Custom Design Your Wedding Ring with Tips from a Pro

Once you receive your engagement ring you may spend hours staring at it while dreaming about a wedding ring and how it should fit. There are amazing engagement ring styles being made today and some of them come with wonderful matching wedding rings however, many don’t. I’ve seen couples travel from jewelry store to jewelry store in search of a perfect wedding band only to be disappointed when they realize that nothing fits properly with their ring. When they stumble upon a jeweler that can provide a custom designed wedding band they find it difficult to make a decision. This is largely due to the jewelers inability to provide a life like sample or illustration of how the ring is going to look when its finished. Most people have a difficult time visualizing conceptual items like custom jewelry because they don’t know what to expect and also because the design is in the jeweler’s mind not theirs.

An experienced and professional custom jeweler will have the skills needed to provide a detailed account of how your ring will look. In addition, he/she should be a good communicator while assessing your needs and transferring those needs in to the actual jewelry design. Without proper translation of your wants and desires the ring may not be everything you dreamed of and a good custom jeweler will understand this. Bottom line is this…Great wedding rings are created not by great jewelers but also great communicators. When selecting a craftsman to make your wedding ring, examine the person’s portfolio of previous work, but also take note of how you both work together. If you have good synergy and communicate well together then you’ll have a better chance of getting an amazing wedding ring that you’ll be happy with.

Another important variable is the person doing the assembly of your custom wedding ring; the person designing your ring may not be the person making your ring. The designer that you work with could do a wonderful job creating a concept for your item but the jeweler making it could be a poor craftsman or bad interpreter of your designer’s concept. If the designer isn’t the person making your ring then you should get a feel for how the two work together. Ask to meet the craftsman and have a joint discussion to determine if everyone is on the same page. While we are on the subject of the craftsman, make sure that the jeweler actually assembling the ring can provide examples of his craftsmanship. A jeweler without adequate experience in custom jewelry design may set diamonds poorly or weld metal improperly. This can result in a finished product that doesn’t look good or you could receive a ring with a history of problems like stone loss from its setting. There are credentials that help determine how qualified a jeweler is at making custom jewelry. One such credential is the Jewelers of America (JA) Master Jeweler program. A person that is certified by JA to be a “Master Jeweler” is certainly the most qualified person for the job and you can be rest assured that he has been tested in all areas of jewelry making.

The next thing you should understand is how the jewelry is actually made. When making custom jewelry, the designer will of course first create a concept for you. Once you feel comfortable with the design a counter sketch or illustration is given to a model maker along with your ring. The model maker will carve a wax prototype of your prospective wedding ring design based on these counter sketches. This model maker should take in account all the design elements that are important to you while providing a ring that best compliments your engagement ring and its specific features. It’s always a really good thing when a model maker can identify things about your engagement ring that make it special. He/she can then re-create those special features in your design; this will make the two rings look like they were made for each other from the start. Special features can include methods of diamond setting, precious metal types, profiles, heights, widths, etc. The wax prototype should be used for two purposes, the first is a sample that you can try on or rest next to your engagement ring. This prototype will be very useful because it will give you a very good idea of how the wedding band will look when it is finished. If you’re not happy with the original design or you would like to make changes it shouldn’t be a problem because the ring isn’t made yet, it’s just a wax model.

After the appropriate changes are made and you approve the final prototype, a jeweler will make mold of the wax. The prototype wax is placed in a flask and filled with plaster. Once the plaster hardens, the flask is placed in an oven and the wax model is burned out of the flask leaving a cavity in the exact impression of your design. The flask is then injected with molten metal and once the metal cools the plaster is broken away leaving you with a casting of the jewelry design. This casting is filed, polished and then the final assembly process begins.

Another thing to look for is the use of new technologies when creating your custom wedding ring design. The best example of this is 3D Computer Aided Design or otherwise known as CAD design. Recent advances in this arena have allowed for amazing possibilities when designing jewelry. CAD software is used to create a computer model of the design and then is sent to a CNC (computer numerical control) mill that cuts the wax in a very precise manner. The benefit of CAD design is the capability to create very precise jewelry designs that are for more accurate than a hand-carved wax model. In the end, the precision of the CAD wax allows for much more intricate design capabilities and also finer quality assembly. The CAD models can also be rendered using graphical interfaces such as Flamingo3D, which use both raytracing and radiosity to make a life-like illustration of the design. This computer rendering is far more useful in depicting your design then a drawing scribbled on scratch paper.

