One of the first questions retail partners ask us is: what do I tell my customer about timing? The honest answer is that a bespoke commission moves in seven predictable steps, and each step has a realistic number of days attached. Below is the journey as it actually runs in our atelier, so you can set a delivery date without promising a miracle.
Step 1: Consultation (day 0)
The first sitting is look, fit, and budget. We measure the finger, look at rings the client already wears, and agree on metal colour, band width, and stone parameters. We do not quote a final number on the spot, because the CAD has not been drawn. We do give a range. Bring the reference images and any stones to the meeting; our consultation checklist covers the rest.
Step 2: Written quote (days 1-3)
Within three working days the client gets a PDF: two design directions, metal weight estimate, stone options with grades, and a fixed labour price. The quote holds for 14 days. We grade stones through independent labs so the description matches the certificate; for diamonds we follow the IGI and GIA frameworks that most retailers already recognise.
Step 3: CAD render (days 4-10)
Once the client picks a direction, our CAD jeweller builds a 3D model. Renders arrive with front and side views, plus a measurement sheet. Two revision rounds are included. This is the step where slightly thinner band or lower setting is cheap to fix; after casting it is not. See the renders in our CAD and wax walkthrough.
Step 4: Wax or resin fitting (days 11-13)
For rings over $2,000 or with a surprise proposal on the clock, we 3D-print the approved CAD into a resin pattern and mail a finger sizer. The client tries the hollow resin on the actual finger for a week. It weighs almost nothing, but the profile and width are exact. Skip this step only if the design is a standard solitaire.
Step 5: Casting (days 14-18)
The resin is invested in plaster and burnt out in a kiln, then the chosen metal is centrifugally or vacuum-cast into the cavity. We recover the sprue and tree for recycling. Casting itself takes one day, plus two days for the plaster to cool and be chiselled away. Read the maker-side version in our wax to casting note.
Step 6: Setting and finishing (days 19-28)
The caster hands the raw casting to the setter, who mounts the centre stone, adds side stones, and tightens every prong. Then a polisher refinishes the surface, rhodium is flashed on white pieces, and the hallmark is struck. This step is where the 15 minutes of daily comfort in a comfort-fit band is actually filed by hand.
Step 7: QA, photography, delivery (days 29-35)
A second jeweller inspects the piece under 10x magnification: prong tightness, stone seating, band roundness, and engraving spelling. We photograph it against the CAD render to confirm the build matches. Then it goes into a box with the certificate, a polishing cloth, and an insured courier. Total realistic lead time for a ring: five to seven weeks. Read our lead time guide for how to compress this when a date is fixed. Remote clients follow the same path with video updates; see designing with the atelier remotely.
What can push the timeline longer
Three things add time and are worth flagging to the customer. First, a bespoke cut or a rare coloured stone sourced on request can add two to three weeks while we wait on the stone cutter. Second, three or more CAD revision rounds move the schedule by about a week each. Third, peak weeks before Christmas and Valentine's Day fill the bench faster, so a commission in November booked for December 24 may need a stand-in ring. We flag each of these on the quote rather than discovering them on week four.
FAQ
Can you rush a commission in two weeks?
For a simple solitaire, sometimes. We charge a rush premium and skip the wax fitting. For pavé, hand engraving, or a bespoke cast shape, we will say no rather than deliver a rushed piece.
What happens if the finger size changes after casting?
A half-size adjustment is a bench job and takes a day. A full size up or down usually requires relining the shank, which adds three to five days. We remeasure at the wax stage to avoid this.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, via fully insured courier with signature on delivery. Shipping time is not included in the five-to-seven-week build window; allow another three to seven days depending on the destination.
Who owns the CAD file?
We keep the CAD on file for ten years so a later resize, matching band, or anniversary redesign starts from the same model. Clients can request a copy at handover.
Want to start the clock? Book a consultation, send your sketch, or just describe the ring in a paragraph. We will return a written quote and a dated delivery estimate within three working days. Trade retail partners: our white-label timeline sheet matches this seven-step flow so your customer-facing promise matches our bench.
