Summer hits, and my phone starts ringing. Every year, without fail, the calls come in from West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and right across the Lower Mainland. Someone has a ring to design and a July proposal planned. Often they have been sitting on the idea since spring and suddenly the date is six weeks away.
I am going to walk you through exactly what you need to know before you start designing a custom proposal ring. No sales pitch. Just the information I wish every client had before they walked through my door.
I have spent more than 25 years designing custom engagement rings from my private studio in Ladner Village. I am a Fellow of the Canadian Gemmological Association and a Graduate Gemologist with the GIA. In 2024, I was honoured with the Platinum Award for Community Votes Delta. I serve clients throughout the Lower Mainland, and many of them come to me from West Vancouver specifically because they want something that was not picked from a display case.
Christmas and New Year’s still lead the calendar for proposals, but summer has been gaining ground for years. And it makes sense.
Long evenings mean more time. A proposal on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, a sunset walk along Ambleside, or a weekend trip to Bowen Island. Summer gives you options.
It also gives you better weather for the ring reveal. Natural light, outdoor settings, no rain ruining the moment. In a city where we live for the dry months, summer proposals just feel right.
The practical side matters too. Many couples want to announce their engagement at summer family gatherings. Barbecues, reunions, weddings. It is easier to share the news in person when everyone is already getting together.
If you are reading this and thinking about a summer proposal, the most important thing to know is this: start the ring process early. I will explain why in a moment.
Most engagement rings sold in Canada come from a showcase. Someone else chose the diamond, someone else paired it with the setting, and the ring was manufactured to fit a range of average finger sizes. There is nothing wrong with buying a ring this way, but you should know what you are trading.
With an off-the-shelf ring, you are limited to what is in front of you. You cannot change the metal. You cannot swap the centre stone. You cannot adjust the band width or the setting height. If the ring does not feel quite right, you settle because that is what is available.
A custom engagement ring works the other way around. We start with what you want: the metal, the stone, the profile, the details. Everything is built to your decisions and to your partner’s finger. Nothing is pre-made.
The other difference people do not always think about is quality. A custom ring goes through multiple checkpoints: stone selection, CAD design, wax review, casting, stone setting, finishing, and final inspection. I handle every one of those steps personally or with jewellers I have worked with for decades. A mass-produced ring does not get that kind of attention.
If you want a ring that feels personal, fits perfectly, and reflects the person you are proposing to, custom is the way. If you need a ring tomorrow, custom is not the answer. It is that simple.
I walk every client through the same process. It does not matter whether you are in West Vancouver or Ladner. Here is how it goes.
Consultation. You come to my private Ladner Village Design Studio. We sit down and talk. You tell me about your partner, what they like, what jewellery they already wear, what metal colour they prefer. If you have reference photos, bring them. If you have no idea where to start, that is fine too. I ask the right questions.
Stone selection. This is where my GIA training matters most. I source diamonds and coloured gemstones based on what you want to spend and what looks best. I do not push anyone toward a specific carat weight or clarity grade. I show you stones side by side and help you see the differences for yourself. A D-colour flawless diamond is not always the right choice, and a warmer stone with great cut quality often looks better in person than a higher grade on paper. I help you make sense of it.
Design and CAD. Once we have a stone and a direction, I work with you on the design. We talk about band style, setting type, prong shape, profile height, and every detail that makes the ring yours. The design goes into CAD so you can see the ring in 3D before anything is made. This is the point where we adjust proportions and make sure the ring will sit comfortably on the hand.
Wax model. For many designs, I produce a physical wax model before we cast in metal. You can hold it, see the proportions in real life, and confirm everything feels right. Changes at this stage are easy. Changes after casting are not.
Casting and finishing. The ring is cast in your chosen metal. Then it goes through setting, polishing, and final inspection. I check every stone under magnification before it leaves my studio. If something is not right, it does not go out the door.
Delivery. You pick up the ring from my Ladner Village studio. I walk you through everything: how to insure it, how to care for it, what to do if it needs resizing later. I stand behind every ring I make.
West Vancouver clients tend to favour clean, understated design. There is a confidence in wearing something beautiful that does not shout. I see a lot of requests for these styles.
The refined solitaire. A single diamond or coloured gemstone on a simple band. Nothing competes with the stone. White gold and platinum are the most common metal choices, but yellow gold has been coming back in a real way, especially for warmer-toned diamonds.
The three-stone ring. One centre stone flanked by two smaller stones. This style carries meaning for many couples: past, present, and future. It also gives you more design flexibility. You can mix shapes, like an oval centre with pear side stones, or keep everything uniform.
The low-profile ring. A practical choice for someone with an active lifestyle. The stone sits closer to the finger and the band profile is smoother. Less snagging on gloves, pockets, and activewear. This is one of the most common requests I get from West Vancouver clients who hike, ski, sail, or spend time on the water.
Coloured gemstone centres. Not every proposal ring needs a diamond at the centre. Sapphires in blue, teal, and pink have been popular for years and they hold up to daily wear. Some clients choose a gemstone that matches their partner’s birth month, or they pick a colour that means something to the relationship. I have sourced everything from deep green tsavorite to soft peach morganite for engagement rings.
