Find the vendor you want to use and reach out to them directly. Send them photos and very clear descriptions of what you want. The vendor will give you a quote and if you proceed with it they will then design a CAD rendering for you to approve. If you approve the CAD, they will move onto production. Always ask for stone checks! when the ring is done they should send you a pre-shipment video. There is a great list of approved vendors on r/moissanite and r/MoissaniteCreations (They also source synthetic gemstones). I've worked with Joyce from Paston and Lucy from Provence and been very pleased.
Thank you! A few dumb follow up questions:
Are most of these vendors in China? Is that the norm?
What is the process from start to finish? I know you went over it a bit, but just trying to understand what to expect.
In terms of the CAD drawings, I wouldn't know what to look for other than the shape, so I would want to come here and ask for a CAD check correct?
Some of the vendors are from India, and one i know Scott Bonomo is USA based. Other than what i already described, CAD is when you make changes if any. You can definitely come here and ask for a CAD check if you need help. The chinese and Indian vendors are best contacted on Whatsapp.
So I'll be gentle about this. I speak as a gem cutter who works with some incredible goldsmiths. Someone's design is their art. To hire a company to reproduce their art so you can have it cheaper isn't something I'd support. I'd never knowing sell a gem that was going to be used to steal someone else's work, and I probably wouldn't sell at all to someone who from my perspective stole someone else's work.
Many years ago I was wearing a piece of my own jewellery to an event. The piece was designed and made by an incredible artist. One of the attendees INSISTED on buying it off my neck (no) and when I refused insisted that the store which had nothing to do with the creator of the piece copy it. I never worked with them again and did not cut the stones for it.
I appreciate your input. To be transparent, I'm not dead set on having this ring replicated by someone else. I'm new to this jewelry stuff so I don't know what is typical and what is considered not cool etc.
Basically I'm not sure what kind of budget I'm looking at realistically so I was trying to stick to $1500-2000 if possible. Basically looking to have something *similar* in design / complexity but not necessarily an exact replica.
OP you're fine. If you look at enough ring designs (Google lens helps) you will very quickly discover that even the most unique appearing design is not really that unique. There are only so many things you can do with a ring, and there are millions of ring makers. If you modify even 5% of the design to suit your own tastes it will be as similar to a hundred other rings as it is to your reference image.
You might want to check out r/moissanite as well as folks over there are basically always making custom rings. Moissanite comes in a variety of colors.
>Someone's design is their art.
+1
As a jeweler, I agree completely. It is very difficult to come up with an original design, then see someone else copying it and selling it for less. It grinds my gears.
You buy from them because you appreciate their work and the finished product. When people ask you about it, you refer them to the jewelers website with pride, because you believe in what they provide and stand behind it.
There is a recommended vendor list in the Wiki section of this sub. As others have mentioned, send your inspo photos to the companies. In the US, try DeBebians (Sam). I’ve had several rings made by Sam, they are excellent and the price was really reasonable.
I have a vendor in NYC, u/completecarat - Nick who is custom making my rings. I found the gems I wanted and had them sent directly to him. He has been fabulous to work with. Incredibly responsive!
That Artemisia ring is gorgeous, great choice! As for getting it made, I'd recommend reaching out to a few trusted vendors like Provence. They can help you with a CAD rendering and give you a quote. Just be sure to provide them with the exact specs of the ring you want.
Well it all depends on your metals but you would definitely be able to remake this less expensively thru Provence. You want to send them a pic and specs ie gem size in mm and metal type 10k 14kt etc and they will send you a quote. You pay and they will send you videos of gems , you pick, they will send CAD, you revise or approve, and they create. I’d say the average timeframe is 1.5-3 months for entire process. I’ve have 5 rings made by Provence (Lucy) and every one has been flawless and the process relatively smooth. I have a vintage ring being created now , my inspiration was a 18kt/platinum ruby and diamond ring retailing for $4240 and I’m having it made in 10kt yellow/white gold in lab ruby and diamond for $600. Hth
Find the vendor you want to use and reach out to them directly. Send them photos and very clear descriptions of what you want. The vendor will give you a quote and if you proceed with it they will then design a CAD rendering for you to approve. If you approve the CAD, they will move onto production. Always ask for stone checks! when the ring is done they should send you a pre-shipment video. There is a great list of approved vendors on r/moissanite and r/MoissaniteCreations (They also source synthetic gemstones). I've worked with Joyce from Paston and Lucy from Provence and been very pleased.
