Do you turn left when your friends go right? Are trends petty to you? Do you march to a different beat? If so, you’ll cherish jewelry that’s not available to everyone. You’re a candidate for custom design jewelry.
Custom jewelry is so much more than simply customizing a piece of jewelry with an engraving. You design and build a whole new piece of jewelry with your designer.
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Why Should You Choose Custom Jewelry?
If you’re searching for an indelible gift for someone you love for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, a birthday, anniversary, or an engagement, consider custom-designed jewelry. It tells the recipient that you think he or she is so special and unique, that only a special, unique, one-of-a-kind gift designed specifically with them in mind will do. It communicates the true significance of the relationship and dramatically increases its sentimental value.
Singularity
Custom jewelry is, by definition, one-of-a-kind. It is created solely for the individual who will be wearing that piece. There are as many ways to show individuality as there are people in the world. Whether the wearer’s style is classically elegant or sassy and flashy, custom jewelry can reflect the wearer’s personality.
Nostalgic value
Custom jewelry creates a keepsake reminder of the giver and will spark treasured memories associated with receiving the thoughtful gift. Your creation will come into existence as a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that will be appreciated for generations to come.
Standard
A standard of quality for the piece of jewelry being created can be established when working with a jewelry designer. Each component for the piece can be selected to meet that standard. This assures that the finished piece will look its best and hold or increase in value over time.
Complementary
Specially designed jewelry can be created to coordinate with and complement a specific dress or outfit and its design and color.
Economical
The results of custom-designed jewelry are often stunning works at a fraction of the cost of many stock pieces.
How Do You Design a Custom Jewelry Piece?
Make an informed decision
Before plunging ahead with a plan to custom design your own jewelry, understand the pros and cons and review this primer of what it will take to make your inspired idea a reality.
Creating custom-designed jewelry has great benefits:
- Your jewelry will feel inspired and creative, a pure reflection of your personality.
- It will reflect your interests and values.
- No one else will have jewelry quite like yours.
- A truly unique design will garner attention and will be a conversation starter for years to come.
- By creating matching rings, you can also create a symbol of who you are as a couple.
But you should also keep in mind the trade-offs you make when creating custom jewelry:
- It’s more expensive. Don’t be surprised to pay up to three times what you would for non-custom jewelry. How much more depends on how elaborate the design is, how far it deviates from the more traditional jeweler you choose.
- It takes longer. On the low end, expect a well-thought-out design to take several months from idea to finger.
- It requires more involvement (several touch-point meetings and a good deal of collaboration) on your part.
- The jeweler also has a say in the ultimate design — and as the expert with precious metals and stones, he or she should.
- It’s unpredictable. You don’t get to see, touch, and feel the weight of the jewelry until it’s finished.
Understand the process
The specifics will vary according to your needs and the jeweler you select, but in general, here’s what you can expect when designing custom jewelry.
1. SKETCH OUT YOUR IDEA
Start by asking yourself: Do I have a distinct vision of the jewelry I want? Remember, simply wanting “something unique” doesn’t necessarily warrant going the custom route, because any jewelry can be made to be unique.
Then, sketch out your idea as best you can. If your idea isn’t super-specific — or if you want to further articulate your desired style — start prowling jewelry stores and the Internet and sketch elements (filigrees, unique settings, organic lines, mixed metals) that catch your eye. This is basic logic but it bears noting — the more specific you can get with what you have in mind, and the more aptly you express this to your jeweler, the more likely you’ll end up with what you want.
2. FIND THE RIGHT JEWELRY DESIGNER
Once you have an idea in mind, you’ll need to find a jeweler who can do a custom design. Start with a jeweler you know and trust, if you have one. Often, your jeweler will have someone in-house who can create custom designs or can refer you to a trusted colleague. Otherwise, turn to referrals from family and friends, and follow all the same guidelines for finding a jeweler that you would if you were purchasing non-custom jewelry.
When looking for a jeweler to create jewelry, you should also ask to see some previous work. Recognize that, as an artist, a jeweler will likely add his or her touches to your idea, so you’ll want to be sure you like the elements — like style and weight — of the previous work.
3. COLLABORATE
You have your sketch(es) in hand. You have a trusted jewelry designer. Now have a long conversation to get your project moving in the right direction. Once the custom jewelry design is underway, be sure to review a full-color illustration, a picture made by computer-aided design, or CAD, or see a mock-up in wax of the final product so you can give input and shift directions if it’s not what you expected — or want. Also be sure to see all the elements (metal and stone or stones) in person, to get a better idea of how it will turn out.
4. PROTECT YOURSELF
Take extra care with warranties and guarantees when working on a custom jewelry design. You’ll want to get everything in writing, from what elements you agreed to include in the jewelry to a final appraisal that notes the custom design and designer. Last, but not least, while its value is far greater than monetary, don’t forget to insure your jewelry.
What is redesigned jewelry? Or Redesigned?
Simply put a redesign to a custom design using your existing gems and gold or platinum. This does not mean you are limited by the gems you have, but what you have is incorporated into the new design. You can add gems or use less of the gems you already have. Many clients have used the main diamond of the old ring to be a side diamond in the new design. Others have made a few design changes, but it is the same look and feel, just newer.
I have worked with clients who have changed their wedding ring after only two years and others waited until over 50 years. The reason to redesign range widely. The ring is worn out (it would need a new shank and all-new heads), so the style is not right for me now, or the very popular reason going bigger—upgrade time.
Does redesigning the wedding ring mean I don’t love him anymore or things need to change in the marriage some ask. Styles change, what can be done in the jewelry trade changes, lifestyle changes (more money), these changes, and others are the motivation to redesign the wedding ring, not the marriage itself. There is one exception I have seen over the years. The wife never liked the ring but did not tell him. The why’s are: did not wish to hurt his feelings, we settled for it, that’s just what we did back then and others. As the marriage deepens, an open and trusting bond can allow the wife to finally share “I love you but not the ring so much”. It is a great joy to work with these couples who reach this level of trust.
Why do we need to make a wax model?
The process of making jewelry involves a wax model. The jewelry is designed in wax, then the wax is put into a mold of plaster. The plaster mold is heated and the wax melts out and makes room for the gold or other metal to be poured into the void. Then the plaster is broken away and the jewelry is made. This operation is called the lost wax jewelry process.
Is custom design better than mass-produced jewelry?
Generally speaking, it is better. At Arden Jewelers we make sure it is. The way we make the custom design jewelry, we know it is better. We have gemologists and trained jewelry designers along with bench jewelers all collaborating to design the best jewelry. Our jewelry designs are made to last. We use more pure noble metal than mass-produced jewelry. We design into the piece strong gem setting features.
Can I make platinum custom design jewelry?
Yes, you can have the jewelry made in platinum, 14 karat gold, or even sterling silver. We can make your jewelry in many different types of gold like 9, 10 14, 18, 22, 24 karat gold. The gold can be white or yellow or even red or green. We can make two tones white and yellow or red and white. For that fact, if you want we can put all four colors of gold in your design. If you want an unusual karat of gold like 19, we can do that as well. We even have at least three different qualities of white gold to choose from. If you are allergic to some types of gold we can work with you to find one you are not allergic to.
Custom design sounds very complicated?
Yes, it is to us, but not you. We make your part very easy. We just ask questions about what you want and we know what it takes to make that happen. If you don’t like white gold that looks yellowish, we know how to fix that. If you don’t want the ring to slide around, we can fix that. Custom design is about the jewelry you like and we work out the details to make your dreams come true.
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