Frequently Asked Questions

ALL ABOUT US ABOUT THE PROCESS SOURCING & QUALITY STANDARDS PAYMENTS SHIPPING & RETURNS INSURANCE HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR JEWELRY

Working with Us

ABOUT US

Where is your jewelry made?

Our jewelry is made in New York City's Historic Diamond District. We source natural diamonds and gemstones from all over the world and design and manufacture each complete piece within a block (or two) of our studio.

Where are you located?

The Studio is also located in the Diamond District. Schedule an appointment to come visit us at 580 5th Avenue, Suite 2810.

I want to know more about Lindsey!

She wants to know more about you too! Meet Lindsey and read the brand story here.

How do I schedule an appointment and what are the options?

Just choose your preferred appointment method here. We are available for in-person sessions, video calls and phone calls - whatever is easiest for you. Most clients start with a phone call or video appointment.

ABOUT THE PROCESS

How does purchasing an engagement ring online work?

We aim to offer as much information as you need to make a decision you are comfortable with, however the vast majority of our clients prefer to have a phone call or video chat prior to making payment. We require full payment upfront to secure your diamond and get the production process started. You choose the payment method during the checkout process, either via credit card or bank transfer (which will show a 2% deduction in total price before taxes). Once your payment is received we begin the process of creating your ring.

Can I customize any of the rings or jewelry?

All of our jewelry is designed with a multitude of customization options, whether it is a truly bespoke piece that starts with a fresh design, or a signature style that you’d like to make your own. Please note that the degree of customization adds to both the timeline for delivery and the total cost of the piece.

Do you have pieces in stock for immediate shipping?

We have a few select items available for immediate purchase. Find them here. And don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to have a variation made for you.

I don't know my ring or wrist size - what do I do?

For bracelets, we measure in centimeters. We recommend using a soft tape measure to measure your wrist (the tightness of a watch strap), then adding a centimeter to that for an accurate bracelet size. Bracelets should fit close to your wrist so they don’t bang around when you move your arm.Knowing your ring and wrist size (or that of your significant other) is very important when it comes to custom made jewelry. Our rings and bracelets are especially made for the wearer and are often not sizable.

For rings we recommend ordering a set of ring sizers and measuring twice! Rings should comfortably (yet snugly) slide over your knuckle to get on. If your knuckle is noticeably larger than your finger where the ring sits, we recommend sizing beads in your rings rather than a smaller ring size. This is particularly common with top heavy rings that have larger stones.

For bracelets, we measure in centimeters. We recommend using a soft tape measure to measure your wrist (the tightness of a watch strap), then adding a centimeter to that for an accurate bracelet size. Bracelets should fit close to your wrist so they don’t bang around when you move your arm.

I'm not sure if my partner would like the style that I have in mind - what do you recommend doing?

If you are purchasing an engagement ring and don’t want to abandon the element of surprise, we recommend a few options:

  1. Have a conversation with your partner about wanting to look at rings together. Schedule an appointment together to get an understanding of what they want or are at least leaning towards, including a budget that you both feel comfortable with. From there, you can plan a surprise proposal at some point in the future. (Yes, she will know it’s coming, but anticipation can be a very romantic emotion!)
  2. Propose with an experience - ask for their hand and give them the opportunity to design their own ring, (very Sweet Home Alabama). Schedule an appointment with us (before or after the proposal) to ensure they are completely happy with the ring.
  3. For the uber-romantics, go ahead, take a risk! Whether you get input from friends and family who may be in the know, or want the proposal to be a complete surprise to everyone, just make sure you understand the risk of having a ring made and not being able to return or exchange it. (By definition, custom rings are made for you and no one else)

How long does it typically take to receive my ring?

For signature engagement rings the delivery time is typically 4 weeks. We make these to fit the wearer’s finger and the exact center stone measurements. For bespoke rings the process can be 4-8 weeks depending on the complexity of the design and the time of year it is being ordered.

Do I have to be in NYC to work with you?

No you don’t have to be here, and in fact, most of our clients are not located in NYC. We work with clients across the country everyday. Some make special trips to New York to have the real studio experience, but it is absolutely not necessary.

Do you reset engagement rings and jewelry?

Yes! We enjoy giving new life to heirlooms that are not being worn. Read more about the process here.

Please note a reset is when we “unset” your stone from an existing piece of jewelry and set it in one of ours. We do not set loose stones purchased elsewhere in our jewelry. It’s just a rule we have - if you need a new stone, we’d prefer to source it for you.

How much should I expect to spend?

Your budget is completely your decision, and our pricing is visible on our site for you to understand what we sell.

How does the custom design process work?

The process varies and we tailor it to your needs and preferences. You can read about the general process here or feel free to contact us with any specific questions and we'll be happy to help.

About Diamonds & Gemstones

SOURCING & QUALITY STANDARDS

What metals and materials do you work with?

