Getting a custom piece can be a very anxious process.
You might think you know what will look good, but making it something you want to wear every day is another thing.
Will it look right on your hand? Or even better, will the final piece match what you imagined?
These are all widespread concerns and something most people feel when they have never gone custom before. However, the good news is that most of these issues can be avoided if you know what to think about before ordering. When you take the time to plan, ask the right questions, and understand the process, you end up with jewelry that fits your life and your style.
So, here are eight things to consider before ordering custom jewelry.
1. Know Why You Want Custom Jewelry
Design details aside, the first thing you need to do when having custom jewelry made is ask yourself why.
Are you commemorating a milestone like an engagement? Or are you looking to redesign an heirloom or bring to life something you’ve dreamed up and can’t find in stores?
What you want will inform the decision thereafter and help the jeweler customize the jewelry as per your needs. For example, a custom jewelry, such as a ring you’ll wear daily, requires different considerations in design than a once-a-year pendant.
Making this clear from the onset ensures everything falls in line, from the design process, conceptualization, and through sketching as well as digital modeling.
2. Set a Clear Budget Range
Before ordering your custom jewelry, understand that the budget you set will drive the entire design process. That’s why you’ll be doing yourself a favor by sharing a clear budget range early so that the jeweler can offer you realistic options for metals, stones, and construction.
If your budget allows for an 18K gold ring, but you fall in love with a 10K gold ring, you will not be getting what you expected. Custom-designed pieces generally have fees associated with rendering, casting, stone setting, and finishing. Consequently, the budget range you settle on will affect the final price of your piece.
3. Think About Your Personal Style and Daily Wear
Jewelry is more than just something pretty to wear; it should suit your lifestyle as well. With that in mind, when you think about ordering new custom jewelry, take into account your clothing style, what jewelry styles you are currently wearing, and how you plan to style it with the jewelry.
For example, if you enjoy wearing simple pieces, then a detailed piece won’t feel right on you after a week or two. A detailed ring isn’t practical for you either if you frequently work with your hands or spend much time in fragile settings.
So, as you order your custom jewelry, choose what suits you accordingly. Luckily, in a custom jewelry design, every element can be tailored to what feels natural for you when you wear it.
4. Choose the Right Metal for Durability and Care
Your metal choice impacts the look, durability, and, yes, even the maintenance your custom jewelry will require. Gold, platinum, and other alloys wear differently over time. Certain metals are more likely to show scratches, or can be repolished to look good as new.
Others are more resilient but not easily resized later on if necessary. Color also comes into play here: White metals often need to be recoated with a bright white rhodium finish, while yellow and rose tones on jewelry take on a warmer cast when worn.
A good custom jeweler will explain exactly how each option holds up against your everyday life so you can actually decide.
5. Understand Gemstone Options Beyond Appearance
Many times, stones are selected for making custom jewelry due to their color or how sparkly they are on their own. Granted, these are definitely factors to think about, but not the only ones. Hardness, durability, and setting style matter too. Some stones look nice but don’t hold up well to daily wear; others fare just fine but require a certain type of setting.
If it’s an heirloom stone for your custom jewelry, you may need to have it checked over for chips or wear before agreeing to its use. Also, ensure you know how your stone will be held and protected, how the prongs work, what sort of holding is done, and the overall depth.
6. Review the Design Process and Revisions
Most custom jewelry is made in stages. Some artists use sketches, wax models, or digital renderings. If you’re ordering a custom-made piece, you should enquire how many design revisions are included and at what stage they cannot be made anymore.
Seeing a design in a model state can help you identify any issues before the piece is cast in metal. Pay attention to proportions and details, as small changes on paper or a computer screen can translate into big differences once the piece is completed.
The more time you spend looking over a new design, the closer your final version will be to exactly what you had envisioned.
7. Plan the Timeline and Key Dates
Custom work takes time. The design phase, material sourcing, fabrication, and finishing are measured in weeks. If the custom item is intended to be presented as part of a proposal or for a special occasion that requires completion by a specific date, work backward from that date. Rushing to get something done quickly may limit what’s actually possible and add stress.
And keep in mind that once you see an initial design concept, you might want some changes made. Having time built into the system provides for more iterative revision or for serendipity.
8. Ask About Aftercare and Long-Term Support
Once the piece is completed, your relationship with it isn’t over. Inquire about cleaning, inspection, and repair services. Some design settings on your custom jewelry may need to be tightened periodically.
Understanding your options means you will know how to properly care for your piece, and it will help put your mind at ease, knowing you’ve made an investment that should last.
Final Thoughts
Getting a custom piece of jewelry can be rewarding, especially if you take the time to consider your purpose, budget, style, materials, and timing. Maintaining clear communication with the custom jeweler also helps make things easier and works towards meeting your expectations!
If you’ve considered ordering custom jewelry, remember these eight things to help ensure that whatever design or piece of jewelry you create feels right now and long into the future.
