What's a design fee?

Creating custom jewelry involves considerably more than choosing the right gemstones and precious metals. Every design must be thoughtfully developed to balance appearance, comfort, durability, and the practical requirements of fine jewelry construction.

During your complimentary initial consultation, we'll explore your ideas, discuss materials and gemstones, and establish a preliminary budget. Depending on your project, we may prepare an initial CAD rendering to help develop an accurate quote.

Your itemized quote includes a design fee based on the complexity of your project. This covers the specialized design work involved in developing your jewelry, including the design services and revisions described below.

You won't be charged separately for your initial consultation or preliminary quote unless we've discussed and agreed to a different arrangement in advance.

Once you approve your proposal and submit your deposit, the design portion of your payment covers the agreed design work, including any preliminary design work already completed. Completed design work is nonrefundable if you subsequently cancel your project.

We offer three design tiers based on the complexity of your project. These tiers help us estimate the time and specialized work involved in creating your jewelry. Because every custom project is different, your design fee is quoted individually and included in your itemized project estimate.

Your designer will explain the applicable fees before you commit to your project.

Tier 1: Simple Designs, starting from $250

This tier is best for simple sculptural designs, minimal stone placements, and designs with flush settings that don't require prongs. There is limited need to manage structure, and stones used are not particularly fragile.

Tier 2: Intermediate Designs, starting from $500

This tier is for pieces that are a bit more complicated. With these pieces you might see filigree elements, interesting under-galleries, or multiple metals used. These pieces have more stone settings with a greater need for attention to prong placement, stone fragility, and durability factor. 

Tier 3: Complex or Highly Structured Designs, starting from $800

This tier covers pieces with very detailed designs and features, stones that are particularly fragile or valuable and need specific attention to their setting style, and pieces that need very precise measurements to achieve a specific look, such as invisible sets or bar settings. This tier may also be used for creating pieces that must fit around another existing piece, or for irregular-shaped stones, which can be very time consuming.

What You Get:

With every design, you will receive:

• Your initial design consultation
• The expert advice you receive during your initial consultation will be invaluable to your custom design journey. Your designer will guide you to the best materials and options to create a piece perfectly tailored to your personal needs.
• 3D rendered images of your jewelry
• We will provide high-quality, detailed images from multiple angles to give you a preview of your finished design
• These images will allow you to visualize your design and make any necessary adjustments before final approval.
• Fitting models
• Upon request we will send you a 3D printed wax fitting model to try on. This allows you to physically experience and assess the size and feel of the piece before it is created in metal.
• Please keep in mind that these models are very fragile and may be damaged in shipping. We will happily send two copies, but please treat them gently when you receive them.
• Design review appointments
• Included in your design fee is the opportunity to provide two revisions to your design. You will have one follow-up appointment to review your design with your designer, and if you decide to make edits, we will schedule an additional appointment.
• Certificates and Appraisals
• We understand the significance of owning a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry. Therefore, we offer a certificate of authenticity, providing assurance of the craftsmanship, materials, and exclusivity of the design.
• An appraisal of value will be provided to you to submit to your insurance company, or you may choose to insure your piece through one of our partners.

Revisions and Design Approval

• You may call or text your designer at any time to make suggestions or provide additional details, but in order to expedite your project and avoid confusion, we ask that major revisions to your design be confined to your review appointments. Further revisions will incur additional charges, and full redesigns will be charged at the appropriate tier pricing.
• Our designs are interpretations of our customers' instructions by our skilled artists, and while we strive to translate their ideas into reality, it is ultimately the customer's responsibility to effectively communicate and direct our designers in order to achieve their desired vision. Please be 100% certain that you are happy with your design before issuing your final approval, as we cannot offer returns or refunds on custom designed pieces. 
• The designs created by Stradley & Daughter Jewelers are the property of the company and may not be duplicated without appropriate permission or authorization.
  

 Ready to get started on your one-of-a-kind custom jewelry?