Custom Jewelry Design
Jewelry that’s crafted from your story. Made for your life.
Every custom piece begins with a conversation.
Sometimes you have a clear vision.
Sometimes you have a cherished family heirloom you’d love to wear again.
Sometimes you simply know you want something that no one else has.
Together we’ll explore ideas, materials, gemstones, and design possibilities until the piece feels unmistakably yours.
Whether we’re celebrating an engagement, an anniversary, a new baby, a retirement, or simply creating something beautiful “just because,” my goal is always the same:
To create jewelry that you’ll love wearing for years to come.
Custom Design May Be Perfect If…
- You’ve inherited jewelry
that isn’t your style but means too much to part with. - You’re celebrating
an engagement, anniversary, or another important milestone. - You have gemstones or gold
you’d love to incorporate into something new. - You’ve searched everywhere
and still can’t find exactly what you’re imagining. - You want to create a meaningful gift
that no one else will ever own.
Working Together
One of the things clients tell me they appreciate most is that I take the time to listen.
Custom jewelry shouldn’t feel intimidating.
Whether you arrive with detailed sketches or just a few ideas, I’ll guide you through every step of the process—from our first conversation to the moment you hold your finished piece.
There are no silly questions.
No pressure.
Just a collaborative process focused on creating something you’ll love for years to come.
Where Shall We Begin?
Ideas We Can Create Together
Whatever the story behind it, there’s a way to create it in precious metal and gems. Here are some of the pieces we’re most often asked to bring to life — though this list is simply a starting point for our conversation.
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Engagement RingsMost Requested
A one-of-a-kind ring designed around your story, from stone selection to final polish. -
Anniversary Rings
Mark another year together with a band or eternity ring built to complement what you already wear. -
Mother’s Jewelry
Birthstones, initials, or motifs honoring children and family, set in a piece made to be worn daily. -
Family Birthstone JewelryMost Requested
Combine multiple birthstones into a single pendant, ring, or bracelet representing your whole family. -
Memorial Jewelry
A thoughtful keepsake incorporating a loved one’s stone, engraving, or design detail to carry with you. -
Wedding JewelryMost Requested
Bands and bridal sets crafted to pair seamlessly with an engagement ring or stand beautifully alone. -
Heirloom Redesigns
Give inherited gold or gemstones new life in a modern setting you’ll actually wear. -
Graduation Gifts
Mark a milestone with a lasting piece — often a first fine jewelry item to grow with them. -
Men’s Jewelry
Signet rings, cufflinks, and bands with understated, durable detailing built for everyday wear.
The Process
How It Works
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Step 01We Start With Your Story
Bring us whatever you have.
It might be an engagement ring you’d like to redesign, your grandmother’s diamonds, a loose gemstone, an inspiration photograph, a sketch—or something completely unexpected. We’ll talk about what it means to you, what you like and don’t like, how you want to wear it, your budget and what you’d ultimately like the piece to become.
Sometimes clients arrive knowing exactly what they want. Others begin by asking:
“What could we do with this?”
We love both.
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Step 02We Explore the Possibilities
This is where the fun begins!
We may suggest several design directions, help you select or source gemstones, consider different metals, or find ways to incorporate stones and materials you already own. We also think about the practical details that matter: comfort, durability, proportion and how you’ll actually wear the finished piece.
And we’ll give you our opinion. If we believe a stone needs restoration, a design won’t wear comfortably, or another approach will give you a better result, we’ll tell you.
Our goal isn’t simply to make what you ask for. It’s to help you create something you’ll be happy you made.
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Step 03We Find the Right Artist or Goldsmith
One of Mia Gemma’s greatest strengths is the community of artists, goldsmiths, gem cutters and craftspeople we’ve developed relationships with over the years.
Different projects require different skills. A delicate engagement ring may call for one artisan. Restoring a damaged jade carving requires another. Recreating a lost necklace from a photograph requires someone else entirely.
Part of our expertise is knowing who is right for your project.
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Step 04We Refine the Design
Depending on the piece, the design may begin with sketches, inspiration photographs or a Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
CAD allows you to see detailed renderings of your jewelry before it is made. We can adjust proportions, settings, gemstones and other details until the design feels right.
