Anatomy of a bespoke engagement ring commission

A bespoke commission takes 10-14 weeks. Most of that time is invisible to the client — wax model revisions, stone sourcing, casting tolerance checks, hand-setting. Here''s the timeline we run, demystified.

Weeks 1-2: discovery

One in-person consultation, ninety minutes. We talk about the wearer (not the buyer) — how she dresses, what she does with her hands, what jewelry she already owns, what she''s drawn to and what she''ll never wear. We sketch in front of you. Nothing is bought yet.

Weeks 3-4: stone sourcing

We pull 3-5 candidate stones to spec. We video-call you with each one on the desk. You make the call; we hold the stone with a 7-day return option while we finalize the design.

Weeks 5-7: CAD and wax

3D rendering, then a printed wax model you can hold. This is the revision window — small changes to the gallery, prong style, band profile, finger size — all of it happens here. Once you sign off, the design is frozen.

Weeks 8-10: casting and stone setting

Cast in your metal of choice (we work in platinum, 18k yellow, 18k white, 18k rose, 19k green-yellow). Hand-set by Maren, our master setter — never outsourced.

Weeks 11-12: finishing

Polish, rhodium plate (white gold only), final QC. We photograph it under controlled lighting and send you the images before you''ve seen the ring in person.

Week 13-14: handoff

In-person handoff at the atelier. We size on the finger that day if needed. You get the GIA cert, the CAD file (yours forever), and a lifetime polishing schedule.