# Custom Jewelry with Online Retailer: Experiences? Recommendations?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-jewelry-with-online-retailer-experiences-recommendations/409496>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 26, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-jewelry-with-online-retailer-experiences-recommendations/409496 "2007-06-26T17:31:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-jewelry-with-online-retailer-experiences-recommendations/409496/1 "2007-06-26T17:31:06Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-jewelry-with-online-retailer-experiences-recommendations/409496/2 "2007-06-26T17:42:30Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-jewelry-with-online-retailer-experiences-recommendations/409496/3 "2007-06-26T18:00:19Z")

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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).