Thinking about creating a custom piece of jewellery but not sure where to start?
Your first consultation is simply a conversation about what you have in mind, what you like, how you live, your budget, and when you would like the piece to be ready.
You might arrive with a photograph you've saved, a family piece you'd like to redesign, or simply an idea that you've been thinking about for a while. You don't need to have everything figured out before you come in. That's what the consultation is for.
We can look at different stones, metals and design possibilities together and talk through what makes sense for you. After 25 years of creating custom jewellery from my Ladner Village studio, I've learned that the best designs usually start with a good conversation.
What Is a Custom Jewellery Consultation?
A custom jewellery consultation is the starting point for creating a piece that is made specifically for you.
It isn't a sales presentation or a meeting where you are expected to arrive with a finished design. We take the time to talk about what you're hoping to create, who the piece is for, how it will be worn, your budget, and your timeline.
Some clients know exactly what they want. Others aren't sure which direction to take. Both are completely normal.
My job is to listen, ask questions, show you possibilities, and help you make decisions you feel comfortable with.
If you'd like to see some of the possibilities before your appointment, you can explore my Custom Jewellery designs.
What Should You Bring to Your Consultation?
You don't need to bring a finished design. If you have any of the following, they can be helpful:
- Photos of jewellery you like
- Screenshots or saved images that have caught your eye
- A piece of jewellery you already own that you like the style of
- An heirloom piece or gemstone you'd like to incorporate
- An idea of what you'd like to spend
- Any questions you've been wondering about
And if you don't have any of those things, that's perfectly fine too. Sometimes a conversation is all we need to get started.
What About an Heirloom Piece?
If you have an old ring, diamond, gemstone, or another piece of family jewellery, bring it with you.
An inherited piece can sometimes be transformed into something that feels much more like you while still preserving the meaning behind it.
If you're interested in this type of project, you can also learn more about Inherited Jewellery Transformation.
What Happens During the Consultation?
Every consultation is a little different because every client and every project is different. Generally, we'll talk through five things.
1. What You'd Like to Create
We'll start with the piece itself.
Are you thinking about a ring, pendant, earrings, wedding band, or perhaps redesigning something you already own?
We'll also talk about who the piece is for and whether there's a particular occasion or date you're working towards.
2. Your Style and How You Live
A beautiful piece of jewellery also needs to work for the person wearing it.
If you have an active lifestyle, work with your hands, or plan to wear the piece every day, those things can influence the design, setting and choice of metal.
We'll look at what suits both your personal style and your everyday life.
3. Your Budget
Talking about budget early makes the design process much easier.
I'll explain what different choices mean for the overall cost and where it makes sense to put your budget.
There are often several ways to approach a design, and understanding your priorities helps us find the right balance between the stones, metal and design.
4. Stones and Metals
This is where we can really start bringing the design to life.
We'll look at different gemstones and diamonds and talk about qualities such as cut, colour, clarity and carat. We'll also discuss the different metals and how they can change the look of the finished piece.
If the right stone isn't currently in the studio, I can source options for you.
5. Creating a Design Direction
By the end of the consultation, you should have a much clearer idea of where you'd like to go.
We may have discussed a particular stone, metal, style and budget, or we may have narrowed things down to a few possibilities.
You'll know what the next step looks like before deciding whether you'd like to move forward.
What Do You Leave With?
The goal of the consultation isn't necessarily to make every decision that day.
You should leave with a better understanding of your options and a direction for the piece.
Depending on your project, the next step might be:
- Sourcing a particular gemstone or diamond
- Creating a design
- Booking a CAD appointment
- Assessing an heirloom piece
- Preparing a quote
- Taking some time to think about your options
There is no need to make a decision before you're ready.
What Happens After the Consultation?
If you decide to move forward, we'll take the project through the next stages of the custom jewellery process.
This may include selecting or sourcing the stone, developing the design, CAD approval, casting and finishing.
The timeline depends on the piece and the work involved. If you're working towards a particular date, we'll discuss that during your consultation so we can plan accordingly.
For more information about the timeline, read How Long Does It Take to Create a Custom Piece of Jewellery?.
Custom Jewellery Consultation FAQs
Is a custom jewellery consultation free?
Yes. The first custom jewellery consultation is free, with no obligation to purchase.
What should I bring to my first consultation?
Bring any photos, jewellery, heirloom stones or ideas that might help show me what you like. An idea of your budget is also helpful.
If you don't have anything prepared, that's completely fine.
I don't know what I want. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Many clients start with an occasion, a piece of jewellery they admire, or simply an idea. We can work through the possibilities together.
Can I bring my own diamond or gemstone?
Yes. If you have a family diamond, gemstone or another piece you'd like to incorporate into a new design, bring it with you and we'll assess the possibilities.
How long does a consultation take?
The consultation is designed to give us enough time to properly discuss your project, questions and options without rushing through the conversation.
Will I get a price at the consultation?
We'll discuss your budget and the factors that affect the cost of your piece. Once the design and materials are established, I'll provide a quote before any work begins.
Do I have to decide anything right away?
No. You can take the information home, think about the options and decide when you're ready.
Ready to Talk About Your Custom Piece?
If you've been thinking about creating a custom piece of jewellery but aren't sure where to begin, let's start with a conversation.
Bring your ideas, inspiration, an heirloom piece, or simply the occasion you're celebrating. We'll talk through what you're imagining and what might work best for you.
Book Your Consultation
Book a private consultation at my Ladner Village studio and let's talk about what we can create together.