Custom Rings in Christchurch — The Jewellery By Design NZ Commission Process
Commissioning a ring is not a purchase. It is a decision.
At Jewellery By Design NZ, every custom engagement ring begins with intention, is designed around a natural gemstone, refined without compromise, and crafted to last decades — not seasons.
If you are searching for custom engagement rings in Christchurch, here is what happens behind the scenes — and why the process matters.
Why We Begin With Conversation
Every commission begins privately — either in our Christchurch studio or via Zoom for clients across New Zealand. This first meeting is not about choosing a setting. It is about understanding the person who will wear the ring.
Lifestyle, hand proportions, metal tone preferences, daily wear considerations, budget alignment, and whether heirloom jewellery will be remodelled — all of this shapes direction before design begins.
For engagement clients, this ensures the ring reflects personality rather than trend. For legacy clients, it ensures history is respected while architecture is modernised.
The Gemstone Defines the Architecture
Design at Jewellery By Design NZ begins with the stone. Always.
Natural gemstones are individual. Cut depth, table size, tone, saturation and proportion directly determine claw style, bezel depth, band width and structural balance. Rather than forcing a stone into a pre-existing design, the ring is engineered around it.
Clients may select from ethically sourced sapphires — heated or unheated — natural diamonds, and carefully sourced origin-specific stones. If working with inherited jewellery, the new commission is built precisely around those existing proportions.
Gemstone pairing stage — proportion and structure defined before design begins.
Sketching Without Constraint
Before CAD. Before rendering software. Before production.
There is always a hand sketch.
Sketching allows immediate proportion adjustments and creative exploration without digital limitation. This is where personality forms — how the stone sits, how the band tapers, how the side profile balances.
Initial concept sketch — translating gemstone proportions into structure.
Precision Through CAD & Unlimited Refinement
Once the concept aligns emotionally and visually, the design moves into CAD for structural refinement.
Claw angles are engineered. Stone height is calculated. Band weight is adjusted for long-term durability. Finger coverage is evaluated. Every structural detail is considered.
Revisions are unlimited. A commission ring carries emotional weight — it must feel exact.
CAD refinement — precision engineering of claw and band architecture.
Alternate CAD view — confirming structural balance and long-term wearability.
Crafted in Gold or Platinum — 4–8 Weeks
Once approved, the design enters production.
Depending on the structure, the ring may be precision cast from a 3D model or fully handmade at the bench. Both approaches prioritise durability and finish.
Metals available include 9ct, 14ct and 18ct gold — in white, yellow or rose — as well as platinum. Production typically takes 4–8 weeks, often less.
Independent Valuation & Lifetime Care
Every finished commission receives independent valuation documentation for insurance purposes.
Each ring is supported by a lifetime care policy, including annual inspections, professional polishing and structural checks. Fine jewellery should outlast trends.
Completed sapphire and diamond commission — final polish and inspection stage.
Three-stone design finished — crafted as a one-of-a-kind commission.
No Replicas. No Repeats.
Every ring is one of a kind. Either the natural gemstone itself can never be duplicated, or the design has been created exclusively for one person.
There are no second versions.
Commission Structure
- 50% deposit to begin
- 50% on completion
Clear structure. No surprises.
Begin Your Commission
If you are considering a custom engagement ring in Christchurch or a legacy piece crafted for decades of wear, book a private consultation — studio or Zoom — and let’s begin with a conversation and a stone.