Home Get Inspired Rings Grandmother’s Onyx Ring Recreated as Two Family Replicas

An emerald-cut black onyx ring set in a diamond-shaped white gold accent holding a small round diamond, on a scrolled yellow gold split shank, photographed on a natural stone surface.

Grandmother's Onyx Ring Recreated as Two Family Replicas

$$$

14k yellow gold, white gold accent frame, onyx, lab diamond

A client wanted to give her mother and sister each a replica of their grandmother's engagement ring, working only from photos and a video of the original. During the render review, she asked for small adjustments — bringing the prongs flush against the stone and shifting the framing detail closer to how it looked in the photos — to get it as close as possible. Both rings were finished and shipped in time for the holidays.

'Hi there, thank you so much it's looking wonderful!' — on seeing the first render

'Oh wonderful I'm so happy to hear that, looking forward to the update' — during production

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Christmas Daily wear For the whole family Recreate What Mattered Family heirloom recreation

Quick specs

Design type

Rings

Primary Metal

Yellow gold 14k

Secondary Metal

White gold 14k

Shape / Cut

Emerald

Primary Stone

Onyx

Accent Stones

Diamonds

Style

Antique Cocktail Symbolic Vintage

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Recreate What Mattered Family heirloom recreation

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Two rings: size 6 US and size 7 US (16.51mm reference). Center stone approximately emerald-cut, 3 carats estimated.

How they made it distinctive

01
Emerald-cut black onyx center stone chosen to match a discontinued antique cut no longer produced today
02
Diamond-shaped white gold frame around the accent diamond mirrors the geometry seen in the original photographs
03
Ornate scrolling yellow gold shoulders recreate the vintage character of the original piece
04
Made as a true matching pair in two different ring sizes, sized individually for each recipient
05
Prongs finished flush against the stone at the client's request, refined after the first render review

How you'd make it yours

Stone: this piece uses black onyx; a new commission could use a different opaque stone such as jade or a colored gemstone for a different look

Metal: this piece is 14k yellow gold; the same scrollwork design works in 18k gold or a two-tone combination

Accent stone: this piece uses one small lab diamond accent; a new commission could enlarge it or add additional accent stones

Engraving: this piece has no engraving due to the thin band; a wider version of the design could carry an inscription inside

One of a kind: these exact rings were designed for one family and are not reproduced; a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy

Design changes made

After reviewing the first render, the client asked that the prongs be finished flush against the stone rather than sitting up, and that the small frame around the diamond accent be adjusted toward the diamond-like shape seen in the original photos. Both changes were incorporated during production.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants to give family members a way to carry an heirloom forward without splitting up or risking the original. It's especially right if more than one person in the family has a claim to the same piece of history and everyone deserves their own version to wear.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, the ring was modeled in CAD and cast in 14k yellow gold using the lost-wax method, with a separate white gold section cast for the diamond-shaped stone frame. Because the two rings are different sizes, each was cast individually to its own specifications rather than produced from a single mold. The center onyx stones were sourced and scanned to confirm a precise fit before setting. After casting, the yellow gold shoulders were hand-finished to bring out the scrollwork detail, then polished to a bright finish. The prongs holding the emerald-cut onyx were finished flush against the stone's edges as requested, and the small round diamond accent was set by hand into its white gold frame at the center of the stone.

Key note

The center stones had to be received and scanned before final casting could proceed, because a stone of this size and cut needs its exact dimensions confirmed to ensure a precise prong fit.

Pricing guidance

A vintage-style cocktail ring with a large emerald-cut center stone and diamond accent, made as a pair, sits in the mid-to-upper range for custom recreation work. Sourcing a substitute for an antique stone cut that is no longer produced adds time and cost beyond a standard center stone purchase. Producing two individually sized pieces rather than one also adds to the total.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Sourcing a rare or discontinued antique stone cut instead of a widely available modern cut
↑
Ordering the design as a matched pair in two different ring sizes rather than a single piece
↑
Upgrading the center stone from onyx to a precious colored gemstone
↑
Adding hand engraving inside the band on either ring
↑
Increasing the diamond accent size or adding more accent stones

Moves price down ↓

↓
Choosing a single ring rather than a matched pair
↓
Using a more common, readily available stone cut instead of an antique-style cut
↓
Reducing the center stone size
↓
Selecting a lab-created accent stone rather than a mined one
↓
Simplifying the scrollwork detail on the shoulders

Questions people ask

Can you recreate an old family ring from just photos?

Yes, recreating a piece from photographs and video is a common request. The process starts with a detailed sketch, then a 3D CAD model, and finally a photorealistic render for approval before anything is cast. Because the original stone cut may no longer be produced, the closest available substitute is sourced, and small adjustments can be made at the render stage to get the shape and proportions as close as possible to the original.

What is onyx and is it durable enough for daily wear?

Onyx is a form of chalcedony quartz, rated around 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it reasonably durable for occasional to regular wear. It is not as hard as diamond or sapphire, so it can chip or scratch if knocked hard against another surface, and an emerald-cut stone with exposed corners is slightly more vulnerable than a rounded shape. With normal care it holds up well in a ring like this one, which uses prongs to protect the stone's edges.

What does a custom cocktail ring like this typically cost?

A vintage-style cocktail ring with a large center stone and diamond accent, made in 14k gold, generally falls in the mid-to-upper range for custom work. The main cost drivers are the size and rarity of the center stone cut, the metal weight in a substantial design like this, and any hand-finishing on the shoulders. Ordering a matched pair in two sizes, as was done here, adds to the total compared to a single ring.

Can you match an antique stone cut that isn't made anymore?

In many cases, yes, though it may require sourcing the closest currently available substitute rather than an exact match. Antique cuts like old mine or old European diamonds, or unusual emerald-style cuts on colored stones, are sometimes no longer cut to their original proportions. The design team will identify the closest available option and can show you a render before production so you can confirm the shape and proportion work for your piece.

How long does it take to make a custom recreation ring?

A standard custom ring typically takes about five to six weeks from design approval to completion, though this can extend if a specific stone needs to be sourced. Sourcing a less common center stone cut can add one to several weeks depending on availability. Rush timelines are sometimes possible if discussed early, but they depend on how quickly the necessary materials can be located and confirmed.

Can two rings be made in different sizes as a matching set?

Yes, this is a common request for family pieces being given to more than one person. Each ring is modeled and cast individually to its own size rather than produced from a single mold, since ring size affects the overall proportions of the design. The two pieces can otherwise share identical stones, metal, and design details so they read as a true matching set.

Will the diamond accent be a natural or lab-created stone?

Small diamond accents like the one in this design are commonly lab-created, which is chemically and visually identical to a mined diamond but generally costs less. The choice between lab-created and natural can be discussed and confirmed before production begins. For a small accent stone like this, most people cannot tell the difference by eye.

Can the prongs be adjusted so they sit flush with the stone instead of sticking up?

Yes, this is a normal part of the setting process. In a 3D render, prongs are sometimes shown open or upright before the final setting step, but during actual production they are trimmed and finished flush against the stone's edges to hold it securely. This is exactly the kind of adjustment that can be confirmed and requested at the render stage.