Post # 1
Member
1 posts
Wannabee
So my fiance proposed in April with a custom ring. Today, I went on the ring makers website and found that she is now selling the same ring that my fiance paid to have specially made! What we thought would be a one-of-a-kind ring is now able to be purchased by anyone. Has this happened to anyone else? I know that it’s not something to get this worked up about, but when you pay for something, you expect that you’re paying for the uniqueness and not just a ring they will turn around and sell!
Post # 3
Member
722 posts
Busy bee
@weddingbears09: Can you show a picture of the ring and the website?
Post # 4
Member
4804 posts
Honey bee
Yes I would be kind of upset by that.
Post # 5
Member
11284 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@weddingbears09: who owns the rights to the design? your fi or the designer?
Post # 6
Member
1418 posts
Bumble bee
posting so I can keep up on this! Interested to hear more
Post # 7
Member
3683 posts
Sugar bee
To me, it matters whether it was explicitly stated by the jeweler that your ring would be a one of a kind. Also, the design of the OP’s ring makes a difference to tell if it is truly unique.
Post # 8
Member
1329 posts
Bumble bee
If your FI didn’t explicitly buy the rights to the design, you have no reason to be upset.
Post # 9
Member
2082 posts
Buzzing bee
I agree with pp that it would design on the agreement between you guys and the jeweler. Who owns the design? etc.
Perhaps the jeweler thought the reason for the custom design was bc you were unable to find what you were visualizing and didn’t realize you would want it exclusively to yourself beyond that.
My ring was from a private jeweler and was custom designed by one of the Toronto Blue Jays for his wife, but the ring is now this Jeweler’s signature ring… It’s featured boldly on his website and throughout his store.
That being said tho, I have had so many total strangers compliment my ring – on the subway, in restaurants, when checking out at stores… all the time.
So yes, he took a custom design and has marketed it, but it’s still very unique.
Post # 10
Member
6361 posts
Bee Keeper
hmm, I don’t know who owns the rights to the design in a case like this. Who designed it? I think if most of the design work was done by the jeweler with just some general requests like, “could you make it like this? but with the sides like this one? And thinner on the side?” I think the jeweler has the rights to the intellectual property (ring design). But if you or FI did the CAD or a lot of work on the sketches and modifying the CAD, then it seems that it may be your intellectual property… I really am not sure!
I would be curious to know who has the rights in these instances.
Post # 11
Member
1048 posts
Bumble bee
The exact same thing happened to me! FI had my ring custom made using his mothers diamond, and from what he told me he collaborated pretty closely with the jeweller to design a ring specially for me (simple but with a twist, low set, offset bands, platinum). Then about a month after the wedding I spotted what I’m sure is my exact ring on an ad for the same jewellers on a local tv station. I’ve checked their website and I’m certain it’s the exact same (except its advertised as 1.5 carats when mine is 1.23). I’ve decided to take it as a compliment – my ring is so beautiful that the jeweller knew other people would want it!
Post # 12
Member
1048 posts
Bumble bee
Post # 13
Member
816 posts
Busy bee
I’d probably be upset at first but take it as a compliment. At least you were first!! I have a custom ring too & I’m pretty sure that’s how I’d feel. But I know that we used all of our own materials so no one can quite have the exact same one. Maybe it’s something similar for you?
Post # 15
Member
1048 posts
Bumble bee
@Amayansong: That certainly helps. My diamond has a special meaning to me because it used to belong to my late MIL, and no one else will ever have that. And yeah I’m definitely taking it as a compliment, it’s never really bothered me to be honest.
Post # 16
Member
103 posts
Blushing bee
I understand how you feel but I’ve always thought if you got a custom ring made, it’s a possibility that the jeweler would use the design again. It’s something that I would ask about, maybe they would of made something alittle different. I feel like I’ve seen a custom 3 carat moissanite halo ( which is stunning ) on the bee that is available on the jewelers website but it doesn’t quite look like the original. It’s a compliment if anything.
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