CAD design

CAD is computer-aided design: your ring exists as an exact 3D model before any metal exists. It is the difference between a design and a guess.

What CAD gets right that a sketch cannot

• Proportions — exact band width, stone height, and setting position, verified against the real stone
• Stone fit — the seat is modeled to your diamond's actual girdle diameter, not a nominal size, so the stone sits at the correct depth
• Prong placement — positioned to the stone's actual geometry, so they hold without covering the face-up view
• Wearability — you can see whether the ring will catch on a pocket, since we model the profile
• Fit — the band can be modeled to your exact measured size

What to review before you approve

This is the one stage where spending ten minutes genuinely protects your money. Check:

1. Stone size in context. Compare the render to how the shape reads on an actual finger, not just in isolation.
2. Proportions. Is the ring delicate or substantial, and is that what you wanted?
3. Prong coverage. Enough to secure the stone, not so much that it hides the diamond's face-up view.
4. Side profile. Height and how it sits on the hand.
5. Metal weight. A visual proxy only, but an unusually thin or heavy band is worth discussing.

How many rounds of revision

Revisions happen and we want them to. We would much rather iterate on a model than on a finished ring. The point at which we need you to finalize is casting, and we will tell you clearly when you are there.

Why approval locks the design

When you approve a CAD model, you are confirming the stone, shape, setting, and proportions. After approval we build exactly that. This is why custom rings are final sale: if the finished ring differs from an approved design because of a change of mind, that is a different situation from a manufacturing defect, which is a warranty matter. We are not being difficult; we are being clear about where responsibility sits.

What CAD cannot show you

It cannot show how a stone will look in different lighting, and it cannot show how it will look on your partner's hand. Emerald and Asscher cuts in particular change dramatically between environments. If you can, view the actual stone. Contact [OWNER: confirm support email].

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know anything about jewelry to approve a CAD render?

No. We will point out what matters and what we would change, and explain the trade-offs in plain terms. Your job is to say whether you like it and whether it feels like the ring you imagined.

Can the CAD render change the stone I receive?

No. The stone is selected and reserved before design, and the model is built to that specific stone's dimensions. The design informs the setting, never the other way around.