From engagement rings to heirloom redesign and one-of-a-kind fine jewellery, each custom piece is designed through a considered, collaborative process. I work closely with you to translate your vision, energy, and intention into a singular design, crafted one at a time and without compromise.
Custom Jewellery Design Process
With nearly 20 years of experience as a classically trained goldsmith, Sabrina of Janine Jewels guides clients through a highly personal custom jewellery design process rooted in craftsmanship, collaboration, and intention. Each piece is designed and fabricated in Toronto, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design.
From engagement rings and heirloom redesigns to one-of-a-kind fine jewellery, the custom process begins with a conversation. Together, we explore materials, gemstones, and design details to create a piece that reflects your story, values, and lifestyle.
This is not a transactional experience. It is an experience, a hands-on design journey resulting in a custom piece meant to be worn, lived in, and passed down.
The Process Steps
Custom orders take 8-12 weeks
1- Consultation
2- Design Direction
3- Stone Selection
4- CAD Design
5- Prototyping & Casting
6- Fabrication
7- Final Reveal
Each custom jewellery design is created through a collaborative process that balances craftsmanship, intention, and wearability. Designed and handcrafted in Toronto. Ask, and I can source ethical gemstones and recycled 14k or 18k gold. Every piece is made to honour your story and stand the test of time.
Practice
Janine Jewels is a woman-owned, Toronto-based jewellery studio led by Sabrina, a classically trained goldsmith with nearly 20 years of experience. Every custom piece is created through her direct collaboration, bench craftsmanship, and a deeply personal design process.
Materials
Where possible, we work with recycled gold and thoughtfully selected gemstones, including lab-grown and natural diamonds. Materials are chosen for longevity, beauty, and ethical consideration, without making claims beyond what can be responsibly sourced.
Craft
Trained in Geneva, Switzerland, and grounded in traditional goldsmithing techniques, every piece is designed for wearability, structural integrity, and lasting beauty. From CAD refinement to hand-finishing, quality is never outsourced or compromised. Just see what our clients have to say
Testimonials
From Concept to Heirloom
Designing a custom ring involves many thoughtful decisions, from selecting the right gemstone to choosing the metal, proportions, and setting style. Whether you’re drawn to natural or lab-grown diamonds, sapphires, or opals, each element plays a role in how the final piece looks, feels, and wears over time.
You may arrive with inspiration, an existing heirloom to redesign, or simply a sense of what you want the piece to represent. Or you may be starting from scratch. Through a collaborative design process, we explore stone options, cuts, colours, and materials together, translating your ideas into a custom ring that is structurally sound, wearable, and uniquely yours.
With nearly 20 years of experience and training in traditional goldsmithing, every custom piece is guided by craftsmanship as much as creativity — resulting in fine jewellery designed to last for generations.
Feel good about your jewels
There are informed choices.
Clarity, Not Claims
I work with lab-grown stones and select natural diamonds, chosen for quality, traceability where possible, and alignment with your values. Lab-grown diamonds avoid the legacy of conflict stones, but they still require energy, labour, and industrial processes. Natural diamonds carry geological rarity, history, and their own complex supply chains.
Rather than selling absolutes, I offer transparency, education, and options so you can decide what matters most to you.
FAQs
Custom jewellery at Janine Jewels is a collaborative, one-on-one experience. I start with a consultation to understand your vision, lifestyle, budget, and timeline. From there, I develop designs through mood boards, sketches, or CAD—whichever approach best brings your idea to life. Together, we select materials, and I fabricate the piece in precious metals with carefully chosen gemstones. Every custom engagement ring, wedding band, or statement piece is made specifically for you. If you've been searching for a custom jewellery designer in Toronto who actually listens, you've found her. Have a look at our custom design page for more details
Custom jewellery pricing varies depending on design complexity, materials, and gemstones. Because each piece is made from scratch, an exact price isn't always possible at the start—and that's intentional. I want to give you room to explore ideas before committing.
To move into the design phase, I require a $250 CAD design deposit. This covers professional design work, including sketches or technical drawings, and ensures your project gets the thoughtful attention it deserves. The $250 deposit is fully applied toward the final price if you decide to move forward.
Before the design deposit, I'm happy to provide a complimentary mood board or initial concept discussion to help explore direction and aesthetics. Once the design is developed, I'll share a more precise estimate. In some cases, the final price is confirmed only after we've finalized design details, materials, and stone selections. This approach gives you flexibility while keeping pricing accurate and fair.
Most custom jewellery projects take approximately 8–10 weeks from design approval to completion. More intricate designs or sourcing rare gemstones may require additional time. I discuss timelines upfront so there are no surprises. If you need a custom engagement ring or other piece made faster, it's absolutely possible for a fee.
Yes—heirloom redesign is a core part of my work. If you have inherited jewellery sitting in a drawer collecting dust, I can help you transform it into something you'll actually wear. Existing gemstones can be reused, reset, or reimagined into a new piece while preserving their sentimental value. When appropriate, I can incorporate small elements of original metal as a meaningful detail rather than fully remelting.
