Custom Jewelry in Vancouver: What to Expect
Working With a Goldsmith on Granville Island
Custom jewelry is the opposite of browsing a case. It starts with a conversation in my Granville Island studio, where I learn about you, your story, and how you want to wear the piece. Whether you're dreaming of earrings, a pendant, a wedding band, or a ring to mark a proposal, I design and make it by hand, start to finish. You don't need a finished idea. A stone you love, a photo, or just a feeling is enough to begin.
What to Bring to Your First Consultation
Nothing is required, but a few things help. Bring inspiration photos, even ones that seem unrelated. Bring any stones or old jewelry you'd like to use, since I can design around a meaningful stone or melt old gold into something new through Heirloom Re-Design. Tell me about any date you're working toward, and share a rough budget so I can recommend the right metals and stones from the start.
How Custom Jewelry Is Made
Every custom piece follows four steps: a consultation, a hand sketch you approve, production in my studio, and a reveal where you try on the finished piece. A design deposit is applied to your final invoice, and production takes approximately 6-8 weeks, with expedited timelines available in some cases for an additional fee.
Choosing Metals and Stones
I work in 14k and 18k gold and palladium white gold, with natural and lab-grown diamonds and sapphires in many colours. If you're comparing options, these posts go deeper: Lab Grown Diamonds, What Is a Rose Cut Diamond?, and Stone Hardness in Wedding & Everyday Rings.
What Affects the Cost of Custom Jewelry
Cost depends on the metal, the stone, the size of the piece, and the complexity of the design. A simple band in 14k gold is a different project from a statement ring with several stones. We talk through pricing at the consultation, so there are no surprises once the design is approved. Want to adjust something you've seen in my shop, such as a different gemstone or 18k gold? Contact me for a custom quote.
Custom Engagement Rings
The heart of my bespoke work is custom engagement rings. If you're planning a proposal, a ring designed from scratch around your partner is the most personal way to do it, and I walk you through every step, from the first sketch to the moment you open the box. You can read how it works on the engagement ring design page, or browse rings I've already made in Engagement & Wedding Rings.
Visit the Studio
You'll find me at 1808 Boatlift Lane on Granville Island. Book a consultation and we'll begin.
