I love it when a customer falls in love with a piece of jewelry that I have designed and created, something directly from my collections, or even something inspired by something I have made before. Sometimes though, you have an idea of what you want, and you just can’t shake it, no matter how beautiful the available designs are, you desire something different, or maybe something truly one of a kind. Whether it’s an engagement ring, or an anniversary gift, or something else to mark a special occasion in your life, there is always the option for Custom Design. This blog post is to explain what that option entails.
Step 1: “ Hi Paul, I’m interested in a piece of jewelry for my wife, and I’m looking for something truly unique, so naturally I thought of you.”
If the Client wanted just anything - anything will do - they could go anywhere for anything, as long as it’s shiny and elicits at least one Oooh and at least one Ahh. The Client knows what I do. They know the time I take to create a custom designed piece of jewelry, and they know that when it’s finished there will be MANY Ooohs and MANY Ahhs. The Client will also already be aware that a Custom Designed piece of jewelry is not something they order on Monday and pick up on Friday. And if they don’t know this, then within Step 1, I will explain that the bare minimum amount of time I need is 2 months, and depending on the complexity of the design, I might require up to 6 months. Consideration will be paid to the Client’s own timeline. At the end of Step 1, I require a non-refundable “Assurance Fee” of $100. This “Assurance Fee” assures me that you are serious about wanting me to design a piece of jewelry for you. My time spent designing for you is factored into the final price of the piece, but if after spending hours working on the design, you decide you’d rather buy a new TV, then well, at least I made $100.
Step 2: I ask the Client a series of questions regarding what they want, who it’s for, what the occasion is, sizes, colors, requirements, budgets etc. I like to know as much as possible about the Client, as well as whom the gift is intended for. When I am designing and creating a piece of jewelry for someone, both the purchaser and the recipient are constantly on my mind. By the end of Step 2, I will offer the Client a rough estimate of the price.
Step 3: If there will be diamonds or colored gemstones in the design, I begin to source these stones. As a Graduate Gemologist, I take great pride in this work, for I know that regardless of my Client’s budget, I can find them the most beautiful gemstone for the job. I have an Eye for the well cut gemstone. I understand what qualifies for fine color, cut, and clarity. With my knowledge and experience, my Client can be confident that I will deliver the most beautiful gem I can find. In a sea of sapphires that all look the same, I will find the One that looks a little better than all the rest. Once I have an idea of what stones the Client wants in their design, I will require a deposit to pay for those stones. Once the stones are purchased, they become the property of the Client, and the deposit is non-refundable.
Step 4: Design Part 1: The first part of any design is honestly me staring off into space, and occasionally attacking my sketch pad with ideas. This is actually the most important step.
Step 5: I begin to formulate my ideas into working designs - all by hand mind you. I do not use Computer Aided Design (CAD) nor do I use any kind of 3D Printer or Scanner to create my jewelry. Every option is designed and drawn first with pencil, and from various angles to show the Client the general idea, and allow them to make any suggestions moving forward. Perhaps seeing the designs, will make them see the stone is too big or too small, or even realize that they want something completely different. By the end of Step 5, the Client gives the okay that though the design isn’t finalized, I am headed in the right direction.
Step 6: I then return to the Design Table, and render a few possibilities in color, either using colored pencil or watercolor to give the Client a better idea of what to expect when the piece is completed. I then present the designs to the Client, and a choice is made. At the end of Step 6, I will be able to offer the Client the Final Price for the finished piece, and require a 50% Down Payment.
Step 7: I then create a final rendering of the chosen design using watercolor and present that to the Client for their approval. Minor changes to the design are still possible at this point, and I reserve the right to decide what the definition of “minor” is.
Step 8: Wax Carving Begins. At this point it is in your best interest to leave me alone. Wax Carving can take a day, or weeks, or even months to complete depending on the complexity of the design. While some designs can be completed in one sitting, others take time not only for the design to be carved, but for the level of perfection I push myself to achieve. Sometimes the initial carving isn’t good enough for me, so I start again, and will continue to carve and re-carve until I have achieved my intended design. The difference between someone who makes a piece of jewelry by hand - either by wax carving or hand fabrication - and someone who uses computer aided design and manufacturing, is that those making the jewelry by hand have to answer many technical questions themselves instead of having a computer answer the questions for them. Once again, it is best to leave me alone during this time as I am very hard at work.
Step 9: The Finished Wax - After the Client signs off on the design, they generally will not see anything until the piece of jewelry is completed. There are some cases when I will want the customer to see the wax before I cast it, but that is by my own discretion. Wax carving is just one part of the process, and once it’s cast, it goes through several other stages of development. Once the piece of jewelry is completed, you may order a Photo Album - a small book of photographs, a chronological record from design to completion.
Step 10: The Finished Piece: Once cast, so begins a an entirely different process, using different tools, and frankly a different mindset to make what is now a hunk of raw metal, into the shining beauty it was destined to be. Sawing, filing, grinding, sanding, polishing, stone setting, burnishing, polishing, cleaning, polishing, and more polishing - it is a process that take utmost care and focus. And once it is all done…a sigh of relief. Once I have photographed the finished piece, I contact my client to arrange for delivery.
Simple as that.