Jeweller (Sydney or on-Line) - Engagement Ring made to Own Design

WrightAnvil on 01/02/2016 - 13:56

Hi, I'm looking for any recommendations regarding a manufacturing jeweller who can make an engagement ring to a specific design my lady likes (diamond set in yellow gold, etc). If you've had some personal experience, or know of someone who has, with a jeweller who is reputable, good value and provides a good customer experience I would be grateful to hear from you.

I don't want to go to the Michael Hills or the like as I expect to get better value from a jeweller with a small store front who does not pay Westfield type rents.

I am based in Sydney's north-west, willing a travel a bit within Sydney, or even explore an on-line option.

Thank you in advance …..

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • hypie on 01/02/2016 - 14:06

    I had mine made by Linneys, using my own diamond but one of their designs. Excellent service from start to finish. Would definitely recommend you giving them a go in Sydney.

    (I went to Linneys in Burswood&Subiaco - WA)

    • WrightAnvil on 01/02/2016 - 20:07

      Hello hypie, thank you for taking time to reply to my post, which I very much appreciate, and will certainly follow up with Linneys. Cheers ….. :-)

    • annii087 on 11/08/2016 - 16:53

      Hi =)

      I am also interested in using one of Linneys ring designs with my own diamond.

      If you don't mind, could I ask how much you paid for the Linneys setting? and what metal was used to make the ring?

      Thanks

      • hypie on 11/08/2016 - 23:51

        I used white gold (she wanted it). The setting I wanted had like quite a few small diamonds. Ended up costing ~2200 I think for the setting. My fiance got her sizing wrong (massively too large, the jeweller she went to in Malaysia was useless or off his rocket). So they charged me $225 to cut the ring down and remake it to fit her (normally it's free, but they had to redo the ring completely). I was a little annoyed that it wasn't free, but it was a mistake on OUR side.

        The fiance loves it though :).

        I got my diamond from: Jogia Diamonds. I was very sceptical, but super happy with the outcome.

  • abbz0id on 01/02/2016 - 14:21

    My husband used Leibish (http://www.leibish.com/) - he designed my engagement ring, and we got both of our wedding rings through them. My dad also used leibish to design and manufacture diamond ring for mum.
    Husband did some research and found Leibish's prices were very reasonable.

    • WrightAnvil on 01/02/2016 - 20:11

      Hello abbz0id, thank you for taking time to reply to my post, which I very much appreciate, and will certainly follow up with Leibish. Sounds like it's been a bit a family affair which is a great recommendation :-) Cheers …..

  • tomclancy on 01/02/2016 - 15:14

    If you're happy to travel up to Gosford then I can recommend Christian Kinder. He is a one-man band in a small office inside a dodgy old building where you are scared to use the elevators, like old school jewellers used to be. Best to ring ahead because he has to buzz you through security and some days he is out of the office.

    My parents & grandparents were jewellers and had a shop in Gosford for 60 years, when they were too old to work they asked Christian do all the jewellery work. He made our wedding rings and my wife's engagement ring, all custom, and I've recommended him to family & friends alike. No complaints yet - Christian's work is about the best there is (other than Rhon Rhae in Sydney CBD who only sell to trade).

    Christian's a young bloke (40?) and does modern designs but is traditional in his methods. I know I'm rambling but I feel he deserves the glowing write-up, he really is that good.

    • WrightAnvil on 01/02/2016 - 20:22

      Gee PBG, that's some reply and recommendation; thank you for your time, which I very much appreciate. I'm not sure whether I'll manage a trip to Gosforth however will keep Christian in mind. I guess a phone call wouldn't hurt. Cheers ….. :-)

      • tomclancy on 01/02/2016 - 21:47

        Pleasure WrightAnvil. Thanks for taking the time to reply to everyone on here too. Very courteous :)

  • nerdycat on 01/02/2016 - 16:05

    My friends who had custom rings made recommended David Brown (jeweler) in the Dymocks building (Level 4 suit 6, 9233 2890), warning was that this is not a shop with displays so you need to know specifics of the design you want. They said he was well prices. There did a lot of research they sent us a one page with descriptions of various places including the more retail style ones.

    • WrightAnvil on 01/02/2016 - 20:36

      Hello nerdycat, thank you for taking time to reply to my post, which I very much appreciate. I understand your warning however David Brown sounds like what I'm after. I'm not looking for a retail store front simply someone who will make a ring to our known design (we like a design we've seen on the Web and have pictures, dimensions, diamond cut …. I "just" need to select size based on budget!). Store front just adds to overheads which translates to higher prices IMO. Cheers ….. :-)

      • nerdycat on 19/02/2016 - 23:11

        Yep no worries. The warning wasnt meant as a turn off. Just that is word for word what our friends told us as he was comparing against many stores. Hope you found your ring!

