Cheers to Virginia Beer Company owner's engagement ring design

Lindsay's engagement ring custom designed by now husband, Robby Willey, co-owner of Virginia Beer Company, by Williamsburg Jewelers

Every engagement ring begins with a story.

Sometimes that story starts with months of planning, thoughtful design choices, and a partner determined to create something truly personal. At Williamsburg Jewelers, those moments are where custom jewelry design shines—transforming a vision into a ring that will symbolize a lifetime commitment.

One recent proposal began when a busy Williamsburg professional walked through the door with a clear idea: if he was going to propose, the ring had to be just as extraordinary as the woman he loved.

Through collaboration, digital design, and careful diamond selection, Williamsburg Jewelers helped turn that vision into a one-of-a-kind engagement ring- and a sparkling symbol of a new chapter.

A big idea from a very busy groom-to-be

Robby Willey is someone who keeps a full schedule.

As part of the team behind Virginia Beer Company in Williamsburg, he plays an important role in the brewery’s daily operations and success. In recent months, he has even traveled internationally to receive industry recognition and share the brewery’s story. Between professional responsibilities and everyday life, his schedule would challenge just about anyone.

But when Robby decided it was time to propose to Lindsay Kersh, he knew one thing immediately: the engagement ring had to be special. A standard, off-the-shelf ring simply would not reflect the woman he planned to spend his life with. So he came to Williamsburg Jewelers, ready with inspiration, ideas, and a clear vision.

Turning inspiration into a custom engagement ring

Lindsay Kersh with fiance Robby Willey, co-owner of Virginia Beer Company, who designed her custom engagement ring at Williamsburg Jewelers.

Rather than starting with pre-made settings, Robby wanted to design a ring that truly reflected Lindsay’s style. He arrived with images and concepts that captured the look he had in mind- something elegant, distinctive, and timeless.

Williamsburg Jewelers worked with Robby to refine those ideas using the store’s Digital Custom Design Service, a technology that allows jewelers and guests to visualize and modify a design before the ring is ever created.

Together they adjusted elements of the design, blending Robby’s inspiration with professional guidance to ensure the ring would be both beautiful and structurally sound.

The result was a design that balanced classic elegance with modern individuality.

Choosing the perfect diamond

Once the ring design began to take shape, the next step was selecting the diamond.

Williamsburg Jewelers presented a wide selection of loose diamonds, allowing Robby to compare shapes, sizes, and brilliance before choosing the stone that would become the centerpiece of the ring.

He ultimately selected a classic cushion-cut diamond, a shape known for its soft corners, vintage character, and exceptional sparkle. The cushion cut paired beautifully with the ring’s design, helping create what Robby envisioned: a ring with a stylish heirloom feel that would remain timeless for decades.

Confident in his choices, Robby finalized the design of an 18k rose gold engagement ring, giving the piece warmth and elegance while complementing the vintage-inspired diamond cut.

With just a bit of guidance from Williamsburg Jewelers, he had created something truly special- a one-of-a-kind engagement ring designed specifically for Lindsay.

The finishing touch: a ring box with style

For Robby, the details mattered.

Even the ring box itself needed to reflect Lindsay’s personality and style. To add a final touch, Robby sourced a special red ring box that resembled a designer purse- a subtle nod to Lindsay’s love of fashion. It was the kind of thoughtful detail that would make the moment even more memorable when the ring was finally revealed.

From design to proposal

After several weeks of crafting and finishing the ring, Williamsburg Jewelers presented Robby with the completed piece.

The result was exactly what he had envisioned: a stunning rose gold engagement ring with a cushion-cut diamond, designed specifically for the woman he planned to marry. At that point, the next chapter of the story was entirely his. The proposal itself belongs to Robby and Lindsay- but the ring now serves as a sparkling reminder of that moment and the commitment they share.

Why custom engagement rings matter

Engagement rings are among the most meaningful pieces of jewelry a person will ever purchase.

That is why many couples choose custom designs rather than mass-produced rings. A custom engagement ring allows every detail—from metal choice to diamond shape—to reflect the personality and style of the person who will wear it for a lifetime.

At Williamsburg Jewelers, custom engagement ring design combines modern digital technology with traditional jewelry expertise to help clients create rings that are both unique and timeless.

The process allows couples to:

• Design a ring that reflects personal style

• Select the perfect loose diamond for the center stone

• Visualize the finished design through digital modeling

• Create a one-of-a-kind ring that cannot be found anywhere else

For Robby, that process ensured the ring would be as special as the person receiving it.

A small part of a lifelong story

At Williamsburg Jewelers, helping create engagement rings like this is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. The jewelry store may only play a small role in the larger story- but it is a role that helps mark the beginning of something extraordinary.

Today, Lindsay’s ring stands as a beautiful symbol of the love and commitment she shares with Robby.

And for anyone who happens to see her wearing it, the ring tells its own story- one that began with a thoughtful vision, a custom design, and a jeweler dedicated to bringing meaningful ideas to life.