Currently, only a handful of jewelers are using 3D CAD design technology and this is due to the high cost of the software, equipment, and training. You should however, check with your local jeweler or do an Internet search to see who is available to use this technology. Whenever possible, choose the person that employs the use of 3D CAD because you’ll get a better quality product. You can learn more about custom jewelry design at Rokstok.com. Keep in mind that not all jewelers using 3D CAD are automatically qualified to make your wedding ring. You still need to qualify them just as you would a person that is using traditional techniques to make your item. In the end the best way to go about your design is to screen the people making your item and assess their communication skills to determine if they understand your needs.

Hot New Diamond Jewelry Trends

The jewelry industry has gotten very creative over the last couple of years and with that creativeness has come an amazing assortment of jewelry designs. Technology has also advanced and complicated styles that weren’t possible are not being made. Finally, manufacturing costs have come down and now can you choose from an amazing collection of jewelry styles while spending much less than in years past. Read more and you’ll learn what’s at the front of the pack.

Add-A-Bead Charm Bracelets

Pandora and TrollBeads have created a new phenomenon in jewelry that includes a contemporary spin on the charm bracelet. TrollBeads is a brand name “add-a-bead” charm bracelet designed by Scandinavian artists using sterling silver and Murano glass beads. The silver beads are a collection of symbols and animals each with a meaningful story behind them. Each artist has there own bead that they’ve created using inspiration from mythological stories and fairy tales. The Murano beads are hand-blown genuine Murano glass – made by Italian craftsman. Pandora is similar in style and concept but places a bigger emphasis on the silver while TrollBeads has both sterling silver and glass to choose from.

These charm bracelets make wonderful gifts and most people buy one for themselves as well as for friends. The beauty of the jewelry is the ability to build bracelets together with friends and family, once built they look amazing and very fashionable.

Yellow Gold is on the Move

For years white gold and platinum have dominated jewelry fashion however, many jewelry designers are now showing new styles in yellow gold. This recent movement has been seen in styles created by Tacori and Simon G, most notably with Tacori’s new yellow gold Medallion. This medallion has been voted the hottest new jewelry style by readers of various women’s magazines. What we’ve seen is that women are now wearing yellow and white gold jewelry together and it seems to be quite fashionable. Look for two-tone bridal jewelry to make a comeback very soon as well.

Be a Star with Diamond Star Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. has been selling a diamond studded silhouette of a star and this necklace has created an interest in star jewelry. You’ll notice many jewelry stores carrying similar stars in necklace, pendant, rings, and earrings. Most of these stars are basic but classy looking 5 point stars pave set or channel set with round diamonds or baguettes. Carat weights for these items normally range from .25ct to 1.50ct total diamond weight. These styles have been hitting the market since Summer of 2007 but you’ll see many more variations as time goes on.

Journey Jewelry

Debeers created the concept of Journey Jewelry a couple of years ago but it took a while to catch on. Recently, it became one of the most popular diamond jewelry gifts available. Journey Jewelry is created with a collection of diamonds growing in size from smallest to largest, these diamonds symbolize the growth of love that people have for one another. As your love grows so should your diamonds, at least that’s what Debeers believes. Journey styles have been shown mostly in white gold set with princess or round diamonds. The concept is based loosely on the Past, Present, & Future 3-stone jewelry that was also created by Debeers. You can view great diamond journey jewelry
styles at Rokstok.com.

Automatic Swiss Watches

For men, fine quality Swiss watches have become a very important choice in timepieces. The sport watches created by Movado, Rolex, and Breitling have driven the market and still remain the leaders in men’s wrist watches. Another craze seems to be oversized or very large watches, you’ll see this in many of the Breitling designs. The styles are getting bigger and bigger and the bold use of decorative dials is quite striking.

