I’m Suman Smith, founder of Lux Jewels. I’ve designed custom engagement rings for Vancouver and Canadian clients since 2007. In 2015 I became the first jeweler in Canada to offer lab grown diamond engagement rings. I don’t carry inventory. I don’t have a showroom. I don’t have a commissioned sales floor. What I have is a nineteen-year track record of designing rings that actually fit the person wearing them, instead of pulling something from a display case and hoping it’s close enough.
Here’s what a custom engagement ring actually means at Lux Jewels: the design starts with a conversation about your partner, not a catalog. We work out her style, her daily life, her hand, her aesthetic. Then we source the diamond to your budget and specifications (lab grown or natural, your call). Then I design the ring in CAD, send you 3D renders for review, make revisions until it’s right, and produce the finished ring with ethically repurposed gold and responsibly sourced stones. Every step happens via video consultation and secure file sharing. The ring ships to you insured with tracking. No showroom visits. No in-person appointments. Same custom quality, accessible from anywhere in Canada, the US.
At Lux Jewels, our custom engagement ring settings start at $4,000 CAD with the diamond priced separately at close-to-wholesale cost. Same diamond quality. Same design complexity. Same metal weight. The gap is overhead. Retail showroom rent on Granville Street or in Park Royal. Sales commissions. Inventory sitting in cases. Every ring you see in a Vancouver jewelry store window includes those costs baked into the price. Without an inventory showroom model, we don’t pay those costs, and you don’t pay for them either.
Quick Answer
Custom Engagement Rings from Lux Jewels
Custom engagement rings designed virtually with Suman Smith, founder of Lux Jewels and first Canadian jeweler to offer lab grown diamonds (2015). Starting at $4,000 CAD for the setting plus the diamond at close-to-wholesale cost. Full process runs online via video consultation and CAD design review, completed in 4 to 5 weeks from deposit. Ships insured to any address in Canada, the US. No showroom visits required. Used by clients across Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, North Vancouver, and the rest of Canada.
Last updated: April 2026 | Led by Suman Smith, custom jeweler since 2007
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Why a Custom Engagement Ring Beats Retail
Retail engagement rings are built for the average customer. A custom engagement ring is built for one specific person. That difference shows up in the finished piece in ways that matter for the rest of her life.
Retail Economics Are Working Against You
A chain jewelry store in Vancouver marks up engagement rings 200 to 300 percent over wholesale cost. That’s not a moral judgment, it’s survival math. Storefront rent in Yaletown or downtown runs $8,000 to $25,000 CAD per month. Commissioned sales staff take 3 to 8 percent per ring. Security, insurance, inventory financing, display lighting, the velvet trays: all of that is built into what you pay.
Custom jewelers like Lux Jewels work at 30 to 40 percent total markup. We don’t pay showroom rent because there’s no showroom. I don’t pay commissions because the team is me. I don’t finance display inventory because nothing exists until you commission it. That difference in overhead is where custom can offer meaningful value, though exactly how much depends on which retailer you’re comparing to and the specifics of the ring.
Custom Means the Ring Fits Her Specifically
A retail ring is designed for the average hand, the average style preference, and the average finger length. Your partner isn’t average. She has specific proportions, specific aesthetic preferences, and a specific life. A 2-carat stone that looks elegant on one woman looks oversized on another. A setting that reads delicate on long fingers reads fussy on short ones. Band width, stone profile height, accent style, metal color: every choice should match her, not the average.
The Stone Is Sourced to You
I don’t sell you a stone from a tray. I source to your budget and specifications from my grower and cutter network. Whatever you want, lab grown or natural, round or oval or emerald cut, Type IIa or standard, D color or G: I find that exact stone, confirm the GIA or IGI certificate matches the actual quality, and hold the budget line. You see the specific stone on video before you commit. You get the exact certificate before the design goes into CAD. No surprises at the end.