The heirloom redesign. Sometimes a client walks in with a ring or loose stones from a parent or grandparent. We talk about what can be reused and what needs to be rebuilt. An inherited diamond set into a new custom ring carries weight that a new stone never could.
This is the question that catches people off guard. How long does it actually take?
Six to eight weeks is comfortable. That gives us time for consultation, stone sourcing, design, CAD, wax review, casting, setting, and finishing without rushing anything.
Four weeks is tight. It can be done, especially if the design is straightforward and the stone is already in my inventory. But you will have fewer options and less time to sit with decisions.
Two weeks is emergency territory. At this point, I can sometimes source a stone quickly and work with a simpler design, but the full custom process takes a back seat to speed. I have done it. I do not recommend it.
If you are planning a summer proposal, start in April or early May. A late-August proposal still gives you time if you start now. September proposals are in great shape if you start in July.
The biggest mistake I see? Someone buys the diamond first, online, without talking to a jeweller. Then they bring it to me and say, “Can you set this?” Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes the stone has proportions that make setting difficult, or a cut quality that does not perform well in person. You save yourself stress by involving your jeweller from the start.
I have designed rings for proposals at Dundarave Pier, on the trails above Lighthouse Park, and at sunset on the seawall. West Vancouver gives you some of the best backdrops in the country. A few of my favourites that clients have told me about:
Whytecliff Park. Protected water, rocky shoreline, views across to Bowen Island. Quiet on weekday mornings. Busy on summer weekends, so plan accordingly.
Lighthouse Park. Old-growth forest meets the ocean. The trails are accessible and the viewpoints are dramatic. The Point Atkinson lighthouse at golden hour is hard to beat.
Ambleside Park. Wide open, easy to reach, and you can walk the pier after you get a yes. Good for a low-key proposal that still feels special.
Dundarave Beach. Smaller and quieter than Ambleside. The pier faces south toward downtown Vancouver. At sunset, the light is exactly right.
Cypress Mountain Lookout. Drive up in the evening and you get the whole city spread out below you. No hiking required. Just bring a jacket because it is cooler at elevation, even in July.
These are the kinds of places I hear about when clients come back to show me their photos. The ring is part of a moment with a view. That is what summer proposals are about.
How much does a custom engagement ring cost?
Custom does not automatically mean more expensive. The cost depends entirely on your choices: the metal, the stone, and the complexity of the design. A custom solitaire in 14K white gold with a modest diamond can cost less than a comparable off-the-shelf ring from a high-end retailer. I work within your budget and I am transparent about where the money goes. Book a consultation and we will talk numbers honestly.
Can I use a family diamond in a custom ring?
Yes, absolutely. I do this regularly. I inspect the stone first to confirm it is suitable for resetting. If the diamond was cut fifty or sixty years ago, the proportions may not match modern standards. Most inherited stones work beautifully in a new setting, but I will tell you honestly if there are concerns.
What if I do not know her ring size?
That is normal. Most people do not. I size the ring to a standard 6.5 or 7 for the proposal, and we resize it afterward at no charge. There are discreet ways to borrow a ring she already wears to get close. If you cannot get a measurement, we work with an estimate and plan for a resizing.
Should I involve my partner in the design?
Some clients love the surprise and design the ring entirely on their own. Others bring their partner to the consultation so she can try on styles and give direction. There is no wrong approach. I have seen both work beautifully. If you want the surprise but still want her input, pay attention to what jewellery she wears now, or casually ask her what she likes when you pass a jewellery store window.
What metals do you work with?
Platinum, 18K and 14K white gold, 18K and 14K yellow gold, and 18K and 14K rose gold. Each has its own characteristics. I help you choose based on lifestyle, skin tone, and the type of stone going into the ring.
Do you do custom wedding bands too?
Yes. I design wedding bands to sit flush against the engagement ring. If you are starting with the engagement ring, I already have the CAD file and the measurements, so the wedding band will fit perfectly. Many clients order both at the same time.
I am in West Vancouver. How do consultations work?
You come to my private Ladner Village Design Studio, about 35 minutes from West Vancouver by car. We sit down one on one, no distractions, no other customers in the room. If you cannot make it in person right away, we start with a phone call and move to in-person when it is time to look at stones. I serve clients from West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver, and across the Lower Mainland.
What if she says no?
In more than 25 years, this has not happened to a client who came to me with a serious plan. Most couples have talked about marriage before a ring is purchased. The proposal is a surprise. The answer should not be. But if you have genuine doubts, I would say hold off on the ring until you are sure. A custom ring is a joyful project. It should feel that way every step of the way.
I design every ring one at a time, for one client at a time. My studio is private, my appointments are unhurried, and I walk you through every decision with the full weight of 25 years in this craft.
If you are ready to start designing a custom proposal ring, reach out. Summer is coming. Let us make sure the ring is ready when you are.
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Learn more about gemstones and custom jewellery in my birthstone guide.