Start Your Career in the Jewelry Business

The jewelry industry can provide exciting moments and lucrative pay. There are many fields to the jewelry business including design, goldsmith, gemologist, buyer, store manager, watchmaker, sales, and store ownership. Each has specific requirements in training and experience in order to succeed and become employable. With proper guidance and hard word work you can achieve any amount of success that you set your mind to. First, you must understand that there are many product types and you can spend a lifetime becoming an expert in one. Some of these product types include timepieces, polished diamonds, fashion jewelry, colored gemstones, bridal jewelry, luxury items and many more. I recommend deciding which product intrigues you most and pursue a career in that product category. Choose the field that is most needed in that particular product category and then maintain a passion for what you are selling or creating, this is an important ingredient in a successful career.

Determine your Niche Field

As I said, each field has its benefits and you’ve got to determine which is going to be most beneficial to you and provide you with the lifestyle that you are looking for. Assess your skill sets and then try to match them up with the field that requires the most of what you possess. Read the chart below to identify the required skills for each career field:

Jewelry Design – Creativity, computer skills, basic jewelry making knowledge, fashion sense, math skills.

Goldsmith/Jeweler – Mechanical skills, hand-eye coordination, patience, detailed oriented, integrity, self-pride.

Gemologist – Math skills, organizational skills, integrity, quick learner, investigative, interest in gems.

Jewelry Buyer – Eye for fashion, organizational skills, accounting skills, forecasting, management skills.

Store Manager – Sales skills, organizational skills, previous jewelry experience, effective at time management, integrity, customer service & relations, business management experience.

Watchmaker/horologist - Mechanical skills, hand-eye coordination, patience, detailed oriented, integrity, self-pride.

Jewelry Salesperson – Sales skills, people skills, organizational skills, motivated, willingness to learn, knowledge of gems and jewelry making.

Store Owner – Basic knowledge all of the above, investment capital.

Training and Education

As with any career choice, education and training is crucial to achieving success. The jewelry industry has several educational institutions that will prepare you by providing the proper knowledge of the business. I’ve always been a huge advocate of continuing education and even though I have 20 years experience in the jewelry business I’m still learning every day. I recommend a life-long effort in learning that not only includes industry specific information but also any business training and self-help that you can apply in your daily work. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a great resource for gemological training and is a must if you want to pursue the gemologist field. As a salesperson, the Accredited Jewelry Professional degree from GIA is a great start, especially if you haven’t any jewelry experience. People trying to pursue a career in store management or ownership can take jewelry business management courses. Other training institutions worth mentioning are the American Gemological Society and Jewelers of America. Goldsmiths can also take jewelry making courses at GIA however there are much better schools for goldsmiths/jewelers that you can attend. The most renowned jewelry making schools are The New Approach School for Jewelers and the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. These schools have specialized training for people that want to become jewelry benchmen, diamond setters, and jewelry makers.

Jewelry designers can attend GIA or the Fashion Institute of Technology to receive an in-depth education on creating jewelry designs using traditional methods or new technology like CAD-CAM. You can get examples of how custom jewelry design is performed using CAD-CAM at www.rokstok.com Watch makers are one the fastest growing opportunities in the jewelry business. Mechanical Swiss watch sales in the US have grown considerably over the last 5 years and a need for qualified people that can repair them has also grown. A great resource to learn the craft of watch making is the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute.

Getting Your Foot in the Door

If you’ve had prior sales experience then you probably have a good chance at landing a jewelry sales position however, an AJP from GIA is a shoe in. As previously mentioned, integrity is of the utmost importance in the jewelry industry especially when considering the security issues surrounding high value items. When interviewing with potential employers you should be able to demonstrate a high level of integrity and honesty to the interviewer.

Completion of jewelry educational training is certainly a good way to find a job in the jewelry business however; you don’t necessarily need it to be guaranteed a job. Sometimes showing a sincere interest in a job in the jewelry sector and a willingness to start at the bottom and spend time learning can capture the interest of an employer. As a jeweler you’ll definitely need experience or jewelry training, however even with jewelry training you’ll still have to start at the bottom and work your way up. The best advice that I can give the jeweler candidates is to never stop learning and always seek additional training. Additional training will make you invaluable and will help you earn higher pay scales.

Promote Your Craft

Once you’ve established yourself in the jewelry industry you should act as a responsible steward to the business. Treat your position and responsibilities with the utmost respect and integrity. A jewelry purchase can be an intimidating process for the average consumer and it is our responsibility as jewelry professionals to honor the customer’s needs and educated them in the best way we know how. You should also promote the jewelry business and encourage others to become involved in the industry. Finally, take the time to share your knowledge with others as this will further promote professionalism in our business.

