Custom Design Process

Custom Design

We are passionate about our custom design process because we can help custom create exactly what you are looking for. We have mapped out a six step process in detail (link insert):

Depending on the design, we begin the process with a $500 deposit which will cover creating an initial digital design, based on the parameters we discussed, and then printing that design in plastic so we can discuss any modifications we may need to make at the bench or to the digital model. This deposit goes toward the total price we quoted for the ring. We work on a pay as you go system, so that we only ask you to pay for the next step in production as we build your ring. 

Custom Re-Design

Create an heirloom piece from old jewelry you aren't wearing

Sometimes you have jewelry you have inherited, or have a family diamond or diamonds you want to use in a new engagement ring. We can use your gold and diamonds or gemstones to create a new contemporary piece and thus preserve the memories and history but also make it your style for future generations. When my own mom passed away I took some things she always wore and re-designed them into something I would wear. When I see the diamond, I always remember it was hers before me, and her grandmother's before being given to my mother. As Master Gemologists with a fully accredited gem lab on premises, we can evaluate and work with your precious jewelry. 

If you have old gold, platinum, silver or palladium, we can either provide a credit toward your design or we can actually refine the old metal and re-alloy it for use in your new piece; yellow gold can be re-alloyed to become white gold and 14kt can be re-alloyed into 10kt or 18kt.   

We invite you to go through your jewelry box and find things you aren't wearing so we can either credit you for a new design, or we can incorporate your things into a true heirloom piece you will want to wear every day. Other jewelers won't know what to do with your gems, but we welcome the opportunity to create something with your diamonds and gemstones. 

Beginning Ideas

Initial Concept

Sometimes the idea is a sketch, or a picture from Pinterest or Google, and sometimes we work from our own Core Styles and make adjustments

The Digital Model

Once we create the digital model we will send you images or photo-realistic "renders" of the design from several angles. You may make suggested changes based on these images, or you can approve the design and we can go to 3D printing and create a model in plastic that you can try on.


The Plastic Model

Plastic Model


Once you approve of the design through the images, we will print your design in plastic so you can try it on. We use modern technology to produce a model or your idea at a fraction of the cost of casting in precious metals. We have linked a dynamic CAD modeling system with rapid 3D printing to make steps 1-3 go much more quickly if needed.

Selecting The Center Gemstone Or Diamond

We have a variety of services to help you in selecting the center gem or diamond. If you have your own family diamond, we are happy to work with you on designing the setting and, as an accredited gem lab, providing the gemological reports you may need or want. We also provide a consultation service for $150 to assist you if you decide to purchase a diamond on line. We also have many diamonds in our own stock including our own perfectly cut passion fire diamonds.


We make sure we ethically source all our diamonds, gemstones and precious metals. For diamonds we offer Canadian sourced rough diamonds, made famous on the show Ice Road Truckers. These diamonds have Canadian paperwork identifying them as from Canadian Diamond mines. We also provide lab-created or synthetic diamonds which may provide “more bang for the buck” as they are about 20-30% more less expensive than mined diamonds.


We can also advise you and supply alternative gemstones if you prefer colored stones over diamonds. We have a large supply of various gems and can acquire whatever you need, and of course as experts, we can make sure the stones are appropriately identified. We have many US sourced gemstones as well as other options, and we can advise you of the best choices for durability. We can modify the design to accommodate the exact center diamond or gemstone you select. Sometimes, we may suggest changes in the design to make sure the center is more protected if the gemstone is more easily damaged. The point is we can design your ring around your center stone, because we make it all from scratch. We don’t have to shove a poorly fitted gem or center diamond into an already manufactured mounting.

Casting and Polishing

Once the design and center stone are finalized we go to casting in a variety of noble metals. We have several options that help us stay within your desired budget. Our most popular metal is 14kt white gold. We also have an optional allow called X-1 which contains a slightly higher nickel content, but which does not require to be Rhodium plated. Gold’s natural color is yellow and over time it may require Rhodium plating (sometimes referred to as “dipping”) to retain a whiter bright finish. We also have introduced a blended metal we call Millennial Silver- a blend of sterling silver with palladium, and annealed at the bench to harden the final casting close to the hardness of 14kt. Normally Sterling Silver does not provide sufficient hardness to hold diamonds over time, but it is extremely white. The palladium added created the necessary strength. The Millennial Silver offers a much lower price option.


We have the ability to take your gold or other metals and can provide a credit toward the new ring, or we can refine the metals and re-alloy them into casting grain for the new ring. By refining and re-alloying, we can take 14kt yellow gold and create 10kt or 18kt white gold.

Setting the Masterpiece You Designed

The final step is the matching and setting of the side diamonds and center stone. We carefully and expertly select and match the side diamonds to your center to make sure they look like a unified whole. Once properly set, we test them for 48 hours to make sure they are secure. Then we apply a final polish for the ring before we deliver it to you in one of our special lighted boxes.

A Private Personal Jeweler Who Comes to You

Convenient custom 3D design

Some of the world's best designs started on a napkin at a restaurant.

We are the private jeweler that comes to you, for your convenience. We formerly had seven stores with clients dispersed all over the area. Now we can continue to better serve all of our customers without the expensive brick and mortar locations. We can focus on our private clients and bring 3D custom design to you. We will be happy to make an appointment at a close Panera Bread, or similar venue, or come to your office to discuss various options. Our 3D software travels well and can be demonstrated anywhere. Of course, if you prefer to come to us, that's perfectly fine. The mobile service is for your convenience, and one of the ways a personal, private jeweler can be a better fit for your needs. We can show you ideas on the laptop, and then meet once we fine tune and 3D print the design so you can try it on. No local jeweler has embraced this technology as we have.   

We Offer Four Basic Services

$150

Master Gemologist Appraiser, David Nygaard, will assist you in buying your diamond from any of the on-line merchants such as Blue Nile or Brilliant Earth. Save yourself the headache of buying and then returning a diamond. David can assist you in screening diamonds on line and suggest options you may not know about and identify potential problems who may not be aware of when comparing various diamonds you can’t see, using only lab reports. David will be your personal diamond consultant. Once you receive your diamond from the vendor, David will confirm it is the same diamond and match it to the paperwork the vendor provides. David will look over the reports to advise if they are accurate and legitimate, so you won’t have to worry. Finally, David will provide an insurance replacement appraisal for your diamond.

$500-900 usually

Master Gemologist Appraiser and Certified CAD designer, David Nygaard will act as your consultant to help you purchase a diamond online and all of the services listed above, AND he will help you custom design a simple yet elegant solitaire for your new loose diamond. He will set your new diamond and as with the basic consultation, will provide an insurance appraisal for your new ring. These elegant solitaires usually run between $500 and $900.00 depending on the design.

$1500-$2900 usually

Master Gemologist Appraiser and Certified CAD designer David Nygaard will help you avoid the pitfalls of shopping online and help you pick just the right diamond from any number of online diamond retailers. Then he will collaborate with you to custom design the perfect ring for your fiance. Most diamond mountings range from $1500 to $2900. Of course we will work within your budget.

$3,000 - $15,000 depending on budget

We will help pair a beautiful diamond or a stunning color stone for your engagement ring. Master Gemologist Appraiser and Certified CAD designer David Nygaard will help you avoid the pitfalls of shopping for diamonds by personally selecting with you the perfect diamond for your partner and help you pick just the right diamond from any number of online diamond retailers. Instead of shopping online, we can provide the center and provide warranties for both purchases. Then he will collaborate with you to custom design the perfect ring for your fiance. We can design within your budget including the center gem and open up a wide range of possibilities and suggestions.

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