Seongsu ring workshop for beginner best friends of 18 years: Robenta

A Seongsu date with my best friend of 18 years! I wanted to make a special memory with someone I've known this long, so we headed to the ring workshop Robenta Seongsu. And honestly, was ring making always this much fun?

We laughed a lot and whispered and chatted while making our rings, and it felt like we'd gone back in time. Best of all was the pride of seeing our own friendship rings come out all shiny! Today I'll walk you through it honestly, from choosing a design to making the ring to the finished result.

Robenta Seongsu basics: reservations, time and material

Robenta Seongsu (반지공방 로벤타 성수) is at 19 Yeonmujang 13-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Unit 301. Reservations are required and available between 11:00 and 19:30. The hands-on making takes about 1 hour, professional finishing adds about 1 more hour, and you can get your ring finished and picked up the same day.

• Name: Robenta Seongsu (반지공방 로벤타 성수)
• Address: 19 Yeonmujang 13-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Unit 301
• Reservation: required, 11:00–19:30
• Experience time: about 1 hour
• Professional finishing: about 1 extra hour
• Finished and picked up the same day
• Material: silver 925
• Recommended for: couple rings, friendship rings, an unusual Seongsu date

※ Please check available times and options before you visit.

Why was choosing a ring design at Robenta Seongsu so hard?

The first thing we did at Robenta Seongsu was choose a ring design. The samples ranged from simple styles to dimensional, one-of-a-kind ones, so the struggle started right there.

There are so many pretty rings. Seriously. T_T

I liked four designs, no less! This one is pretty, that one is pretty too. I was choosing rings with my best friend of 18 years, and we got so careful about it. Just like back when we used to pick out pretty things together, the laughter never stopped.

According to the workshop, a jewelry designer with 30 years of experience handles the designs and inspection personally. I could see why they say design is the heart of a ring workshop.

I'd already lost my heart before we even started making anything.

How much do rings cost at Robenta Seongsu?

At the time of my visit, rings at Robenta Seongsu were ₩75,000–145,000 each. The price depends on the design and size, and the add-on options are as follows.

• 18K gold plating (white, black, rose, yellow): ₩20,000
• Lettering engraving: ₩10,000
• Size 20 and above: ₩10,000 extra

※ Prices are as of my visit and may change.

Can you do it without knowing your ring size?

At Robenta Seongsu you don't need to know your ring size, because the instructor measures your finger for you, so there's nothing to worry about. Before starting, we filled out a short form confirming what's needed for making the ring, like the design and size we wanted, and then, with fluttering hearts, we began making our friendship rings!

They guide you kindly from ring size to making method, so even total beginners can try it without pressure.

Can total beginners make a good ring at a Seongsu ring workshop?

After choosing our designs, we started making the rings at the Robenta Seongsu workbench, and even we, total beginners, managed without much trouble. I was a little worried about whether I could do it as a first-timer, but that was needless. The instructor explained how to make the ring very kindly and in detail.

They didn't just explain once and leave. They came by from time to time to check how we were doing. What I liked most was the process of making the ring with my own hands. Chatting about this and that with my best friend while working, the time flew by.

I also captured the instructor's making demonstration on video at Robenta Seongsu!

What are the atmosphere and materials like at Robenta Seongsu?

The inside of Robenta Seongsu was clean and pleasant, so I felt comfortable while working. A couple was making rings in front of us, and it was lovely to see them working face to face. It would be great for couples making couple rings, but I'd also really recommend making friendship rings with an old friend like we did.

Robenta says it uses inspected silver 925 and, instead of cubic zirconia, moissanite, a diamond substitute. It also explains that the price includes VAT and options such as gemstones and engraving, which makes it handy for checking the price of each design before booking.

Exploring Seongsu pop-ups while we waited, then same-day pickup

We spent about 1 hour making our rings at Robenta Seongsu, and we were told professional finishing would follow. So I had a meal with my best friend and we browsed the Seongsu pop-up stores. While we were enjoying Seongsu, the workshop called.

Your rings are done!

I think we got the call about 1 hour 30 minutes after finishing the experience. It was convenient to make the rings, enjoy a date or some shopping nearby, and then pick them up the same day.

The finished friendship rings: we made these?

The moment I saw the finished friendship rings at Robenta Seongsu, I gasped. With the professionals finishing the rings we'd made ourselves, they looked far more refined and neat.

Oh my gosh, they're so sparkly and pretty, aren't they?

Putting them on our fingers was another wave of emotion!

We really made these ourselves, right?

I was so proud that a ring made by two total beginners turned out this pretty. Since they're friendship rings we made together, they felt even more special.

Packaging and aftercare (A/S) at Robenta Seongsu

Robenta Seongsu puts the finished ring in a case with the Robenta logo and includes a silver ring care guide and a polishing cloth. The packaging was neat and luxurious, and felt like a gift.

According to the guide, tarnished rings made at Robenta get free lifetime cleaning. Stone replacement is free within 1 month of the making date and paid after that. Resizing also has separate conditions, so it's a good idea to keep the guide.

One more memory added with my 18-year best friend!

Looking back, what I remember most about this day at Robenta Seongsu wasn't only the finished rings. The time itself was so happy: agonizing over which design to pick, then laughing and chatting while making the rings. Being with an old friend made it feel lively and fun, as if we'd gone back in time.

Having a friend you can still laugh with as time goes by.

And having friendship rings that let us keep that time for a long while. I think that was the most meaningful part of this experience. If you're planning a special date in Seongsu or want to make a memory with a friend that you'll hold onto, I'd recommend the Robenta Seongsu ring workshop. For us, it was a day that left a memory worth far more than two rings.

One-line review

The day we put our 18-year friendship into sparkling rings. Making them was fun, and the finished rings were even more moving!