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We hear this question asked all the time, and the answer is always, "Yes!" What we have learned over time though, is that what people mean by 'custom' varies quite a bit. For that reason we always follow up our, "Yes!" with, "What did you have in mind?"
To us custom designers, we tend to think of custom as a one-of-a-kind jewel that we design and build from scratch.
The other extreme is the idea that picking a ring and then picking a center diamond and putting the two together is custom! If that is what you had in mind with a custom ring, then fantastic! We assemble mountings with your choice of diamond every day! Check out our bridal section. On this page we are not really discussing that type of 'custom'.
So let's talk about all the infinite possibilities in between those two extremes.
So, what do YOU have in mind?
The best place to start for your search for a ring is searching our bridal section. Most bridal rings you see on our website can be changed, tweaked, and altered to your liking. The most flexible and easiest designs for simple customizations are found in our Signature Jewelry Designer section.
If you have a picture of a ring you once owned or saw somewhere it is possible we might be able to recreate the design for you. Bring in what image you have and we can talk about what changes or improvements you might want made. We will take your ideas and create your one of a kind ring.
If you saw a truly unique ring from a designer somewhere and you love it just the way it is: Buy It! The saving is rarely there to match exactly what someone else has crafted, and the chances we can match precisely what some designer has created is remote. Additionally, that designer put hard work into making that unique design and ethically we don't want to step on their copyright. If you are not sure, bring it by and we can talk about what we can do. We do modifications of designs frequently when the design has not yet been perfected to your liking.
The most common project we encounter is the redesign of an existing ring. We often will start a custom project with our bridal selection in the counter, and begin choosing the design elements that are most liked. The width of the shank, the height of the setting, the shape of the setting, the placement of gems, the inclusion of side stones. We often will narrow down to two, three or four different rings that represent elements of design the customer wants. From here we begin to dream a design that is an amalgamation of the various elements. In the process we will encounter design hurdles that need to be overcome. Finally we arrive at a design concept that we can create for our customer that meets all their expectations.
Sauli, one of our designers, says:
One of the most rewarding parts of my design work is to dig into the customer's minds and help them create the ring of their dreams. Sometimes it starts with a photo that needs changing, but more often the customer starts by saying, "I don't know what I want." So we begin on a "Discovery Tour" and soon we have been able to narrow down to a specific design that they created from the depths of their own being. They had this thing of beauty buried inside them, and I helped them bring it out in the open, helped them express it, and finally helped in the process of making it a real object; something they wear on their body as an expression of their own creative nature. It truly is a beautiful thing. I am in awe when I get to be a part of that process.
One of the most rewarding parts of my design work is to dig into the customer's minds and help them create the ring of their dreams. Sometimes it starts with a photo that needs changing, but more often the customer starts by saying, "I don't know what I want." So we begin on a "Discovery Tour" and soon we have been able to narrow down to a specific design that they created from the depths of their own being.
They had this thing of beauty buried inside them, and I helped them bring it out in the open, helped them express it, and finally helped in the process of making it a real object; something they wear on their body as an expression of their own creative nature. It truly is a beautiful thing.
I am in awe when I get to be a part of that process.
Some of our most touching memories working with jewelry has come from clients wanting to repurpose a piece of jewelry. Whether it is the wedding ring of a spouse that recently departed, or a ring passed down from a grandparent we will work out a way to bring new meaning to your cherished items.
The other situation we encounter for repurposing is almost the exact opposite of the above. Sometimes we encounter the customer who has been given, (or has accumulated) a number of jewelry items that just lack meaning altogether, or are just not going to be worn the way that they are. This is a perfect opportunity to tear down the rings, pendants and everything else and use the various gems to make a one of a kind jewel that you will love and wear. The metal we can provide scrap value to put towards the project, and you recoup the value from the gems that have been sitting idle and unloved.
Read about a repurposing project where we made custom cuff links from a customers coins and some simple parts.
Not everyone places pencil to paper, or can conceive of a whole new idea from their own being, without the help of a designer. We have however encountered a few, and when we do we love it! If you have an idea that just needs to be be made we would love to fulfill it for you.
The expertise we carry allows us to review a design and understand inherent flaws. We have helped customers with truly unique designs walk through the issues of:
Occasionally customers who are truly DIY'ers, will want to go to the extent of actually being hands on with the wax carving, casting and other steps of actually making a ring or jewelry item. If you are in this category we would suggest you read as much as you can on the steps you plan to tackle, before deciding to proceed with the it as a DIY project. Manufacturing jewelry is a specialized field and the likelihood for a novice to successfully complete a project without significant training is small.
Our designers love to create! Sometimes it is simply a gemstone you picked out, or an idea. Come in an give them the challenge to create something completely from scratch.
View some of our featured custom designs.
We have jewelry professionals ready to help.
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Buchkosky Jewelers
