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Helpcustom jewelry design  custom jewelry design
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How to Design a Ring?

Great custom made jewelry is available to anyone with access to the internet and a desire for fine jewelry. We are happy to work with clients via e-mail, post and our unique online custom design page. We take pride in making each item with more artistry and style than ordinary, mass produced pieces.

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custom design consultation

Consultation
We begin the process with a consultation session, either by visiting our shop or through the web site. Both methods offer top notch service and creative insight from artistic professionals.

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Design
After looking over examples of what you like from our web site, your own personal sketches, idea book or any other source of inspiration, we will sketch or create CAD concept renderings of one or more designs for your approval. We will not stop until you say, “WOW… That's exactly what I want!”

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Custom jewelry wax model

Wax Carving
If the piece is to be cast, and most are, we then create a wax master model. We do this by using a combination of our Gemvision Revo 4 milling machines and hand carving to create the perfect blend of artistry and detailed perfection.

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custom jewelry casting

Casting
Once all designs have been approved, the jewelry is now set for casting. We cast most pieces here in our in-house casting facility using world class Galloni Fusus New HD platinum and gold casting equipment, originally created to the specifications of Tiffany & Co.

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custom jewelry fabrication

Fabrication
Many of our designs have sections of hand fabricated filigree or other hand forged elements. We can either show you examples of similar elements for you to choose from or forge and fabricate partial sections of the design for your approval before finishing all the details.

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filigree

Filigree
The art of filigree consists of curling, twisting and bending fine threads of wire by hand. This incredibly intricate art form takes many years to master. We are fortunate to be able to offer you the services of many filigree experts!

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stone setting

Setting
During this stage of the process, stones are set into your design. We never cast stones in place, an inferior technique used to mass produce much low quality jewelry made in the world today. We hand set our stones with quality care and old world craftsmanship.

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hand engraving

Hand Engraving
Hand engraving is the next stage of many of our designs. It is the hallmark of a true artist, and is performed under a bench microscope with carefully prepared and sharpened gravers.

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finishes texture

Texture, Finishes and Detailing
The final stage of the production process includes adding texture and detailing if requested. Before quality marking, we double and triple check all details of the design to ensure all instructions have been meticulously followed, the design is well executed and all craftsmanship is top notch.

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Time Line

The truth is we tailor our timeline to each client. Some people start months ahead of time so they can explore ideas and get it "just right" without feeling rushed. Others do not have that luxury, and speed can be important. Please tell us your needs and we will endeavor to make it happen.

 

Most "straightforward" projects are in process for 3 to 6 weeks from consultation to completion. These are pieces similar to ones we have made, or without the most complex Designs and skills that can be Unique to very few Artists, even in our large staff.

 

More difficult jobs, like those with Hand Fabricated Elements, Hand Engraving or Complex Design Elements can take longer.

 

This is not to say that all Pieces take this long, but if you have less than 4-6 weeks, please ask for options, we try hard to accommodate special requests.

 

In particular, if you are not in a hurry and are kind of having fun with the design process, we often consult with clients for long periods of time until a perfect Design understanding is made between you and your Designer.

 

diamondsWe also have In stock items, Design blanks and "Easy Order" made to order items to help expedite the process so please ask for options.

 

Once completed, internet orders will be shipped overnight or @nd day as appropriate to the U.S. or APO address requested at no additional charge.

 

Custom Promise

We promise that you will love your custom jewelry or tell us within 30 days of completion and we will modify, redesign or start over one time for free! The only charge will be for the difference in price if the new design would have cost more originally.

 

There is no fine print here…If you don't LOVE your design, we will re-design and re-make one time for free, as long as the recipient was included in the original design process.

We reserve the right to exclude the Custom Promise on designs using experimental materials or structural elements. Customers creating designs that are exempt from having the Custom Promise will be notified before a deposit is taken and the job has begun.

 

Returns & Exchanges on Non-Custom Pieces and Stones

 

 

*Non-Custom merchandise is returnable for refund up to 30 days after purchase. We understand that a jewelry purchase can be a big decision, and we want you to feel excited about your purchase with us. To make sure you are completely happy, we allow you 30 days from your invoice date to Return or Exchange any item bought from the case (non-custom) that has not been altered. The item(s) must be in good condition. If additional work was completed on the item that does not affect its ability to be resold, you will only be charged for the additional work labor completed on the piece.

