Quick answer: Every DelaFuente ring is made to order in our studio, typically in about 3–4 weeks, in 14K gold, 18K gold or platinum. Your first resize is free, and every piece carries a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. Below: how a ring is built, how to find your size (even secretly), and how to protect it for life.
What are the parts of a ring?
Knowing the parts makes every other choice easier:
- Band / shank — the loop of metal that encircles the finger.
- Shoulders — where the band rises to meet the stone.
- Gallery — the decorative space beneath the center stone, seen from the side.
- Head / setting — the part that holds the diamond.
- Prongs / claws — the little metal arms that grip the stone.
- Basket — the cage of metal cradling the stone from below.
What are the different ring setting types?
The setting is the personality of the ring:
- Solitaire — a single stone, pure and timeless.
- Hidden halo — a secret ring of small diamonds tucked under the center stone, sparkling only from the side.
- Bezel — a rim of metal wrapped around the stone; sleek, modern and the most secure.
- Trilogy (three-stone) — a center stone flanked by two, often read as past-present-future.
- Pavé — tiny diamonds set along the band so it looks "paved" in light.
- Toi et moi — "you and me": two stones side by side, one for each of you.
- East-West — the stone turned on its side, lying horizontally across the hand instead of up and down the finger; modern and editorial, especially striking with elongated shapes (oval, emerald, marquise, pear).
Which metal should I choose for my ring?
Short version: 14K gold for hard-working everyday hands, 18K gold for the classic fine-jewelry warmth, platinum for maximum durability and a forever-white metal. The full story — karats and alloys, white gold vs. platinum, rhodium, gold colors, nickel allergies — lives in its own guide: Gold & Metal Choices.
Can I shower, work out, or use hand sanitizer with my ring on?
The short honest answers:
- Shower — it won't destroy the ring, but soap film builds up and dulls the stone's sparkle, and a slippery drain is a classic way rings disappear. Better off.
- Gym — take it off. Sweat is harmless, but bars and dumbbells bend bands and chip stones; gyms are where prongs die.
- Hand sanitizer — fine for gold, platinum and diamonds in normal use; frequent exposure dulls rhodium plating faster on white gold.
- Pool and ocean — off, always: chlorine attacks gold alloys, and cold water shrinks fingers just enough to lose rings.
The habit that covers everything: ring goes on after lotions and sprays, comes off for water, workouts and rough work.
How do I find my ring size — or my partner's, secretly?
The reliable way to know your size is to be measured, or to use our complimentary ring sizing kit (sent free within the U.S.). Outside the U.S., a local jeweler or any reliable at-home sizer works too — and remember that wider bands fit more snugly, so size up slightly for those.
To size a partner without spoiling the surprise:
- Borrow a ring they already wear on the same finger and trace or measure its inside diameter.
- Ask a close friend or family member who might know.
- Slip our sizing kit onto a ring they own while they're not wearing it.
And if the size is off, don't worry — we resize free (see below). Better to propose with a beautiful ring and adjust the fit afterward.
Can a ring be resized?
Most rings can be sized up or down a few sizes comfortably, and your first resize is on us. Done professionally, resizing doesn't damage a ring — the band is cut, adjusted and re-soldered, then polished so the seam disappears; stones are checked and re-tightened as part of the job. Some designs are harder or impossible to resize — full eternity bands and rings paved all the way around, because the diamonds leave no plain metal to work with, and certain tension settings. When a design has resize limits, we'll flag it before you buy so there are no surprises.
What does the lifetime warranty cover?
Every DelaFuente piece is backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects — the workmanship of the ring itself. That includes:
- Prongs that loosen or wear over time (we re-tip and re-secure).
- Stones that come loose from normal wear.
- Defects in the setting or metalwork.
What it doesn't cover is loss, theft, or damage from accidents and misuse (a bent band, a chipped stone from an impact) — that's what insurance is for. Regular check-ups keep the warranty meaningful; we'll help you keep the ring in perfect condition for life.
How do I clean and care for my ring?
Diamonds are hard, but settings still deserve care:
- Clean at home by soaking in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, then gently brushing behind and around the stone with a soft toothbrush.
- Avoid harsh chemicals — chlorine, bleach and household cleaners can damage metal (especially gold alloys).
- Take the ring off for the gym, cleaning, gardening and swimming.
- Bring it in periodically for a professional clean and a prong check.
How do I insure my ring?
Once your ring arrives, we recommend insuring it. We provide an appraisal document stating the ring's replacement value, which is what an insurer needs. You can insure a ring two ways: add a "rider" (a scheduled item) to your homeowner's or renter's policy, or use a specialty jewelry insurer that covers loss, theft and damage. The catch most people discover too late: a standard homeowner's policy alone typically caps jewelry at a low sub-limit (often around $1,500) — not enough for an engagement ring, which is exactly what the rider fixes. Either way, your certificate and appraisal are the paperwork that makes a claim simple. And on how warranty and insurance divide the world: our warranty covers the craftsmanship; insurance covers what happens to the ring out in life. You want both.
What are DelaFuente's shipping and return policies?
Every order ships fully insured, in discreet, unmarked packaging, with tracking provided. We ship worldwide; for international orders, any customs duties or import taxes are the recipient's responsibility, as they're set by your own country.
Not quite right? We accept returns and exchanges within 30 days of delivery on eligible, unworn pieces in original condition, with all packaging and certificates. Please note that custom and made-to-order pieces — which includes most engagement rings — are final sale, so we'll always help you get the details right before we begin.
Why does a made-to-order ring take time?
Almost everything we make is made to order — each piece cast, set and finished individually in our studio, not pulled off a shelf. That's why it takes time: your ring is being created, not shipped from inventory. Typical turnaround is about 3–4 weeks, and every product page shows a more precise "get it by" date for your exact configuration. Complimentary ring sizing is included. Proposing sooner? Add express crafting at checkout and we'll prioritize your piece so it's ready in time.
