What Happens During a Custom Design Consultation

Walking into a custom design consultation can feel like stepping into unknown territory. You might be wondering if you need to arrive with detailed sketches, specific measurements, or a complete vision already formed. The truth is much simpler than that.

A custom design consultation is really just a conversation. We talk about what you love, what you wear, how you live, and what you're hoping to create. Some people come in with Pinterest boards full of inspiration. Others just know that nothing they've seen quite feels right. Both starting points work perfectly fine.

Here's what actually happens when you sit down with us to design a custom ring.

The first few minutes set the tone

We usually start just talking. Not about rings yet, but about you. What do you do for work? What do you like to do on weekends? Do you already wear jewelry, and if so, what pieces do you reach for most often? Are you more drawn to vintage aesthetics or modern design?

These questions aren't small talk. They're how we start understanding what will actually work for your life and your taste. Someone who works as a massage therapist needs different considerations than someone who works at a desk. Someone who loves hiking every weekend needs a different approach than someone who spends their time at gallery openings.

We'll ask to see any jewelry you're currently wearing. The pieces you choose to put on every day tell us a lot about your style preferences, even if you've never thought about it in those terms. Maybe everything you wear is delicate and gold, or maybe you mix metals without thinking twice about the old rules.

If you're designing an engagement ring and already have a partner's ring to consider, bring it along. We need to see how the pieces will sit together, what kind of wear patterns exist, and how we can create something that complements rather than fights with what's already there.

Talking about budget without awkwardness

Money conversations can feel uncomfortable, but we need to talk about budget early so we're all working toward the same goal. There's no point in falling in love with a design concept that's completely outside what you want to spend.

We approach this conversation straightforwardly. What range feels comfortable for you? Are you flexible if we find something that's slightly more but perfect? Are there elements that matter more to you than others, so we know where to focus resources?

Budget shapes decisions about stone size, metal choice, and design complexity, but it doesn't determine whether we can create something beautiful and meaningful. We've designed stunning custom rings at many different price points. The goal is making something you love within parameters that make sense for you.

Sometimes people are surprised by what's possible within their budget. Other times we need to have honest conversations about adjusting expectations or finding creative solutions. Either way, clarity from the start makes the whole process smoother.

Exploring what you actually want

Now we get into the fun part. What have you been drawn to? If you've been looking at rings online or in stores, what kept catching your eye? Just as importantly, what have you seen that you definitely don't want?

We'll pull out examples to look at together. Different stone shapes, various setting styles, an array of metal options and finishes. You'll try things on just to see how they feel and look on your hand. Sometimes what you thought you wanted looks completely different in reality, and sometimes something you never considered turns out to be perfect.

We pay attention to your reactions. What makes your face light up? What makes you hesitate? Sometimes the right direction becomes clear not from what you say you want, but from how you respond to what you see.

If you've brought reference images, we'll look at those together and talk about what specifically appeals to you about each one. Is it the overall shape? A particular detail? The way light moves through the stones? Understanding what draws you to an image helps us incorporate those elements into your custom design.

Addressing practical considerations

Beauty matters, but so does practicality. We need to understand how this ring will function in your actual life, not just how it will look in photographs.

How active are you? Do you work with your hands in ways that might catch or damage a high-set stone? Do you have any concerns about security, like losing stones or the ring coming off unexpectedly? Are there any allergies or sensitivities we need to account for with metal choices?

If you're someone who's hard on jewelry, we might recommend lower profile settings, bezel wraps for protection, or more durable metal choices. If you take your rings off frequently, we'll make sure the sizing is comfortable to slide on and off but secure enough that it won't slip off unintentionally.

We also talk about how the ring needs to work with other jewelry. Will this be worn alone or stacked with other rings? Does it need to sit flush against an engagement ring or leave space for additional bands? Are you planning to add to this ring later with side stones or a wrap?

Bringing ideas to life through sketches

Once we have a clear direction, we start sketching. These aren't gallery-quality drawings but working sketches that help us communicate about proportion, placement, and overall design. We might draw several variations to explore different approaches to the same concept.

