When you order a Luxe Gemmes ring, nothing is pulled from a shelf. Your ring does not exist yet. It begins the moment you check out, built around the exact stone, carat weight, metal and size you chose. That is why every piece ships in 3 to 4 weeks, and it is also why the ring you receive is made for one hand only: hers.

Here is what happens during those weeks, and why we think it is the better way to buy an engagement ring.

Made to order vs. ready to ship

Most jewelry stores hold inventory. They buy rings in bulk, in a handful of popular sizes and metals, and sell whatever is in the case. That model works for the store, but it limits you. If the setting you love only comes in yellow gold, or the stone you want is a slightly different size, you compromise or you pay for a custom order anyway.

Made to order flips that. Our engagement rings are offered in two center stones (lab-created moissanite or lab-grown diamond), five carat weights and four metals: 14K white, yellow or rose gold, or platinum. That is 40 possible versions of every design before sizing. No responsible jeweler keeps all of them on hand. Instead, we make the one you choose, once, for you.

The result is less waste, no aging inventory built into the price, and a ring that is new in every sense when it reaches you.

What happens in the 3 to 4 weeks

Days 1 to 2: Order review and confirmation

Every order is checked by hand: stone type, carat weight, metal color, ring size and any engraving. If something looks unusual, such as a size that seems out of range for the style, we reach out before production begins. You can adjust your size or details within 48 hours of purchase, so this is the right moment to double-check.

Week 1: Stone selection and casting

Your center stone is selected to the grade promised on the product page: D colorless for lab-created moissanite, or D to E color, VVS clarity and IGI certification for lab-grown diamond. At the same time, your setting is cast in solid 14K gold or platinum in your exact size. Casting to size, rather than stretching or cutting a stock ring, keeps the band's proportions and strength intact.

Week 2: Setting the stones

This is where most of the time goes, and it should. A setter secures each accent stone and then the center stone by hand under magnification. On a design like the Radiant Hidden Halo, the hidden halo sits beneath the center stone, so each tiny stone must be aligned perfectly to catch light from the side without crowding the prongs above it. Rushing this step is how stones loosen later.

Week 3: Finishing and polishing

Once every stone is set, the ring is cleaned, polished and finished. White gold receives its bright final finish, and prongs are tipped and smoothed so they will not snag on sweaters or hair. Pavé bands are inspected stone by stone.

Final days: Quality inspection and shipping

Before it leaves us, your ring is inspected against your order: stone, metal, size and finish. Then it ships free, fully insured and by express service, arriving in 1 to 3 days once shipped. A signature is required at delivery, so your ring is never left on a doorstep.

Why we don't rush it

Could a ring be made faster? Yes, if you cut corners on setting time, skip a polishing step or trim the inspection. We would rather tell you the true timeline up front and meet it.

The craftsmanship you cannot see is what lets us stand behind every ring with a lifetime warranty on your moissanite or lab-grown diamond center stone and one complimentary resize within 30 days of your ship date. Promises like that are only possible when each piece is built carefully the first time.

Planning a proposal around the timeline

The simplest rule: order at least five weeks before you need the ring in hand. That gives you 3 to 4 weeks of production, a few days of express shipping and a little breathing room.

• Holiday proposals: For Christmas or New Year's Eve, order by the holiday cutoff shown on our homepage each season.
• Valentine's Day: Order by early January.
• A trip or a date already booked: Count back five weeks from your departure, not from the proposal itself.
• Not sure of her size? Read our guide to finding her ring size without asking. Your one complimentary resize within 30 days of your ship date is there if you need it.

What made to order means for your purchase

Because your ring is created specifically for you, we cannot accept change-of-mind returns. What we do offer is our 30-Day Quality Guarantee: if your piece arrives with a manufacturing defect, we repair, replace, exchange or refund it within 30 days. Discounted items are final sale.

We think that is the fair trade. You get a ring built to your exact specification in solid precious metal, at a price that does not carry the cost of a showroom full of unsold inventory. Explore the designs our clients choose most, including the Cushion Hidden Halo and the Radiant Hidden Halo, and start yours today.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Luxe Gemmes ring take to arrive?

Every piece is made to order and ships in 3 to 4 weeks. Once shipped, free insured express delivery takes 1 to 3 days, with a signature required.

Can I change my ring size after ordering?

Yes. Sizes and details can be changed within 48 hours of purchase. After that, every ring includes one complimentary resize within 30 days of your ship date.

Can I cancel a made-to-order ring?

Orders can be cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, before production begins. After that, the ring is in production for you and all sales are final, though our 30-Day Quality Guarantee still applies.

Is shipping really free?

Yes. Every order ships free, fully insured and by express service, with a signature required at delivery.

Is the metal solid gold?

Always. Every setting is solid 14K gold or platinum. We never use coated or layered metals.