Custom gemstone jewelry is a great way to create a piece that’s not just unique but also deeply personal and meaningful. Whether the piece is made from a birthstone, an heirloom gem, or a vibrant stone that reflects your personality, custom gemstone pieces are full of character. They make incredibly thoughtful gifts thanks to the attention to detail and the story behind each stone. After all, jewelry reflects the person wearing it, so why not ensure that piece is as unique as they are with a one-of-a-kind gemstone design?
However, many people aren’t sure where to start or how the process works. Designing custom gemstone jewelry might feel intimidating at first, but we’re here to make it simple. Use this guide the next time you’re looking for something personal and unforgettable for yourself or a loved one.
What is Custom Gemstone Jewelry?
Custom gemstone jewelry is made-to-order jewelry that features gemstones chosen by you and designed to your exact preferences. Unlike mass-produced jewelry, which often uses generic settings and commonly available stones, custom gemstone pieces are made with your vision at the forefront. From the type and cut of gemstone to the setting, metal, and design details, everything is chosen by you.
Most jewelry today, because of each piece’s popular appeal, is mass-produced. While ready-made jewelry is still high quality and beautiful, custom gemstone jewelry gives you more freedom to express your (or the recipient’s) individuality. Maybe you want to incorporate a loved one’s birthstone, a gem from a meaningful location, or a stone that matches your style. From a subtle accent to a bold centerpiece, the design possibilities are endless. Whether you’re customizing a ring, bracelet, necklace, or earrings, gemstone jewelry adds a colorful and symbolic element that’s hard to find off the shelf.
Benefits of Custom Gemstone Jewelry
One of the primary benefits of custom jewelry is the ability to create a piece that is entirely your own. Whether you want to add subtle, intricate details or grandiose geometric patterns, you can do all of that and so much more with custom jewelry. When you choose to add gemstones to your custom jewelry, the benefits only increase further. You can choose the type, size, cut, and color of gemstone that speaks to you. The added layers of customization are what help make your piece truly unique and one-of-a-kind.
How Does the Custom Design Process Work?
We know how hard it can be to take the first step toward custom gemstone jewelry if you’re unfamiliar with it. That’s why we made sure the custom design process is simple and straightforward so that your experience is comfortable and enjoyable from start to finish. To see how a typical custom design process works from start to finish, keep on reading!
Step 1: Preparing for Your Consultation
The first and most important step is to get an idea of what you want to create. Here at Ellis Jewelers, we have a gallery of custom jewelry to help get your creativity flowing. We also recommend searching platforms such as Pinterest to find ideas for your custom piece.
However, one of the most important things you can do to prepare for your consultation is to set a realistic budget beforehand. This helps the jeweler guide you toward materials and design options that align with both your vision for the piece and your budget. While it doesn’t have to be a hard budget, having a price range in mind that you’re comfortable with will be beneficial when consulting with our jewelry experts.
Step 2: The Consultation
Here at Ellis Jewelers, we offer a FREE, no-commitment consultation to design the piece of your dreams. After booking your appointment online, one of our jewelry experts will follow up with you to ask a few more questions about what you’re looking to create. They may ask what gems, colors, or metals you want to incorporate into your design so they can adequately prepare for your appointment.
When the day of your appointment arrives, you’ll be able to sit down with your jewelry expert one-on-one and discuss exactly what you want in your jewelry. They’ll sketch a few designs and give you an idea of what your piece will look like, and can also give you a price quote for what a custom piece may cost. At Ellis Jewelers, we are able to take designs, styles, and ideas from pre-existing jewelry and combine them into an entirely new piece. The sky’s the limit when designing your new piece of custom jewelry!
Step 3: Creating Your Custom Piece
After meeting with you, our jewelry experts will take their sketches and design a digital CAD model of your custom jewelry. We’ll share that CAD model image with you to get your feedback. This is your chance to ask for any changes to the piece! If any tweaks are needed, we’ll get right to work on those. If you approve the piece, our jewelry experts will start casting and finishing your piece!
Step 4: The Final Result
Once you have approved the CAD model, it’s time for our master jewelers to get to work creating your dream piece. This process can take anywhere from 3-5 weeks, depending on how intricate your design is. If you’re getting a custom piece made for someone else or a special occasion, we recommend allowing 3-5 weeks to get your custom piece made. This way, we can ensure that your piece is fully completed with time to spare for any last-minute changes to the design, adjustments in the measurements, etc.
Once your custom piece has been created, it’s time to show it off! Here at Ellis Jewelers, we love to see our customers proudly wearing their custom jewelry. Make sure to tag @ellisjewelers on Instagram or Ellis Jewelers on Facebook with any pics of your new bling!
Custom Gemstone Jewelry in Concord, NC
Now that we’ve gone through the custom design process from start to finish, you’re ready to start designing your first piece of custom gemstone jewelry! If you want to get your creative ideas flowing, make sure to check out our custom jewelry gallery here. If you’re ready to make a consultation appointment, check out our appointment booking site here.
If you want more information about custom gemstone jewelry, make sure to stop in to Ellis Jewelers in Concord, NC. For over 70 years, we have been Concord’s go-to jewelry store for all things custom jewelry, jewelry repair, gemstones, and so much more. With skilled jewelers and jewelry designers on staff, we are ready to help you create your perfect custom piece today. Stop in today at our beautiful storefront in downtown Concord or visit our website at ellisfinejewelers.com!