Buyer’s Guide To Custom Jewelry

Commissioning a custom jewelry piece is a great way to showcase your personal style, whether it’s a custom engagement ring, wedding band, or any other jewelry item. Custom jewelry also makes a meaningful gift for any occasion, from milestones like birthdays and anniversaries to Valentine’s and Mother’s Day.

In this guide, we provide expert tips on how to commission your very own one-of-a-kind piece. We also walk you through the process of creating a custom design so you know what to expect. Furthermore, we offer a brief overview of some of the most common materials used in jewelry making to get you inspired!

Custom Jewelry Types

Most jewelers that offer a custom design service will be able to personalize just about any jewelry item, from bracelets and necklaces to engagement rings and wedding bands. We’ve included a list of these items below that you can use for gift ideas.

Custom Rings

Having a personalized ring designed for that special someone is a great way to show them how much they mean to you. Whether it’s an engagement ring that represents your fiancé-to-be’s unique aesthetic, an anniversary ring to mark the occasion, or a birthstone ring to celebrate the birth of a child, the options are endless. You may also want to design a unique ring for yourself, either to make a fashion statement or signify a special event.

Custom Bracelets

A custom design bracelet makes a fantastic one-of-a-kind gift for a graduation, birthday, or Mother’s Day. Whether you’re looking for an elegant tennis bracelet, personalized charm bracelet, or chunky Cuban link-style bracelet, you have an endless array of unique design ideas to draw inspiration from.

Custom Pendants

If you’re looking to create a unique jewelry item that’s a little on the lower end of the price range, consider a custom design pendant. These can be bought with or without a chain, which can raise or lower the price, respectively. Of course, the kind of materials you choose for your custom pendant will also affect the cost. Diamond pendants are always a classic choice, as are custom charm pendants in gold or sterling silver. Birthstones are also an excellent way to personalize a pendant since they often represent some unique characteristic of the wearer.

Custom Necklaces & Chains

While there are already hundreds of styles of necklaces and chains to choose from, you can still opt to have your own one-of-a-kind made. Perhaps you’re looking for an intricate chain to wear on its own, or a slim chain to pair with a dainty pendant. Whatever your budget, needs, or preferences, you have no shortage of options for designing your own necklace chain.

Custom Earrings

Nothing screams ‘special occasion’ more than a pair of one-of-a-kind earrings. Except perhaps an engagement ring? But if you’re looking for a unique birthday or anniversary present, you can’t go wrong with a pair of exquisite earrings. Especially if they were created with the intention of showcasing something unique about your partner’s personality or your relationship with them.

Custom Watches

Contrary to what popular culture would have you believe, one-of-a-kind timepieces are not only meant for the rich and famous! You can design your very own custom luxury brand watch to show off your unique aesthetic or gift to that special someone. Most watch jewelers will allow you to choose everything from the watch face down to the material for the watch band.

Choice of Materials

Choosing the materials for your custom design piece can be overwhelming. Especially if you’re unfamiliar with what’s available to you. While the list below is by no means comprehensive, you can use it as a guide to get you inspired.

A professional jeweler will be able to tell you more about the pros and cons of each material, or you can do a little more research yourself. Our website in particular has an extensive collection of buyer’s guides covering a broad range of topics. So you’re bound to find all the information you need here.

Types of Metals

18K, 14K, and 10K Gold

Always a classic choice, yellow gold has been used in jewelry design for millennia. These days, however, you have many more options to choose from, including white gold, rose gold, and even black gold. All of these types of gold are available in 18K, 14K, and 10K.

925 Sterling Silver

A more affordable metal option than gold, 925 sterling silver jewelry is beautiful and will last a lifetime.

Platinum

Platinum is the most expensive precious metal on the market and is more durable than gold. This makes it an excellent choice for people who lead active lifestyles.

Rhodium

Rhodium is a rare hypoallergenic metal that is commonly used to plate white gold. This is done to give the gold its lustrous white sheen, as well as to afford it some protection against scratches and dents.

Stainless Steel

An increasingly popular choice for men’s wedding bands in particular, stainless steel is a durable metal that can withstand hard knocks and blows. It is also hypoallergenic and affordable.

Types of Gemstones

Natural diamonds

Although white diamonds are likely to remain the most popular gemstone for wedding bands and engagement rings, it is worth noting that colored diamonds also exist. For example, you can find red, blue, black, pink, and canary yellow diamonds. Some of these are much more affordable than white diamonds, while others can fetch premium prices.

Precious and Semi-Precious Gems

If diamonds aren’t your cup of tea, or if you’re interested in creating personalized birthstone jewelry, you can always check out other precious and semi-precious gems. Emeralds, sapphires, and rubies are known as precious stones (including diamonds). Every other gem, such as amethyst, garnet, citrine, and turquoise, is known as semi-precious.

Pearl, Mother of Pearl, and Coral

If you like the natural look, or if you want your custom creation to pay homage to the ocean, consider a custom piece made with pearls, Mother-of-Pearl, or coral.

Reasons To Buy Custom Jewelry

Custom jewelry always tells a story. It can say something about your identity, your culture, your beliefs, your interests, your relationships, and much more. It can also carry a special message from the person who commissioned it for you, or vice versa. Not only that, a personalized piece is typically one-of-a-kind, making it that much more special and unique.

How to Order Your Own Custom Jewelry

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of online and brick-and-mortar jewelry stores that offer custom jewelry design services. However, it is important that you find a reputable store to work with. The easiest way to do this is to look for a well-known brand like James Allen or Blue Nile and to read reviews by previous customers. You can also order a few pre-made pieces from the shop first to check the quality of the craftsmanship if you are not able to visit it in person. Also, check store policies regarding returns and refunds.

Once you’ve decided on a jeweler, you can take the next step in bringing your dream piece to life. Check out our guide below for the full run-down on the whole process from start to finish.

Step-By-Step Guide To Custom Jewelry Making

1. Design

The first step is to decide on your jewelry design. This may involve browsing the internet for ideas, drawing a picture of your desired style, or commissioning an artist to sketch it for you. The design doesn’t need to be complete – all you need is a rough idea that you can present to the jeweler to bring your vision across.

2. Choose Your Materials

The second step is to select the kind of materials you want your custom design to be made of. If you are unsure about which metals and stones will look good together, you can always enlist the help of your jeweler. They will also work with you to ensure that the piece meets your budget and style preferences. If the design is for an engagement ring or wedding band, you will also need to get your ring size measured.

3. Modeling and Casting

This step will be performed by the jeweler or artisans in charge of making the piece. They will create a stunning 3D model of your jewelry design, which they will send to you for your approval once complete. After giving them the go-ahead, they will begin casting the piece. This step involves setting any gemstones into the jewelry and/or adding engravings, accent stones, and other details.

4. Payment and Shipping

Once the artisans have made your custom jewelry item, they will usually send you a high-resolution image of the finished piece. If it meets all of your expectations, the shop will proceed with shipping the item to you once you’ve settled the payment for it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Jewelry

Here are some frequently asked questions that clients have about buying custom-made jewelry.