The Design Your Own system at USA Jewels lets you pair a GIA or IGI certified diamond with any compatible setting in our collection — and you only pay for the diamond and the setting separately. No retail markup on the finished piece. The result is a custom engagement ring at 30–40% less than you would pay for a comparable pre-set ring at a traditional jeweler.
This is the same way Blue Nile, James Allen, and other leading online jewelers work — except USA Jewels is a family-owned business since 1999 with real gemologists on staff, not a faceless corporation. Every ring is inspected, assembled, and shipped from our facility with a lifetime warranty.
How It Works — 3 Simple Steps
1
Choose a Setting
Browse our engagement ring settings — solitaire, halo, three-stone, pave, and more. Each setting shows the semi-mount price (without the center diamond).
2
Pick Your Diamond
Search thousands of GIA and IGI certified diamonds. Filter by shape, carat, color, clarity, and price. Each diamond includes a full grading report.
3
We Assemble & Ship
Our jewelers set your diamond into the setting you chose. The finished ring ships fully insured with a lifetime warranty and free sizing.
Why Design Your Own?
| Design Your Own |
|---|
| Choose from thousands of certified diamonds |
| See the exact diamond you are buying (cert + images) |
| Pay setting + diamond separately — no markup |
| 30–40% savings vs. pre-set retail rings |
| Mix any diamond shape with any compatible setting |
| Natural or lab-grown diamonds available |
| Traditional Pre-Set Ring |
|---|
| Limited to in-stock inventory |
| Diamond details often vague or unverified |
| Single price — no transparency on markup |
| Full retail pricing |
| Fixed shape/setting combinations |
| Selection depends on what the store carries |
What Shapes & Settings Are Available?
Our Design Your Own system supports all major diamond shapes — round brilliant, oval, cushion, emerald, pear, princess, marquise, radiant, Asscher, and heart. Each setting in our collection specifies which shapes it accommodates, so the system automatically filters diamonds to fit your chosen setting.
Settings include solitaire, halo, three-stone, side-stone, pave, channel-set, and vintage-inspired designs in 14K white gold, 14K yellow gold, 14K rose gold, 18K white gold, 18K yellow gold, and platinum. Most settings are available in multiple metals.
Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds
Both natural and lab-grown certified diamonds are available in the Design Your Own system. Lab-grown diamonds are physically, chemically, and optically identical to natural diamonds — the only difference is origin. Lab diamonds cost 60–80% less than comparable natural stones, which means you can either get a significantly larger diamond or save the difference for the wedding, honeymoon, or a down payment.
Tip: Not sure whether to choose natural or lab? Read our
Lab vs. Natural Diamonds Guide for a full comparison of cost, resale, and environmental considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to receive my ring?
Most Design Your Own orders ship within 5–10 business days. The diamond is sourced from our certified supplier network, set into your chosen setting by our jewelers, inspected for quality, and shipped fully insured.
Can I see the diamond before I buy?
Every certified diamond in our system includes the full GIA or IGI grading report with measurements, proportions, and clarity characteristics. Many diamonds also include high-resolution images and 360-degree video.
What if I want to change the metal color?
Most of our settings are available in multiple metals. You can select your preferred metal (white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, platinum) during the setting selection step. The price adjusts automatically based on metal type.
Is there a warranty?
Every Design Your Own ring comes with a lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects, free ring sizing, and free professional cleaning. We also offer a 30-day return policy — if you are not completely satisfied, return the ring for a full refund.
Can I design earrings or pendants too?
Yes. The Design Your Own system also supports stud earrings and pendant necklaces. For earrings, we automatically pair two matching diamonds for symmetry.