The best commission we took last year arrived as a photo of a notebook page: a sideways crown, a scribbled "3mm", and an arrow pointing to the band with the word "flat". No reference ring, no Pinterest board. That sketch was more useful than twenty saved images, because it told us what the client actually wanted, not what she admired online. Designing a custom ring from a hand sketch works when the sketch carries four specific pieces of information.
Draw two views, not one
A front view alone hides the profile. A solitaire that looks slim from the front can sit 6 mm high and catch on everything, which the wearer will only notice in daily life. We ask every client to draw a small side elevation underneath: how high the stone sits, whether the band is flat on the finger or rounded, and where the prongs start. You do not need to draw well. Stick figures and arrows are fine.
Mark three numbers on the page: band width in millimetres (1.5, 2, 3, or 4 mm are the everyday choices), stone size in millimetres or carats, and profile height if you care. If you only know that the band should feel substantial, write that instead; we will translate it to 3 mm. See what else to bring in our consultation checklist.
What the atelier adds after the sketch
Once we have your drawing, our jeweller produces a technical sketch with measurements, then moves to CAD. The CAD render is the first place proportions can be checked honestly. A crown that looked elegant on paper often renders too tall, or a stone that felt big in the hand looks small on a 3 mm band. We usually go through two CAD revision rounds before you approve the model; clients who have a clear sketch from home finish in one round instead of three.
From approved CAD we 3D-print a wax or resin pattern, which you can hold and try on a mandrel if you want a physical fitting. Read our what customers see in 3D-printed jewellery note, and follow the build from wax to metal in our CAD and wax commission walkthrough. The stone choice itself we narrow using the GIA 4Cs, because cut and depth change how the sketch translates into sparkle.
Common sketch mistakes we fix in the first round
The most frequent issue is a band that is too thin for the stone. A 1 ct solitaire on a 1.2 mm band flexes over time and the prongs loosen. We build the shank to at least 1.8 mm under a stone of that weight. The second is invisible prongs drawn as no prongs: most diamonds still need at least four contacts, and a bezel that looks seamless on paper usually needs a 0.3 mm wall to be durable. The third is forgetting the inside of the band. If you want a comfort fit, engraving, or a hidden stone, that goes on the sketch too, because it changes the CAD model.
If you are choosing the centre stone at the same time, read our notes on choosing a centre stone for a custom design before the first meeting, so the sketch and the stone are speaking the same language.
Add a scale reference, not just a drawing
A sketch has no size unless you tell us. Three quick references close the gap. First, trace a coin or a credit card next to the ring drawing so we know how big the front view should be in real life. Second, measure a ring you already wear and write its width on the page in millimetres. Third, photograph the sketch next to a ruler. These three clues let our CAD jeweller jump straight to a believable scale instead of guessing and revising. Clients who send a coin trace finish the whole commission in about a week less than those who only send the drawing.
FAQ
My drawing is terrible. Is that okay?
Yes. We have built rings from cocktail napkins and phone notes. Clear labels like flat band, low setting, gold not silver matter more than line quality.
Can I send a sketch by email instead of coming in?
Yes. We reply with a technical sketch and a written quote within three working days. Remote commissions are covered in our designing with the atelier remotely guide.
How many CAD revisions are included?
Two rounds of CAD changes are included in the commission fee. After that, each additional revision is charged at our hourly bench rate, which is quoted up front.
What if my sketch is of something that already exists?
If it is a copyrighted design we will tell you and propose an original direction that captures the feel. We do not copy branded rings; we build ones that look like yours.
Have a sketch ready? Photograph it in good light and send it over. We will return a technical sketch, a written quote, and two CAD directions within three working days. No deposit needed until you approve the design. Trade partners: our sketch-to-CAD pack gives your sales team the same four-checklist we use to brief our bench.
