Every custom piece starts the same way: with something in your head that doesn't exist yet. Maybe it's an engagement ring with a setting you've never seen in a case. Maybe it's a pendant that reimagines your grandmother's brooch. Or maybe you just know what you don't want – and that's a fine place to start too.

More and more of our custom work at Jae's now centers on lab-grown diamonds, and the reasons are practical. Your budget stretches further, unusual shapes are easier to source, and you can put more of your money into the craftsmanship that makes a custom piece sing.

Why Lab-Grown Diamonds Suit Custom Work

·       Your budget goes further. Choosing lab-grown for the center stone often frees up room for hand engraving, a more elaborate setting, or higher-grade accent diamonds.

·       Any shape is on the table. Ovals, emeralds, pears, cushions, marquise – lab-grown rough is available across the full range of shapes, so the design leads instead of availability.

·       Matched accents are easier. Need twelve perfectly matched small diamonds for a halo? Lab-grown parcels make precise matching simpler.

How the Process Works at Jae's

Custom design sounds mysterious, but it's really a conversation followed by careful execution:

·       The consultation. You sit down with our team – bring photos, sketches, Pinterest boards, heirloom pieces, or nothing at all. We talk through style, budget, and timeline.

·       The design. We develop the concept into detailed renderings so you can see exactly what the finished piece will look like, from every angle, before anything is made.

·       The making. Our on-site goldsmith – thirty years at the bench – casts, assembles, and hand-finishes your piece right here in Coral Gables. Nothing gets shipped off to a distant factory.

·       The reveal. You see the finished piece, we check the fit and finish together, and it goes home with you.

Be Honest About Your Timeline

Most custom pieces take several weeks from first sketch to finished jewel. That's not padding – it's design time, casting, stone setting, and hand finishing, each done properly. If you're working toward a proposal date, a wedding, or the holidays, start the conversation early. Rushed work is the enemy of good work.

Bringing an Heirloom Into the Design

Some of our favorite projects start with a stone that already has a story – grandmother's diamond, a ring that never quite suited you. We can reset heirloom stones into new designs, sometimes pairing a natural heirloom center with lab-grown accents (or the reverse). Our graduate gemologists will evaluate your stones first and tell you honestly what will work.

Talking Budget Without Awkwardness

Custom doesn't automatically mean extravagant. A straightforward solitaire redesign costs far less than an elaborate multi-stone creation, and lab-grown center stones bring ambitious designs within reach. Tell us your budget upfront – it's not limiting, it's useful. It lets us design the best possible piece within real numbers instead of guessing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does custom jewelry take?

Most pieces take several weeks from design approval to completion. Complex designs take longer. Start early if you're working toward a specific date.

Is custom jewelry more expensive than buying ready-made?

Not necessarily. Simple custom designs can cost about the same as comparable ready-made pieces – and choosing a lab-grown center stone keeps ambitious designs affordable.

Can you copy a design I found online?

We can use any photo as inspiration and design something in that spirit, made for you. We won't directly copy another designer's signature piece – but we'll often improve on the idea.

Can you reset my heirloom diamond?

In most cases, yes. We'll examine the stone first to make sure it's suitable for resetting, then design around it – pairing it with lab-grown accents if you like.

How do I start a custom project?

Just walk in. Visit Jae's Jewelers on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables for a no-pressure consultation – bring ideas, heirlooms, or just curiosity, and we'll take it from there.