For the full lab grown diamond quality framework including Type IIa and bluff diamond prevention, see:
How the Virtual Custom Design Process Works
Here’s exactly how a custom engagement ring gets designed and built without you ever walking into a physical location. This is the process I’ve refined over over 20 years of running Lux Jewels. It works. It doesn’t require you to trade a day for a showroom appointment, take time off work, fight downtown parking, or fly to Vancouver.
Phase 1: The Discovery Call
We start with a free jewelry consultation. This is a 30 to 40 minute video call to understand you and your partner: lifestyle, needs, wants, budget. We also talk diamonds and design. You’re welcome to share images of rings, styles, or settings she’s drawn to before the call so I can come prepared. I share images during the call as well, based on where the conversation takes us. By the end of Phase 1, I have the information I need to move forward on your behalf.
Phase 2: Stone Sourcing and Estimate
After Phase 1, I source diamonds that fit your budget and specifications. You receive video of each stone plus a full GIA or IGI certificate for each one. I also provide an estimate to make the ring based on the design direction we discussed. Lab grown stones typically source within 5 to 10 business days. Natural stones can take 1 to 3 weeks depending on how rare the specs are. If the exact stone is hard to find (for example, a D color Type IIa 3-carat oval with VS1 clarity), it may take longer. I’ll tell you that up front so you can decide whether to wait or adjust.
Phase 3: Questions and Further Quotes
Once you’ve reviewed the stone videos, certificates, and estimate from Phase 2, we have a follow-up conversation. I answer any questions about the diamonds, the estimate, or the design. If you’d like to see other stones or explore a different price point, I source additional options at this stage. This is where the decision gets locked: which stone, what final design direction, and confirmation of the estimate before we move into CAD.
Phase 4: CAD Design
Once the stone is chosen, I build the ring design in 3D CAD software. You get full 360-degree renders, side profiles, and top-down views, rendered in the exact metal color we’ve chosen. One revision is included. Additional revisions may be subject to cost depending on complexity, though most clients don’t need revisions. We lock the design when you’re 100 percent happy, not before. For complex designs I’ll also offer 3D-printed resin models shipped to your address so she could try on the exact shape and proportions before you commit, but most clients don’t need this step either.
Production
After design sign-off, the ring goes into production. 14k or 18k gold (your choice), platinum, or repurposed gold are cast to the exact CAD specification. Repurposed gold is previously refined gold that has not come directly from a mine in its first lifecycle. 99.5 percent of our gold is repurposed. Our jewelry reflects our commitment to the planet. The stone is then hand-set by a master setter. Production takes 3 to 5 weeks depending on complexity. I send progress updates as needed so you’re always informed on the status.
Delivery
The ring is professionally cleaned, photographed for our records, and shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight. All shipments are insured and require a signature. Most packages arrive the next day. Customs delays are occasionally out of our control. If you’re inside the Lower Mainland (Surrey, Burnaby, North Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminster, Coquitlam), delivery is typically next-day.
Total Timeline: 4 to 5 Weeks
Most rings are 4 to 5 weeks from deposit, sometimes less. Occasionally longer due to unforeseen variables like shipping delays on sourced stones. Rush timelines are sometimes possible for an additional fee if you have a specific proposal date.
Why Lux Jewels Works Online Instead of Through a Showroom
This is a question I get on almost every call, so it’s worth answering directly. The virtual operating model isn’t a COVID workaround or a cost-cutting shortcut. It’s a deliberate design choice that serves clients better than a showroom model would.
You See More Stones, Not Fewer
A physical showroom can display maybe 30 to 60 engagement rings at any one time. Real inventory is limited by case space, security, and capital tied up in stones. My grower and cutter network has access to thousands of lab grown stones and hundreds of natural stones at any given moment. When we source for you, we’re pulling from a much larger pool than a showroom could ever display. You see the three or five that actually match your specs, not whatever the showroom happens to have in stock.
Video Review Beats Showroom Lighting
Showroom lighting is designed to flatter stones. Bright directional spotlights make even mediocre cuts look brilliant. Daylight at home is what you’ll actually see the ring in for the next 40 years. Video review under neutral lighting gives you a more honest representation of the stone than showroom viewing does. You’ll see the stone in the environment where it will actually live.