  • cypher67 on 01/02/2016 - 16:54

    When you say custom jeweller, do you actually have a set design that you need to have custom made? Or my custom do you mean you just want the private touch, best value & picknmix your diamonds. Reason being most jeweller that are good value will be using a set template or frames to put the diamonds in and you can just pick and mix the stones etc. If you want a truly custom design you are looking at a much different and much more expensive jeweller. In the past I have used http://www.gpisraeldiamonds.com.au/ who offer great service, competitive pricing & can do custom work but the price goes nuts. If you want bang for buck, I've also had good experience with bluenile. Just make sure you do your research and understand how diamonds work and I'm not just talking the 4 Cs; There is so many things to consider.

    • WrightAnvil on 01/02/2016 - 20:51

      Hello cypher67, thank you for taking time to reply to my post, which I very much appreciate. I'm not looking for a retail store front where we could make a selection from a range of designs, etc?, simply a manufacturing jeweller who can make a ring to our known design (we've seen on the Web and have pictures, dimensions, diamond cut …. I "just" need to select size based on budget!). I certainly don't have the budget to 'go nuts' just someone to 'copy' a design / style. I hope this clarifies. Also I don't want to get caught in the 'paralysis by analysis' trap just organise a ring that my Darling loves. Cheers ….. :-)

      • cypher67 on 01/02/2016 - 21:50

        If you take your design into a jeweler and they dont have the design in their catalog of preset molds/sets, then it will cost you a mint for them to make it from scratch, that was my point. The gold that holds it all together is usually prefabricated & just pick your diamonds. You may need to shop around until you have the one that does, and then you can specify the diamonds you want in it.

        • WrightAnvil on 01/02/2016 - 22:01

          Cheers, thanks for clarifying with your reply. Now I better understand your point. As you implied earlier, much to understand …. and I'm just starting on the learning curve.

          It's great that people such as yourself are generous with their time to help 'beginners' such as myself. Thank you again …..

        • tomclancy on 02/02/2016 - 20:19

          If you take your design into a jeweler and they dont have the design in their catalog of preset molds/sets, then it will cost you a mint for them to make it from scratch

          Yes and no. If you come across a jeweller like this then it's likely they don't have an in-house jeweller and probably outsource their 'repairs' to the local trade jeweller. In that case then they are simply a middle man putting a margin on someone else's product, hence why they balk when you mention custom design and also why they are more expensive than they should be. Think Ceroni, Prouds, Michael Hill, basically any shop you will find in any shopping centre.

          However, there are plenty of offices (I wouldn't call them 'shops') with in-house jewellers - you just need to look away from the shopping centres. Across from Piccadilly Tower in Sydney there is an entire building of 5 floors full of jewellers offices, not flashy shops but serious jewellers doing great work. None of these charge an arm and a leg and more importantly when you mention custom they get excited, not shy away. If you visit them they have volumes upon volumes of photos, magazines and trade journals from every major jewellery designer in the world and you can choose anything at all or completely custom made. The person you speak to is the person who turns around and gets to work on your piece. Not some middle man flashy shop.

          I think that's the type of jeweller the OP should be visiting

        • WrightAnvil on 02/02/2016 - 21:12

          @PBG:
          Hi again PBG, thank you again for taking the time to help me ….. I must say you've nailed it Sir! Cheers …. :-)

        • tomclancy on 02/02/2016 - 21:13

          @WrightAnvil: My whole family tree are jewellers. I guess that helps. The amount of times I've been in and around jewellers when I was a kid. Then I turn out to be a commerical printer… wtf??? haha

  • Pigey on 01/02/2016 - 19:12
    +1

    I recommend www.jogiadiamonds.com.au
    Based in Perth, but great service.

    I ordered a diamond in and was able to inspect it.
    Went ahead with the setting that I chose. Took about 3-4 weeks all up.

    If you're going to take it overseas, they won't charge you GST as well as they are an exporter.
    They'll need flight details etc though.

    • hypie on 01/02/2016 - 20:10

      Got my diamond from Jogia, was very happy with the diamond.

      • WrightAnvil on 01/02/2016 - 20:59

        Thank you again for your feedback

    • WrightAnvil on 01/02/2016 - 20:58

      Hello Pigey, thank you for taking time to reply to my post, which I very much appreciate. I will certainly follow up with Jogia to understand their full service offering. My preference is a one-stop shop, rather than buy a diamond from one place then have it set in a ring at another. Cheers ….. :-)

  • mosquito on 02/02/2016 - 07:50

    There are many higher end jewellers in Sydney such as Calleija, it all depends on your budget. They all make custom made rings…

    • WrightAnvil on 02/02/2016 - 10:23

      I wasn't really after a 'high end jeweller', hence my OzBargain post … thank you anyway :-)

  • shannonn54 on 02/02/2016 - 09:45

    http://www.macsopals.com/
    While opals are his main thing he's a licensed diamond dealer and jeweler

    • WrightAnvil on 02/02/2016 - 10:26

      Hello shannonn54, thank you for taking time to reply to my post, which I very much appreciate. I'll have a look at the suggested site. Cheers ….. :-)

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