We'll sketch views from multiple angles so you can see how the ring looks from above, from the side, and from underneath. We'll draw it on a finger so you can visualize scale and proportion. Sometimes we'll sketch it next to other rings you'll be wearing to make sure everything works together.

You'll see us make notes on these sketches about measurements, stone sizes, and specific details. Maybe we write "milgrain here" or "lower profile" or "brush finish." These annotations become part of the blueprint for your ring.

Don't worry if you can't draw. We're not asking you to sketch your ideas. We just need you to tell us whether what we're drawing captures what you're envisioning, and what needs to change. Most design decisions happen through this back-and-forth conversation over sketches.

Discussing stones and sourcing

If your design includes a center stone, we need to talk about what you want and where it will come from. Are you drawn to natural stones or open to lab-grown diamonds? Do you have flexibility on color grade and clarity, or are there specific characteristics that matter to you?

We can show you stones we currently have in inventory that might work, or we can source something specific based on your parameters. If you're considering colored gemstones, we'll discuss how different options wear and what maintenance they might need over time.

For some designs, we'll recommend seeing a few stone options before finalizing the exact setting details. Stone dimensions affect how we proportion the rest of the ring, so sometimes it makes sense to select the stone first and then refine the design around it.

If you already have a family stone you want to incorporate, bring it to the consultation. We'll evaluate its condition, measurements, and how it can be set securely. Resetting heirloom stones requires special care, and we want to make sure we approach it in a way that honors the stone's history while creating something you'll love wearing.

Timeline and next steps

Before you leave, we'll outline what happens next and approximately how long it will take. Custom design isn't instant, but we'll give you realistic expectations about timing so you can plan accordingly.

Typically, we'll create more refined drawings or CAD renderings based on our consultation conversation. You'll review those and request any changes before we move into production. Once the design is finalized and approved, we begin the actual crafting process.

We'll talk about key checkpoints where you'll see progress. Maybe we'll invite you in to see a wax model or to approve the piece after initial polishing but before final stone setting. The exact process depends on the complexity of your design and your preference for involvement.

Most custom rings take several weeks from consultation to completion, though timeline varies based on design complexity and whether we need to source specific stones. Rush timelines are sometimes possible but require early communication about deadline needs.

Recent custom consultations that became beautiful rings

Vintage Cluster Ring with Family Diamonds - The client brought in several small diamonds from family members and wanted them incorporated into one cohesive piece. We designed a vintage-inspired cluster that gave each stone its own space while creating a unified, elegant look.

Modern Tension-Set Sapphire - Started as a vague idea of "something really different" and developed through our consultation into a sleek tension setting that holds a vibrant blue sapphire between two carefully calibrated bands.

Nature-Inspired Twig Band - The couple wanted something that reflected their love of hiking and the outdoors. We created a band cast from actual twigs with their engagement stone nestled into the organic setting.

Art Deco Three-Stone Ring - The client had always loved Art Deco architecture and wanted a ring that captured that geometric elegance. We developed a design with stepped baguettes and precise angular details.

What to bring to your consultation

You don't need much, but a few things can help make the consultation more productive:

Inspiration images - Screenshots, magazine clippings, or Pinterest boards of rings or design elements you're drawn to.

Existing rings - Especially an engagement ring if you're designing a wedding band to go with it, or any rings that show your typical style.

Open mind - Sometimes the perfect design emerges from unexpected directions.

Questions - Anything you're wondering about custom design, the process, or specific design elements.

Honest feedback - We need to know what you really think, not what you think we want to hear.

Making it real

Custom design transforms a ring from something you buy into something you create. The consultation is where that transformation begins, where your ideas start taking shape in ways you can see and refine.

Schedule a consultation at our Downtown Los Angeles showroom and let's start talking about what you want to make. No pressure, no commitment, just a conversation about possibilities.

The ring you'll wear forever starts with an hour or so of honest conversation. That feels like the right way to begin something so important.