How to Shop for Custom Jewelry for Christmas & New Year's (2026 Guide)

November 03, 2026

Custom jewelry is one of the most personal gifts you can give for Christmas or New Year's, but it has one rule that off-the-shelf jewelry doesn't: it has to be made before it can be wrapped. This guide covers exactly when to order, how to choose the stone, metal and ring size without spoiling the surprise, and the 10 rings our customers loved most this year.

Quick answer: when should you order custom jewelry for the holidays?

Every Giliarto piece is made to order in our workshop. A standard order takes 19 to 21 business days to make, and a high-complexity custom design can take up to 25 business days. Shipping within the U.S. is free. Allowing about 5 business days for delivery, these are our recommended 2026 order-by dates:

Christmas, standard ring: order by Monday, November 16
Christmas, complex custom design: order by Tuesday, November 10
New Year's Eve, standard ring: order by Friday, November 20
New Year's Eve, complex custom design: order by Monday, November 16

Missed a date? Contact us before you order. We'll check whether your piece can be expedited.

How to shop for custom jewelry as a holiday gift: 7 steps

1. Start with the timeline, not the design

Work backward from the date you'll give the gift. Made-to-order jewelry is worth the wait, but only if it arrives in time. Order first, then relax while it's being made.

2. Set a budget that includes the band

If it's an engagement ring, decide early whether you want a matching wedding or eternity band. Buying a bridal set together guarantees the two rings sit flush, and it is often better value than buying them separately.

3. Choose the center stone

Lab-grown alexandrite: changes from green or teal in daylight to purple-red under warm light, a magical choice for candlelit holiday evenings. 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Lab-grown diamond: a real diamond with the same hardness (10) and sparkle as a mined one, at a much lower price.
Sapphire: 9 on the Mohs scale and available in lavender, teal, yellow and more. Ideal for everyday wear.
Moissanite: about 9.25 hardness, with intense rainbow sparkle. Gray and green moissanite give a modern, unusual look.
Aquamarine, emerald and ruby: classic colored gemstones. Ruby's deep red is a natural fit for Christmas.

Not sure which suits their style? Our guides to kite cut alexandrite rings, lavender gemstones and aquamarine go deeper.

4. Pick the metal

Many of our rings are available in 14K white, yellow or rose gold, platinum, or black rhodium-plated gold. Look at what they already wear every day: someone who wears silver-toned jewelry will usually prefer white gold or platinum.

5. Find their ring size without asking

Borrow a ring they wear on the same finger and have it measured, or trace its inside circle on paper.
Ask a close friend or family member to find out casually.
Use a ring sizer if you can involve them, or give the ring as a surprise and arrange sizing after.
If you're between sizes, go up half a size. It's easier to size a ring down than up.

6. Personalize it

Custom jewelry lets you choose the stone shape, carat size, metal and setting style, such as a halo, Celtic knot, floral or vintage design. An engraving inside the band (a date, initials or a short phrase) makes it unmistakably theirs.

7. Read the return terms before you buy

Standard orders can be returned within 7 days of receipt in original, unworn condition, but special orders and engraved pieces can't be returned or exchanged. Settle on the size and details before ordering a one-of-a-kind design. Full details are in our return policy.

Our top 10 rings for Christmas and New Year's 2026

These are our most-loved rings, chosen from what customers ordered most over the past year. Every ring is made to order, and the stone, metal and size can be customized.

5 Carat Kite Lab-Grown Alexandrite Halo Engagement Ring Set (Model 416) – from $1,400
Our best-selling ring of the year. A kite-shaped lab-grown alexandrite in a sparkling halo, paired with a matching eternity band. A fairy-tale design for a holiday proposal.
Oval Fireworks Cut Alexandrite Celtic Engagement Ring (Model 33A-8x6) – from $900
A Celtic knot band in black rhodium-plated 14K gold around an oval alexandrite. The fireworks cut adds extra sparkle, made for New Year's Eve.
Emerald Celtic Engagement Ring (Model 33A-6) – from $1,150
A rich green emerald set in our signature Celtic band. Evergreen color, timeless meaning.
4 Carat Radiant Cut Dark Gray Moissanite Hidden Halo Engagement Ring (Model 447-11x7) – from $1,285
A moody, modern statement ring in black rhodium-plated 14K gold. The hidden halo shows a ring of sparkle from the side.
Celtic Moissanite Stackable Ring (Model 502 E1) – from $350
A slim Celtic band set with moissanite. It's a perfect match for our Celtic engagement rings, and a beautiful gift on its own.
3 Carat Emerald Cut Lab-Grown Alexandrite Halo Engagement Ring (Model 572-9x7) – from $950
A step-cut alexandrite whose broad facets show the green-to-purple color change clearly, framed by a halo.
Ruby Celtic Engagement Ring (Model 33B-6) – from $1,860
Christmas red in a Celtic setting. Ruby symbolizes passion and lasting love.
1.7 Carat Round Lavender Sapphire Floral Engagement Ring (Model 446-7) – from $950
A soft lavender sapphire in a delicate floral setting. Durable enough for every day, romantic enough for the holidays.
5 Carat Emerald Cut Natural Aquamarine Solitaire Ring (Model 709-11x9) – from $3,100
A large natural aquamarine, icy blue like a winter sky, in a clean solitaire setting.
Pear Lab-Grown Diamond Halo Twisted Engagement Ring Set (Model 152) – from $3,833
A pear-shaped lab-grown diamond with a halo and twisted band, paired with a matching eternity ring. A classic choice for a New Year's proposal.

Prices shown are starting prices as of November 2026 and vary by stone size and metal.

Gift ideas beyond the engagement ring

Anniversary or "push present": a stackable band like the Celtic Model 502 E1 adds to a ring they already wear.
Birthstone gift: choose the stone for their birth month, such as ruby for July, alexandrite for June or aquamarine for March.
New Year's milestone: mark a fresh start with a color-change alexandrite, a stone that is literally two colors in one.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I order a custom ring for Christmas?

For Giliarto, order a standard ring by November 16, 2026, and a complex custom design by November 10, 2026. Our made-to-order pieces take 19 to 21 business days to make, or up to 25 for complex designs, plus delivery time.

Can I still get a custom ring by New Year's Eve?

Yes, if you order a standard ring by November 20, 2026. After that, contact us to check whether your piece can be expedited.

Is a custom ring more expensive than a ready-made one?

Not necessarily. Because every piece is made to order, you choose the stone and metal, and lab-grown stones keep large center stones affordable. Many of our custom rings start under $1,500.

What if I get the ring size wrong?

Measure a ring they already wear on the same finger, and go up half a size if you're unsure. Contact us before ordering if you have questions about sizing, because special orders and engraved pieces can't be returned.

Is lab-grown alexandrite or lab-grown diamond better for a holiday proposal?

Both are durable enough for everyday wear. Choose lab-grown diamond for classic white sparkle, or lab-grown alexandrite for a unique stone that shifts from green to purple under warm holiday lighting.

Does Giliarto ship for free?

Yes. Standard ground shipping is free within the U.S.

Giliarto is a made-to-order fine jewelry brand founded in 2017 in Pennsylvania, specializing in lab-grown diamonds and colored gemstones set in recycled gold. Questions about timing for your holiday gift? Call us at 800-442-7170 or email contact@giliarto.com.

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