You’re not traditional—why should your engagement ring be?
Each setting in our engagement program is inspired by one of our signature collections and designed with the same attention to detail that defines our bespoke work. The difference? These custom styles come with design fees already included—giving you the full Bernard James experience, with more clarity, flexibility, and room to make it your own.
CUSTOMIZATION PROCESS
STEP 1
CHOOSE A SETTING
Start with one of our signature designs, each inspired by a core Bernard James collection and crafted to highlight the stone in a distinct way.
STEP 2
CHOOSE A CUT AND YOUR 4Cs
Select your shape—emerald, round, pear, or cushion—and we’ll guide you through the 4 Cs to find the right diamond for you.
STEP 3
CHOOSE YOUR METAL COLOR AND CARAT
Pick your preferred metal—14k or 18k yellow, white, or rose gold, or platinum—and choose from a variety of finishes like polished, brushed, or matte to suit your style.
STEP 4
CUSTOMIZE FURTHER
Add accent stones, pavé details, or special touches to make your ring even more personal.
STEP 5
ENGRAVE YOUR RING
Finish the piece with a meaningful engraving—or keep it clean. It’s entirely up to you.
Free of Charge
STEP 1
CHOOSE A SETTING
Start with one of our signature designs, each inspired by a core Bernard James collection and crafted to highlight the stone in a distinct way.
STEP 2
CHOOSE A CUT AND YOUR 4Cs
Select your shape—emerald, round, pear, or cushion—and we’ll guide you through the 4 Cs to find the right diamond for you.
STEP 3
CHOOSE YOUR METAL COLOR AND CARAT
Pick your preferred metal—14k or 18k yellow, white, or rose gold, or platinum—and choose from a variety of finishes like polished, brushed, or matte to suit your style.
STEP 4
CUSTOMIZE FURTHER
Add accent stones, pavé details, or special touches to make your ring even more personal.
STEP 5
ENGRAVE YOUR RING
Finish the piece with a meaningful engraving—or keep it clean. It’s entirely up to you.
Free of Charge
DISCOVER OUR SETTINGS
All rings in the program are crafted to order—no two are ever exactly the same.
Almost as if you're wearing just the stone.
Inspired by our Frame collection, this design features a cathedral-style band with refined cutout detailing and Mirror logo–inspired prongs that echo the shape of the diamond. Both the band and prongs are designed to let in more light, creating a sense of openness—almost as if you're wearing just the stone.
Only Natural Diamonds
We only work with natural, ethically sourced diamonds. Every stone is hand-selected for its quality, origin, and character. We do not use lab-grown or treated diamonds. Request a copy of your GIA certificate.
What are the 4C's?
Over the past five years, the Bernard James Family Portraits have become a tradition rooted in love, identity, and belonging. What began in a Brooklyn backyard has evolved into an ongoing tribute to the people who inspire us—friends, family, and chosen community—captured at the intersection of heritage and expression.
FAQs
A good starting point is to “borrow” a ring they already wear on their ring finger (left or right hand) and bring it to us—we can measure it. If that’s not an option, don’t stress. We can make an educated guess and adjust after the proposal—resizing is common and easy.
It varies based on the diamond you choose, but our custom engagement settings are designed to offer more flexibility and transparency around pricing. We’ll guide you through every step—including how to get the most impact for your budget.
Start by paying attention to what they wear—do they go for bold or minimal? Gold or silver tones? You can also ask their friends or family discreetly. And if you’re really unsure, we’re happy to guide you through low-risk, high-impact options.
More than okay. Most of our clients come in with questions, not answers. Whether you know exactly what you're looking for or you’re starting from scratch, we’ll walk you through the process step by step—no pressure, no judgment. Just thoughtful guidance and honest conversation.
Our custom settings are pre-designed by Bernard and fully customizable—stone, metal, carat, and more. The bespoke process is a full design journey from scratch, and involves additional time and design fees. Both are made to order and incredibly personal—it just depends on how much creative direction you want to take on.
A Ring to Match
Your Commitment
Whether you designed your engagement ring with us or are simply looking for something meaningful to wear every day, our wedding bands are made with the same attention to detail, structure, and individuality.
We offer custom bands to complement each of our engagement settings—or to stand entirely on their own.