Redeem Yourself on Your Wedding Day

Your plans are set, the tuxedos have been chosen, and the invitations are on their way. Of course, being the typical groom you were there for every decision, painstakingly fretting over every detail with your bride. Yeah right! If you’re like most grooms your input ended with “Will you marry me?” but that’s OK because you have a chance to redeem yourself. Most men have no idea how much work goes in to planning a wedding and it’s very likely that your bride has placed her heart and soul in to creating a perfect day for you both and your friends & family. Don’t miss your chance at thanking her for everything that she has done by giving her a wedding gift. In this article I will share with you ideas on how to choose a meaningful gift that’ll warm her heart and make this very special day – just a little more special!

Give the gift of jewelry

I can’t think of a better wedding gift to give than jewelry, it’s always a romantic gift but in this case it’s a great choice for so many reasons. First – it makes a stronger statement than just about any other gift you can give. Second – if you choose the right gift, she can wear it on her wedding day. Third – in some cases the jewelry that you give her can be worn for many years to come. So you can see that jewelry is a wonderful wedding day gift on so many levels. There are several jewelry items that is appropriate for wedding gifts and I’ll cover the most important or popular with you.

Choosing a gift that she can wear on her wedding day and beyond

Diamond stud earrings are a classic jewelry gift and one of the best for a wedding day gift. Diamond studs are a staple in every woman’s jewelry wardrobe and this is because they can be dressed up or dressed down. Many brides will wear the diamond studs that you give them on their wedding day, and of course she’ll have them forever. Choosing the perfect diamond studs requires a little thought on your part, you should know what shape diamond engagement ring you’ve given her and what color precious metal her wedding set is made of. When choosing diamond studs, be sure to match the shape of the diamond to the diamond shape in her engagement ring. The most popular shapes for diamond studs are round or princess cut and chances are that her engagement ring is one of these shapes as well. Look for a jeweler that offers a lifetime upgrade policy on diamond studs, this way you’ll be able to go up in size for other occasions. A good upgrade policy will give you full trade-in value on your studs toward a pair of a larger size. You can get great ideas on diamond studs and pricing by visiting www.rokstok.com

Other ideas for jewelry gifts

If you think diamond studs are too safe or if you’ve already given them to her then you’re going to need some other ideas. Weddings are of course a formal event and formal jewelry can be a very fun or daring gift. Some ideas for formal jewelry are dangle earrings, drop earrings, or necklaces. Dangle or drop earrings are longer and more dramatic looking earrings usually set with diamond or colored gemstones. They catch much attention and look amazing with a wedding dress, but keep in mind that she won’t get as much use out of them as a simpler or more basic jewelry gift. Although, she’ll be able to wear them for other formal events like your friend’s weddings. One great idea for dangle earrings is chandelier earrings.

Pearl necklaces are one of the most popular wedding day gifts because many wedding dresses are made with sequins or beads that look like pearls. So a pearl necklace is a very appropriate choice, it’s also a sophisticated and charming gift that she can cherish for many years to come. Many mothers give their daughters pearls that they have worn on their wedding day and this of course was made popular because of the tradition of wearing “something old”, “something new”, “something borrowed”, “something blue”.

A great time to give her your carefully selected wedding gift is the night of your rehearsal dinner, when you’ll be surround by friends and family. Giving your beautiful bride a wedding day jewelry gift gives you a chance to slow down from the manic wedding planning and thank her for all the hard work that she has done and also tell her how much she means to you.

Andy Moquin
CEO
Rokstok.com
1-888-296-4890

Andy Moquin has spent 20 years in the jewelry business buying and selling over $20,000,000 in diamonds, engagement rings and custom designed jewelry. He as traveled to Belgium and Israel to work with international diamond dealers and works as an advisor for DBC Diamonds an international consortium of diamond dealers. His experience in the jewelry business has become invaluable to consumers and business owners. He can be contacted at 716-630-7091, andrew@andrewsjewelers.com, www.andrewsjewelers.com, www.therealscooponbuyingdiamonds.blogspot.com