FAQ

frequently asked questions

What is involved in the custom design process?

I create unique hand-made custom jewellery pieces specializing in engagement and wedding rings, building relationships with my clients and working within their budget, from the initial design consultation through to the final beautiful product.

If you don’t know where to start, you may want to begin by asking yourself a few questions. For example, do you prefer white metal or yellow? High polished finishes or matte? Flat edges or rounded? Diamonds or coloured gemstones? From here I can help you narrow it down with a design consultation.

If you already have a design in mind, together we can develop the details during a consultation to ensure that the result is both beautiful and structurally sound. It is important to note here that if you would like to bring in images of other jewellery they will be used as reference only, I will not reproduce someone else’s design.

Can I use my old jewellery and gemstones to create a new piece?

Absolutely! Jewellery is constantly being remade. In fact it has been estimated that all of the gold in the world would fit into a 25 metre by 25 metre cube. This means that, because it is so precious and rare, it has been reused & recycled over and over throughout the course of history. I can re-use your old metal if it has sentimental value or use the amount of metal as a credit toward your final piece. If you would like to use the original metal it is important to know that new metal will need to be added for the structural integrity of the new piece. I can also harvest any gemstones that you would like to use from your old piece and incorporate them into the new design.

Do you do repairs too?

Yes! Bring in those pieces that have been sitting at the bottom of your jewellery box for years and I’ll give you a quote on what it would cost to repair them.

Is there a minimum charge for custom work?

No, there is no minimum. A custom-made pendant can be as little as $30! For higher-end pieces I ask for a deposit of half of the total before commencing work.

I would like to have a ring custom made as a surprise but I don’t have the recipients ring size.

What happens if the size is incorrect?

I have some tips and tricks to help you determine the intended recipient’s ring size. However, the only way to really be sure is to measure the finger size using ring-sizers. In most cases, if the ring size provided is incorrect I will be able to adjust the size for an additional charge. Typically small adjustments start at $20 but if additional metal is required it will be factored into the cost. It’s also important to remember that ring sizes can alter quite substantially depending on the time of year, water consumption, salt consumption etc.

Do you provide a warranty?

I stand behind my work 100%. If there is ever a problem that arises due to craftsmanship during the course of normal wear & tear I will fix it, no charge. If something 'abnormal' occurs such as it gets run over, chewed on, drenched in chemicals etc. I will also help you repair it for the lowest possible cost.

Over time, a ring you wear every day will get small scratches developing into a lovely 'worn' polished patina. I encourage people to learn to love this finish as constantly polishing your ring actually removes a tiny amount of metal each time. But, there are occasions when it would be nice for a piece to be brought back to it's original finish (ie: a wedding day!). I get quite sentimental myself about the pieces I've made and want to see them look beautiful forever so I also provide free cleaning & polishing whenever you want!

Can I return a custom made piece of jewellery?

A custom designed piece of jewellery is specifically created with one person in mind and often personalized. This makes it extremely difficult or sometimes impossible to re-sell. I am committed to having my clients 100% happy with their purchases and I am prepared to do everything in my power to achieve this result. If something is not quite right I will work with you until it is perfect!

What methods of payment do you accept?

I accept cash or cheque as well as offer Visa, Mastercard & American Express services. The credit card companies apply a 3% charge for use of their services. I don’t build this charge into my prices because I understand that budgets can be tight. Some larger companies build all of their overhead charges, such as credit card service charges, into their total price. As a small business owner who is conscious of cost saving myself, I do not incorporate such charges into my prices. If you prefer to pay via credit card 3% of the total will be included in your final balance.

Can I source my own gemstone to use in a custom designed piece?

I can work with any gemstones. If you prefer to source your own stone let me know as there may be specific requirements depending on the design. Keep in mind that, because the origin of the stone is unfamiliar, I can’t guarantee it’s quality or durability. For example, from time to time a stone may get chipped or break during the setting process. Although it does not happen often, there would be no recourse should it occur. When I source stones for my clients I take into consideration all of the factors that determine the value of a stone, as well as all of the factors that can’t be measured, to choose the best selection of stones before presenting them to you to view.

Where do your gemstones come from?

I have strong and trustworthy relationships with the gemstone companies that I source my stones from. All of these companies are extremely reputable and are committed to the ethical sourcing of gemstones. Each adheres to the Kimberley Process which strictly outlines the protocol and the necessary accompanying documentation that traces the journey of a diamond from the mine to the gemstone dealer. Significant progress has been made, it is now estimated that conflict diamonds account for less than 1% of the total amount of diamonds in circulation in the world, but work remains to be done. Canadian diamonds are an option if you would like to 100% guarantee that a diamond is conflict-free and each diamond is laser-inscribed on the girdle. It’s important to note that due to the premium placed on a 100% conflict-free guarantee, Canadian diamonds tend to be more expensive than other diamonds of similar size and quality.

Unfortunately, there is no similar procedure to the Kimberley Process in effect when it comes to coloured stones. Coloured stones are found all over the world but the most abundant sources are typically Southern & South-East Asia as well as South America.