Custom Jewelry Design FAQ

Everything you need to know about custom jewelry design

Custom design jewelry… the idea conjures up many strange thoughts. We are finding out that many people don’t understand the process and how easy it can be to do. Custom design has many misunderstandings. The first one is custom jewelry is always very expensive. No, this is simply not true. Custom jewelry can be very affordable. We have done custom designs that have saved our clients thousands of dollars over designer jewelry.

To help over come many of the misunderstanding I am using a question — answer style of article. This means I will not answer all your question so please call or come in to get a better understanding of custom design jewelry. You can see many of the examples of designs and waxes and final jewelry pieces. The process is very fun and enjoyable. Also, be sure to check out our custom design gallery. It is a great place to get inspiration and to enjoy all the different styles of unique jewelry.

Do I have to be a jewelry designer to have a ring custom designed?

NO. We are the expert jewelry designers. You are the expert in what you like. Putting these two experts together is the fun part.

What if I don’t know what I want?

Don’t worry, we have a system to discover what you want. It is a simple way to find out what you like and then put it together just for you. Jewelry has many small parts but most people just see the whole thing. Imagine a car; the overall look of the car is made up of all of smaller components. For example, the headlight shape and position, the size and angle of the windshield, the front fenders and even the door handles and windshield wipers have an impact on the car’s look. Now, if you had an expert designer who could put all the parts together from the different cars you like, it would look great to you. They can’t build a car just for you, but we can build a ring just for you.

What style should I choose?

Jewelry style can give people a great sense of dread or be totally irrelative. What is in fashion? What are the trend setters wearing? These are the heart and soul of many people and jewelry stores. Some jewelry stores only sell what is currently in style and if you don’t like it that’s tough. Jewelry fashion changes every season just like clothes do. What’s hot now will not be next season. Some trends are long like the white gold and platinum look which has been going on for over seven years now. The current design look with every surface of the ring left enhanced looks great when done right. When done wrong looks too busy, baroque, or garish. A couple of seasons ago the opposite look was in vogue (literally also), a simple clean bright finish geometric shape ring designs. Yes we keep up with the fashions of the day. To our clients who want the cutting edge fashion statement, we can help you design a very in vogue ring.

Jewelry does last longer then a hemline. We do many redesigns because a certain style was predominate in the jewelry stores when they brought their ring, but they were not ever very happy with it. Custom design, I feel, is the best way to achieve a personal preference in jewelry regardless of the current trends. If you want a five stone diamond ring and not a three stone ring, it can be done. If you want a complicated top of ring but not the sides, it can be done. If you want diamonds everywhere, down the shank, on the sides, on the prongs, and even inside (yes we have set diamonds inside) it can be done. Jewelry and wedding rings in particular are heirloom quality and can last decades and even centuries. Many styles will come and go and even come back again in the lifetime of a well designed ring. Jewelry design for a personal taste will be enjoyed for many years or at least until the persons taste change, then its redesign time.

Jewelry style has anther aspect. Jewelry as art… . Some jewelry designs can only be described as art. If you have a piece of jewelry art in mind and need a way to express it, we can help. With the computer jewelry design system we can make your vision become a reality. This is one of those times when technology can fulfill the desire deep with in you. If you want a piece of jewelry art, our designs are more then willing to create a masterpiece for you.

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 basically 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 warn out (it would need a new shank and all new heads), to 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, life style 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 settle for it, that’s just what we did back then and others. As the marriage deeps 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 pored 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 then 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 then 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 tone 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.