Custom Design

Jewelry design is an age-old art that requires a deep knowledge of materials and fabrication techniques, as well as an understanding of composition, wearability and market trends.

 

It’s not just artistry, but also architecture and engineering on the smallest scale. Linda Kha, owner and designer of Carats and Stones, combines all of these with her love for people and her passion for beauty to produce custom designed engagement rings and bridal sets that uniquely express the dreams and values of the couples who wear them.
 

At Carats and Stones, our custom jewelry design process is rooted in the desires and characteristics of the person who will wear the jewelry -- not the personality of the designer. During a custom jewelry consultation, we’ll spend the time to learn about the life the jewelry will lead based on the lifestyle of its intended owner. We’ll consider questions such as:
 

• Will the piece be worn on a daily basis, or only on certain occasions?

• If on a daily basis, what kinds of activities should the piece be able to be worn in?

• What are the color and style preferences of the person who will wear it?
   

Custom design also includes considerations regarding metals and stones. The hue of a metal can carry a symbolic meaning, and its appearance will change when placed against different skin tones. A stone’s shape, color, and type all work together, signaling myriad messages that a professional designer can meld into a highly personalized piece of jewelry that honors the values and preferences of its owner.
 

Do you know what you want, but just can’t find it?
 

The custom design process is the only way to guarantee you’ll get exactly what you want. If you’re working within a budget, we can share with you some tricks of the trade that offer affordable options without compromising quality. From the mixture of metals to the setting and cut of the stones, our knowledgeable jewelers will work with you to create the perfect composition.
 

The adventure begins
 

Once we’ve covered the basics of metals and stones for your dream engagement or wedding ring, we’ll start sketching design concepts, offering multiple renderings for you to consider. Working with you through the rendering stage allows us to make any adjustments necessary, and we’ll stay in the design stage until you’re completely satisfied. This way we’re sure you’re comfortable and confident before proceeding.

3-D Modelling
 

After you’ve reviewed the sketches for your custom engagement ring or unique wedding ring, in the next phase we’ll create a 3-dimensional digital model on a computer. We understand that these are very personal and significant choices, so this phase of the process allows us to give you a sense of how the jewelry will look on the finger of the person who will wear it. Now you can get a sense of how the metals and stones will work together, and how the composition of the ring will change from different angles. More adjustments can be made at this stage, until we’ve explored all of the possibilities and we’ve all agreed the design is a go.
 

Now our expert jeweler heads to the design laboratory to make the magic happen. This is when it gets really exciting!
 

Combining your imagination and our expertise, we co-create jewelry beyond your dreams

The day you get to pick up your custom engagement ring or wedding band will be a day you’ll always remember. The anticipation has been building, and the rewards will be astounding.
 

Our collaborative jewelry design process is a blending of the best of both worlds -- an opportunity for you to engage in the creative visioning, while we contribute our many years of expertise in jewelry design. In many cases, the final product -- a truly one-of-a-kind symbol of your love -- far exceeds anyone’s initial expectations. Sometimes even ours!
 

This is the beauty of custom jewelry design. We hope you’ll take the opportunity to experience it for yourself, and for those you love. At Carats and Stones, we’ve learned that creating a custom engagement or wedding ring can infuse a little spark of the unexpected and unique, adding yet another level of excitement to an already exhilarating time of life.
 

If you’re looking for that special, one of a kind, engagement ring or bridal set, or you’d like to create the ring of your dreams, call us now for a free design consultation at (415) 875-9438.