-engraved styles all look very different.
- Placement. Inside the band is standard. Some designs include engraving on the gallery or outer band — confirm where yours will go.
- Space constraints. Longer inscriptions require smaller text. Ensure the message fits legibly within the available space.
Hidden Details
Many custom rings include hidden details that are not visible from above:
- Hidden halos — a ring of small diamonds beneath the centre stone, visible from the side.
- Gallery details — decorative metalwork, filigree, or milgrain visible through the side profile.
- Peekaboo stones — small accent stones set into the gallery where only the wearer sees them.
If your design includes any of these, confirm they are present in the CAD render and positioned as you expect.
How to Review the Render
Ask your jeweller for multiple viewing angles — top, side profile, three-quarter view, and a view of the underside. Rotate the model mentally: imagine it on a hand, in motion, catching light from different angles.
If something looks wrong — or even slightly off — say so. There is no such thing as an overly detailed question at this stage. A question now costs nothing. A correction after casting costs time and money.
The Arete Diamond Approach
At Arete, the CAD review is a collaborative conversation, not a formality. We walk you through every detail of the model, explain the design choices, and welcome questions. If you want to see a variation — a slightly thinner band, a different prong count, an alternative stone orientation — we create it. Revisions at this stage are part of the process, not an inconvenience.
Your approval is the green light. We take it seriously, and we want you to feel completely certain before we proceed.
Cross-References
- How Does the Custom Engagement Ring Process Work? — where CAD approval fits in the full process
- Can I Use Inspiration Photos to Create a Custom Ring? — starting the design with visual references
- Engagement Ring Settings — setting types and their visual characteristics