Most people have never commissioned jewelry before. Here is what the process actually looks like.
Commissioning a custom piece of fine jewelry is not complicated, but it is different from buying something off a website. There are decisions to make upfront, a timeline to respect, and a relationship to build with the jeweler you choose.
Done well, it produces something that cannot be bought anywhere else. Done poorly — with the wrong jeweler, or with unrealistic expectations about time and cost — it produces frustration.
I have been designing and producing custom fine jewelry commissions as a GIA Graduate Gemologist for years. Here is exactly how the process works at L'Heritage, and what you should expect from any reputable custom jeweler you work with.
Step One: Decide What You Want and Why
Before you contact a jeweler, spend time thinking about the purpose of the piece. Is this a gift or something for yourself? Is there a specific occasion — an anniversary, a milestone birthday, a memorial? Is there a motif, an image, or a material that carries meaning?
The more clearly you can articulate the why behind the commission, the better the jeweler can help you translate that into something physical.
At L'Heritage, commissions fall into three categories: Essex crystal reverse intaglio pendants (a Victorian technique in which a motif is hand-carved into the back of a crystal and painted, then set in 18k gold), silhouette pendants (a portrait — of a person or a pet — rendered as a permanent silhouette in 18k gold), and calligraphy pieces (handwritten text, a signature, or a date preserved in fine gold).
Each category has its own process, its own lead time, and its own constraints. Knowing which one fits your vision before the first conversation saves time for everyone.
Step Two: The Initial Consultation
The consultation is where the commission takes shape. A good jeweler will ask you questions — about the recipient if it is a gift, about the occasion, about the aesthetic you have in mind, about what you already own and wear.
They will share examples of previous work. They will be honest about what is achievable within your budget and timeline.
What a good jeweler will not do in the initial consultation is quote you a firm price before understanding the full scope of what you want. Be wary of jewelers who price by phone without asking questions.
Custom work has variables, and any quote that does not account for those variables is either an estimate that will change or a fixed price that will mean corners get cut.
My consultations are complimentary and can be done by phone, video, or in person in Dallas. I do not charge for your time or mine at this stage. The consultation exists to determine whether the commission is the right fit — for you and for me.
Step Three: Proposal and Deposit
After the consultation, I prepare a written proposal. This document covers the design concept, the materials (including the specific metals and stones), the process, the timeline, and the price. Everything is in writing before any money changes hands.
At L'Heritage, commissions start at $2,500. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to begin work. This deposit covers design time, material sourcing, and the initial stages of production. It is non-refundable because custom work cannot be resold if a client changes their mind after production begins.
I say this directly to every commission client at the outset: the deposit is not a formality. It is the mechanism that makes it possible for me to dedicate the hours required to produce something at this level.
If that terms gives you pause, it is worth examining why — and it is worth having that conversation before signing anything.
Step Four: Design Approval
Before production begins, you will review and approve the design. For Essex crystal commissions, this means approving the motif and any customization.
For silhouette commissions, it means approving the reference photograph and the resulting design sketch. For calligraphy pieces, it means approving the handwritten rendering of the text.
You have one revision included in the commission price. Additional revisions can be accommodated but may affect the timeline and cost.
The reason for this limit is practical: significant design changes after production has begun require starting over, and that has real costs in time and materials.
Step Five: Production
Production at L'Heritage takes 10 to 12 weeks from the point of deposit and design approval. This is not a padded estimate.
Essex crystal work requires skilled artisans with specific expertise. Silhouette work requires multiple stages of rendering and metalwork. The materials are 18k gold. This is not fast fashion.
During production, I do not send weekly updates unless something requires your attention. My clients are busy. I respect their time by only reaching out when there is something meaningful to communicate — a design question, a completion notice, a shipping confirmation.
Step Six: Delivery
When the piece is complete, I will contact you for delivery instructions. Pieces ship fully insured via FedEx with signature required. I provide a certificate of authenticity and care instructions with every commission.
If you are in Dallas, I offer the option of in-person delivery — which I prefer for significant commissions, because the first time a client sees a finished piece is a moment that deserves to happen in person, not over a shipping notification email.
What Makes a Commission Worth Doing
The pieces I am proudest of are the ones where the client trusted the process, communicated clearly about what mattered to them, and gave the work room to breathe. Custom jewelry at this level is a collaboration. The clearer you are about your intentions, and the more you trust the craftsperson you have chosen, the better the result.
If you are considering a commission and want to talk through whether it is the right fit, my contact details are on the website. I answer personally.
