Creating Custom
We begin with a conversation (by phone, email or even in-person) about your vision – the type of piece, precious metal, quantity, and design. If you are choosing one of our existing pieces, a firm quote can be provided at this time. For a custom jewelry piece, a rough quote would be provided at this stage with a final quote given once a prototype is created and a weight can be determined.
Stage 2: Design
Once we have an understanding of your piece(s), we begin the design stage. At this point a $1000 non-refundable design fee is required which will be credited to the final price of your order. Our designer will then work with one of our craftsman to create a detailed production drawing of your piece using our CAD (computer-aided design) software. You’ll review the CAD drawing and work with us on any modification you’d like, until the design meets with your approval. At this point, we will provide you with a final price. A 50% payment is required to move to production. (Except in the case that very expensive stones and gems are being used than 100% payment may be required.)
Stage 3: Production
Once you have signed off on the final design and payment has been received, we move to the production stage. Most pieces are cast using the lost wax casting process; others may be milled. If you are ordering a quantity of pieces, we’ll create a prototype in sterling silver and mail it to you for approval before producing the remainder of the pieces in the precious metal of your choosing. Once, cast or milled, any gems will be set and finished by our bench jeweller.
SOME ADDITIONAL NOTES
1. The custom/modification process will typically take from two to four weeks for our existing pieces and four to eight weeks for custom designs, all dependant upon the complexity of the design and the length of the modification and approval time.
2. It’s important to understand that a significant portion of the cost of creating custom jewelry is the time-intensive design and manufacturing costs that can only be spread across a single piece. Quite a contrast to a jewelry manufacturer who mass produces a piece and can spread the cost over the large quantity produced. So, while the precious metal chosen will also significantly impact cost, the simplest piece of custom jewelry in sterling silver will cost less. Pieces in gold, palladium and platinum, will obviously cost much more.
3. Hard As Diamond can create custom pieces in a wide selection of precious metals including platinum, palladium, 10k, 14k, 18k, and 19k gold (yellow, white, and rose) and sterling silver. We also work in two tone metals that are a combination of these metals.