How Custom Jewelry Comes to Life: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Design Process

Every piece of custom jewellery starts with a conversation. Whether you're redesigning a family heirloom that's been sitting in a drawer, creating a one-of-a-kind engagement ring, or transforming unworn pieces into something you'll actually wear, the journey from idea to finished piece is deeply personal—and surprisingly collaborative.

I get asked all the time: 

"How do you take my ideas and turn them into an actual piece of jewellery?"

The answer? It's a mix of art, technical skill, and a process that's been refined over years of training in Geneva and countless client collaborations. Today, I'm pulling back the curtain to show you exactly how custom jewellery comes to life at Janine Jewels—from that first sketch to the moment you slip on your finished piece.

Finding the perfect fit for your ring can be a game-changer, turning a piece of jewellery into a cherished companion for years. Whether you've inherited a family heirloom that doesn't quite fit or recently purchased a stunning new addition, resizing can make all the difference. But where should you go for this important task? In this ultimate guide, we'll explore various options for resizing your ring, from local jewellers known for their craftsmanship to larger retail stores offering resizing services. We'll also discuss what to expect during the resizing process, the factors to consider, and tips for ensuring your ring fits perfectly afterward. Say goodbye to ill-fitting rings and hello to comfort and style—let's dive into the best places to ensure your ring is resized to perfection!

Everything starts with understanding you. Not just what you want the piece to look like, but why you want it, how you'll wear it, and what story it needs to tell.

During our free 15-minute consultation (in-person or virtual), we talk through:

• What you're envisioning: Is this an engagement ring? A redesigned heirloom? A statement piece for everyday wear?

• Your lifestyle: Are you hard on your hands? Do you work with your hands? This affects design choices like prong vs. bezel settings.

• Your style: Modern? Vintage-inspired? Edgy? Bold? Delicate?

• Existing pieces: If you're redesigning heirlooms or combining unworn jewellery, I examine what you have and discuss what's possible.

This conversation is crucial because it sets the foundation for everything that follows. I'm not just designing a ring or necklace—I'm creating something that fits seamlessly into your life.

After our consultation, I ask you to send me inspiration photos. These can be anything:

• Screenshots from Pinterest or Instagram

• Photos of jewellery you love (even if it's completely different from what we're creating)

• Images of architecture, nature, art—anything that resonates with you

Here's what most people don't realize: I'm not looking at these photos to copy them. I'm analyzing them to understand the patterns in your taste.

Do you gravitate toward:

• Organic, flowing shapes or geometric lines?

• Delicate details or bold statement pieces?

• Warm metals (gold, rose gold) or cool metals (silver, platinum, white gold)?

• Clean, minimalist designs or intricate, detailed work?

Once I identify these patterns, I create a mood board that captures your aesthetic. This becomes our visual roadmap—a shared language we can refer back to throughout the design process.

Now comes the fun part: sketching.

Based on our consultation and your inspiration photos, I create multiple design options—typically 4 to 6 hand-drawn sketches. These aren't just rough doodles; they're detailed drawings that show different approaches to your piece.

Why multiple options? Because sometimes you don't know what you love until you see it. One sketch might lean more modern, another more vintage. One might be delicate, another bold. The goal is to give you choices that all feel like 

you, but explore different directions.

Each sketch includes:

• Different angles: Top view, side view, and sometimes a profile view so you can see exactly how the piece will sit

• Stone placement: Where gems will be set and how they'll interact with light

• Metal details: Texture, thickness, and structural elements

• Wearability notes: Practical considerations like comfort and durability

You review the sketches and we talk through what resonates. Sometimes you love one immediately. Other times, you might say,  "I love the shape of this one, but can we add the details from that one?"

That's exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. This is a collaboration, and your input shapes the final design.

Once you've chosen your favorite sketch (or we've combined elements from multiple sketches), I move into CAD—Computer Aided Design.

This is where the 2D sketch becomes a 3D model. Using specialized jewellery design software, I create a digital version of your piece that shows:

• Exact proportions: Every measurement down to the millimeter

• Stone sizes and placement: Precisely where each gem will sit

• Metal weight: How substantial the piece will feel

• Structural integrity: Making sure prongs are secure, bands are strong enough, and everything is built to last

The CAD model gives you a realistic preview of what your piece will look like from every angle. At this stage, we can still make adjustments—tweaking proportions, adjusting stone sizes, refining details—before any metal is touched.

This is also when we finalize technical decisions like:

• What type of setting will work best for your lifestyle (prong, bezel, channel, etc.)

• How thick the band should be for durability without sacrificing comfort

• Whether we need to add sizing beads if you have large knuckles (a common fix for rings that spin)

If your piece includes gemstones that we're sourcing new (rather than using stones from your heirlooms), this is where I find the perfect ones.

Not all gemstones are created equal. I work with trusted suppliers to source:

• Ethically sourced diamonds (or lab-grown if that's your preference)

• High-quality coloured gemstones (sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and more unique options like moonstones or tourmalines)

• Specialty materials like titanium (which I anodize to create vibrant colours)

I personally select every stone, looking for the best colour, clarity, and cut within your budget. If you're using family stones, I assess them to make sure they're in good condition and suitable for the new design.

A note about heirloom gold:

Many people assume I'll melt down their family gold and use it to create the new piece. Here's the truth: I don't remelt the exact same gold. Why? Because gold that's been remelted multiple times can have impurities and structural issues that affect the quality of the final piece.

