At Dimples, the journey of crafting custom jewelry is rooted in one thing above all else: care. We care deeply about you, your story, and what inspired you to commission a unique piece. Whether it’s a fingerprint charm, a personalized engagement ring, or a meaningful memorial piece, we understand the emotional depth behind your request. Because of this, we treat every step in the creation of your jewelry with the utmost attention and love, ensuring it meets—and exceeds—your expectations.
Step 1: Understanding Your Story and Design Consultation
The process starts with listening. We engage in an in-depth consultation to understand what inspired your decision to create a custom piece. Whether it’s a life event, a cherished memory, or a loved one, we make sure we capture the essence of your story. From here, we collaborate on the design, discussing your inspiration, favorite gems, materials, and design preferences.
This collaborative approach ensures your voice is present at every stage of design. You’re not just choosing jewelry; you’re involved in shaping a piece of art that reflects your personal story. We’ll also explore whether you’d prefer traditional materials like gold and natural diamonds or more contemporary options, such as lab-grown diamonds and sustainable metals.
Step 2: Procuring the Finest Materials
Once we’ve defined the concept, we begin sourcing the finest materials to bring your design to life. At Dimples, we believe that exceptional quality starts with the right raw materials. Whether it’s a radiant diamond, a vibrant sapphire, or a polished precious metal, each element is handpicked for its beauty, ethical sourcing, and durability. For customers who seek eco-friendly options, we can procure lab-grown diamonds, which offer the same brilliance as natural diamonds but with a smaller environmental footprint.
We also value the ethical sourcing of all materials. Our commitment to responsibly sourced gems and metals means that the materials used in your piece support both sustainable practices and the artisans who extract them.
Step 3: Collaborative Design Process
The next step is where creativity and craftsmanship truly come together. Our designers work closely with you to develop a design that aligns with your vision. This process might include sketches, mood boards, or inspiration photos. We create detailed drawings or 3D CAD models to give you a clear picture of what your piece will look like, allowing you to visualize and tweak the design before it’s finalized.
Throughout this phase, you have the opportunity to provide feedback and make adjustments to ensure that the final design perfectly embodies your vision. This collaborative phase makes sure that, whether you’re opting for a minimalist charm or an intricate, gem-studded statement piece, the jewelry is exactly what you envisioned.
Step 4: Model Making: Wax Molds and CAD
Once the design is approved, we move on to the technical aspects of creating the piece. Depending on the complexity of the design, we use either traditional wax modeling or modern 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software to create a model of the piece. Wax models are used to create an exact prototype that can later be cast into metal, while CAD models allow for even the finest details to be meticulously crafted in a digital space.
Wax molds give you the opportunity to see and feel the shape of the piece before it becomes metal, adding a tangible element to the process. If adjustments are needed, this is the final chance before production begins. CAD models are often used in more complex pieces that require exact precision.
Step 5: Casting and Assembly
Once the model is approved, the jewelry moves into the casting phase. Using the age-old “lost wax” casting method, the wax mold is encased in a plaster-like substance and heated, leaving a perfect mold behind when the wax melts away. Precious metal is then poured into the mold, forming the foundation of your custom jewelry piece.
After casting, our artisans carefully assemble and shape the jewelry, welding together different parts if necessary. During this stage, pieces like ring settings, prongs, and additional design elements come together through expert soldering and assembly.
Step 6: Gem Setting and Decorative Finishes
At Dimples, attention to detail is everything. Once the main structure of the jewelry is complete, our expert gem setters place each diamond or gemstone into its setting with precision and care. Whether your piece features pavé diamonds, bezel-set stones, or a bold, solitary gem, each stone is positioned to enhance its brilliance and secure its place in the design.
After the gems are set, additional decorative details are applied. This could include engraving, texturing, or applying unique finishes to give the jewelry even more character. Every texture, curve, and finish is done by hand, ensuring that your jewelry has a unique and personalized touch.
Step 7: Polishing and Quality Control
No custom piece is complete without an impeccable final polish. The jewelry goes through a series of polishing steps to ensure it shines brilliantly. This process requires careful attention to maintain the integrity of any fine details while achieving a mirror-like finish on smoother surfaces.
At Dimples, we hold ourselves to the highest quality standards. After polishing, every piece undergoes a final inspection to ensure that the gems are secure, the design is flawless, and the finish is impeccable. Only when we are certain that it meets our exacting standards will it be packaged and sent to you.
Step 8: Handcrafted with Love and Care
What makes Dimples jewelry truly special is that each piece is crafted with the same love and care as if it were being made for a member of our own family. Every step of the process, from the first consultation to the final polish, is executed by highly skilled artisans with decades of experience. This attention to detail ensures that the jewelry you receive is not just a product but a meaningful, tangible representation of your story.
We take pride in knowing that each piece holds deep sentimental value, and we aim to deliver more than just beautiful jewelry—we aim to deliver a lasting, cherished memory.
The art of custom jewelry is more than just crafting metal and setting stones; it’s about creating pieces that hold deep emotional significance. At Dimples, we’re honored to be part of your journey, and we pour our hearts into every design. Each step of our process reflects our commitment to quality, care, and craftsmanship. When you wear a Dimples piece, you’re not just wearing jewelry—you’re carrying a piece of your story, handcrafted with love.
If you’re thinking about gifting a custom piece for the holidays, now is the perfect time to get started. Each Dimples piece requires extensive collaboration, meticulous craftsmanship, and plenty of care, which means the process takes time. To ensure your custom jewelry is ready for the holiday season, we encourage you to begin the design process early. This gives us the time needed to perfect every detail and craft a piece that truly reflects your vision and emotions. Don’t wait—let’s start creating something special together today!
