How long does it take to make a custom ring?

One of the most common questions people ask is: “How long will it take to make my ring?”

Because all Rare Thing jewellery is made by hand at the bench, rather than cast or mass-produced, the process takes time. Most custom rings take around six weeks from start to finish so here’s why.

Every piece is different, but most handmade rings follow a rhythm something like this:

1. Design and discussion

This might be a conversation in the shop, a chat over zoom, a few emails, or time spent refining the idea together.

2. Material sourcing

Metals and stones are chosen and ordered specifically for your piece.

3. Hand fabrication at the bench

The ring is made from scratch — forming, soldering, shaping, refining, and building the piece step by step by hand.

4. Finishing and polishing

The surface, edges, and details are refined so the ring is comfortable, durable, and beautiful.

5. Final checks and adjustments

Fit, finish, and quality are checked before the ring is ready to wear.

6. Hallmarking

An important part of the process that takes around 1 week. hallmarking is required by law to any gold piece that weighs over 1 gram.

All of this happens in sequence, often alongside other pieces being made at the same time.

Hand fabrication is slow by nature. It involves heating, forming, soldering, filing, refining, resting materials between stages, and checking everything carefully along the way. Rushing risks mistakes, weak joins, or a piece that doesn’t feel right.

The time is what allows the work to be:

• structurally sound

• comfortable to wear

• carefully finished

• and made to last

Can it be faster?

Occasionally, yes — but only if the bench is quiet and the design is simple. If you’re working to a specific date (a proposal, a birthday, a wedding), it’s always best to mention it early so the process can be planned around that.

Why waiting is part of the value. A handmade ring isn’t just about the finished object — it’s about the care and attention that goes into making it.

The six-week timeline isn’t a delay. It’s the space needed for the work to be done properly and that’s what makes it different from something produced quickly or at scale.

A small note

If you’re thinking about a handmade piece for a particular moment, it’s never too early to start the conversation — even if the idea isn’t fully formed yet. That way the process can feel calm and intentional, rather than rushed.