| If you're getting a piece of custom jewelry, then you'll | | | | - You want to have a personal contact with a |
| want to pay attention to the following expert tips. You'll | | | | designer who actually does jewelry, not sales. |
| avoid some common pitfalls in commissioning your | | | | - One characteristic of real designers is that they don't |
| custom piece. | | | | have time to show off or impress people. They're too |
| Consider this: you have an occasion coming up, | | | | busy being designers. |
| perhaps an engagement or charity event. You want to | | | | - You will be happier not dropping off an existing |
| commission a piece of jewelry, a ring, pendant, broach, | | | | irreplaceable piece for rework or repair, if it means it |
| or something you don't even know the words for. | | | | will be out of your sight for any length of time. Many |
| You want it to be unique, not something plucked from | | | | owners of unique pieces want them to remain unique |
| a catalog. You look at a number of jewelers and | | | | and uncopied. In these cases, being able to wait while |
| jewelry designers. You know that you want the best | | | | the work is done is an important consideration. |
| quality. | | | | - You will save on the work if the designer deals |
| You consider a silversmith, goldsmith, a worker with | | | | directly with the suppliers of the metal and stones that |
| diamonds. You look at local jewelry stores. | | | | go into your jewelry. |
| Then it hits you. You realize you don't really know how | | | | - You will appreciate not being charged extra high |
| to recognize high quality in a designer, or to tell when | | | | prices because of an impressively decorated |
| you have found it. | | | | showroom or an exclusive location. Remember, if the |
| At this point you know you need some expert advice | | | | showroom, landscaping, or environs look expensive, |
| to select a jewelry designer to do your custom piece. | | | | they probably are. And they are being paid for |
| Where can you find advice that you can trust? That's | | | | somehow. It's not hard to guess that it is through higher |
| what this article is all about. These are insider tips from | | | | prices to you that have nothing to do with the actual |
| the trenches. | | | | jewelry you're buying. |
| Read and take them on board, and you'll find it easier | | | | - Last but not least, you will no doubt be happier with a |
| to navigate through the world of jewelry design. And | | | | designer who cares about you as a person, not just |
| you will be better prepared to come out with the right | | | | as a source of income. The designer may not have a |
| work of art as well as a satisfying buying experience. | | | | fixed price because each customer, piece, and |
| Now for the expert tips. These are pure gold if you | | | | situation is unique. You will be unique to this designer, |
| use them. | | | | and valued as such. This kind of connection also |
| - A custom jewelry design is not a commodity. Some | | | | enables the designer to get inside your mind and |
| jewelers make it a selling point to let shoppers try out | | | | understand what you are really looking for. |
| a look-alike piece before they commit to buying. But | | | | These are only a few examples of the know-how |
| that is not what you are looking for. You want | | | | and inside knowledge that could help jewelry shoppers |
| something that is not a look-alike. | | | | if they only knew about them. And these are only a |
| - If you want a one-of-a-kind piece of custom jewelry, | | | | handful of the less technical aspects, not even touching |
| you don't want to pick it out of a catalog that | | | | on issues like diamond cut, color, clarity, and carat, or |
| thousands of other people also look at. | | | | EGL/GIA certification. |
| - Your work of art should be touched by human hands | | | | In spite of what some people may tell you, not all |
| and spirit. Computers may be able to make bad music | | | | sellers of jewelry place your interests at the top of |
| on the piano and play chess quickly, but real art is still | | | | their priority lists. As in many other markets, the |
| beyond their reach. For that, you need an artist. | | | | watchword is "caveat emptor", let the buyer protect |
| - The designer should have a background in design | | | | him- or herself. |
| and art. If he or she has works on display or in print, | | | | So for a purchase with such significance for you, |
| that's even better. It gives you independent proof of | | | | whether emotional, cultural, financial, or other, it is well |
| the designer's ability and track record. And for your | | | | worth your effort to absorb these tips and bear them |
| own verification, this designer will be able to draw the | | | | in mind as you search for the designer of your next |
| complete piece right in front of you, without double-talk | | | | piece of custom jewelry. |
| or excuses. | | | | |