Love is in the air. As you plan a wedding, you’re stepping into a season filled with excitement and meaningful decisions. Among them, selecting an engagement ring and wedding bands is one of the most personal—and lasting—choices you’ll make. These pieces are more than symbols of commitment; they are heirlooms in the making, worn every day and chosen to reflect a style that is unmistakably your own.
Begin With Personal Style
Before diving into specifics, consider your lifestyle and aesthetic. Are you drawn to timeless classics or modern, architectural designs? Do you gravitate toward delicate details or bold statement pieces? Are you interested in custom designing a piece? Your everyday jewelry preferences often reveal the best starting point. While trends can inspire, the most enduring rings are those that feel authentic to the wearer.
As Jamie Kresl, Owner of Jewelry Artisans explains, “An engagement ring should feel like an extension of who you are. When clients start with their personal style, every decision that follows becomes clearer and more intentional.”
Understanding Metal Choices and Their Cost
Metal selection plays a major role in both appearance and budget. Yellow gold remains a traditional favorite, offering warmth and durability at a more accessible price point. White gold delivers a similar look to platinum at a lower cost, though it may require periodic maintenance. Platinum, prized for its strength and natural white sheen, is often the most expensive option—frequently costing nearly twice as much as gold—but valued for its longevity.
Rose gold, known for its romantic hue, typically falls within a similar price range to yellow gold and continues to appeal to couples seeking a distinctive yet timeless look. Lifestyle, durability, maintenance, and comfort should all factor into the final decision.
Diamonds: Beyond Size
When selecting a diamond, size is only part of the conversation. Cut, clarity, color, and carat weight all influence both beauty and cost. A well-cut diamond can appear larger and more brilliant than a heavier stone with a lesser cut. Clarity refers to natural inclusions that may not be visible to the naked eye but can significantly affect pricing, while color ranges from colorless to warmer tones.
Couples today also have more options than ever when it comes to diamond origin. Alongside natural diamonds, many are considering lab-grown diamonds, which offer the same brilliance and durability at a lower price point.
At Jewelry Artisans, natural diamonds are sourced through the Kimberley Process, an international certification system that ensures diamonds are conflict-free and responsibly traded. This process tracks each stone from mine to market, protecting communities and preventing the sale of conflict diamonds. As a result, our natural diamonds offer lasting value, authenticity, and the confidence they were sourced ethically and responsibly.
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds—chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural stones. Even trained gemologists require specialized equipment to distinguish them. The difference lies in origin, not authenticity. Natural diamonds form deep within the earth over millions of years, while lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments in a matter of weeks. Because of this, lab-grown diamonds typically cost 30–50 percent less, allowing couples to prioritize size, cut, or clarity while staying within budget. Both options are graded by the same standards, and the choice ultimately reflects personal values and desired budget.
Design Details That Make It Personal
Beyond stones and metals, design details bring the ring to life. Custom touches—whether a unique setting, mixed metals, or hidden elements—can transform a ring into a deeply personal statement.
“Custom design is about storytelling,” says Chief Designer Beatrice De’Irisarri, GIA G.G., Member N.A.J.A. and AJS Certified Jeweler. “Every line, setting, and detail should reflect the couple’s journey. When design is intentional, the result feels like a true expression of love. In my 20 years with Jewelry Artisans, creating the pieces alongside our clients has captured not only their hearts - but mine as well.”
Wedding Bands That Complete the Story
Wedding bands deserve just as much thought as engagement rings. Some couples choose perfectly matched sets, while others prefer complementary designs that honor individual style. Engravings, subtle textures, or meaningful details inside the band can add an intimate layer to these everyday pieces.
Jewelry Artisans also offers a stunning collection of unique alternative metal wedding bands and inlays for both men and women - blending bold style with exceptional craftsmanship. Their innovative use of materials like Damascus Steel, Meteorite, and Tantalum creates one-of-a-kind rings that stand out from traditional designs. Whether you’re seeking a sleek modern look or a rugged statement piece, the company delivers durable, eye-catching bands that celebrate individuality and lasting commitment.
The Value of Trusted Expertise
Choosing engagement rings and wedding bands is a meaningful process—one best guided by experience. A trusted jeweler helps couples navigate quality, cost, and design with clarity and confidence. More than a purchase, it becomes a collaborative journey, ensuring the rings chosen are beautiful, lasting, and deeply personal.
In the end, the perfect rings aren’t defined by trends or rules. They’re defined by intention. Thoughtfully chosen, they become enduring symbols of love—timeless, personal, and unmistakably yours.
Beyond engagement and wedding bands, for over 50 years Jewelry Artisans has welcomed guests to explore a curated world of design—from contour styles and vibrant colored stones to fine timepieces and exquisite estate jewelry. Rooted in craftsmanship and guided by a legacy of trust, this family-owned jeweler offers a thoughtful, personal approach to every milestone, ensuring each piece is chosen with confidence, care, and lasting significance.
jewelryartisans.com | 770-393-0321
“An engagement ring should feel like an extension of who you are. When clients start with their personal style, every decision that follows becomes clearer and more intentional.”
"In my 20 years with Jewelry Artisans, creating the pieces alongside our clients has captured not only their hearts - but mine as well.”