Question 1

Do you work just online, or do you have a shop somewhere?

Accepted Answer

I don't sell jewellery online. I have a studio / showroom in Cleveland, Qld 4163, Australia.

Question 2

What are your opening hours?

Accepted Answer

I usually start at 8:00am and my last time slot for appointments is 3:00pm. Most days, and I am also available on Saturdays.

Question 3

Can I just drop in and visit your shop, or do I need an appointment?

Accepted Answer

I strictly work by appointment only. Sorry! Hate to be out for lunch when you are dropping in without letting me know beforehand.

Question 4

Do you provide a free quotation?

Accepted Answer

I always provide free quotations in writing for any piece of bespoke jewellery that you want to have made.

Question 5

Do you actually make it, or do you get it made in another workshop overseas?

Accepted Answer

I strictly and personally manufacture fine jewellery at my studio for you. No apprentices or staff. No outsourcing, and definitely no outsourcing to overseas factories.

Question 6

What are the payment terms?

Accepted Answer

Payment for custom made jewellery is usually split in three parts: 1. Deposit to get the process started. 2. Progress payment six weeks later. 3. Final balance when your jewellery is completed and ready for pick up. Most clients send payments via bank transfer or do online banking on the spot. I also accept cash below $9,000. No EFTPOS machine. No Bitcoin.

Question 7

What metals do you work in?

Accepted Answer

I specialise in fine jewellery manufacturing in all precious metals. All types and karats of gold, and also platinum and palladium. Sterling silver only for larger pieces.

Question 8

Can I give you my old gold and some diamonds to make a new piece of jewellery?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can! I do a lot of re-modelling of old gold and diamonds / gemstones. It makes sense to use the old gold you already have sitting around and not being used.

Question 9

Do you do repairs and ring re-sizing?

Accepted Answer

Sorry, I cannot take on ring resizing projects or jewellery repairs. I am very busy with custom jewellery manufacture with a wait list of 4 – 6 months. I don't think it is fair for you to wait that long for your repairs to be completed.

Question 10

What warranty do you give?

Accepted Answer

Warranties are very important. I give full warranties on my craftsmanship under Australian Consumer Law. I also guarantee the purity of the gold I use and the qualities of the diamonds that come with independent diamond-laboratory reports.

Question 11

Do you offer a care plan for the jewellery you make?

Accepted Answer

I don't offer a care plan that costs money like the commercial shops do. I offer a free annual check up and cleaning of the jewellery that I made for you. This is 'old school' manufacturing service!

Question 12

What if her ring size isn't perfect when she gets the ring?

Accepted Answer

No problem at all. I offer a completely free ring re-sizing service within the first three months after you picked up your new custom made engagement ring.

Question 13

Do you supply lab grown diamonds?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I do. But I don't really recommend synthetic (lab grown) diamonds. Why? Because they don't hold their value. You purchase a lab diamond today for say $2,800 and you will find the same lab diamond sells for say $1,800 in a couple of years, and so it goes on, lower and lower. In the end they become tomorrow's cubic zirconia or moissanite. Otherwise, if that does not bother you, I do supply high quality synthetic diamonds.

Question 14

If I buy a diamond from you, how do I know it's real?

Accepted Answer

I specialise in natural mined diamonds and gemstones. The diamond comes with a professional grading report that identifies it as being of natural mined origin, with a laser inscription on the side carrying the report number. You also receive a proper tax invoice stating the diamond as a real natural mined diamond. Under Australian Consumer Law I am legally bound to guarantee that this is 100% true.

Question 15

How long does it take to make an engagement ring?

Accepted Answer

Generally I can make a new engagement ring for you within eight weeks at a minimum. Usually it takes around 4 – 5 months, especially if the design is complex and we need to source rare gemstones. Best to get in touch as early as possible, because you don't want an engagement ring made in a rush and then regret a rushed decision.

Question 16

What if I pick up the ring and I don't like it?

Accepted Answer

I take a lot of time discussing your design, doing sketches, CAD drawings and even producing silver models or a 3D print of a wax model, so there cannot be any misunderstandings. However, in case somehow you are not happy with your ring, I offer to make you a complete new ring at no charge. My utmost priority is to create a piece of jewellery that you really love.

Question 17

Can you make a 'fitted' wedding ring for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I create a lot of 'fitted' wedding rings, customised to sit next to your engagement ring. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss in person at my studio.

Question 18

Can you turn my old yellow gold into white gold?

Accepted Answer

It is not possible to turn your yellow gold into white gold (except if you have pure 999 gold). I do swap white gold for your old yellow gold at a rate of 1.00 gram of white gold for 1.20 grams of yellow gold, because quality white gold is more expensive than yellow gold.

Question 19

Do you make gold chains?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I make hand-made gold chains. Let me know what kind of chain you would like to have made and we take it from there.

Question 20

Can you post the jewellery to me? Is it insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I can and I do so often. Fully insured and arrives within three days. Only within Australia. Yes, it is safe — I have never had a single loss in 33 years. I do not post outside the country.

Question 21

Can you make jewellery with my late husband's ashes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I can and have done so in the past. The ashes were sealed permanently into a gold compartment that was part of a pendant. Contact me to discuss what will work for you.

Question 22

Do you do engravings?

Accepted Answer

I am a goldsmith — engraving is a specialised trade. These days I can get your jewellery laser engraved, which comes out pretty good; all I need to do afterwards is a good polish. The other option is to pass your jewellery on to a specialist hand-engraver, and I have some contacts. I sometimes take on simpler engravings within my skill set.

Question 23

Can you set an opal for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I do a lot of jewellery with opals. Opal is a tricky gemstone to set — often irregularly shaped and needing more work in creating the setting. Plus opal is the hardness of glass, making it fragile and prone to chipping. This is very delicate work, and there is no insurance that will cover damage to your gemstone, so you will get me to set your opal at your own risk.

Question 24

Do you ship overseas?

Accepted Answer

Sorry, I do not ship jewellery overseas. I only deliver within Australia.