What is the process from that first contact with us, asking for a price, deciding on exactly the design or idea you have? How does it all come together? How do you know what the end result will be? There is much to consider with custom made jewellery.
I thought I would take a very recent order, which we made for a client of ours. We had the budget (I like to do my best to come in under that budget) and she was very precise on the type of Tanzanite gemstone she wanted. It had to be AAAA Graded, and it had to be VVS.
We will know the result on the specification once it comes back from The London Assay Office, who hallmark and certify our jewellery for us. The quality of our Tanzanite gemstones are absolutely superb, so I have complete confidence in the certification of the gemstone.
So.... to start with, what type of setting was required?
Our client favoured a pear cut Tanzanite, but was unsure on the setting. Having chatted with her in more detail, I have an intuition as to what is likely to suit. I can't explain it, but having been in the industry for so long, one can easily have a feeling for what a person will or will not like. Our designers put together a couple of CAD images, which would help give an idea of what the ring would look like when it was made. Sometimes a visual is best.
After various conversations, and taking into account our clients preferences, we went with the split shank, which will be set with Diamonds leading up to the central pear cut Tanzanite, which will also be surrounded with Diamonds.
The next stage is to make a wax model of the ring. This gives one a far better idea of what the ring will actually look like and I can forward a picture or video of this to our client. No changes are required and from here the ring will be turned into gold, that sounds a bit like a fairy tale, but obviously the ring is made into a gold ring, using the wax model. Now it's ready for the gemstone setting. The ring will be held in wax, whilst the gemstones are set into it. How do they do this? It always amazes me, the sheer talent of our team.
The ring is off to be polished and then will be Rhodium Plated. The Rhodium plating is used to enhance the luster and durability of metals such as silver and white gold and gives a smooth, shiny finish to the jewellery.
On its return to us, we shall be sending this beauty to The London Assay Office where it will be hallmarked and then on to be certified. What I will do is update you all on the final Tanzanite and Diamond ring when it arrives in my possession.
If you are interested in a custom-made order, you are welcome to contact me,
Emma Ellison - Jewellery Designer
"Making custom-made jewellery simple"