Foxfire Jewelers The Creative Custom Jewelry Studio since 1985
14176 NE Woodinville-Duvall Road, Woodinville, Washington 98072-8551
(425) 485-0625
Frequently Asked Questions about Custom
Jewelry
Q.
How much does it cost?
A. Well, trying to answer that is a little like trying to tell "how much does a car cost?" BUT here goes:
a simple, petite, completely new design ring in 14K Gold starts around $700-900. A bit more complexity, and a little more metal, such as a Celtic knotwork band, and you are looking at $1,100-1,200. A very complex ring, with unique design elements, hand engraving, multiple stone settings, could reach nearly $2,500. Men's signet rings, due to their larger size, usually start around $1,500. Add 20% for 18K Gold, and Platinum is about 2.5x the cost. These costs are general only and do not include Gemstones or Diamonds. We will be happy to give you an exact quote before you start.
In Sterling Silver, most ring designs will start around $300-400. although simple handmade rings or pendants can be as little as $150. You may also wish to choose from some of the ready made sterling jewelry we make for our sister store at Things Rich & Strange.
Q. How long does it take?
A. Once we agree on a design, and accept a deposit, it usually takes about 6-8 weeks until we are done. At this point the jewelry is ready to pick up or ship.
Before this, sometimes there will be some time of back and forth before we arrive at the design that is truly perfect for you. It takes a little longer via the internet, but that's part of the process.
Q. What if I don't know the ring size?
A. If you are coming in to the store, we can get your size. If it's a gift, we can send a set of sizers with you, or guess at the size and then adjust after presentation.
For internet orders, as soon as we have started the job, we can send you a set of ring sizers to try on.
Q. I can't come in to the store, can you still make a custom design for me?
A. Certainly! We would love to. We are happy to work with you by email, over the web, followed up with phone calls. We can send you drawings, pictures, and computer generated renderings.
If need be we can send you a wax model to examine and approve before casting.
Q. Are you going to make a whole bunch of copies of my ring?
A. The answer is No, with some clarification.
If your piece of jewelry is unique to you, a very distinctive design, then we will not copy those elements that make it yours. While we retain ownership on the copyright of all works we create, as a courtesy we don't exactly copy custom designs we have made specific to a particular customer.
If you are only making a version of one of our regular designs, then yes, we can still make it. If your design is generic, that is, not specific, then yes, we cannot allow that to be taken away from our repertoire.
For example:
You are getting a Celtic design ring with knotwork alternating with a Tudor rose and a Holly leaf and the initials TRS. We will not reproduce your ring.
We can still make Celtic knot rings. We can still make Tudor rose jewelry. We can still use Holly leaves in designs. We can still make a different ring for a customer with the initials TRS.
Q. I saw a ring by another designer, can you make a copy for me with my diamond?
A. We do not copy other designer's work. From a legal standpoint it is prohibited. Since we create unique designs ourselves, and hate it when they're copied, we won't do it to others. Certainly, though, if you would like to have a design in a certain motif, or style, or feeling, perhaps with the same essence expressed by an example you found, we can certainly design a new piece that meets your expectations.
Also some designs are what is termed "generic" and are simple enough, and widespread enough that no one can claim ownership of them. These designs we can recreate.
Q. Can I have another jeweler copy the piece of jewelry I get from you?
A. No. We retain copyright on everything we make.
Q. I want matching sterling silver pendants for my club emblem, can you help?
A. Certainly! We are able to create multiple pieces for you to use for a club, a family, in your business as premiums or for resale. Typically we can quote you a cost for setup, and a cost to produce the pieces. The setup charges can start as low as $300, with $400-600 being more typical. Many pendants can be produced in Sterling silver for as little as $35 each, while rings start at $60. Low minimum orders of 10 pieces per style make it easy to get started.
Q. Can I use my own Gold?
A. Good question, in these times of high precious metals costs. Some stores do this, but to recast old gold into new jewelry causes severe quality problems in the new piece. We know, we have seen them. We will recycle your old gold materials by turning them in to our refiner, and give you credit towards your custom job.... so in effect we are using your gold.
It's like you havs an old 1988 Ford sedan.