No Sales Pressure
Walking into a Vancouver engagement ring showroom triggers a specific social dynamic. A commissioned salesperson is watching you, expects you to feel pressure to buy, and often uses that pressure deliberately. Custom design via video doesn’t have that energy. You take your time. You think between calls. You discuss privately with your partner if you want to. The decision happens on your timeline, not the salesperson’s.
Lower Overhead Means Lower Prices
This is the part most showroom jewelers won’t explain honestly: overhead is a major component of retail engagement ring pricing, alongside the actual diamond and labor cost. Showroom rent, commissioned sales staff, display financing, marketing, and margin all fold into what you pay. Without that overhead, the same ring can cost considerably less. How much less depends on many variables, including the stone, metal, design complexity, and which retailer you’re comparing to. What I can promise is integrity in every diamond I source: ideal light reflection, no undertones, and the quality the certificate actually represents.
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Custom Engagement Ring Prices
Real CAD pricing for custom engagement rings from Lux Jewels in 2026. The setting price is separate from the stone price for transparency. Total price = setting + diamond.
Setting Prices (Metalwork Only)
Setting Style | 14k Gold | 18k Gold | Platinum |
Simple Solitaire | $1,800 - $2,800 | $2,400 - $3,600 | $3,200 - $4,400 |
Hidden Halo Solitaire | $2,400 - $3,800 | $3,200 - $4,800 | $4,200 - $5,800 |
Visible Halo | $2,800 - $4,400 | $3,800 - $5,600 | $4,800 - $6,800 |
Three-Stone | $3,200 - $5,200 | $4,400 - $6,800 | $5,600 - $8,200 |
Vintage / Art Deco | $3,800 - $6,400 | $5,200 - $8,400 | $6,600 - $10,200 |
Highly Complex Custom | $5,500 - $9,500 | $7,500 - $12,500 | $9,500 - $15,500 |
Diamond Prices (Added to Setting Price)
Carat + Quality | Lab Grown (Type IIa) | Natural (GIA D-F VS1+) |
1.0 ct D-F VS1+ Ideal cut | $1,500 - $3,500 | $8,500 - $15,000 |
1.5 ct D-F VS1+ Ideal cut | $2,200 - $4,800 | $14,000 - $24,000 |
2.0 ct D-F VS1+ Ideal cut | $2,400 - $6,000 | $20,000 - $33,000 |
3.0 ct D-F VS1+ Ideal cut | $5,500 - $11,000 | $40,000 - $65,000 |
Common Total Price Examples
- Simple solitaire + 1.5 ct lab grown Type IIa: $4,000 to $7,600 CAD total
- Hidden halo + 2 ct lab grown Type IIa: $4,800 to $9,800 CAD total
- Three-stone + 1 ct natural D-F VS1 center: $11,700 to $20,200 CAD total
- Vintage setting + 1.5 ct lab grown Type IIa: $6,000 to $11,200 CAD total
- Highly complex custom + 3 ct lab grown Type IIa: $11,000 to $20,500 CAD total
Prices depend on the stone, the design, and which retailer you’re comparing to. What stays constant is the integrity of every diamond I source: ideal light reflection, no undertones, and the quality the certificate actually represents.
What You Can Customize
Custom design means actually custom. Every element of the ring can be specified to what you want, not chosen from a limited menu.
