Diamonds can be anyone’s best friend, but with so many diamond cuts to choose from, selecting the right one can be an overwhelming task. Every person-to-be wants their engagement ring to stand out from the crowd. While the conventional round diamond is a popular option, other shapes like Asscher, Princess, and Emerald cuts are gaining popularity. Which diamond cut should you go for? This article delves into the differences between Asscher, Princess, and Emerald cuts, paving the way for you to make an informed decision. The Asscher cut is a vintage or antique cut sometimes referred to as a modi ..read more

A significant part of living a sustainable life is learning to reuse and repurpose items rather than purchasing something brand new. Did you know this habit can also apply to your jewelry? Sustainable jewelry can mean many things, but one impactful practice is repurposing existing pieces into new items. Sustainable, ethical practices are at the heart of my work here at Ringed. By using reclaimed pieces, recycled metals, and 100% FAIRMINED gold, I can reduce the amount of waste while still creating beautiful jewelry with you and for you. Contact me today to learn more about making your own enga ..read more

Self-care is a hot topic these days. The #treatyoself mentality is fun and carefree, and I’m all for special splurges and events to celebrate any old thing. For me, self-care is also a daily practice of nurturing myself. It’s taking 20 minutes to breathe and walk around the block. Many times I need a physical reminder to tune back in and see how I am doing.  What if you want to show your commitment to yourself in a more lasting way? An object, like a ring that warms to your skin, moves with you, and is sculpted by daily life just as you are can be a perfect way to honor yourself. The noti ..read more

Show me your hand and I’ll tell you your ring size. I’ll admit, it’s a pretty cool party trick. I guess that’s what you get after more than six years of running your own fine jewelry business. Just to make sure, though, I will always check your ring size before we make your wedding bands together in my workshop. The tool we’ll use looks like a key ring but there are metal circles instead of keys. You slip your finger in each circle until we find the right fit. We get pretty specific, down to the quarter-size. Often, people who are assigned male at birth and other folks with larger knuckles jus ..read more

Is an “alternative” engagement ring right for you? When you picture an engagement ring, what comes to mind? Do you picture a large center stone diamond ring, the bling that you can find at pretty much every jewelry store these days? If you can’t envision you or your partner wearing that, you’re in the right place. I’m guessing you’re here because you want something different. Maybe you’ve looked around and nothing quite fits your partner’s style. Maybe you don’t see your love celebrated in the mainstream wedding industry or you want to infuse a deeper meaning into these symbols of love.  ..read more

Author: Elisabeth Kramer Author bio: Elisabeth Kramer is a day-of wedding coordinator in Portland, Oregon. Learn more about her work on her website. Beth and Jay “Really, it’s a very mild acid,” Allison said as she gestured toward the Crock-Pot in the corner. “If it gets on your skin, it only itches.” She paused, considering. “Well, unless you have a cut. Then it burns.” I met Allison Ullmer a few months after my fiancé and I moved to Portland from Seattle. I was immediately blown away by her business, Ringed. A trained metalsmith and jeweler, Allison is one of only a handful of studios in th ..read more

When you join a workshop with Ringed, we’ll discuss the type of metal that you and your partner want to use for your rings. Whatever your choices — gold, palladium, platinum, and everything in-between — all of the metal we use will be 100 percent recycled. What does that mean? It means I only source metal from a provider that has been an eco-conscious refinery for more than 100 years. It’s also the first refinery to regularly carry Fairmined precious metal. All metal I purchase is 100% recycled. Hold up — What even is an “eco-conscious” refinery? I know it sounds like an oxymoron but eco-consc ..read more

I melted down my engagement ring. Don’t worry — my husband knows. In fact, it was his idea. When he decided to propose, he reached out to a fellow metalsmith and had her craft a ring of 24-karat gold with the sole purpose that I would melt it down to make my wedding band. There are two ways to make your wedding band: fabricate or carve. I picked the latter; I carved a mold of my wedding band out of wax and then poured the melted metal into that mold. Neither way is better than the other. The choice is informed by the design that you and your partner want to make. I detail both fabricating and ..read more

People are always surprised when I tell them what I do for a living. I say that I help couples make their own wedding bands and they respond the same way. “Isn’t that hard?” they ask. “Isn’t it dangerous?” I reassure them that no, it isn’t hard and yes, it’s a little bit dangerous but as long as you use common sense — a.k.a. don’t stick your hand in the acid — you’ll be fine. Don’t believe me? I’m used to that but let me assure you: Anybody can do this.  How hard is the workshop? When you schedule a workshop at Ringed, I’ll walk you through every step. In fact, before we ever light a torc ..read more