We work with 18 karat yellow, rose or white gold as well as platinum. We use natural diamonds that are appraised by GIA and IGI. We work with all kinds of gemstones and can source just about any specific color and size that you might be looking for.

Where are diamonds and gemstones sourced from?

We have a select list of diamond and gemstone suppliers that we work with. Our materials are sourced from all over the world - tourmalines from Brazil, emeralds from Colombia, sapphires and spinel from Sri Lanka, diamonds from Botswana, Canada, Australia - just to name a few. Origin tracing is an evolving practice that is top of mind for the industry and we follow as closely as we can, providing information to you as it is available to us. Feel free to ask us about this on a specific case by case basis so we can better assist you.

How are diamonds priced?

Due to the nature of the diamond market and transparency of diamond pricing in general, there is minimal markup on diamonds unless you are purchasing from one of the major designer brands. Pricing varies by diamond quality. There is a lot to say on this so feel free to read more about pricing in a blog that focuses on it in depth here.

What about lab grown diamonds?

We stand strongly behind the belief that natural mined diamonds are the best option. We tell our clients that the long term value of lab grown diamonds is uncertain and is already rapidly decreasing as more and more lab grown diamonds are produced. Ultimately it is your decision and comes down to your values, budget and priorities. We like to think of natural diamonds as real estate and a great long term investment. Read our blog post that goes into this in even more depthhere.

How do I know my diamond is authentic?

Your diamond will come with a GIA certificate verifying the authenticity. We also have all of our engagement rings appraised by IGI to give you the insurance and appraisal information.

How do you choose preferred diamonds for clients?

We look closely at the four C's - cut, color, clarity and carat. While most people are familiar with the 4Cs, we consider a 5th C to be the key to offering diamonds that are not only beautiful, but also hold great value, and that is curation. Read more about our Diamond Curation Processhere. You can also read more on tips for the first time diamond buyer here.

What happens after purchasing a ring?

This is the fun part! Read about the Life of Your Ring here and give us approximately 4 to 6 weeks to make and deliver your ring. Please note this is a standard timing estimate that can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your design, time of year and other external factors.

All of the details

PAYMENTS

What payment method do you recommend?

We recommend that clients use a wire transfer to avoid credit card processing fees. We do accept credit cards if you prefer including Visa, American Express, Discover and Master Card.

Do you offer financing?

We currently offer financing through Affirm. While checking out, you can select this option and will be redirected to Affirm's website to complete your purchase.

How do payments work for custom pieces?

For custom engagement rings and jewelry, once you have chosen your diamond or gemstone we will invoice you for that along with 50 percent of the cost of your ring setting. Once your ring is complete, we will invoice you for the remaining balance before shipping your ring to you. If you prefer to pay upfront, we can invoice you for the total cost upfront.

What about refunds?

We do not accept refunds for custom jewelry. This includes anything that is made entirely one of a kind, a signature style made new for you and anything with engraving. If an error was made on our side, we will send you the correct piece, resize or fix any pieces as need be.

SHIPPING & RETURNS

How is jewelry shipped and is it insured?

We ship jewelry with overnight shipping via Fedex. Your shipment will be insured and require a direct signature to be delivered. We will coordinate with you to make sure you are aware of the delivery date.

Jewelry Care

INSURANCE

How do I insure my ring and what insurance provider do you recommend?

We recommend Jeweler’s Mutual insurance. They specialize in jewelry insurance and make the process so easy from start to finish.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR JEWELRY

What should I be careful of when wearing my jewelry?

While jewelry may seem durable in nature, it is important to take general precautions while wearing your jewelry. It’s best to take it off while showering, swimming, working out, moving furniture and so much more. Rings in particular are subject to the most damage if wearing while doing routine tasks like moving boxes and even opening door knobs. Here are some suggestions of do's and don'ts specifically for eternity bands - we find that these are damaged the most easily if you aren't careful.

What if I need to have my jewelry repaired?

Wear and tear of your jewelry is normal. You can expect to see some scratches on metal, pavé diamonds might go missing and clasps may need repair. No matter how careful you are, we know that things happen so feel free to contact us with any questions on repairs.

What about having my jewelry resized?

We can help with this too. Just contact us and we’ll be in touch soon.

Can I send my jewelry back or bring it in to be cleaned?

Definitely! We also recommend cleaning your jewelry regularly at home - you’ll notice a huge difference. We love the Juli Diamond Essentials Cleaning Kit. It’s the best at home jewelry cleaner that we’ve come across and is really easy to use.

How do I open and close my Oath cuff?

We're glad you asked. Read more on this here.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

If we didn't answer your questions here please feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to help! No question is too big or small - we know this is one of the most important purchases of your life and we want to make it as easy and stress-free as possible. Contact us here. You can also click the "let us help" button on the right side of your screen to send us a message instantly.