CUSTOM PROCESS, POLICIES, & FAQ
What does “custom” mean?
At ANNiKA Jewelry, we understand that our customers often want a piece of jewelry that is uniquely theirs. There is something inherently special about owning an object that has significance to you and you alone. With that in mind, we are happy to work with you to create one-of-a-kind pieces. This process is special and labor-intensive, and therefor is more costly than our other offerings, but is worth it for truly unique expressions of love and commitment.
How does the custom process work?
After reading the information provided on this page, please email us with your inquiry. If you have a piece of ours in mind that you'd like to use as inspiration, you can pass along that information, or any other inspirational source material. We will have an email exchange about your initial inquiry, which will help us determine if your desired project would be a good fit for our esthetic. After the initial inquiry, if you would like to move forward, we will schedule a design consultation over the phone. During the consultation, we can discuss stone and metal options, designs, textures, etc. that will fit within your budget. Once a design has been selected, we will send you a quote for the project. Upon your approval of the quote, we will send you an invoice for a 50% deposit, which can be paid online with a CC. Once your deposit has been submitted, the production of your custom order begins.
How long does it take to produce a custom piece?
Lead time for custom work, including commitment jewelry, is currently 8-10 weeks from the date upon which a design has been determined, and a 50% deposit has been submitted. Note that the design process itself can take weeks or even months, so it is a good idea to initiate your custom project several months in advance of your deadline.
How much do custom pieces cost?
The price for custom pieces vary widely based on materials, stones, complexity of design, and size. The design process for your special, custom piece requires more time and labor than the ready-made pieces in the shop, and that is also reflected in the pricing. In general, custom commitment rings range from $1,000 to $5,000 and beyond. If you provide us with an approximate budget, we can discuss what is possible within that range. Due to the design and labor time involved with custom projects, our minimum for such projects is currently $1,000.
How can I pay for my custom piece?
Both the deposit and balance can be paid by credit card. We will send you an invoice via email with a link to a secure payment system. Deposits are non-refundable.
Do you ever say no to custom projects? Why?
Yes we do. If your dream custom piece does not fall within our esthetic and technical capabilities, we believe it is best that you find another jeweler who can execute your vision perfectly. Although we are open to creating jewelry based on your design ideas, we will only do so if it works within the style ANNiKA has developed over years.
What kinds of designs are possible?
To get an idea of our offerings, you can look at the Custom Gallery and Commitment page. All of these designs can be modified in terms of material, size, stone selection etc. It is a good place to start when imagining the possibilities. We work in a variety of gold karats, and can source a variety of cut stones. Please note that we do not offer custom designs in silver.
Do you do re-sizing of rings if my fingers change?
Yes, our fingers and bodies in general change. They even change day to night, season to season. For this reason, we offer one re-sizing within 6 months of purchase free of charge. However, please note that it is always best to get the size correct in the first place, as the sizing process can affect the unique surface textures of our rings.
Can you reuse stones or metal I have for my new custom piece?
The short answer is maybe. All stones sent to ANNiKA Jewelry must be professionally appraised and insured prior to sending, and we can only accept diamonds. We cannot be held liable for breakage or damage to the stones in the setting process. In most cases we cannot reuse metal.