Home Get Inspired Rings Signet Men’s Onyx Signet Ring — Custom Palm & Plumeria Carving

A rectangular black onyx signet ring in polished white gold, with ornate filigree scrollwork framing the stone and deep hand-carved relief side panels featuring a tropical leaf motif on one shoulder and a floral motif on the other, photographed on a natural stone surface.

Men's Onyx Signet Ring — Custom Palm & Plumeria Carving

$$$

18k white gold, onyx

R. wanted to duplicate a ring he already owned, down to its exact proportions and its unusually shaped center stone — a custom geometric cut rather than any standard gem shape. During design, he asked for the side panels to move beyond the original, developing a palm-leaf carving and a plumeria flower motif from his own reference photos to fit a masculine, beachy aesthetic, and specified a cursive engraving inside the band. When the finished ring shipped, the team called the result one they were excited about.

'It looks great. Please proceed to production.' — on design approval

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Daily wear For himself Wedding Recreate What Mattered Everyday replica

Quick specs

Design type

Rings Signet

Primary Metal

White gold 18k

Shape / Cut

Custom cut

Primary Stone

Onyx

Accent Stones

None

Style

Engraved Filigree Signet Western Word text

Design Complexity

Complex

Intent

Recreate What Mattered Everyday replica

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Ring size 10.25 US (19.96mm).

How they made it distinctive

01
Center stone custom-cut to a non-standard geometric shape that follows the ring's own outline, rather than a standard gem cut
02
Two distinct hand-carved side panels — a palm-leaf motif and a plumeria flower motif — developed from the client's own reference photos
03
Interior engraving refined twice to achieve a specific elegant cursive script rather than a default font
04
Recreated from photographs of an existing ring rather than built from a blank design brief

How you'd make it yours

Stone: this piece uses a custom-cut black onyx; a new commission could use a standard-cut onyx, a different opaque stone, or a faceted gem

Metal: this piece is 18k white gold; the same signet design language works in yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum

Side panels: this piece carries a palm-leaf and plumeria motif; a new commission could reference different personal imagery entirely

Engraving: the interior script can carry a new phrase, date, or initials on a fresh commission

Filigree: the scrollwork framing the stone can be simplified or made more elaborate on a new piece

One of a kind: this exact ring was designed for one client and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy

Design changes made

The side filigree areas were redesigned from the original ring's pattern into custom palm-leaf and plumeria motifs based on the client's own reference images, and the interior engraving font was changed twice until it matched the elegant cursive style he wanted.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who already has a ring they love and wants it made properly, in finer materials, without losing what made the original work. It's especially right if you have a strong visual reference in mind — old photos, a design detail you can't quite name, an aesthetic that blends masculine and beachy — and want a team that can translate that into something entirely custom rather than picking from a catalog.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, a 3D CAD model and photorealistic render were produced so the client could review the exact proportions and side details before any metal was committed. The onyx center stone was custom-cut to match the ring's geometric outline rather than sourced in a standard shape, which required coordinating with a stone cutter before casting could begin. The approved model was then used to cast the piece in 18k white gold using the lost-wax method.

Key note

The onyx center stone was custom-cut to follow the exact geometric outline of the setting, rather than trimmed to fit a standard gem shape after the fact.

Pricing guidance

A substantial signet-style ring in 18k white gold with a custom-cut center stone and dimensional hand-carved side panels sits toward the higher end of custom ring pricing. Much of the cost comes from the custom stone-cutting process and the hand-finishing required for two distinct carved side scenes, rather than from the metal alone. Engraving and script detailing add a modest amount on top of that base.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Custom-cutting a center stone to a non-standard geometric shape instead of using a standard cut
↑
Adding two different hand-carved side panel designs instead of a single repeated pattern
↑
Upgrading from 18k white gold to platinum
↑
Adding more intricate filigree detailing around the stone setting
↑
Requesting a multi-line or more elaborate interior engraving

Moves price down ↓

↓
Using a standard rectangular or cushion-cut stone instead of a custom geometric cut
↓
Choosing a single simpler side pattern instead of two distinct carved scenes
↓
Switching from 18k white gold to sterling silver or 14k gold
↓
Reducing the filigree detailing to a plainer bezel edge
↓
Omitting the interior engraving

Questions people ask

Can onyx be cut into a custom shape instead of a standard rectangle?

