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You have questions about customized one of a kind jewellery. We have answers.

Don't make a purchase of customized jewellery until you have read the following Q&A's on the most commonly asked questions about unique, one of a kind jewellery.

I am considering buying custom designed jewellery for the first time, how is it different than what I can buy at a retail store?

You get to choose the design and what metal and gem stones are used to execute that design.

What if I don't have a specific design in mind?

Our in-house designers will work with you to develop a design that meets your expectations and budget and create a drawing of that design using a high-tech CAD computer system.

What is CAD design?

CAD stands for Computer Aided Design. It is used to create a very realistic drawing of your unique jewellery design. After you approve the drawing, it is fed into a computer numerical control (CNC) machine that converts the drawing into a wax model that is an exact replica of the customized jewellery you want to order. At this stage, it is very easy to make changes and try different designs and different combinations of precious metals and gem stones without incurring any extra costs. You can try almost anything because the only limitation is your imagination.

What if I don't understand the cost of precious metals and gems?

We are happy to answer any questions. It's best to start with a budget and some idea of the design that you want. For example, do you want a traditional look or something more contemporary? Do you have a preference regarding the gem and the color and size of that gem, both in terms of width and height? We will take you through all the decision points.

What is a reasonable budget for handcrafted jewellery for men or women, created by a wholesale jeweller?

If you decided to buy a quality piece of jewellery from a retailer, you would expect to have a cost that is counted in thousands of dollars, not hundreds of dollars. A custom made piece of jewellery will cost about the same and in some cases many actually cost less.

Will my custom jewellery come with an appraisal?

Yes.

Do you offer a guarantee?

Yes, we offer a lifetime guarantee that comes with just one condition – you need to bring your piece of jewellery in every six months for a cleaning. It takes very little time and is the best way to ensure that your jewellery retains the beauty and sparkle it had on the day you tried it on for the first time.

What are the most popular custom-made pieces of jewellery?

We are most often asked to create one of a kind rings, pendants and earrings. But there is really no limit. In fact, the only limitation is your imagination.

How much time is required to complete the design and manufacturing of custom made jewellery?

It varies, depending on the complexity of the design. A good rule of thumb is four weeks – longer if you want a design that includes a rare gem stone that takes time to source.

Do you provide education on what goes into jewellery making and the design of custom made jewellery?

Absolutely, we will educate you on a wide variety of topics, such as the importance of cut and clarity in a gem stone and what's possible in terms of workability with different metals. For example, you may need to switch your metal choice because it is just not workable enough to achieve the desired design.

Do you create custom personalized jewellery for a corporate anniversary gift or recognition and employee recognition awards?

Yes, every year we create thousands of pieces for corporate and employee recognition awards and celebrations of anniversaries. Most often we are asked to put a logo on a one of a kind piece of jewellery, created to recognize a business anniversary or employee achievement award. We are also often asked to produce multiple copies of a custom design, such as a personalized ring design.

Can I reduce the cost by having my piece of custom jewellery made with the materials from another piece of jewellery?

Yes, there are two ways we can help you reduce the cost of custom jewellery:

  • We can reuse some or all of the materials in an existing piece of jewellery
  • We can sell a part of the jewellery, usually the metal, to a recycler

What gems can be incorporated into the design of my custom jewellery?

Virtually any gem, including diamonds.

What choices do I have in terms of precious metals?

Again, you can pick anything you like. White gold is very popular right now.

What is your trade up policy?

We will give you dollar-for-dollar on any jewellery you purchased from Elite Goldsmiths or the current market price – whichever is higher.

What is the most common mistake made by buyers of a customized piece of jewellery?

Buying on the internet and assuming that you can save money by going that route. The problem is that you don't know what you are getting until the piece arrives. We have been in the unfortunate position of having to tell customers that the custom made piece of jewellery or gem that they purchased from an online jeweller is not worth what they were promised. It is very difficult to get restitution from an online jeweller and in the end the promised savings are often not realized.

What are the benefits of buying direct from a wholesaler jeweller like Elite Goldsmiths?

You cut out the middleman (the retail jeweller) and cash in on the buy direct savings.

Can I show you a picture of a piece of jewellery and get you to copy it?

Sorry, we can't do that. We are in the business of creating one of a kind custom made pieces of jewellery. We would be upset if another jeweller copied our work, so it would be unethical for us to do the same.

What if I want a design done that will complement an existing piece of jewellery, such as an engagement ring?

Yes, that can be done.

What are your recommendations regarding the cut and color of a gem stone?

These are important factors that influence the design and cost of your custom jewellery. In general, we recommend going for quality over size. That means, for example, that a smaller gem with outstanding cut and color is preferable to a larger stone of lower quality.

Do I need to pay for everything up front?

No. You make payments as the design and manufacturing process progresses. The first payment is $500, which covers the cost of having a wax model of your custom jewellery done. If you approve the model and want to proceed with manufacturing, you will be required to pay 50% of the cost (less the $500). You pay the balance when your one of a kind jewellery is complete.