Customizing your engagement ring is now easier than ever, thanks to this heritage jeweler

(Image credit: @laurenegg)

Getting engaged can be one of the most exciting times in your life. From buying a ring to proposing to starting wedding planning, there are so many big moments to experience in a short amount of time. For this reason, it’s very common for couples to want to take the easiest route possible for all of the above, and now, thanks to Ben Bridge, customizing an engagement ring is moving away from the stereotype of being complicated. It’s officially over to something easy and seamless. Ben Bridge is a jeweler whose name you may know from growing up going to your local mall, but who has since grown to become one of the most respected fine jewelers in the United States. Ben Bridge has been around for over 112 years and has remained a family-run business for most of that time. This year, I was lucky enough to join the company’s CEO and president, Lisa Bridge, on a jeweler’s trip to India, where we toured Indian manufacturers and factories.

Ben Bridge offers a wide variety of products from jewelry to Rolexes, so we got to experience the Indian companies that work with Ben Bridge to create some of their most valuable products. I’m excited to talk to you today about their custom engagement ring line, Bella Ponte, which means “Beautiful Bridge.” Bella Ponte is manufactured by Shah Luxury in Mumbai, India, where the brand’s custom engagement rings are born. Our goal with this engagement ring series is to debunk the hysteria surrounding engagement ring customization. This includes the idea that going the custom route is much more expensive, much more time-consuming, and much more complicated. They achieve this through advanced technological innovations that are rare in the industry. And for customers, these innovations make the customization process easier than ever.

Ben Bridge Bella Ponte Custom Engagement Ring

Bella Ponte by Ben Bridge offers every imaginable engagement and wedding ring style, along with customization services. Below, we’ll walk you step-by-step through Bella Ponte’s custom engagement process and outline how easy it is to make your dream engagement ring a reality. From design consultations to 3D holograms on rings to unique documentation of the entire process, Bella Ponte is changing the face of custom engagement rings. While in India, Ben Bridge gave me the opportunity to design my own ring so I could learn more about how special and easy this process is. Read on for a breakdown of Bela Ponte’s customization process, including images from her time in India with the Ben Bridge team, and ring samples to help if you’re planning an engagement soon.

Step 1: In-store design consultation

Ben Bridge offers in-store design consultation appointments where customers can meet with a representative to plan their dream engagement ring. This first step is often the scariest, but the combination of the Bella Ponte collection and the expertise of our employees makes it easy. Here, we will explain the shape, size, and setting of stones. Whether you have a completely custom vision in mind or want to take an existing style and customize from there, this collection has something for every taste.

Before traveling to India with Ben Bridge, I had promised to design my own ring from the Bela Ponte collection. I was very intimidated at the first meeting as I didn’t know where to start design-wise, but he guided me through every step with ease and ultimately helped me design the perfect ring for me. It’s done.

Step 2: Digital rendering

Once your design is finalized, the next step in the Bella Ponte customization process is to review the digital rendering or CAD (computer-aided design) of your unique ring. This step allows you to see your idea come to life. The digital renderings are so detailed that you can see every detail in the stones, protrusions, and metal. If you want to make changes, these are the steps to make them happen. A wax casting is also created at this stage. This step allows you to feel secure and at peace with your ring design. I remember seeing my work for the first time and realizing that the concept we were working on was going to be even better than I could have imagined.

Step 3: 3D hologram

This next step is what makes Bella Ponte’s engagement ring process stand out among its competitors. Once your ring is complete, you’ll receive a 3D hologram of your ring that you can view on your smartphone. Customers are provided with a custom link and a special plastic cone that allows them to see a 3D holographic version of the ring. Unique technology developed by Salil Shah and Neil Shah makes the customization process even more approachable. Customers are involved in every detail of their ring’s creation and receive these innovative affirmation checkpoints along the way. This step is a great way to keep your customers connected while they wait for their ring to be completed.

Step 4: Take the ring home

At the end, customers can take home their customized ring. My favorite part of this Bella Ponte customization process is the My Story card that customers receive after the ring is delivered. This is sent via a QR code that links to and documents the lifecycle of the ring. All details about metals and stones are included, as well as photos and design notes. Whether or not the proposer had a hand in designing the ring, this My Story card will be a treasured keepsake for the couple.