Why Custom Design?
The popularity of custom designing your own piece of jewelry is exploding. Why? Because today, and more than ever, people are craving something unique. Something that expresses their creativity. Something personalized. And, more importantly, something that will endure with the ability to pass down from generation to generation.
Shopping habits have dramatically changed with a large emphasis on online. Jewelry has always been a gift that expresses the love you feel for that special someone. And, sometimes the love you feel for yourself! The custom design category is seeing such large growth mainly because nothing quite expresses love like creating something one-of-a kind.
There are ample reasons to love custom jewelry. First, it’s surprisingly affordable. Custom jewelry is a celebration of craftsmanship and fine art. There’s a sense that a unique piece supports and sustains a long tradition of artisanship that’s become quite rare in a mass goods economy. Who doesn’t value something handmade that’s uniquely you?
At Lewis Jewelers, you play an important role in creating your custom piece. We want you to bring your creativity and inspiration to the table and watch your vision take form! But, more importantly, if you’re considering custom design, make sure your jeweler meets certain criteria. True custom requires skilled artisans on staff…gemologists, goldsmiths and designers. All readily available at our store.
Everyone wonders what the process is actually like. Well, we can tell you as intricate as it is on our end, it’s completely easy on your end! It starts with a meeting. You’ll share your vision, discuss preferred gemstones and precious metals, and this is the time we will chat about your inspiration. Perhaps you’d like to incorporate gems or other elements from jewelry you’ve inherited, or combine different details from fine jewelry you’ve seen in a magazine or online. At this point, the designer may sketch something for you to visualize, and together you’ll end up with a direction for your custom designed jewelry piece.
Next, we’ll create a three-dimensional rendering using state-of-the-art computer-aided design (CAD) software that brings your jewelry piece to life. It shows the shape, gemstone position, and texture. At this stage, it’s easy to make any adjustments or tweaks.
After the CAD is approved, a wax model is produced, and that model is used to cast the piece in the precious metal of your choice. It’s then expertly filed and sanded to a semi-finished state where it is ready for assembly and the setting of gemstones. This complex process can take between two and six weeks depending on the complexity of the design. And whala! You have an original, custom piece of jewelry you helped create!
Interested in learning more about custom designed jewelry? Check out some additional information here.
You can make an appointment right on that page or just stop in! After all, you’re one-of-a-kind, so shouldn’t your jewelry be too?
