Having A Ring Made
Why go for hand made?
Engagement and wedding rings hand-crafted by quality bespoke jewellers generally value-up higher than similar off-the-shelf items.
Because of the way the metal is worked and the settings are fashioned when made by hand, well made jewellery is crafted to endure and will last many lifetimes.
Plus, hand made rings are truly unique. Even for popular styles, no two rings are ever exactly the same.
If you would prefer not to read an essay, just email enquiries@ethicaljewels.com.au or call us on 07 3369 8438.
How much does it cost?
There are four things that impact on the cost of having a ring made up:
- The jeweller’s hourly rate;
- How complicated the design is (more complex = more time);
- How many stones have to be set (usually charged on a per stone basis); and
- What type of metal(platinum takes longer to work and white gold often needs to be rhodium plated)
- The ‘raw materials’ — the precious metal and Diamonds/Gemstones; and
- Making the ring.
A simple solitaire engagement ring will be less expensive to make than a complicated, multi-stone ring — regardless of the size of the Diamond or Gemstone.
As a very rough guide the following may help.
For a simple men’s wedding band, 18 carat gold, handmade, nice and weighty (10 – 12 grams) allow around $1,100 – $1,700 for a simple ring. The same ring in platinum would be much heavier and cost around $1,800 – $2,500. Women’s wedding bands generally require less metal and unless gemset or ornate should cost a little less.
For an engagement ring. A simple claw setting in 18 carat gold would be around $1,500 – $1,800, in platinum, $2,100 – $2,400, a Palladium ring would be $1,200 – $1,400. These prices include the gold (white, yellow or rose), platinum or palladium and manufacturing, but exclude any diamonds or gemstones and any special finishes such as engraving.
A bit of comparison-shopping.
Let’s consider a popular ring style, the half carat six claw solitaire in 18 carat white gold.Purchased from a high-end retailer (not a mass market, made offshore chain store) it would set you back anywhere from $5,000 to $9,500, depending on the Diamond quality.
If you instead chose from our selection of ethically sourced, traceable diamonds, you could purchase a top of the range certified, G Si1 half-carat diamond for around $3,000 – $4,000, 10 grams or so of 18 carat gold for $700 – $800 and pay a jeweller around $600 – $800 to make it.
That would give you the same engagement ring for $5,000 or so. Spend less than an extra thousand and have it in platinum! You could even go for a higher grade Diamond, say E VS for around $4,500 – $7,000 and still have a less expensive engagement ring than our off the shelf example.
Please be aware that prices are subject to variation and are to be considered only as a rough guide. We are also comparing rings at full retail, not during sale times.
How long will it take?
How long it takes to make a ring depends mainly on two things — how complicated the ring is and how busy the jeweller is.Complicated rings — with many set stones and perhaps different coloured metals – take longer for a jeweller to make than a simple ring — but more importantly, many jewellers outsource certain parts of the process.
Jewellers will typically send rings away to specialist gem setters and engravers, so not only does the make-time depend on how busy your jeweller is, but also how busy these third parties are. Valuations also add a time cost.
As far as our in house manufacturing is concerned, we work with three jewellers – two who set stones and one who doesn’t.
There are also seasonal influences. Most jewellers tend to be busier in Spring and Summer — during the wedding season and leading up to Christmas. (Often jeweller’s workload is heavier at this time because manufacturing jewellers also get trade work from retail jewellery shops that outsource makes, repairs and resizing.)
As far as our workshop goes….For a simple ring in a (relatively) quiet time — allow around four to five weeks. For a complicated ring in a busy time — allow up to eight weeks. Please note, times can vary if some of the materials need to be imported or if an outsourced process (such as engraving) is involved. Due to a rapid increase in the growth of our business, we have had to extend the manufacturing time. It can be frustrating having to wait, however, the end results do make it worth being patient.
What happens when we make a ring for you
We understand that not everyone is instantly comfortable with the idea of a web based solution for a very personal, emotionally driven ( and often expensive) purchase. However, not all online retailers are the same.
Part of the motivation for creating this business model was the first hand knowledge that shopping at a bricks and mortar jewellery outlet is sometimes not terribly satisfactory for the customer. Many customers feel they have been unable to get the attention or information they require. Others feel a little daunted by the idea of walking into a ‘posh’ shop.
This is not to say that there is anything inherently wrong with jewellery shops. The reality is that a retail jewellery shop is a business with high overheads, high start up costs and therefore one that needs a significant volume of sales (or at very high $$$ sales) to stay afloat.
This business has been deliberately structured so that it can be all about the customer and not about meeting targets or wearing designer uniforms.
So how does it work?
Often a customer will email with a pretty good idea of what they want, ask us to find the bits and make the engagement (or other ring). For others it takes an immersion in the process to understand how it works and to feel comfortable making a big purchase through this medium. Other customers know they want a ring, but that’s about it.
If you are the sort of buyer who likes to immerse yourself in every part of the design and manufacturing process, one that has questions you need answered, who literally has ideas popping into your head every half hour – then that’s ok, your questions will be answered.
If you are the sort of buyer who would prefer to give very clear instructions and then let the jewellers get on with it – that’s fine too. If you want a crash course in Gemmology and jewellery design – not a problem. If you don’t know anything and want your hand held every step of the way – we can do that too.
No matter what your purchasing style, you will have your needs met. You are free to contact us as often as you need to. The detailed quote, design and materials will be approved by you before manufacturing commences and the finished product will be photographed for you prior to delivery. Our involvement doesn’t stop when the ring is completed; we are here to answer your questions well after the ring is on the finger.
Above all else, the jewellery we make is superb. The materials are ethical and high end and the craftsmanship is among the best available in Australia.
Initially it may seem odd to buy this way, but once you begin, not only will you be happy with the outcome, you will feel very much a part of the end result and proud of the beautiful jewellery you helped to create.
