What to know before requesting a custom design

What is custom jewelry?

Custom design encompasses bespoke creations and redesigns of existing pieces:

Bespoke jewelry refers to pieces you create from scratch. Those would be projects, where you come in with an idea but we source all materials.

Redesigns are usually projects where we take your existing jewelry, in most cases family heirlooms, and redesign them in ways that match your taste.

What can you make?

At Meluzza we love creating custom pieces. But while we are big supporters of the idea that nothing is impossible, we can’t make everything happen. All requests will be reviewed and we reserve the right to decline any project. When requesting custom and bespoke pieces, please refer to our overall aesthetic and refrain from requesting designs that are copies of other people’s work.

What materials can you work with?

For all designs, we only work with materials that are in-line with our quality standards.

• We do not work with man-made stones or very low quality stones, and only use precious metals.
• Upon request we can work with 14 karat gold but we do not offer lower karat gold, silver or gold-plated jewelry. 
• When requesting a heirloom redesign, please avoid submitting pave bands, as we only work with stones 4 mm or larger.
• We do not reset small stones unless they are used as side stones in the original design and are of good quality.
• We are able to recut and re-polish certain stones but reserve the right to decline stones in very poor quality.
• We are not responsible for damage to the stones or the condition they come in. 
  

How much is a custom piece?

When submitting a redesign or bespoke request, keep in mind that having a piece of jewelry made just for you is a premium service. Please do not request a custom design with the idea that it will be an affordable alternative to something you saw elsewhere, as it is often more costly to make a bespoke piece of jewelry than purchasing a similar ready-made piece of jewelry.

The minimum investment for creating a custom piece with Meluzza is $3,000. This fee includes:

• Five hand-sketched designs by Paula. This will be five versions of one piece that we agree on. If you want to see examples of two different jewels (such as one ring and one bracelet) using your gemstones, the fee will be increased, as these are two separate projects.
• Two meetings with Paula. One to discuss your vision and one to go over her designs.
• One 3D rendering of your design of choice.
• Up to 3 small adjustments after reviewing the rendering. Small adjustments can include making tweaks to the thickness of bands, or changing the length of chains. Going back to another proposed design is not a small tweak.

The design fee does not include materials used (such as precious metals and gemstones) and labor cost.

Once you submit a detailed request, we can provide an estimate. All estimates we provide are subject to change, as we can’t predict how many changes may need to be made in the process and material costs can fluctuate. 

How long does it take?

Most custom projects can be completed within 6 weeks.

However, the final timeline will depend on the complexity of your request, amount of changes we need to make, how quickly you can give us feedback, and the availability of requested materials (for example sourcing rare or custom-cut gemstones will take longer).

Will you make anything?

Custom designs are subject to availability. We will only create pieces that align with our overall philosophy and aesthetic. We reserve the right to decline custom design projects.

We never accept projects that are intended to replicate existing jewelry. If we notice you are requesting something that is available for purchase elsewhere we are happy to refer you to the maker of said piece of jewelry.

What if I change my mind?

Once you request a custom project, and we begin working on it, we can’t refund you for the work completed. Depending on where in the process you change your mind there are different solutions:

• If you change your mind after the first meeting and delivery of initial sketches, you will be charged 50% of the design fee.
• If you change your mind after we complete the 3D design, you will be charged 80% of the design fee.
• If you change your mind after all revisions, you will be charged 100% of the design fee.
• If we have already completed all design steps and acquired precious materials you will be charged 100% of the design fee as well as the cost of materials.
• We do not accept returns of custom pieces, as this process is deeply personalized. You will be charged the full price once we finish the piece for you.
• If you submit pieces for redesign, they are likely to have been disassembled in order to begin the design process. We are not responsible for reassembling any jewelry that you submitted and will return it as is if you change your mind.

For any questions, please contact us at info@meluzza.com