What better way to represent the reasons behind your decision to spend your life with a person than a fully custom, handmade, quality token of your affection? Even if you don’t have a particular design in mind, choosing the right custom jeweler is important in order to ensure that you will end up with rings that reflect your style, fit your budget, and are expertly crafted.
Some people prefer a local jeweler that they can meet with face-to-face; where others like to communication by phone or email. Cronin Jewelers is a Boulder, Colorado based jewelry store that serves the Front Range and surrounding community, but we have also designed many custom engagement rings and wedding bands for those that aren’t within driving distance.
To develop a piece that is truly one-of-a-kind, clear communication is key – not necessarily location; however, the benefit shopping local is that you are building a relationship with the jeweler and can be more engaged in the design process from start to finish. We offer our customers a wax approval and also the experience of watching the casting first hand. Knowing a trustworthy and talented local jeweler comes in handy if the rings need to be sized, maintained, repaired, or even just cleaned in the future.
When choosing a jeweler for custom designs, you should spend some time looking through their portfolio, paying close attention to their custom engagement rings and wedding bands, but also noticing other pieces to get a solid idea of the variety they are capable of.
Some jewelers may have excellent rings, but focus on only one style or look. Remember, you want rings that you will enjoy wearing both now and for decades to come. Jewelers that only offer one style or look are less likely to withstand the test of time.
Take note of how many of the pieces in the portfolio are of actual finished works of art, rather than stock catalog pieces, another designer’s work, or computer generated images of jewelry. The portfolio should be an accurate representation of the breadth and capability of the jeweler – from initial design to final polish.
The custom jeweler should also list their certifications, affiliations, and how long they’ve been in business. Some credentials and affiliations are more reputable than others, including:
- GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
- JA (Jewelers of America)
- JVC (Jeweler’s Vigiliance Committee)
It is important to ask where the jewelry is cast, who sets the stones, and where the pieces are finished. Many jewelers make it seem that the work is done on site when actually items are sent all over the country before they are completed. This piecework results in a large carbon footprint, a longer turnaround time, and less reliability and control over deadlines.
Once you’ve chosen a jeweler, reach out to them to begin the conversation. Share your thoughts, wants and ideas. It is important to meet with a jeweler that is willing to show you examples and makes suggestions for how to best implement your concept and design. Show with the jeweler pictures or sketches of designs that you like, this gives the conversation a helpful starting point.
Designing and creating a ring is a very personal experience, so make sure that you feel the jeweler is taking the time to understand your perspective. The best experience and final product is born of a collaboration between a detail oriented jeweler, their vast knowledge of construction, design, durability and your unique custom vision and insight.
Some design ideas are more practical than others; e.g. some gemstones are too soft for everyday wear. A good jeweler will advise you on what will be durable and wearable for years to come. We’d also recommend setting aside time to visit the jewelry store so that you can try on different styles of rings to help narrow down the options.
These are just a few details worth considering in choosing a custom jeweler. With the right jeweler, you can walk away confident that you will love your wedding rings for years to come.
Cronin Jewelers offers custom designed engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces, earrings, Range Rings and other mountain jewelry. Bill Cronin is a JA Certified Master Jeweler and G.I.A. Graduate Gemologist with over 35 years of experience. He’s been designing and creating jewelry in Boulder, CO for more than 35 years. If you are interested in custom designing a piece of jewelry, please contact us today to schedule an appointment.
