What to Send a Jeweler to Recreate a Ring From a Photo
Posted by YANIV SEGAL
To recreate a ring from a picture, send a jeweler a top view, a side profile, a photo on the hand for scale and a close-up of the prongs, plus your ring size, stone size in mm or carat if known, your budget and your date. With that set, we can rebuild the ring in 3D for you to approve. Missing a few items is fine; send what you have.
What does a jeweler need to recreate a ring from a photo?
A ring is a three-dimensional object, and one photo flattens it. Each extra angle answers a question the first one leaves open.
The goal is simple: give the designer enough to build an accurate 3D model, so the design preview you approve looks like the ring you have in mind.
The ring photo checklist
Use this table as your checklist. The highlighted row is the one people most often forget.
| What to send | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Top view, straight down | Shows stone shape, halo or pavé layout and prong count |
| Side profile | Shows basket height, how high the stone sits and any hidden halo or gallery details |
| Hand shot with scale | Shows how much of the finger the ring covers and the stone size relative to the hand |
| Close-up of prongs and gallery | Prong style (claw, round, V-tip) and the decorative work under the stone |
| Your ring size | Lets us build the band to fit, so the proportions are right from the start |
| Stone size in mm or carat, if known | Sets the exact face-up size; mm is more precise than carat |
| Your budget | Guides the stone type, carat and metal we suggest |
| Your date, if any | Tell us your date, and we'll confirm the timeline before you order |
Why is the side profile so important?
From the top, a low bezel and a tall cathedral setting can look almost the same. From the side, they are completely different rings.
The side profile shows basket height, whether the band rises to meet the stone, and whether there is a hidden halo underneath. It also shows how the ring will sit next to a wedding band.
If you only have top-down photos, tell us whether you prefer a low or high setting. We will show both options in 3D if needed.
Carat vs mm: which should you send?
Carat is weight, while mm is the visible size. Two stones with the same carat can look different depending on cut and proportions.
If you know the measurements from a certificate or appraisal, send them. If not, these sizes from the stone-size options on our product pages are a useful reference.
| Carat | Round (face size) | Emerald cut | Pear |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 ct | 5 mm | 6 x 4 mm | 6 x 4.3 mm |
| 1 ct | 6.5 mm | 7 x 5 mm | 9 x 5.4 mm |
| 1.5 ct | 7.3 mm | 7.6 x 5.6 mm | 10.3 x 6.2 mm |
| 2 ct | 8 mm | 8.5 x 6.5 mm | 11.4 x 6.9 mm |
| 3 ct | 9.1 mm | 10 x 7.5 mm | 13.1 x 7.9 mm |
Why stones look bigger or smaller once set
A halo can make a center stone look larger face-up, while a thick bezel can make it look smaller. Photos on small hands also exaggerate stone size.
Finger coverage matters too. A long pear or marquise covers more of the finger than a round of the same carat.
This is why we ask you to approve proportions in 3D. You compare the preview with your reference photos before anything is made.
What happens after you send everything?
- Our designers rebuild the ring in 3D, and you get a design preview to approve, with changes until it's right.
- Choose the stone (natural diamond, lab-created diamond, moissanite or colored gemstone) and the metal (14K or 18K yellow, white or rose gold, or platinum).
- Optionally order the $199 Try It In Real Life replica. You keep it, and $199 is credited on orders of $1,000 or more.
- We handcraft the ring to order in our Los Angeles workshop with conflict-free stones.
You work directly with me, Yaniv Segal. Every ring includes free worldwide shipping, free engraving, free 60-day resizing and a lifetime warranty.
Recreating a family ring or a lost one? Our guides to recreating your grandmother's ring and recreating a lost engagement ring cover those cases.
Starting points you can customize
If your reference looks like one of these, send both. On ring product pages, the main photo switches to the exact metal and stone you select.
- Heart Shape Diamond Ring - Noelle No. 3 — from $5,400 — a heart-shaped center with a classic profile.
- Emerald Cut Diamond Ring Hidden Round Diamonds - Sawyer No. 9 — from $7,136 — an emerald cut with hidden round diamonds on the sides.
- Pear Shaped Halo Diamond Ring - Janet No. 16 — from $2,195 — a pear halo that covers more of the finger.
- Lotus Flower diamond ring - Lotus no. 12 — from $3,898 — a sculpted lotus flower setting.
Send us your photo Browse engagement rings
Ready to send your checklist? Upload it on our custom ring from a photo page, or book a free appointment online or at our Los Angeles or New York showroom.
Frequently asked questions
Can a jeweler recreate a ring from one picture? Often, yes. One clear photo plus your ring size is enough to start, and extra angles reduce guesswork.
What is the most important photo to send? A clear top view, followed by a side profile. The side view shows setting height, which most people forget.
Should I send carat or mm? Send mm if you know it, because it measures visible size. Carat is weight and can look different by cut.
Do I need to know my ring size? It helps, but it is not required to start. Our ring size guide shows how to measure at home.
Will I see the design before it is made? Yes. You approve a 3D design preview, and you can order a $199 replica to try on first.