Stone Choices
- Shape: round brilliant, oval, emerald, princess, cushion, pear, radiant, asscher, marquise, or rare cuts like old mine or old European
- Origin: lab grown or mined natural (we work with both at Type IIa quality)
- Carat weight: any size from 0.5 ct to 5+ ct
- Color grade: D-F (colorless) through K-M (warm) based on preference and budget
- Clarity: Flawless through SI1 (we recommend VS1+ for engagement)
- Certification: GIA, IGI, or both (we insist on at least one reputable lab)
Setting Choices
- Metal: 14k gold (yellow, white, rose), 18k gold, platinum, or repurposed gold
- Band width: 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm
- Band profile: flat, rounded, knife-edge, tapered, split shank
- Prong style: 4-prong, 6-prong, V-prong for fancy shapes, hidden prong
- Accent stones: pave, channel, bezel, none
- Halo: visible, hidden, none, diamond halo, colored gemstone halo
- Gallery detail: open, closed, filigree, milgrain, scrollwork
Symbolic Elements
- Hidden gemstones set inside the band (her birthstone, his birthstone, or meaningful date stones)
- Engraving inside the band (coordinates of where you met, a date, a phrase, a name)
- Heirloom diamonds or metals reset into the new ring (we reset family stones)
- Custom design elements that reflect her hobbies or your shared story
Recent Lux Jewels Custom Projects
Every ring I make has a story. Here are three recent ones from across the Vancouver region and beyond, each showing a different way custom design solves a problem retail can’t.
The Surrey Solitaire: Hidden Diamonds for a Medical Resident
Client in Surrey had a partner who worked long hospital shifts and needed a ring that wouldn’t catch on surgical gloves or patient care. Retail options all had prongs that caught on things. We designed a low-profile bezel-set oval with the entire gallery recessed into the band. No prongs to catch. The symbolic element was hidden inside the band: four tiny sapphires marking the cities where they’d lived together during med school training. Total cost: $5,800 CAD. The hidden sapphires were custom to her story, the kind of detail you don’t get from a display case.
The North Vancouver Heirloom Reset
Client inherited his grandmother’s 1950s engagement ring but the original setting was tarnished, too small for his partner, and the center stone had cloudy inclusions his grandmother had never noticed. We kept the sentimental grandmother’s stone, sourced two side stones to complement the original, and designed a new setting inspired by the 1950s aesthetic but sized and reinforced for modern daily wear. Total cost for the redesign: $4,200 CAD. The emotional value: impossible to put a number on.
The Toronto-to-Vancouver Distance Design
Client in Toronto who had never been to Vancouver commissioned a 2.5-carat lab grown oval custom solitaire for his fiancee. The whole project happened by video. He saw five stone options, chose the right one, went through three CAD revision rounds, and received the finished ring by insured courier 6 weeks after our first call. Total cost: $6,900 CAD. He told me afterward he’d been quoted $14,000 CAD for a similar ring from a chain store in Toronto and almost bought it before finding us. He proposed on a beach in Mexico. The ring was perfect.
Where Lux Jewels Ships Custom Engagement Rings
Lux Jewels serves clients across Canada, the US. The virtual process means location doesn’t change the quality of service you receive. It only changes the shipping timeline.
Canadian Delivery
All rings ship via FedEx Priority Overnight, insured and signature required. Most packages arrive the next day, whether you’re in the Lower Mainland (Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, North Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminster, Coquitlam, West Vancouver, Port Moody, Delta, Maple Ridge), elsewhere in British Columbia, or anywhere else in Canada (Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, Ottawa, Halifax). Occasional delays are possible but uncommon.
International Delivery
US delivery ships via FedEx Priority Overnight, insured and signature required. Most packages arrive the next day. Customs processing can occasionally add delays that are out of our control. All shipments include full insurance and customs documentation. Import duties where applicable are the client’s responsibility, but they’re typically 5 to 15 percent depending on country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to visit a physical studio for the custom design process?
No. 100 percent of our clients complete their project without an in-person visit. The virtual process was designed intentionally to serve clients across Canada, the US without any showroom overhead. Video calls, CAD renders, and insured shipping replace the traditional showroom visit, and most clients find the virtual process clearer and less pressured than walking into a retail store.
How much do custom engagement rings cost in Vancouver?