Instead, I buy back your gold at current market rates, then incorporate a piece of it into your new design. This way, you still have that sentimental connection—a literal piece of your family history in your new jewellery—but I'm working with fresh, clean gold that guarantees a flawless result.

This is where years of training and craftsmanship come into play. As a Swiss-trained goldsmith, I use techniques that blend traditional methods with modern precision.

The process varies depending on the piece, but typically includes:

• Casting or fabricating the metal structure: Creating the foundation of your piece

• Stone setting: Meticulously securing each gemstone so it's both beautiful and secure

• Hand-finishing: Polishing, texturing, or adding patina

• Quality control: Checking that every prong is secure, every edge is smooth, every detail is perfect

For pieces that require special techniques—like engraving, milgrain detailing, or titanium anodizing—I bring in those specialized skills to make your piece truly unique.

Throughout this phase, I'm thinking about how you'll wear this piece. Is it comfortable? Will it catch on clothing? Can you wash your hands without worrying? These practical considerations are just as important as aesthetics.

After weeks of collaboration and craftsmanship, it's time for the reveal.

This is my favorite moment—seeing your reaction when you first hold your finished piece. It's not just jewellery; it's a tangible representation of your story, your style, and our collaboration.

You'll see:

• How the sketches translated into reality

• How light plays off the gemstones

• How the piece feels on your finger or around your neck

• Every tiny detail we discussed brought to life

And if anything needs a final tweak—sizing, a slight adjustment—we take care of it right away.

Let me share three recent projects that show exactly how this process unfolds:

Story 1: The Engagement Ring Redesign

A bride-to-be came to me with an engagement ring her fiancé had chosen. It was beautiful, but it felt too conventional for her style. She wanted something contemporary—something that felt like her.

We started by gathering her inspiration photos. I analyzed them and created a mood board. Then I sketched six design options—each one modern, each one unique. She fell in love with one design that was bold and architectural. We refined it in CAD, took apart the original ring, and used the diamonds to create her new piece.

The result? A ring she's obsessed with—one that tells her story, not someone else's idea of what an engagement ring "should" look like.

Story 2: Multiple Pieces to One Statement Ring

Another client had two rings and a pair of earrings sitting in her jewellery box, completely unworn. She loved the stones but hated the designs.

Her goal: combine everything into one statement ring she'd actually wear.

We created a mood board, narrowed down the aesthetic, and I sketched three to four design options. She chose a bold, organic design that incorporated all her stones in a completely new way.

Now she wears it every day—and those once-forgotten pieces finally have a life.

Story 3: The Surprise Engagement Ring (With the Bride's Input)

A groom-to-be wanted to surprise his partner with a custom engagement ring, but he also wanted to make sure she  loved it. (Smart man.)

We arranged a consultation where she could be part of the design process—without being involved in payment or logistics, so the proposal itself was still a surprise. She showed me inspiration photos of marquise diamonds (her dream shape), and I created six design options.

She picked her favorite, I sourced the perfect marquise diamond, and he proposed with a ring she had a hand in designing. Best of both worlds.

You might be wondering: 

Why go through all these steps? Why not just tell me what you want and have me make it?

Here's why the process matters:

• You discover what you really want. Most people think they know exactly what they want—until they see options. The sketching phase often reveals preferences you didn't know you had.

• We avoid costly mistakes. By refining the design in sketches and CAD before touching metal, we catch potential issues early (like a stone that's too large for your hand or a design that won't hold up to daily wear).

• Your piece is truly one-of-a-kind. This collaborative process ensures your jewellery reflects your unique story and style—not a generic design pulled from a catalogue.

You're part of the journey. Creating custom jewellery should be exciting, not stressful. By involving you in every step, the process becomes an experience you'll remember long after you're wearing the finished piece.

Want to see this process in action? I've been documenting real heirloom redesign projects on my YouTube channel, showing everything from the initial consultation and sketching phase to the final reveal.

YouTube videos here

• Project 2: Multiple pieces transformed into one statement ring (live now)

• Project 1: Engagement ring redesign (coming soon)

• Project 3: Surprise engagement ring with bride input (coming soon)

These videos pull back the curtain on exactly how custom jewellery comes to life—from messy sketches to polished final pieces.

Creating custom jewellery at Janine Jewels isn't about following a rigid formula—it's about collaboration, craftsmanship, and bringing your vision to life.

Here's what the journey looks like:

• Step 1: Free 15-minute consultation to understand your vision

• Step 2: Inspiration photos and mood board creation

• Step 3: Multiple hand-drawn sketches (4-6 design options)

• Step 4: CAD refinement and technical planning

• Step 5: Material sourcing (ethically sourced gemstones and metals)

• Step 6: Expert craftsmanship using Swiss-trained techniques

• Step 7: Final reveal and any last adjustments

Whether you're redesigning a family heirloom, creating a custom engagement ring, or transforming unworn pieces into something you'll treasure, this process ensures your jewellery is as unique as you are.

Because at Janine Jewels, jewellery isn't just an accessory—it's a story. And yours deserves to be told beautifully.

Ready to Start Your Custom Jewellery Journey?

If you're ready to create something truly one-of-a-kind—whether it's a custom piece or a redesigned heirloom—I'd love to work with you.

Book your free 15-minute consultation today.

We'll talk through your vision, discuss what's possible, and start sketching your story. you.

Let's create something extraordinary together.