OK, you’ve been rolling it around in the back of your mind for a while, maybe you and your partner have even discussed taking the next step, rings, etc. You know you want something a little different, but you aren’t really sure where to start. Does this describe you?
If so, I’d love to work with you to get started on this! My two main rules with engagement and commitment rings are: 1. you don’t necessarily need to follow the “rules” you’ve heard, and 2. your rings need to reflect what is unique and special about you.
There are a variety of ways we can approach this:
You can bring me images and ideas you’ve seen elsewhere and we can adapt them to create something beautiful and unique, just for you.
We can create a ring or rings directly related to the lines of jewelry that I make. My Tendril and Fizz series generally work best for this.
We can use CAD technology to develop a ring idea, based either on my designs, on something you’ve seen elsewhere, or on an original idea- yours, mine, or a collaboration between us.
Your ring(s) can have stones, or not. Perhaps you have a stone or stones already that you wish to use. Or we look through my collection to find one that’s just right. Or I will scour my sources to find the perfect gemstone for the ring of your dreams! (I’m partial to unusual diamonds and sapphires- especially fancy colors btw!)
You want your ring(s) to be one or more colors of gold. Or platinum. Or silver. Or some combination of those. There are great reasons to choose any of those for important rings, and I’m happy to discuss the differences to help you decide. We can “try on” various stones and metal colors to see what looks best on you or in combination with each other.
You might want something that is more traditional but you aren’t sure where to go for this and want to work with somebody you can trust. I would love to help you in this way as well.
With my 25+ years of being a goldsmith, I can confidently assist you in building a ring or rings that will be durable, comfortable, and beautifully made. My goal is for you to be delighted every time you catch a glimpse, for years to come.
OK, that’s great, now how does this proces work?
We will schedule an initial consultation, usually at my studio although meeting elsewhere is always an option. There is no charge for this. We will discuss any ideas you have so far, and I’ll provide any information that will be helpful at this point. I may take notes or sketch some things out while you are here. We can look at past work I’ve done as well as my current pieces to see if any of that sparks a jumping-off point for you. We can look at stones in my inventory, or I can take notes on stones to source and get in for you to see. I will ask you about the budget and timeframe you have in mind, and we will discuss how we can make sure your ring(s) meet these criteria. Hopefully at this point you will know what finger size the ring or rings need to be. This last part is super helpful! If possible, I will measure while you are at my studio.
Next, I will take typically a week or two to work on whatever I need to do to move this process forward. This could involve creating a more precise sketch or sketches. It could mean researching some looks similar to what you want if that is different from the lines I create. It could be discussing your ring goals with a cad designer to get a feel for how complex the project will be. I might need to find that perfect stone or stones from my sources. Or I might be investigating my tendril collection for the perfect candidate. Also, pricing for your ring(s) is refined at this time.
Then we will meet again: in person, by phone, over Zoom, or even by text/chat! I will present the progress I’ve made and we will discuss any elements you’ve been working on (often: finger size, design considerations, metal and stone preferences. (Your friends and family members might be helping you gather this valuable info!) And I will present a refined estimate.
If we both feel good about where we are in the process at this point, I will ask for a 50% non-cancelable, nonrefundable deposit to get started on the creation of your ring or rings. This is necessary because I’m making something that will be solely for you, and I need that commitment from you in order to devote my time and energy into bringing your ring(s) to life. The balance is due at completion, usually between two and four weeks later.
Now for the most exciting part! You get to meet the ring of your dreams! We will see if any changes- sizing or otherwise- need to be made, but generally, final payment is made at this point and then your ring is off to its new home! If the ring is a surprise, the most exciting part will happen soon!
Thank You!
Thank you for your interest in my work, and for reading this far! There is a sense of magic when creating custom pieces, especially bridal/commitment jewelry, and for me it is a sacred honor to be asked to partner with you to create something so meaningful. Taking this step often brings up a lot of emotions and can even feel pretty scary for some of my clients. I pledge to treat you with consideration and discretion, and to do everything in my power to make this a process where you feel comfortable and respected. I am grateful for your trust in my creativity and my abilities.
I look forward to working with you on the ring of your dreams! Contact me today to get started!
Tanya