 

 *If you are past the initial 30 day Return/Exchange timeframe, we allow Exchanges on all un-altered items in good condition for 90 days from date of invoice.

 

*All Diamonds and Colored Gemstones $500 or more in value (purchase price) must be returned or exchanged within 14 days of purchase.

 

For other stones, (under 500.00 in purchase price) purchased from our owned stock there is a 30 day return policy from the date of purchase (as long as there is no wear on the stone i.e.: abrasions or chips that weren’t there when the stone was purchase). 

 

For other stones under 500.00 in purchase price) that are on MEMO (loaned to us from a vendor), there is a 14 day return policy from the date of purchase (as long as there is no wear on the stone).   The reason MEMO stones have a shorter return period is because we do not own them and if the customer returns the stone after 14 days then we are forced to own stock that we would not have otherwise purchased. 

Stone return policy

 

For STOCK stones, there is a 30 day return policy from the date of purchase (as long as there is no wear on the stone i.e.: abrasions or chips that weren’t there when the stone was purchased).

For Stones acquired for a customer or sold from consignment stock there is a 14 day return policy from the date of purchase (as long as there is no wear on the stone).

The reason MEMO stones have a shorter return period is because we do not own them and if the customer returns the stone after 14 days then we are forced to own stock that we would not have otherwise purchased.

 

Estimates

Verbal estimates are an approximation of price only, and all firm estimates will be given to the customer in writing.

 

Because Metal prices change quickly and other costs change over time, After the customer receives their written estimate, it is their responsibility to present the written estimate at the time of work being started. If an estimate is not in writing then it can not be honored, and will need to be re-estimated in writing before any work begins. Written estimates are valid for 30 days from the date they are given. If an estimate is expired, we reserve the right to modify existing estimates to accommodate for changes in labor and material prices.


All estimates will have all center stone(s) priced out separately from other items listed.

Estimates on custom designs or repairs that have already started will not be changed without prior notification and approval from the customer. In order for a piece to be started, and for the estimate to be agreed to by both parties, a 50% deposit must be taken on the piece. Custom designs and repairs must be completed within 6 months; otherwise they may be subject to additional charges for changes in labor and material prices.

 

Financing

We currently offer financing through Alaska USA only for In store Customers. We do not have financing available for Online customers at this time.

Details Vary and all rules are based on the providers' Terms. Financing Rules are subject to change without notice and all policies are determined by the respective service Providers. Contact your Designer for more information.

 

Stone Loss Warranty

Should a stone fall out of your ring we will replace the stone up to a stone value of 500.00, or pay the insurance deductible up to $500.00 as long as the piece is insured under a homeowners, renters or individual jewelry insurance policy. The maximum liability we can accept is 500.00, stones of higher value should be insured and you will need to contact your insurance company in the case of a loss.

 

The mounting must also be approved by us. For example, most tall 4-prong mountings and any mounting with thin yellow gold prongs might not be approved for our warranty. If we feel the mounting is not secure we will tell you before any work is done and we will not provide a stone loss warranty.

 

In order to qualify for the stone loss warranty, you agree to have your stone checked by us, or a reputable jeweler, for tightness and wear, at least once every 6 months. You must also have any needed maintenance done at that time.

 

We guarantee our work for one year, however normal wear and tear happens, and you will need to maintain your piece over the years, including re tipping and metal build-up after the first year. Just like a pair of tires on a car, metals wear down over time. Platinum is the most resistant to wear of the precious metals and will need less maintenance than gold alloys.

 

We will tighten any stone set by us at no charge for the life of the ring. We guarantee our workmanship and will repair any defect caused by us at no charge indefinitely. We will not, however, be responsible for any amount, in any case, unless the mounting has been inspected and signed off in the last 6 months and the warranty form has been filled out. We do not pay for shipping of items to be checked and worked on. This fee is to be taken care of by the owner of the jewelry.

If you miss an inspection, the warranty will be reinstated after the next inspection.

We will “sign off” on your warranty if the mounting and stones are in good shape, or after any needed repairs are done. If you have work done elsewhere, and it is not done correctly, we will not be liable for stone loss.

We promise to always make a good faith effort to fairly and honestly deal with all of our customers in every way. Our stone loss warranty can be an important part of your satisfaction and trust in our shop, so feel free to ask any questions about our policy.

Sincerely,
Jim and Jytte Tuttle - Owners

 

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