Customs FAQ

When commissioning a custom piece of jewelry, it is important to have a clear idea of what you want. This can include the type of metal, gemstones, and general design idea. Do some research before you begin this process so that you have a good idea of what you are looking for. Some people think they need a custom piece but really it could be a modification of an existing design with a different alloy or center stone.

When commissioning a custom piece of jewelry, it is important to consider the type of materials that will be used. For commissions, I only work in 14k gold or higher or mixed metals (gold and silver) with a variety gemstones and I can help guide you in selecting the right materials to meet your needs and budget. I can also have pieces cast into platinum and have the option to use CAD/CAM to create more complex designs that would not make sense to fabricate. 

Jewelry worn every day with the expectation of being worn for a lifetime requires high quality precious metals. I use only 100% certified recycled alloys. At your request, I can opt to use fair mined new gold if that is a priority for you.

My recommendation for engagement and wedding jewelry is 14k or 18k gold as these can be easily repaired and resized.

Custom jewelry can vary in price depending on the materials, complexity of the design, and the time required to create the piece. Custom engagement rings ideally need a budget starting at least $2500, and require a $200 deposit to begin the design process. $2500 is for the most straightforward of designs and the average cost of a custom-made, hand fabricated ring is around $5000, depending on the stone/s you choose. The deposit covers consultation and design time and is non-refundable. It is important to consider your budget before starting the process. Usually customers offer a range to work within, this is helpful for Amy to create designs in a variety of budgets for you to choose from and directs the project on what materials/gemstones are available to you. If you have a tight budget, it helps to be flexible with your design options as these will be limited. Custom design may not be the best option for you if your budget is below $2000.

If you live overseas then you must factor in import duties and the cost of shipping. For example, an insured package valued at $2500 shipping to Europe could range from $70-$180 and often European countries tack on an import duty that is a percentage of the value of the item. Amy has no control over shipping or import fees so please factor this into your budget.

When I've received your feedback on initial ideas and thoughts, I will begin with a set of questions to further narrow down your inspiration. Sometimes that includes hand drawn sketches, gemstones to look at via video and stone layouts. After the initial discovery consultation, it typically takes several rounds of your feedback and/or additional design revisions to get to your final design and the final quote. When you feel indecisive, I will guide you with the decision-making process and share my knowledge and expertise. I can offer recommendations tailored to your specific idea. A general rule is that the more complicated and detailed a piece is the higher your budget will need to be.

Once we have finalized all the design details you will pay half the agreed upon quote up front and half upon completion before I ship.

Custom jewelry is a significant time commitment and as a one-person small business, it is essential you pad out your time frame to allow for unforeseen delays or several rounds of feedback on the design. It will be a handmade piece so I generally allow 8-12 weeks per project. If you have a specific deadline, it is important to communicate this to me during the design process so I can work to accommodate your needs. If you live overseas then add extra time to allow for shipping delays. It is essential to reply to emails in a timely fashion in order to meet your deadline.

To begin the design process (after an initial discussion on whether custom is right for you), a $200 deposit is paid, this is included into your final quote and must be paid within 3 business days. Once all the details of your piece have been confirmed, you will pay half the quoted amount up front and the remainder upon completion, to be paid within 3 business days of receiving the invoice. Installment plans are available for those who qualify through Shop Pay Installments (a third party financing company). Please note that I do not have access to the payment plans as this is an agreement with the third party Shop Pay Installments/Affirm.

I am committed to creating custom pieces of jewelry that exceed your expectations and will work closely with you throughout the design and production process to ensure that you are completely satisfied with the final piece.