Some projects require several iterations. That’s okay.
We’d rather take the time to get it right.
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Step 05Your Piece Is Created
Once you approve the design, your piece moves into production.
Depending on the project, it may be cast, fabricated or created by hand. Gemstones are set, finishes are applied and all of the details we’ve discussed come together.
Most custom projects take approximately 4–6 weeks, although particularly complex pieces may take longer. If you’re creating jewelry for a wedding, anniversary, birthday or another important date, tell us at the beginning and we’ll discuss the timing with you.
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Step 06The Best Part
Then you get to see it!
There is something wonderful about watching an idea that began in conversation become a piece of jewelry you can hold in your hand.
And for many of our clients, that’s not the end.
Custom design becomes a creative outlet. They return with another gemstone, another heirloom, another idea—and we begin again.
Not Sure Where to Begin?
You don’t need a design. You don’t need to know which artist you want.
You don’t even need to know whether what you’re imagining is possible.
That’s what the first conversation is for. Bring us your jewelry, your gemstones, your photograph, your idea—or simply your question.
Let’s see what’s possible.
Customer Stories
See What's Possible
Every custom project begins differently. Explore real Mia Gemma stories and discover what happened when clients came to us with an heirloom, a loose gemstone, an important celebration—or an idea no one else quite knew how to make.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? We are available via email at any time, or phone during business hours.
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How long does a custom piece take from start to finish?
The custom design process takes approximately 4-6 weeks from initial consultation to delivery, depending on complexity and stone sourcing. For the holiday season, we recommend beginning at least 8 weeks in advance. Rush timelines may be available — please inquire during your consultation. We work diligently to meet each client’s timeline for delivery!
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Can I use my own diamonds or gemstones?
Absolutely.
Many of my favorite projects begin with jewelry a client already owns. We can often reuse diamonds, colored gemstones, pearls, or precious metals to create an entirely new design while preserving the memories attached to the original piece.
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What does the design process look like step by step?
It begins with a consultation where we learn your vision, lifestyle, and references. From there we produce either hand-rendered sketches, or a CAD (computer-aided design) for review and approval.If needed, a modification to the CAD is made. Once a direction is approved, with a written sign-off on the final design, fabrication begins. You are involved at every stage — nothing proceeds without your approval.
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How is pricing determined for a custom piece?
Pricing is determined by materials (metal type, stone quality and size), complexity of the design, and fabrication time. We can provide rough estimate after the initial consultation. However, many projects require us to create a CAD design to get a firm price for material costs. We charge a small fee of $150 for the CAD which we apply as a credit to your final price should you move forward with the project.There are no hidden fees.
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Is there a minimum spend for custom design?
There is no minimum spend for custom design. In our experience custom design can start in the hundreds and go up to thousands depending on the metals and gems used, and complexity of the design. Custom pieces can be as straightforward as a single-stone ring, or simple pendant in gold or silver. More complex pieces involving intricate settings, multiple stones, or hand-engraving are priced accordingly.
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Can I use gold from my old jewelry to create a new design?
Yes, and no. If there is enough of your old gold in one item to create the new piece, then it is possible. We don’t like to mix gold from different pieces (time periods) in a melt to create a new piece. This is because other elements were added to the gold and we don’t know which additives were used. Melting and mixing various pieces of gold for a new piece can render the new piece friable, or breakable. However, we will evaluate your old gold and give you our best recommendation for using it in a new piece.
Another option though is for us to melt your gold and give you a trade-in value, without taking a commission, that you can use towards the creation of you new piece.
Contact us
Let us guide you through the process
Sometimes clients arrive with a clear vision. Others bring a cherished family heirloom, a handful of gemstones, or simply an idea they’ve been thinking about for years. Wherever you’re starting, I’ll guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help create something that is uniquely yours.
I’d love to hear your story. Let’s begin with a conversation.
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Call Us (202) 393-GEMS (4367)
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Email irene@miagemma.com
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Discretion All commissions and correspondence are handled with complete confidence.