IN-HOUSE DESIGN

At Continental Diamonds, Inc., we specialize in creating one-of-a-kind and custom pieces of jewelry. Custom designing a piece of jewelry can seem intimidating, but our experts work hard to put you at ease. The design process includes four basic steps to help you create a piece that is truly yours.

Step 1: Consultation

In the first step, you will meet with a member of the Continental design team. Please come prepared with your ideas and any pictures you have. We often suggest recycling gold, diamonds and gemstones from old and unworn pieces of jewelry. Our design team will offer their suggestions and ideas, showing you examples of what we can do. We’ll ask lots of questions, listening carefully as you describe the piece of jewelry you want to have made, how you will wear it, and your budget allowance. You will be able to select the specifics, such as metal type, gemstone colors, and diamond quality. Your piece can be created in any precious metal from sterling silver to gold to platinum, and you may choose 14 karat or 18 karat gold in any combination of colors – yellow, white or rose.

Step 2: Design Presentation

On your second visit, you will be shown sketches capturing your design on paper. You will have the opportunity to perfect the sketch, making changes and alterations until you are ready to finalize your design. If your design includes diamonds and gemstones, we will show them to you for your approval. We may also have samples of jewelry for you to see in person that represent parts of your design. Once the final design is approved, the jewelry making begins.

Step 3: Jewelry Making

Our jewelers and designers create jewelry for you using a variety of methods. We will help you select the best method to suit your needs.

• Mountings and Semi-Mountings: A prefabricated mounting is a piece of jewelry that can be used or altered to create a unique piece of jewelry in which your gemstones are set. Prefabricated mountings are a cost effective way to create a unique piece, because they don’t require that you start from scratch.

• Handmade Jewelry: Some designs are so unique that they have never been made before. Our jeweler makes jewelry using age-old techniques from hand fabricating and forging metals to hand carving a wax and casting it into jewelry. If your jewelry design is created by hand carving a wax, we suggest you view the wax before casting to ensure it meets all of your expectations. Upon approval of the wax, no further changes can be made. After the piece is made in metal, our jeweler carefully sets all diamonds and gemstones. Each piece of jewelry is finished by hand with a close eye for detail.

Step 4: The Finished Piece of Jewelry

The best part of custom made jewelry is the finished piece of jewelry. You will have the satisfaction of knowing you have a truly unique piece of jewelry that makes a statement about you, and you were involved in its creation from start to finish. Before you leave Continental Diamonds, we make sure you are truly happy and excited to wear your new custom jewelry design. We’ll send you home with everything you need to care for your new jewelry, as well as an appraisal so you can insure your jewelry.