Learn how long it takes to get a wedding band or engagement ring

Chances are pretty good you’re excited to ask the big question. You’ve likely been thinking of the exact moment, how and where to do it, what to ask, etc. Maybe you have it all planned out, and are dying for the right moment. Maybe it’ll be whenever feels right.

Regardless of when you decide to ask the big question, you’ll likely have some questions of your own. Specifically, when it comes to the centerpiece of “the big question,” i.e., the engagement ring, many of our customers have a ton of questions. One of the questions we hear most frequently is simply, “How long do I have to wait for my engagement ring?”

Once you’ve gone through the process of choosing an engagement ring (or wedding band), you might be wondering what to expect next. Specifically, when is it finally yours? It’s hard to say exactly what your experience will be like because there is no simple answer to this question. Your experience will be different from almost everyone else’s.

So let’s dive into the question, explain the process, and help you figure out how long it takes to get a wedding band or engagement ring.

How long does it take to get my wedding band or engagement ring?

Here’s the quick answer: a few hours to a few months. There are so many variables when it comes to buying an engagement ring or wedding band that ironing out a firm answer to this question is almost impossible. But here are some general guidelines we can cover that can help you plan your time frame.

Engagement rings and wedding bands in stock

In-stock engagement rings and wedding bands can be yours within a few hours to a few days.

If you find a ring in a store and like it as is, you may be able to walk out of a jewelry store that same day with a ring in your hand IF the ring is the correct finger size. We like to call this scenario the “Cinderella ring” because it’s the perfect fit and ready to be all yours, as is. If you fit this bill and are lucky to fit into the size found in stock at a jeweler, you won’t have to wait long at all.

This “Cinderella ring” scenario happens more often in wedding band purchases, but it can also be the case in some engagement rings purchases. When it comes to the engagement rings, there are more aspects to consider than just the ring itself, which usually means some modifications, alterations, or other custom work will be necessary.

Engagement rings are usually displayed as just a mounting without a center diamond because the center diamond is where the customization process comes into play. With diamonds, you can play around with the choice of size, shape, and quality to find the perfect ring that your significant other will love (and you can afford). We cover the difference in costs between wedding and engagement rings in another article titled Engagement ring costs vs. wedding band costs.

Engagement ring & wedding band size alterations

Engagement and wedding rings can generally be resized within a week or so.

If your finger size is slightly different than the stock size in the showcase, you may still be able to purchase the ring and have it altered. A good rule of thumb for sizing rings is it is usually safe to move either one size down or one size up. Anything more than one size difference may compromise the structure of the ring.

Just be aware that not every ring can be sized. For example, eternity bands that contain diamonds all the way around cannot be altered.

If the ring you like can be altered, you may be able to have it sized and take it home in a few days, usually between a week to 10 days. Think of size alterations like repairs. If you’re unfamiliar with repairing jewelry, check out our article, How long does jewelry repair take?

Ordered engagement rings and wedding bands

Wedding bands and engagement rings ordered through a jeweler generally take a month or two to arrive and be completed.

The most common scenario when purchasing an engagement ring or wedding band is that you need to place an order to receive your selected rings. It is extremely hard to give an average amount of time it would take for the ring to arrive once ordered. Many factors affect the time frame associated with the delivery time of each ring and can vary greatly. Depending on each individual situation and circumstance, the waiting time to receive your engagement ring or wedding band can vary from a few weeks to a month or two.

If a ring is pre-made and in stock at the appropriate company, it may be shipped out within 1 to 2 weeks.

If the ring needs to be made from start to finish, it can take between 4 and 6 weeks to be delivered. That may seem like an awful lot of time to create one ring, but the truth is great things always take time. If you want the highest quality and excellent craftsmanship to create the perfect ring, you may have to be prepared to wait. The process of creating an engagement ring is extensive and requires time and attention to detail. The first step in the creation process often begins with a mold in your chosen design cast with molten precious metal. The cast ring is then prepared to be sized appropriately, cleaned, and set with the diamond of your choice and then finally polished to perfection. This process is often done by hand and worked on by more than one artisan to make sure the highest quality is achieved. Perfection takes time and patience.

We always try to advise our customers to come in with plenty of time to account for the production period. It is always safer to have your ring early than to be anxiously waiting at the last minute.

Custom engagement rings and wedding bands

Custom engagement and wedding rings can take a month or two, or longer, to be completed.

Now let’s say you’ve found a style of ring that you like, but want to alter or customize it to your own specifications. If this is the case, you will need to account for extra production time.

As explained previously, most rings start off as a mold, which is then filled with molten metal to create the base of the ring. If a component that is included in the original design of the ring is altered, a new mold will have to be created, which adds another step to the production process. For example, if the ring you have chosen is designed with a round center stone and you would rather have a pear-shaped or marquise-shaped center stone, then the head must be altered to accommodate the different shape.

Custom work can take months, depending on many, many variables. Just like ordering a ring through a jeweler, allot yourself enough time to purchase and wait for the ring. If you’re considering custom work, make sure you talk with your jeweler ahead of time and communicate your wants, needs, and expectations.

ONE-OF-A-KIND engagement rings and wedding bands

If you are looking for a truly unique, one-of-a-kind ring to be designed from start to finish, you could expect it to take up to a few months’ time.

A custom piece that has never been made before needs to go through the design process along with the production process. The added design element is lengthy and can involve a few meetings between you and your jeweler to make sure all of the details are correct. The intricacy of the design will determine how long it will take to create.

If you’re looking to get custom jewelry done in this manner, discussing turnaround times will most likely be a part of the process, so our advice is to take your jeweler’s advice.

If you’re not sure where to begin, check out our article on How to buy an engagement ring that walks you through the process from start to finish.

How long would it take to get your wedding band or engagement ring?

This question depends on what you’re looking for. Like we said, it could take anywhere from hours to months, depending on what you and your significant other are looking for. The time frame is based upon each individual purchase and can vary depending on the intricacy of details involved.

In fact, whenever customers ask us right off the bat “How long it take to get a wedding band or engagement ring?,” we let them know that putting a firm time frame on their piece would be inaccurate and possibly deceptive. My best advice to each customer is the more time, the merrier. The more time you have to focus on the details and choosing the perfect ring, the more pleasant and stress-free the process will be. Handcrafted pieces take time and precision, and you do not want to rush the process. Rushing leads to lower quality and compromising on your specifications.

When it comes to a ring that you will be wearing on a daily basis for years to come, you want to ensure that you are 100% satisfied with the design and want the piece to be made to perfection.

To learn more about wedding bands, engagement rings, or the process of buying them, feel free to visit either of our New Jersey jewelry store locations in Morristown or New Providence to talk to any of our bridal jewelers.

If you’d like to talk to someone directly about buying engagement rings and wedding bands, you can contact us online anytime by emailing us at info@braunschweiger.com or by simply filling out our contact form. We’ll answer your questions quickly.