Custom engagement rings at Lux Jewels start at around $4,000 CAD for a simple solitaire setting plus a 1-carat lab grown diamond. A typical mid-range project with a 1.5 to 2 carat lab grown diamond and a hidden halo setting runs $5,000 to $9,000 CAD. Complex designs with 3+ carat diamonds or intricate vintage settings run $11,000 to $20,000 CAD. Where you sit on that range depends on the stone, metal, design complexity, and which retailer you’re comparing to. What I can promise is integrity in every diamond I source: ideal light reflection, no undertones, and the quality the certificate actually represents.
How long does a custom engagement ring take?
Most custom rings are 4 to 5 weeks from deposit, sometimes less. Occasionally longer due to unforeseen variables like shipping delays on sourced stones. Rush timelines are sometimes possible for a specific proposal date for an additional fee.
Can I design my own engagement ring remotely?
Yes. Lux Jewels specializes in designing custom engagement rings entirely via video consultation and CAD review. You see three to five stone options on video, go through one to three rounds of 3D design revisions, and receive the finished ring via insured shipping. The process runs on your timeline and doesn’t require travel.
Do you ship custom rings to Surrey, Burnaby, North Vancouver, and other Lower Mainland cities?
Yes. Lower Mainland deliveries typically arrive the next day via FedEx Priority Overnight, insured and signature required. We serve Surrey, Burnaby, North Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminster, Coquitlam, West Vancouver, Port Moody, Delta, and Maple Ridge.
Can you use lab grown diamonds in custom engagement rings?
Yes, and we were the first Canadian jeweler to offer them in 2015. At Type IIa quality, lab grown stones are 70 to 80 percent more affordable than mined equivalents with identical specs. For custom engagement rings, we source lab grown stones from vetted growers with verified Type IIa certification from GIA or IGI. We also work with natural diamonds for clients who prefer mined stones.
Can I reset an heirloom diamond into a custom engagement ring?
Yes. We regularly reset inherited or heirloom diamonds into modern custom settings. The process includes inspecting the original stone for damage, and designing a new setting that honors the original aesthetic or takes the ring in a new direction based on your preference.
What happens if I don't love the ring when it arrives?
Custom rings have specific policies because they’re made specifically for you. If the client provided the ring size and it doesn’t fit, the resize cost is the client’s responsibility. Manufacturing finish defects are fixed free of charge by Lux Jewels. Design dissatisfaction is rare because we lock the design only when you’re 100 percent happy with the CAD renders, and most issues are caught before production. Full specifics are covered in your custom design agreement.
Is a consultation required before a custom design?
Yes. A free 30 to 40 minute jewelry consultation is the starting point for every custom project. It gives us both the information we need before committing to a design (your budget, her style, timeline, specifications) and lets me confirm custom is the right fit for your situation. If custom isn’t the right fit, I’ll tell you that on the call and refer you to a better option.
About Suman Smith
I started Lux Jewels in 2007 after years inside traditional jewelry retail. What I saw in that environment pushed me to build something different: couples getting oversold by commissioned staff, people paying showroom rent through their ring markup, partners ending up with rings that didn’t match them because the salesperson wanted to move inventory, and people being misled when it comes to diamonds, getting lower quality and overpaying. I wanted a jewelry business that worked the other way around.
In 2015 I became the first jeweler in Canada to offer lab grown diamond engagement rings. I’d spent three years vetting the science and the supply chains before I decided the category was ready. When I was satisfied, I started offering them. Most jewelers refused to carry lab grown for another five years. By then the technology had matured and the rest of the industry caught up.
The virtual-first design of Lux Jewels lets me serve clients across Canada, the US with the same care I’d give someone who walked into a showroom. I don’t take commissions from diamond sellers. I don’t carry inventory I’m trying to move. Business of people first, jewelry second. Since 2007, we’ve been making people smile, hug, kiss, laugh, and cry, in a good way. That’s how Lux Jewels has run from day one, and it’s how we’ll keep running.
Since 2007, we have been making people smile, hug, kiss, laugh, and cry, in a good way.
Note: Prices quoted are based on current market conditions at the time of writing. Rates vary based on supply and demand, diamond availability, and other variables.
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