HAVE YOU EVER FOUND YOURSELF CONTINUOUSLY SEARCHING FOR A PIECE OF JEWELRY THAT JUST DOESN’T SEEM TO EXIST? OR, ARE IN LOVE WITH A DIAMOND NECKLACE OR SAPPHIRE RING, BUT YOU WANT IT TO BE MORE UNIQUE?
YOU’VE FOUND THINGS YOU LIKE, BUT NOTHING THAT TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY?
Custom Jewelry Design Could Be Your Answer
Designing a custom piece of jewelry at The Diamond Bar in St. Louis is an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re designing an engagement ring or an heirloom piece such as a custom ring or necklace, the design process should be equally as special as receiving the final completed piece.
Below are 5 steps to designing memorable, custom jewelry.
- The meaning
- Your Expectations
- Inspiration
- The Little Details
- Budget
Jewelers Always Start with Meaning
We want to know WHY YOU WANT TO CREATE an INCREDIBLE PIECE of fine jewelry.
Below are some of the common meanings behind our customer’s custom jewelry needs.
- CREATING A PIECE THAT HONORS A SPECIAL LOVED ONE IN YOUR LIFE.
- SOMETHING YOU RELATE TO A MEMORY, OR TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION.
- TREATING YOURSELF TO CELEBRATE A BIG SUCCESS.
THERE ARE SO MANY UNIQUE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO EACH PERSON THAT MAKES A PIECE SENTIMENTALLY SPECIAL. TAKE THE TIME TO TRULY THINK OF WHAT YOU WANT YOUR PIECE TO ENCOMPASS.
Custom Jewelry Should Exceed Expectations
EVERYONE HAS A UNIQUE SENSE OF STYLE, and should be prepared to communicate that during the design planning process.
- SOME MAY PREFER WHITE GOLD OR ROSE GOLD.
- Gemstone preference such as BLUE SAPPHIRE PIECES, DIAMONDS, AND EMERALDS.
Fine JEWELRY IS MADE TO BE WORN AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE AND EXCITED TO WEAR YOUR PIECE AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON YOUR STYLE.
Inspiration Drives Custom Jewelry Design
Inspiration is the center of custom jewelry design and educating our jewelers on your inspiration plays a major role in delivering fine jewelry that exceeds your expectations.
For some people, the inspiration is directly related to the meaning behind the piece. For example, your grandmother’s wedding ring is a symbol of strength in your family and therefor you to include elements such as a round brilliant cut diamond with accent gemstones.
Others utilize the many resources technology has provided to gather inspiration.
THE INTERNET HAS ENDLESS IMAGES OF DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RINGS, SAPPHIRE NECKLACES, RUBY BRACELETS AND MORE THAT CAN BE USED AS A GUIDE TO YOUR STYLE.
APPS LIKE PINTEREST AND INSTAGRAM, SOCIAL MEDIA, BOOKS, AND MAGAZINES ARE GREAT RESOURCES TO USE TO HELP OUR IN-HOUSE DESIGNERS UNDERSTAND YOUR VISION.
THE LITTLE DETAILS MATTER.
ONCE YOU and your designer agree on an OVERALL DESIGN, ITS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE LITTLE DETAILS MATTER.
- THE SHAPE OR QUALITY OF STONES CAN HAVE A HUGE EFFECT ON THE OVERALL LOOK OF THE PIECE WHICH AT FIRST MAY SEEM MINOR, UNTIL LOOKING AT THEM SIDE BY SIDE.
- SOMETHING AS SMALL AS STOPPING STONES HALF WAY OR CHANGING THE AMOUNT OF PRONGS HOLDING IN STONES COULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE AS WELL. This is hard to see without having a digitized computer aided design (CAD) drawing.
THE LITTLE DETAILS ARE BEST BEING DISCUSSED WITH AN EXPERT DESIGNER TO GUIDE YOU TO HAVING A TRULY ONE-OF-A-KIND PIECE THAT YOU WILL LOVE AND CHERISH FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
Finalize BUDGET.
Our artists strongly believe in first prioritizing the collaborative design process in order to properly capture the true meaning behind a piece.
Once there is alignment on the “why” of the piece, the artist is better equipped to discuss the elements of the piece and offer alternatives to meet your budget while still maintaining the original purpose of the piece.
CREATING A CUSTOM PIECE FROM SCRATCH IN MANY CASES IS NO MORE EXPENSIVE THAN NON-CUSTOM PIECES, BUT PRICES CERTAINLY CAN VARY BASED ON THE FOLLOWING.
- HIGH QUALITY DIAMONDS
- PRECIOUS GEMSTONES
- HIGHER KARAT METALS
- AND THE AMOUNT OF LABOR THAT MAY BE REQUIRED.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE UPFRONT AND HONEST ABOUT YOUR BUDGET WHICH HELPS US MEET YOUR NEEDS AND WANTS BETTER.
AS AMAZING AS SOME JEWELRY PIECES CAN BE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE. OUR JOB IS DESIGN A PIECE THAT YOU WILL LOVE, AND STAY WITHIN YOU BUDGET.
Get Started Designing Custom Jewelry at The Diamond Bar
Working with The Diamond Bar for your custom jewelry needs will be an unforgettable experience.
Our process at-a-glance.
- MEET WITH OUR EXPERT CRAFTSMEN TO SHARE the Meaning, INSPIRATION, and your expectations. IN THIS first MEETING, WE’LL COMPILE A LIST OF IDEAS AND PRELIMINARY SKETCHES FOR YOUR PIECE that are unique to your vision while at the same time, challenging you to think deeper.
- WE WILL TAKE YOUR DESIGN IDEAS AND CREATE A ONE OF KIND 3D MODEL FOR REVIEW using computer aided design (CAD) which allows us to ensure we are giving the little details a voice in the final product.
- UPON APPROVAL, THE REAL WORK of fabrication BEGINS to bring your 3D model to life.
- Your completed piece includes a gift box and appraisal.
All of our engagement rings, wedding rings, wedding bands, and one of a kind pieces are designed and set in the United States. Whether hand-crafted at our local jewelry store in Saint Louis or collaboratively designed by our partners in New York, California, Arizona, New Jersey and Louisiana, our products are always made to the highest of standards.
About Us.
For almost two decades, Chris Phillips has fine-tuned his technique by keeping the tenets of craftsmanship pure, while pushing the boundaries of design to create pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind. The Diamond Bar was designed to bridge the intersection between conventional jewelry stores and online retailers. Chris has curated a one of a kind shopping experience.
We are open Tuesday - Friday 10AM-6PM and Saturday 10AM-4PM