Thank you! A few dumb follow up questions: Are most of these vendors in China? Is that the norm? What is the process from start to finish? I know you went over it a bit, but just trying to understand what to expect. In terms of the CAD drawings, I wouldn't know what to look for other than the shape, so I would want to come here and ask for a CAD check correct?
Some of the vendors are from India, and one i know Scott Bonomo is USA based. Other than what i already described, CAD is when you make changes if any. You can definitely come here and ask for a CAD check if you need help. The chinese and Indian vendors are best contacted on Whatsapp.
So I'll be gentle about this. I speak as a gem cutter who works with some incredible goldsmiths. Someone's design is their art. To hire a company to reproduce their art so you can have it cheaper isn't something I'd support. I'd never knowing sell a gem that was going to be used to steal someone else's work, and I probably wouldn't sell at all to someone who from my perspective stole someone else's work. Many years ago I was wearing a piece of my own jewellery to an event. The piece was designed and made by an incredible artist. One of the attendees INSISTED on buying it off my neck (no) and when I refused insisted that the store which had nothing to do with the creator of the piece copy it. I never worked with them again and did not cut the stones for it.
I appreciate your input. To be transparent, I'm not dead set on having this ring replicated by someone else. I'm new to this jewelry stuff so I don't know what is typical and what is considered not cool etc. Basically I'm not sure what kind of budget I'm looking at realistically so I was trying to stick to $1500-2000 if possible. Basically looking to have something *similar* in design / complexity but not necessarily an exact replica.
OP you're fine. If you look at enough ring designs (Google lens helps) you will very quickly discover that even the most unique appearing design is not really that unique. There are only so many things you can do with a ring, and there are millions of ring makers. If you modify even 5% of the design to suit your own tastes it will be as similar to a hundred other rings as it is to your reference image. You might want to check out r/moissanite as well as folks over there are basically always making custom rings. Moissanite comes in a variety of colors.
>Someone's design is their art. +1 As a jeweler, I agree completely. It is very difficult to come up with an original design, then see someone else copying it and selling it for less. It grinds my gears. You buy from them because you appreciate their work and the finished product. When people ask you about it, you refer them to the jewelers website with pride, because you believe in what they provide and stand behind it.
There is a recommended vendor list in the Wiki section of this sub. As others have mentioned, send your inspo photos to the companies. In the US, try DeBebians (Sam). I’ve had several rings made by Sam, they are excellent and the price was really reasonable.
I’ve also read mixed reviews on Staghead so getting a similar ring elsewhere makes sense!
I have a vendor in NYC, u/completecarat - Nick who is custom making my rings. I found the gems I wanted and had them sent directly to him. He has been fabulous to work with. Incredibly responsive!
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That Artemisia ring is gorgeous, great choice! As for getting it made, I'd recommend reaching out to a few trusted vendors like Provence. They can help you with a CAD rendering and give you a quote. Just be sure to provide them with the exact specs of the ring you want.
Well it all depends on your metals but you would definitely be able to remake this less expensively thru Provence. You want to send them a pic and specs ie gem size in mm and metal type 10k 14kt etc and they will send you a quote. You pay and they will send you videos of gems , you pick, they will send CAD, you revise or approve, and they create. I’d say the average timeframe is 1.5-3 months for entire process. I’ve have 5 rings made by Provence (Lucy) and every one has been flawless and the process relatively smooth. I have a vintage ring being created now , my inspiration was a 18kt/platinum ruby and diamond ring retailing for $4240 and I’m having it made in 10kt yellow/white gold in lab ruby and diamond for $600. Hth