Custom Designs // Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long does it take to make a piece?
A. It can take me anywhere from a few hours to 50+ hours to complete a piece. Simpler designs tend take just a few hours, while elaborate custom designs take 50+ hours.
Q. How are your jewelry designs made?
A. Most of my creations are fabricated by hand starting with raw wire, sheet metal & natural gemstones. I occasionally make designs which are created in a computer program & 3d printed in wax, then cast these into metal. I also have the capabilities to hand-carve designs in wax & cast into metal. It really just depends on the project as to which approach I will take to create it.
Q. I like a design that has sold. can you remake it?
A. Yes, I would be happy to remake a piece for you. This is typically approached as a custom creation, but without the extensive design time needed & the $300 minimum typically does not apply (in cases that the design is priced lower). Fill out the form here to start the conversation.
Q. Can you repurpose my old jewelry
A. Absolutely! Repurposing karat gold into a custom design is a wonderful way to design a special new piece while keep costs relatively low. Silver designs, however, tend to be more costly if we repurpose your old silver due to the time it takes to melt & reconfigure the metal. When we work with your materials, you are only charged for hourly labor rate & a small studio fee to cover solder & other studio needs when making your piece.
Q. What metals do you work with?
A. I work with sterling silver & karat gold. I will consider working with other materials on a case-by-case basis.
Q. Where do you get your gemstones?
A. Most of the larger gemstones that I work with are cut & polished by myself in my studio. The gemstone slabs I work with have mostly been picked up at gem shows or rock shops while traveling. Most of my small faceted stones from a gem manufacturer out of India, and diamonds come from a reputable jewelry supplier that certify stones are conflict-free.
Q. Can you incorporate stones that I already have?
A. Yes! Most of the time, I can work with stones that you would like to use or repurpose, whether faceted gemstones or polished cabochons.
Q. Can you use the raw stones that I have?
A. I can work with most tumbled gemstones and slabs to make cabochons for your custom design. I typically do not work with found rough stones (unless we absolutely know what material we’re working with), as experience has shown that they often don’t shape up due to varying densities & tend to gunk up my machines. If you have questions about a potential stone you’d like me to shape, please be in touch. I can be hired for lapidary work at $50/ hr as my schedule allows.
Q. can you repair my jewelry?
A. If it is something that I have created for you, then I am happy to repair your jewelry. Otherwise, I typically don’t take on repairs or resizing rings.
Q. How do you price your work?
A. The price of a piece is determined based off the materials used & the time it takes on my bench to complete the design from start to finish. My rate is $50 per hour.
Q. Does your jewelry contain nickel?
A. All of the metals I work with are nickel-free.
PRICING: Designing a special piece for a client requires extra time & attention to detail. The price for a custom creation will directly reflect the design & production time, complexity & material cost. It is my honor to remain fair with pricing, but please understand that it takes more hours to design something special when working with a client, & expect to invest in this loving creation. Custom designs start at $300.
PAYMENTS: To begin the design process, I do require an initial design fee of $150, which will go towards the payment of your custom creation. This amount is non-refundable & includes 2 30-minute consultations and 3 hours of design time (sufficient for most designs). After the 3 hours of design time, I may be hired for additional design work at $50/ hr. (Billed as needed).
TURNAROUND: You can expect the entire design process to take a couple months, although quick turnaround is possible for the right projects with good communication from Clients. I accept a limited number of custom designs per month, so it's best to plan ahead.
DETAILS: I take extra care to make sure your design is completed to the best of my abilities and that all specifications are met. Please browse my collections, as the aesthetic of your custom creation will be comparable to what you see on my website. You'll receive sketches and/or renders of your design before production begins. If anything is unclear, please ask for clarification before I begin production. All sales are final, but if you are unhappy with the outcome, we will work together & find a solution.
HOW TO HIRE ME: Submit your DESIGN REQUEST first, with as much detail as possible. We will schedule a design consultation from there. I respond to EVERY design request within 5 business days, so please check your spam folder if you haven’t heard back.
I look forward to working with you! -Ann Kathryn