THE BESPOKE JEWELRY PROCESS

1. Do your research

Start by organizing your ideas on what kind of piece you would like to create. Is it for a special occasion like an engagement ring, a wedding band, repurposing existing jewelry, creating a special piece of jewelry for your daughters or use the loose gemstones or coins that you bought in a special trip? Or maybe you finally decided to create that dream piece that you’ve been thinking for years?

Once you have an idea of the type of jewelry you want to create, It helps if you browse my designs and tell me if there is a style, setting, gemstone that you like. You can take notes of styles that you like, of the jewelry you use and appreciate and notice the metals, details you like in pieces of jewelry.If you are clueless about what you would like to create, that’s also ok. We will discuss at length during our design consultation the purpose of the piece you want to create.

2. Request an appointment

Start by filling the form on our website and giving me an idea of what you want to create. You can also send me an additional email with sketches, ideas, notes that you believe that are important to give an idea of your ideal jewelry piece.

You can send me designs or photos of jewelry you like to highlight the setting, the gemstone color or cut or the metal texture or color. Any visual inspirations that you may have collected along the way will be extremely helpful to get a sense of the style you want to create. If you have already created a pinterest board with your inspiration or ideas do send it along, that helps me get an idea of what you want to create.

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3. Let's meet in person or virtually

Once I have gathered all of the information you sent me I will contact you to further discuss your commissioned piece.

We will schedule a first consultation and this part of the process can take place in several places:

- in person at my studio in Charlottesville, Virginia or

- via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp or a regular call or

- email.

If we’re doing a piece for yourself (and not for somebody else) I would like to see you to have an idea of the shape of your hands, neck or arm, and to get a sense of your style and the jewelry you wear.

This is the part where we sit down and discuss at length what you want to create.. We’ll talk about purpose, wearability, meaning and special details. We will also discuss budgets, and design alternatives to fit your willingness to spend.

We will be going back and forth with questions, ideas and personal details.

4. Choose your gemstones

In the event that you came to me with your own loose gemstones or pearls, or with an inherited piece of jewelry that you would like to use the gemstones or repurpose, we will skip this step.

If you’re searching for a particular gemstone or cut and taking into account your budget, I will look for a stone that fits the characteristics that you’re looking for. Whether it’s a diamond, sapphire, pearl or semi-precious stone I will guide you through the process of finding the right fit for you and your budget. This will often entail providing you with several different stone options to choose from based on your preferences and cost. Payment for the gemstone will be expected at the moment you make your selection, and it will be separate from the design quote on the commissioned piece.

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The ACFJ Atelier offers clients the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind, custom women's and men's bespoke pieces. These can be modern engagement rings and wedding bands, repurposing of old jewelry and existing client's gemstones.

Creating a bespoke piece is highly collaborative and personal and you will be involved in each part of the process. The atelier works with clients all over the world.

5. Review the Design Proposals and pay a deposit

You will receive a document that will entail different design choices, with sketches and estimates for the different options. Each proposal will outline the details of the project, materials, sizes and cost.

Once you’ve reviewed the proposals, you can make smaller adjustments to the designs, like adding details from a design that you liked to another one. These changes are allowed only in this phase of the project. Once the actual creation of the piece has started it won’t be possible to make any other changes, so this is a crucial decision moment.

Upon approval of your quote, a 50% deposit will be required to secure your commissioned piece. The balance will be due on completion of your piece. At this stage I will be able to give you an accurate estimated completion date for your special piece. Your order will then begin production.

Production times vary from 6 to 16 weeks depending on the complexity of the project and on how busy I am with other custom orders.

6. Updates from the bench

During the creation part I’ll give you updates on the creation of the piece. I will send you photos or videos of the jewelry as it is being created, either in metal or a model in wax. If you wish, and you are local, you can try the piece while it’s still a wax model, and many times you will try it in metal, before any stones are set, to be sure the size is perfect and no adjustments are needed.

7. Delivery

The most exciting part of the project is receiving your commissioned piece. This is definitely my favorite moment as it involves, laughs, tears and giggles. You can pick it up or I can have it shipped to you. Various options are available for shipping, but it will always involve a signature upon delivery and of course, insurance. The balance will be due upon completion of your piece and before any delivery and shipment is made.

Relax while we make your commissioned piece of jewelry

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