Custom Engagement Ring

Project Overview

When my fiancée and I began looking for an engagement ring, we found a wedding band we loved and a stone that felt perfect, but the jeweler wasn’t able to make the two work together. Rather than compromise, we decided to take the custom route. With Malarie’s input, we designed the ring in Blender and refined the details together before handing the file off to Davis Jewelers, who brought the digital design to life. This was an especially meaningful project for me, as it gave me the chance to use my 3D modeling and design skills to create something deeply personal and important to both of us.

Reference

The references focused on blending Malarie’s favorite elements: the soft, organic flow of the wedding band, the sharp geometry of an elongated hexagon diamond, and the delicate look of tulip prongs. The final design combined these details into a cohesive, personal ring.

3D Modeling

For the 3D modeling, I used symmetry and subdivision to quickly develop a smooth, organic shape while keeping the ring perfectly symmetrical. I worked with precise measurements throughout the process to ensure the stone, prongs, and band all fit together correctly. Small details were refined in Blender to balance the form, proportions, and overall feel of the ring before preparing the final model for fabrication.

Geometry Nodes

For the Geometry Nodes portion, I created a blossoming flower with procedural controls for the scale, position, bend, and curve of the petals, as well as the outer leaves and their animation. This was one of the more challenging parts of the project, but it was rewarding to see the system come together and produce the final result.

Lighting

For the lighting, I used a standard key and fill light setup for the ring, but the diamond required its own dedicated lighting to properly capture its facets and sparkle. I used separate light setups for the band and diamond, with the diamond also receiving a small amount of world light to add subtle reflections and depth.

Engagement

She said yes! I took Malarie to Knobstone Flower Farm, where we spent the day picking our own flowers. She had no idea what was coming, which made the moment even more special. It was a beautiful day, a complete surprise, and a memory I’ll always cherish.

Rim

Key

Bounce