Wouldn't you like to take it back to the factory and say 'hey, I've got the metal, wires, leather and rubber. Run it back through the factory, make a new one and just charge me the labor-couple of grand, right?"
Here at Foxfire Jewelers, using your old gold and stones we can make you a new piece of jewelry that new would cost thousands, but using your items will cost in the hundreds and it'll be the beautiful and the envy of your friends!
Q. Can I use my own Gemstones?
A. Certainly! We are more than happy to set your heirloom diamonds or gemstones in a new piece. Colored Gemstones of large enough size can even be refreshed and repolished like new. Let's take those old pieces of jewelry that are in the bottom of your jewelry box and make them into something new and exciting!
Q. What Metals do you work in?
A. We work in precious metals: Platinum, Palladium (a platinum group metal), 18 Karat Yellow Gold, 14 Karat Yellow Gold, 14 Karat X-1 White Gold (a superior white gold alloy, very white), 14 Karat Palladium White Gold, 14 Karat Red Gold, 14 Karat Green Gold, and Sterling Silver.
These metals offer the workability, and durability needed for the artistic creation of fine jewelry. We work with them using fabrication, casting, reticulation, hand engraving, and advanced stone setting techniques. We sometimes create wax models for casting using CAD/CAM (computer assisted design and manufacturing) but always finish and detail the pieces by hand.
Q. Do you work in Titanium?
A. We do not work in industrial metals; Stainless steel, tungsten, titanium, niobium, etc., because they require industrial techniques and machining, which we are, by choice, not set up to do.
Also, we have yet to discover anyone else who offers to do actual custom design work in these metals. Because of the industrial techniques used in production, designs are limited by the tooling used, and are usually reserved to mass production.
An artist studio produces a work in precious metals, a factory produces industrial metal pieces.
Q. Is Custom work more costly than ready made jewelry?
A. Yes, a little, but it represents a better value. You may spend a little more, but you get a lot more for your money.
It should be noted that with our pieces, doing custom work, there is original design work, individual attention, model making, casting a one of a kind piece, and finally a level of individual hand craftsmanship in polishing and stone setting that are totally different than factory mass production. It means you end up with a vastly superior piece of jewelry.
Q. Where do I go from here?
A.
Got more Questions? We love them! Email us at:
Thanks for reading this!
A. Well, trying to answer that is a little like trying to tell "how much does a car cost?" BUT here goes:
a simple, petite, completely new design ring in 14K Gold starts around $700-900. A bit more complexity, and a little more metal, such as a Celtic knotwork band, and you are looking at $1,100-1,200. A very complex ring, with unique design elements, hand engraving, multiple stone settings, could reach nearly $2,500. Men's signet rings, due to their larger size, usually start around $1,500. Add 20% for 18K Gold, and Platinum is about 2.5x the cost. These costs are general only and do not include Gemstones or Diamonds. We will be happy to give you an exact quote before you start.
In Sterling Silver, most ring designs will start around $300-400. although simple handmade rings or pendants can be as little as $150. You may also wish to choose from some of the ready made sterling jewelry we make for our sister store at Things Rich & Strange.
Q. How long does it take?
A. Once we agree on a design, and accept a deposit, it usually takes about 6-8 weeks until we are done. At this point the jewelry is ready to pick up or ship.
Before this, sometimes there will be some time of back and forth before we arrive at the design that is truly perfect for you. It takes a little longer via the internet, but that's part of the process.
Q. What if I don't know the ring size?
A. If you are coming in to the store, we can get your size. If it's a gift, we can send a set of sizers with you, or guess at the size and then adjust after presentation.
For internet orders, as soon as we have started the job, we can send you a set of ring sizers to try on.
Q. I can't come in to the store, can you still make a custom design for me?
A. Certainly! We would love to. We are happy to work with you by email, over the web, followed up with phone calls. We can send you drawings, pictures, and computer generated renderings.
If need be we can send you a wax model to examine and approve before casting.
Q. Are you going to make a whole bunch of copies of my ring?
A. The answer is No, with some clarification.
If your piece of jewelry is unique to you, a very distinctive design, then we will not copy those elements that make it yours. While we retain ownership on the copyright of all works we create, as a courtesy we don't exactly copy custom designs we have made specific to a particular customer.