Yes, onyx can be cut to follow a non-standard geometric outline rather than a typical rectangular or cushion shape, though it usually requires coordinating directly with a stone cutter rather than pulling from ready-made inventory. This adds time to the process since the cutter has to work from the exact outline the setting requires. Onyx is a relatively hard and stable stone at 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, which makes it a reasonable candidate for custom cutting compared to softer opaque stones. The finished custom-cut stone should sit flush within the setting exactly as designed, since it was cut to that specific shape rather than adapted afterward.

How durable is a black onyx ring for everyday wear?

Black onyx rates 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it reasonably durable for daily wear, though it is softer than sapphire or diamond and can chip if struck directly against a hard surface. It does not require special care beyond avoiding harsh chemicals and occasional impacts. A bezel-style or flush setting, like the one used on this ring, offers more protection to the stone's edges than a raised prong setting would. Most onyx rings hold up well over years of regular wear when set this way.

What's the difference between 18k white gold and platinum for a men's signet ring?

18k white gold and platinum look nearly identical once white gold is rhodium plated, but they differ in weight, durability, and maintenance. Platinum is denser and heavier, naturally white without plating, and more resistant to scratching over decades of wear, while 18k white gold is lighter and requires occasional rhodium replating to maintain its bright white color. Platinum typically costs more than white gold for an equivalent design due to the higher cost of the raw metal. For a substantial ring like a wide signet, platinum's extra weight is noticeable on the hand, which some wearers prefer and others find heavy.

How much does a custom signet ring with a custom-cut stone typically cost?

A signet-style ring with a custom-cut center stone and detailed hand-carved side panels in 18k white gold sits toward the higher end of custom ring pricing, mainly because of the stone-cutting process and the labor involved in carving two distinct side designs. The cost is driven more by labor and stone-cutting complexity than by the metal itself, since the stone has to be custom-shaped rather than pulled from standard inventory. Simpler versions with a standard-cut stone and a single repeated side pattern would fall into a lower price range. Metal choice, whether 14k, 18k, or platinum, also shifts the price meaningfully.

How long does it take to make a custom ring with a custom-cut gemstone?

The design phase for a ring like this typically takes about a week, covering the initial sketch, 3D CAD model, and photorealistic render for approval. Once the design is approved, production usually runs three to four weeks, though a custom-cut stone can add extra time since it has to be sourced and cut to the exact shape required by the setting before it can be set. In total, a project involving custom stone-cutting and detailed hand-carved side panels can take five to six weeks from deposit to completion. Rush timelines are possible but depend on the stone cutter's availability.

Can you recreate an existing ring I already own in a different metal and stone?

Yes, recreating an existing ring in a new metal or stone is a common request, and it works best when clear photos of the original piece are provided from multiple angles. The team builds a 3D model based on those photos and the ring's proportions, then shares a render for approval before any metal is committed. Design elements like side panels, filigree, or engraving can also be adjusted or reimagined during this process rather than copied exactly. Minor differences from the original are normal since the recreation is built from photos rather than the physical piece.

Can you add a personal engraving inside a signet ring?

Yes, interior engravings are a common addition to signet-style rings, and script or cursive fonts are frequently requested for a more personal, elegant look. The exact font can be refined during the design phase using reference images, since script fonts vary quite a bit in style and legibility at small scale. The engraving is confirmed as part of the 3D model review before the ring goes into production. Multi-word phrases, dates, and initials all fit comfortably inside a wide signet band like this one.