A first design consultation at our atelier usually lasts 45 minutes. The most productive meetings start with a client who has done ten minutes of homework. The least productive start with "I just want something nice" and end with a vague sketch and no quote. We are happy to talk ideas, but the pieces that actually get made are the ones where the client arrives with a short list of references and a number in mind. Here is the packing list we hand every new client.
1. Inspiration photos, even rough ones
Screenshots, Pinterest boards, magazine clippings, and a photo of a ring you saw on the street. Do not worry about copyright or whether the design is exact; we are reading the shape, the proportion, and the mood. Five photos are better than twenty. If you have a photo of your own hand or finger wearing a current ring, bring that too; it tells us the width that suits you without a tape measure.
2. Measurements, where you have them
If the piece is a ring, bring a ring that fits the correct finger; we will size it in the shop. If it is a necklace, bring a chain you already wear so we can match the length. For earrings, note whether your ears are pierced at standard or stretched holes, and bring an existing stud that sits flush to the lobe. We can measure on the day, but having the reference speeds the first sketch.
3. Heirlooms and existing stones
If the commission involves a reset, bring the piece, not a photograph. We need to examine the stone under magnification and check the existing seat. If you have any old certificate, valuation, or even a written note about the stone's history, bring it. Our process for upcycling an inherited stone into a new ring starts at this desk, and the exam takes ten minutes.
4. A realistic budget range, not a single number
A range of 1,000 to 1,800 is more useful than "around 1,500". It lets us show you the most design for your money rather than pitching a piece at the top of the range. We will walk you through where the money goes, metal, stone, labour, in our piece on the real cost of bespoke jewelry. If you are worried about being upsold, you can tell us the number is fixed and we will work inside it.
5. The wearer's daily life
The single most useful piece of information is what the wearer does with their hands. A nurse, a gardener, a pianist and a teacher need four different ring profiles. Tell us whether the piece will be worn every day, only on weekends, or for special occasions. That decides the setting height, the metal hardness, and the finish. Our guide to men's rings and metal choices is built around exactly this conversation.
Questions worth asking the atelier
A good commission should answer these on the day: What is the lead time? Can I see a wax or 3D proof before casting? Do you hallmark and supply a certificate? What is the repair and re-sizing policy? What happens if I do not like the first sketch? If the atelier cannot answer these in plain English, that is information in itself.
For clients who cannot visit in person, our notes on working with an atelier remotely by video cover the same checklist adapted to a screen. And for the technical questions about stones, the IGI gemology reference is a starting point we recommend to clients who want to understand what they are buying.
FAQ
Do I need to know exactly what I want?
No. We design together. But the more references and constraints you bring, the faster we converge on something you will love. Two reference photos and a budget beat a blank stare.
Can my partner come, or should I keep it a secret?
Either works. Secret commissions are our bread and butter; we will not slip. If you are proposing, bring a ring that fits the correct finger so we can size it without asking.
Is the consultation free?
The first 30 minutes are free. Longer design sessions with multiple sketches are charged at a consultation fee that is credited against the commission if you proceed.
What if I change my mind after the first sketch?
That is normal. We offer two revisions as standard before casting. Once the wax is approved and the stone is set, changes get expensive, which is why we do the proof stage carefully.
Book your 30-minute atelier consultation. Bring your reference photos, a ring that fits, and a budget range. We will sketch on the day, quote in writing within two days, and never pressure you to commit on the spot. Trade buyers: our wholesale consultation format covers MOQ, cadence and private-label proofing; request the trade meeting agenda.
