Founded by jeweler Karl Linger in 2016, Rings True began in a small Raleigh office and has grown into a full custom jewelry studio at Carr Mill in downtown Carrboro, NC. The team specializes in custom bridal design, heirloom redesign, and jewelry repair — and marks its 10th anniversary this year by thanking the community that got them here.
At a glance
- Founded: 2016, Raleigh, NC
- Founder: Karl Linger
- Current location: Carr Mill, downtown Carrboro, NC (since 2019)
- Specialties: Custom bridal design, heirloom jewelry redesign, jewelry repair
- Team: Karl Linger and apprentice Zachary Schaberg
How it started: a musician turned master jeweler
Karl Linger never set out to become a jeweler. He studied music, played local gigs, and drove a taxi in New York City to make rent. One snowy night, a passenger in his cab invited him inside a building on 47th Street — the heart of the Diamond District. Karl walked through those doors and found the thing he didn’t know he’d been searching for: a craft that demanded both precision and soul.
“I didn’t grow up in the jewelry world. I walked into it by accident — and I fell in love with the craft of making something true.”
He learned the old-school way — apprenticing bench to bench, taking jobs that paid less so he could learn more. He became a diamond and color stone setter, then a fabricator, working alongside respected names like Oscar Heyman and Brothers and Melina Fine Jewelers. Along the way, his work touched some extraordinary projects:
- Designing national bowl game trophies
- Building the setting for one of the world’s largest diamonds
- Servicing jewelry from the RMS Titanic
How Rings True found its home in Carrboro
In 2004, Karl and his wife, Rita, left Arizona to find somewhere to put down roots. A visit to a friend in North Carolina — and an introduction to the Triangle’s creative, entrepreneurial spirit — sealed the deal.
With Rita’s support and seed money from her 401K, Karl opened Rings True in Raleigh in 2016. In 2019, the studio moved to Carr Mill, joining a community of local creative business owners in the heart of downtown Carrboro — a space designed for clients to watch the craft happen in real time.
Ten years of growth, one bench at a time
What started as a single jeweler’s bench has grown into a full custom studio. Rings True has grown in size and in craft, but the mission hasn’t changed: guiding customers through a collaborative process of discovery and design, whether that’s:
- Custom engagement rings
- Wedding bands
- Heirloom redesign
- Jewelry repair
What Karl is proudest of
Ask Karl what he’s most proud of after a decade in business, and it isn’t the pieces — it’s the people.
“I think the greatest thing I have accomplished in my business is the development of young careers. I don’t think there’s anything that I can do as a business that is greater than that.”
That includes apprentice-turned-collaborator Zachary Schaberg, along with the employees, customers, friends, and Carrboro community who’ve supported Rings True for ten years.
Frequently asked questions
When was Rings True founded? Rings True was founded by Karl Linger in 2016, starting out of a small office space in Raleigh, NC.
Where is Rings True located? Rings True is located at Carr Mill in downtown Carrboro, NC, where it has been since 2019.
What services does Rings True offer? Rings True specializes in custom bridal design, reimagining heirloom pieces, and jewelry repair.
How do I book a consultation? Visit ThisRingsTrue.com to set up a Custom Design Consultation, or stop by the studio at Carr Mill.
Thank you for ten years of trust and support. Here’s to the next decade of creating beauty — in metal and melody.