This way, the spirit of the heirloom lives on in a design that fits your style. Heirloom Redesign Page
Absolutely. Reusing your own gemstones is something I strongly encourage. It's a meaningful and sustainable option that preserves the spirit and history of the original piece while reducing the need for newly sourced materials.
I assess stones for condition, durability, and suitability for the new design. If a gemstone shows signs of damage, wear, or structural weakness, I discuss this openly so you can make an informed decision. In some cases, stones with existing imperfections can still be used thoughtfully, depending on the material and how the piece is designed. My goal is always to honour your original gemstones while ensuring the final piece is beautiful and made to last.
I'm a Toronto-based independent fine jewellery designer, working out of Made You Look, a well-established jewellery gallery that represents a curated group of independent designers.
While I'm represented by Made You Look, Janine Jewels operates as a fully independent business with its own design process, pricing structure, and client relationships. My studio space is located within the gallery, allowing you to view my work in a refined, collaborative environment alongside other respected designers.
When you work directly with me—Sabrina—you receive a personalized, one-on-one experience and communicate with me throughout the entire design process. Consultations are available both in person at my Toronto studio and virtually.
Transparency matters deeply to me, and I'm intentional about not making ethical claims lightly or for marketing purposes. Rather than relying solely on supplier statements, I do my own due diligence and stay open to ongoing conversations about sourcing, labour, and environmental impact.
Heirloom redesign is one of the most sustainable options I offer. Reusing existing natural gemstones allows us to preserve both material and meaning while avoiding the environmental and human impact associated with new extraction. I'm a strong advocate for this approach whenever possible.
I work with both natural and lab-grown gemstones. Lab-grown stones can be a thoughtful alternative to newly mined materials since they remove the mining component entirely. At the same time, I'm mindful that lab-created stones still raise important questions around manufacturing processes, energy use, and labour standards. These are conversations I welcome and discuss openly with clients.
For clients interested in recycled metals, I offer certified recycled gold sourced through my refiner. This option is available for custom projects and does come at a premium due to the additional processing and certification involved.
My goal isn't to present any material as a perfect solution, but to provide clear information so you can make choices that align with your values. Ethical sourcing is complex, and I believe honesty and transparency are more meaningful than oversimplified claims.
Custom jewellery is designed collaboratively for one specific client, starting from a blank page. Each custom piece is developed around your personal stories, preferences, and practical considerations—making it entirely tailored to you.
My boutique collection consists of ready-to-wear pieces that I've fully designed and fabricated. These designs come directly from my own creative process and are an opportunity for me to explore ideas, materials, and forms more freely. Boutique pieces aren't custom-designed for a single client, but they reflect my personal design language and artistic direction. Boutique jewellery is typically available for purchase right away, while custom jewellery follows a made-to-order design process.
Yes. I offer lab-grown diamonds, lab-grown sapphires, and moissanite—all created in a laboratory environment. Lab-grown diamonds are provided with an IGI certificate for larger centre stones. Melee diamonds are not individually certified, which is standard across the industry.
Lab-created stones remove the mining component associated with natural diamonds, which makes them an appealing option for many clients. At the same time, I'm transparent about the fact that lab-grown stones still involve manufacturing and cutting processes, and I don't make assumptions about labour conditions beyond what I can reasonably verify.
One lesser-known advantage of lab-grown diamonds is their versatility in colour. Coloured lab-grown diamonds can be an excellent alternative to gemstones such as sapphires or emeralds, offering rich colour while being significantly more durable for everyday wear. This can be especially beneficial if you love colour but want added longevity.
Lab-grown gemstones are also generally more budget-friendly, which can allow for larger stones or more design flexibility. That said, I deeply value natural gemstones as well—particularly in heirloom redesign—and I don't view one option as inherently better than the other. Each material has its own strengths, and I guide clients through these considerations so they can make an informed choice that suits their lifestyle, values, and design goals.
Yes. I offer secure shipping within Canada and internationally. Shipping options, insurance, and timelines are discussed in advance and quoted prior to completion so everything is clear before your piece is sent.
For international orders, please note that import duties, taxes, or customs fees are determined by the destination country and are not within my control. These charges, if applicable, are the responsibility of the recipient and are typically collected upon delivery. I always recommend checking your local import regulations in advance so there are no surprises.
My priority is to ensure your jewellery arrives safely, fully insured, and beautifully presented—wherever you are in the world.
You can begin by booking a complimentary consultation through my website - Janine Jewels.
If you prefer, you're also welcome to complete the Custom Design Inquiry Form, which allows me to review your ideas in advance.
Consultations are available in person at my Toronto studio or virtually—depending on what works best for you. The first step is simply a conversation to explore your vision and see if we're a good fit.
Book a complimentary consultation or fill out my custom design form to start your custom jewellery journey.