I desire a particular style of ring and am not finding it readily available pre-made. Because I want an unusual (but not particularly expensive) stone, and have other semi-obscure requests I am considering custom work.
Has anyone worked with a custom jeweler online? Did you purchase your stone separately or did they source it?
What was your overall experience? Recommendations?
Note: I do not want a diamond.
I have not ordered custom jewelry online, but I did go to a jeweler once and pick out a specific stone (sapphire) to be set in an earring setting that I chose for a gift for Mr. S.
I order findings and wire from a jeweler’s supply catalog (Rio Grande) for my handmade jewelry, and the catalog is chock full of pieces and parts, settings, casting equipment and tools, and so on. So I would think you should be able to find a local jeweler who can custom-design something for you. Just because they don’t have it on display doesn’t mean they can’t order or make it.
The average jeweler is unlikely to have in stock the stones I am seeking (small square-cut Tsavorite and Moissonite), and the metal I want is atypical as well (Palladium or Palladium-gold alloy).
I have too many choices to sort through here in NYC and I know there are MANY scammers out there. If anyone can recommend a reasonable custom jeweler in NYC that works with uncommon stones and metals, I’d take that too (although I have a suspicion that NYC prices are on the whole higher, since rent is higher).