A custom piece of jewellery takes weeks, not days. For custom rings, plan on six to ten weeks from your first consultation to the finished piece. Pendants, earrings, and other pieces follow the same process, and you get a clear timeline at your consult, because the date depends on the design, the stones, and the bench schedule.
How long does custom jewellery take?
Weeks, not days. That is the honest answer for almost every commission. Nothing I make comes off a shelf. Each piece is designed, cast, set, and finished to order, and that process runs on a weeks-long calendar. The numbers I can give you with confidence:
- Custom rings: six to ten weeks from consultation to finished piece. That covers stone selection, CAD approval, casting, and finishing.
- Ring resizing: about 2 weeks for a straightforward ring. Stones or a complex band can add time.
- Pearl restringing: usually 2 to 3 weeks.
- Repairs: depend on the job. You get a timeline before work starts.
For pendants, earrings, gents rings, and redesigns, the process is the same, and the exact date depends on the piece. I confirm a firm timeline at the consult, before anything starts. No surprises later is the whole point of doing it this way.
The custom jewellery process, step by step
Every commission follows the same arc. Here is how custom jewellery works in my Ladner Village studio, one step at a time.
- The consultation. We sit down and talk about style, how you live, what you will wear the piece with, and budget. You do not need to be an expert. This is where I tell you what is realistic for your date.
- Stone selection. We compare cut, colour, clarity, and carat in real light, side by side. This usually takes a week or two, because the right stone is worth it. If you bring your own stone, we skip part of this step.
- CAD design and approval. I build the piece in 3D on screen, and you review it before anything is made. CAD approval is your checkpoint. We adjust proportions and details until you are happy, because changes are much easier here than after casting.
- Casting. Your approved design becomes a real piece in gold or platinum. This takes a few weeks, and it is where the piece takes physical shape.
- Finishing. I set the stones, polish the metal, and check everything under magnification for stone security, comfort, and finish. Then the piece is ready.
What changes the timeline
A few things can stretch the calendar beyond the typical range:
- Stone sourcing. If the stone you want is not in my inventory, sourcing it adds time. Rare shapes and specific sizes take longer to find.
- Design complexity. A simple solitaire moves faster than a multi-stone piece, a filigree design, or hand engraving.
- Changes after CAD approval. Every revision pushes the date. Getting the design right on screen is what keeps casting on schedule.
- Engraving, sizing, or extra details added near the end of a commission.
- The season. Fall proposals and holiday gifts stack up, and the bench fills by fall. Started earlier, you hold the date. Started late, you take what is left.
When should you start?
Work backwards from your date. For a ring, count six to ten weeks backwards, then start earlier than that. For a holiday, anniversary, or special date, start earlier than you think.
The clients who book early get the stones they want and the date they want. The ones who wait get rushed decisions, and I never like seeing a piece born from a deadline panic. Book before the rush. If the piece matters, the calendar is part of the design.
How to keep your commission on schedule
You control more of the timeline than you expect:
- Bring photos, saved posts, or old pieces you love to the consultation.
- Have a budget range, not a hard number.
- Reply to CAD approval emails promptly. Approvals decide the timeline.
- Ask for a firm timeline at the consult and write it down. I will be straight with you about what fits your date and what does not.
Custom jewellery timeline FAQs
How long does it take to make a custom ring?
Six to ten weeks from consultation to finished piece. That includes stone selection, CAD approval, casting, and finishing. You get a firm date at your consult, before any work starts.
How long does custom jewellery take from start to finish?
Most commissions run several weeks. Custom rings typically take six to ten weeks, simple pieces can move faster, and complex designs can run longer. The studio confirms your exact timeline up front.
Why does custom jewellery take weeks instead of days?
Because every piece is made to order, not pulled from stock. Your commission goes through design, casting, stone setting, and finishing by hand, and each step has a careful pace. Quality takes the time.
Can I get a custom piece made faster?
Sometimes, depending on the design and the season. Ask at your consultation and I will tell you honestly what fits your date. A rushed piece is a risk you do not want with something you will wear for years.
When should I start a custom piece for Christmas or an anniversary?
Count six to ten weeks backwards from your date, then start earlier. Fall bookings fill fast because proposals and holiday gifts stack up in the studio.
Do custom pendants and earrings take as long as rings?
The process is the same. The exact timeline depends on the design, the stones, and the bench schedule, so your consultation gives you a firm date for your specific piece.
Start with a consultation
If you are thinking about a custom piece, the first step is a conversation. You will leave with a design direction, a clear timeline, and an honest answer about your date.
Book a private consultation at my Ladner Village studio. I work by appointment and welcome clients from Ladner, Delta, Vancouver, and across the Lower Mainland.