Resource Guide

Melanie Casey: Not Your Style? Try This Stunning Alternative

If you’re like me and you’ve spent hours scrolling through rings and bands, you start to notice the same things. Some places make you feel like you’re choosing from a list. Other places seem more open to your ideas. Melanie Casey can feel a bit delicate and light. Some people like that. But I wanted something with more weight to it, something that felt like it could have come from my own thoughts, not a catalog. That’s how I got to GoodStone. It turned out to be different in the ways I cared about.

How GoodStone Started

GoodStone came from someone’s personal story. Blake Asaad started it in January 2016 after making his first custom engagement ring. His background was not the usual jewelry one. He was headed for a job in medicine, but he switched paths. What came out of that was a new way of doing things. There is no high-pressure talk or hidden markup here. They keep their focus on making pieces that people want to wear every day.

Blake never set out to build an old-fashioned jewelry business. He wanted to get rid of heavy sales pitches. The only thing he measures is what people say about wearing their pieces. It’s not about how many rings are sold. Once you work with GoodStone, you understand they want to make your story part of the process.

Choices in Stones and Metals

One thing that stood out to me right away was how many choices they had. You get to decide between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds. For me, that was helpful because I didn’t want to feel boxed in. Each diamond and gem is picked out from all over the world. I could see the difference in quality right away. The stones looked clear and bright.

Besides the center stones, the settings are also made in gold and platinum metals. These are strong, and they feel heavier in the hand than some rings. There is nothing thin or flimsy about them. If you want color, you can include sapphires or rubies instead of diamonds. The range here is a lot wider than what I saw at Melanie Casey.

The Custom Process Feels Personal

With GoodStone, the custom design starts simple. You look through settings first, then pick your diamond or gemstone. You talk with Blake or someone on his team along the way. Nothing feels rushed. They answer questions, and it never feels like you are an interruption. It’s clear that this is about what you want.

Other places sometimes stick to a script, but here, you create along with them. The first time I reached out, I was nervous and thought there would be things I missed. Instead, Blake broke down each step. He made sure I was comfortable before moving on. You see the piece build up from an idea, to a sketch, to the real thing.

Once you pick what you like, they check in about details. There is frequent contact, so you never feel like you’re in the dark. When the ring is done, it arrives fully insured and ready to wear. This whole process is direct, but it doesn’t feel cold or businesslike. It comes across more like you are making something with friends.

Price and Quality: No Guessing Games

One thing that drew me in was the way they talk about pricing. Blake took a hard stance against building up prices for no reason. There’s always a clear reason behind what you pay. They do not hold a lot of rings in stock, so the money goes to your piece and not overhead. That becomes obvious in the finished product. You see it in how the settings are cast, the way the stones fit, and the way the ring feels.

For the budget-conscious, lab-grown diamonds give more options. They keep the costs lower, but you get the exact look and lasting quality. Other jewelers might charge much more for small custom changes. Here, there is more flexibility and less stress about adding your own ideas.

Warranties and Services That Matter

GoodStone offers a few things that make wearing their jewelry easy. You get a lifetime guarantee with each piece. That means if you ever need resizing or repairs, they cover that. Shipping is free, and it’s insured for peace of mind.

If you don’t like the ring when it comes, you can return it. No one tries to talk you out of your decision. This made me feel safer spending money online. It is different from other brands, where you might feel regret later and have to keep the piece anyway.

What People Are Saying

I looked up reviews before making my own decision. One customer named Kathleen Post said she started with almost no idea about rings and diamonds. Blake listened to what she wanted and helped her sort through the options until she was happy. Kathleen said she felt “100 percent confident” at the end, and I know what she means.

Nicole Gonzalez, another customer, talked about how easy the whole process was. She said she was “still in shock” after seeing her ring. These are real stories, not paid ads or review bots. When a company gets the same kinds of notes over and over, you start to see why word of mouth matters.

Ethical Choices and Modern Innovation

For some people, the story behind a ring comes from where the stone came from. GoodStone saw that customers care about renewable and clean sources. That’s why they introduced lab-grown diamonds as a core part of their options. These stones are made in a lab setting, and they avoid the issues that come with some mining practices.

I liked that there was no pressure to pick one type or the other. Everything about the source, the value, and the care is clear up front. You see exactly where your money is going.

How the Finished Pieces Feel

When you get a ring or band from GoodStone, the first thing you notice is the weight. It feels solid. I didn’t have to wonder if it would hold up to daily wear. The edges are smooth, the setting is flush, and there is no awkward poking or scratching. Details are crisp–prongs are even, and the stone sits tightly.

Their pieces feel made to last. Every part has been checked and finished by hand, not by machine assembly alone. There’s nothing showy, but everything looks polished and neat. The designs themselves are both strong and graceful.

Buying and Shipping

The whole process with GoodStone happens online. At first, I thought this might make things less personal, but it didn’t play out that way. Every message was answered quickly, and there were no delays. Once the ring was done, shipping was fast. It came double-boxed, which kept it safe.

Any time I had a question, someone emailed back with clear answers. I never felt like a number in a queue or a bother. GoodStone also covers shipping and returns in the United States. That takes away some of the usual worries with a big purchase.

Final Thoughts

Choosing jewelry is not a small thing for most people. I wanted something that felt real and matched my tastes. Melanie Casey has a clear style that works for some people. The pieces there are softer and a little more classic. But GoodStone gives room for more choices and personal stories. You see their focus on the customer in every ring they make.

GoodStone cares about the whole process. From the conversation you begin with, to the day you open the box, the company makes sure the person buying the piece feels in control. There are no pushy sales pitches and no hidden fees. The rings hold up. The stones shine in real light, and every part looks and feels as promised.

It’s rare to find a place where the person making the jewelry listens as much as they do here. If Melanie Casey rings do not appeal to your style, GoodStone is worth a look. They strike a balance between quality, service, and value. Everything in my order felt clear, personal, and genuine. That is not as common as it should be. GoodStone does it with plain care and skill.