Petoskey Stones and Precision Gold

Delaney and Ashwyn stumbled upon Honest Hands while searching for Petoskey wedding rings, and the connection was immediate. Delaney’s from Colorado. Ashwyn’s from the Detroit area. They live in Virginia now, but both stay closely tied to where they’re from. Our founder, Ben, grew up in Michigan and now makes rings in Morrison, Colorado. Sometimes the paths line up in ways that feel meant to.

Delaney’s engagement ring set the tone from the start. With an emerald center stone surrounded by a diamond halo, it has a presence all its own. The halo extends outward in soft curves rather than straight lines, giving the ring its character and setting it apart from standard engagement ring profiles. Any wedding band would need to work with that shape, not compete with it.

Rather than forcing a traditional band to fit, Delaney knew the right approach was to design something intentionally around the engagement ring. She wanted a band that stayed simple, felt cohesive, and followed the natural lines of the ring she already loved. The result would be a 14k yellow gold 2mm custom contour wedding band, shaped to sit cleanly against the engagement ring and bring the whole set together.

Ashwyn’s vision centered on material and meaning. He wanted an 8mm 14k yellow gold band with a Petoskey stone inlay, a nod to Michigan, his roots, and the place that shaped him. 

Together, their rings would carry both Colorado and Michigan wherever life took them.

With Delaney in Virginia and Honest Hands in Colorado, we didn’t have her engagement ring in hand to measure or test fit. Most jewelers require the original ring on-site to design a contour band, especially when the engagement ring has an irregular shape. That wasn’t an option here.

Delaney’s engagement ring is a statement piece, which is what made the design work interesting. The emerald center stone is surrounded by a diamond halo that flows outward in soft curves and angles rather than straight lines. Instead of designing a standard band and adjusting it to fit, we designed around the ring itself. The work lived in capturing that free-flowing shape and translating it into a contour band that felt intentional, balanced, and seamless when worn together.

Before committing to gold, we needed to be sure the fit worked in the real world. Once the digital design was finalized, we 3D printed a physical test model and sent it to Delaney. She tried it on with her engagement ring, confirmed the fit, and approved the contour. With that sign-off, we cast the band in 14k yellow gold using the refined CAD design.

From there, the ring moved through finishing and quality checks. The result was a 2mm contour band that frames her emerald naturally without competing with it.

Delaney’s contour band fit perfectly on the first try, exactly as the 3D model promised. Ashwyn’s Petoskey stone ring carries Michigan with him, even in Virginia. During a trip to Colorado, Delaney and Ashwyn stopped by the shop to show off their rings and were treated to a tour. Their rings represent Colorado craftsmanship meeting Michigan materials, made to be worn wherever life takes them.

This is what custom work makes possible. When standard options don’t fit, literally or symbolically, we build something that does. CAD technology allows us to work remotely without sacrificing intentionality or fabrication precision. Whether it’s a unique engagement ring shape or materials from a place that matters, we solve for it.

Got a ring that doesn’t fit anything off-the-shelf? Or materials tied to a place that matters to you? Start your custom order, and we’ll figure it out together.