If you are only making a version of one of our regular designs, then yes, we can still make it. If your design is generic, that is, not specific, then yes, we cannot allow that to be taken away from our repertoire.
For example:
You are getting a Celtic design ring with knotwork alternating with a Tudor rose and a Holly leaf and the initials TRS. We will not reproduce your ring.
We can still make Celtic knot rings. We can still make Tudor rose jewelry. We can still use Holly leaves in designs. We can still make a different ring for a customer with the initials TRS.
Q. I saw a ring by another designer, can you make a copy for me with my diamond?
A. We do not copy other designer's work. From a legal standpoint it is prohibited. Since we create unique designs ourselves, and hate it when they're copied, we won't do it to others. Certainly, though, if you would like to have a design in a certain motif, or style, or feeling, perhaps with the same essence expressed by an example you found, we can certainly design a new piece that meets your expectations.
Also some designs are what is termed "generic" and are simple enough, and widespread enough that no one can claim ownership of them. These designs we can recreate.
Q. Can I have another jeweler copy the piece of jewelry I get from you?
A. No. We retain copyright on everything we make.
Q. I want matching sterling silver pendants for my club emblem, can you help?
A. Certainly! We are able to create multiple pieces for you to use for a club, a family, in your business as premiums or for resale. Typically we can quote you a cost for setup, and a cost to produce the pieces. The setup charges can start as low as $300, with $400-600 being more typical. Many pendants can be produced in Sterling silver for as little as $35 each, while rings start at $60. Low minimum orders of 10 pieces per style make it easy to get started.
Q. Can I use my own Gold?
A. Good question, in these times of high precious metals costs. Some stores do this, but to recast old gold into new jewelry causes severe quality problems in the new piece. We know, we have seen them. We will recycle your old gold materials by turning them in to our refiner, and give you credit towards your custom job.... so in effect we are using your gold.
It's like you havs an old 1988 Ford sedan.
Wouldn't you like to take it back to the factory and say 'hey, I've got the metal, wires, leather and rubber. Run it back through the factory, make a new one and just charge me the labor-couple of grand, right?"
Here at Foxfire Jewelers, using your old gold and stones we can make you a new piece of jewelry that new would cost thousands, but using your items will cost in the hundreds and it'll be the beautiful and the envy of your friends!
Q. Can I use my own Gemstones?
A. Certainly! We are more than happy to set your heirloom diamonds or gemstones in a new piece. Colored Gemstones of large enough size can even be refreshed and repolished like new. Let's take those old pieces of jewelry that are in the bottom of your jewelry box and make them into something new and exciting!
Q. What Metals do you work in?
A. We work in precious metals: Platinum, Palladium (a platinum group metal), 18 Karat Yellow Gold, 14 Karat Yellow Gold, 14 Karat X-1 White Gold (a superior white gold alloy, very white), 14 Karat Palladium White Gold, 14 Karat Red Gold, 14 Karat Green Gold, and Sterling Silver.
These metals offer the workability, and durability needed for the artistic creation of fine jewelry. We work with them using fabrication, casting, reticulation, hand engraving, and advanced stone setting techniques. We sometimes create wax models for casting using CAD/CAM (computer assisted design and manufacturing) but always finish and detail the pieces by hand.
Q. Do you work in Titanium?
A. We do not work in industrial metals; Stainless steel, tungsten, titanium, niobium, etc., because they require industrial techniques and machining, which we are, by choice, not set up to do.
Also, we have yet to discover anyone else who offers to do actual custom design work in these metals. Because of the industrial techniques used in production, designs are limited by the tooling used, and are usually reserved to mass production.
An artist studio produces a work in precious metals, a factory produces industrial metal pieces.
Q. Is Custom work more costly than ready made jewelry?
A. Yes, a little, but it represents a better value. You may spend a little more, but you get a lot more for your money.
It should be noted that with our pieces, doing custom work, there is original design work, individual attention, model making, casting a one of a kind piece, and finally a level of individual hand craftsmanship in polishing and stone setting that are totally different than factory mass production. It means you end up with a vastly superior piece of jewelry.
Q. Where do I go from here?
A.
Got more Questions? We love them! Email us at:
Thanks for reading this!