Do you dream of creating your own jewelry piece? Or rather, create something entirely new from an inherited or older piece of jewelry? Whatever the case may be, custom jewelry is the perfect way to create and update jewelry pieces to showcase your one-of-a-kind style.
Compared to widely-available jewelry pieces, custom jewelry proves to be sought after because it:
Once you decide that custom jewelry is what you are looking for, it’s important to understand the details of the customization process before you begin.
Before you meet with your jeweler, it’s crucial that you thoroughly research your wants and find inspiration to inform the jewelry designer. A great way to do this is by browsing Pinterest, exploring fine jewelry collections online, and taking notes of the styles you or a loved one like. Having this information prepared before time will allow one of our jewelry specialists to begin crafting a design right away.
Additionally, you should review your budget for this piece and establish a timeline. If this is a gift, you’ll want to start planning ahead to ensure that you have the piece in time for that special day. If you are designing a custom engagement ring, this will also need to be part of your proposal planning as custom jewelry takes, on average, 6 weeks to design, create, and deliver.
If you are unsure about how to properly budget your custom design, please contact us. We’d be glad to help you clarify the details.
Unlike browsing jewelry collections and then purchasing a piece right on the spot, the design process calls for more collaboration between you and your jeweler. There will need to be conversations on the design at the beginning of the process and then approval later on once a design has been created from our computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software. You will need to communicate and collaborate with the jewelry designer to ensure that you stay on the timeline for your commissioned piece.
As part of the communication process, you should ask questions throughout the entire experience, especially at the beginning. Your jeweler should set expectations at the start that will be followed by both parties throughout the design process until the delivery of the final product. This creates peace of mind for you, especially if you are planning on popping the question with a custom-designed engagement ring.
Additionally, consider who you are designing this piece for, whether it is yourself or someone else. Factors such as allergies to certain metals or the amount of wear this piece will receive should be questions your jewelry designer asks and you are prepared to answer.
Completely customizing a piece of jewelry is an exciting process that produces a beautiful, meaningful, and unique accessory that you or your loved one will cherish for a long time. At Brittany’s Fine Jewelry, we have been creating and producing stunning jewelry pieces since 1985.
Our custom design specialist, Kristina Cohen, is ready to serve you in all of your custom jewelry needs. Please contact us or visit our showroom to get started on your custom jewelry design. You can reach Kristina via email or phone 352-372-4640 to talk through your vision!
Your jewelry is a meaningful symbol and often a significant financial expense. Customizing your dream piece may be easier, more affordable, and quicker than you think. Consider the following benefits and trade-offs when planning your customized jewelry.
Benefits of Customizing Jewelry
Customized rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces have many benefits. Most importantly, you can wear pieces that are a reflection of your personal style and individuality. A design that emphasizes your unique interests is also truly one-of-a-kind. Customized pieces can also be a great investment or a way to show your loved ones how much you care.
Things to Consider
While there are many advantages to truly customizing a piece of fine jewelry, there are some things to consider before you begin this process. For starters, custom jewelry might be more expensive than off-the-shelf designs, and prices can vary depending on how elaborate the design is. It also takes time to create (as long as 12 months in some cases), which means you might be waiting longer to pop the question if you’re customizing an engagement ring. A good rule of thumb is to get started on customization as soon as you can.
How to Prepare to Create Customized Jewelry
Step 1: Do Your Research
If you’re looking to create your one-of-a-kind piece for you or your special someone, the good news is that you’ve already come to the right place! Our jewelry experts are ready and willing to work with you to create the design of your dreams.
You can help the process by researching things like gemstone setting, band type, metal, size, etc. You can start by looking up examples of jewelry that speak to you, and use that to draw inspiration. Having photos similar to the jewelry you’re looking to create can help our jewelers get a sense of your style and help guide the design work.
Step 2: Generate Budget and Timeline
It’s best to have a price range for spending in mind for your custom piece. Our jewelers can offer a ballpark estimate when you bring in your design ideas with details. Your timeline is another factor to consider when going into a consultation. An average timeline for a custom piece may take a few weeks to several months depending on the design and the availability of materials. If this piece is a gift for someone special, consider giving yourself a buffer period of a couple months between when you order and when you expect to have the finished product. Planning ahead will allow you to have the piece just in time for your anniversary, birthday, holiday, or engagement proposal.
Step 3: Schedule a Consultation at Cecil’s Custom Jewelry
This is what you’ve been waiting for! At a consultation, you’ll have the chance to present your proposed design, research, budget, and timeline to our experts. We will work with you to create what you’re wanting and can start designing sketches for you to look over. You can also consider bringing a list of things you DO NOT want in your jewelry, so we know what to avoid. After this initial meeting, our experts can give you a more accurate timeline and budget based on your needs.
Step 4: Receive Your Piece and Celebrate!
Once your jewelry is ready, you can relish this heirloom that will no doubt be a treasure for generations. Congratulations!
We know you’re excited to get started and that’s the easy part. You can learn more about our work and book an appointment at http://cecilsfinejewelry.com/about/ or call us at 501-225-5068.