The Bespoke Ring Process: How It Works at À Vie Diamonds

The bespoke engagement ring process sounds more complicated than it is. For most clients, it follows a clear sequence from first conversation to delivery, with defined points at which decisions are made and approvals given. Understanding the sequence before you start means you know what to expect at each stage and when commitments are actually being made.

TL;DR: The À Vie Diamonds bespoke process runs in seven stages: initial consultation, stone sourcing, design and CAD, client approval, production deposit, manufacturing, and hallmarking and delivery. No stone is purchased and no production begins until written approval is given. Most commissions take eight to twelve weeks from first contact to delivery.

Stage One: Initial Consultation

The process begins with a conversation, typically over email, WhatsApp, or a short video call. There is no obligation at this stage and no payment. The consultation establishes the brief: what the ring is for, what style the wearer tends toward, what metal and stone they would suit, and what the realistic budget is.

We do not ask for ring size or budget at the very start of the conversation. Those things become relevant once the brief is clearer. What we need first is a sense of what the ring should be, and that is best established through a genuine conversation rather than a form.

Stage Two: Stone Sourcing

Once the brief is agreed, we source stones matching the specification. We typically present two to four options across a range of carat weights, colour and clarity grades, and price points within the agreed parameters. Each option comes with a grading certificate (IGI or GIA), photography, and video where relevant.

For oval, pear, marquise, and heart shapes, video is particularly important at this stage because the bow-tie effect and symmetry must be assessed from footage, not from a certificate. We do not proceed to design until the stone is confirmed, because the stone's dimensions directly affect the CAD.

Nothing is purchased at this stage. Stone options are presented for selection and the stone is only sourced once confirmed.

Stage Three: Design and CAD

With the stone confirmed, our CAD designer produces a photorealistic three-dimensional render of the ring in the specified metal. The render shows the ring from multiple angles: face-up, side profile, three-quarter view, and any detail views needed for complex settings.

The render uses the actual dimensions of the confirmed stone, so proportions and scale are accurate rather than approximate. This stage is where design details are refined: shank width, prong style, profile, any engraving placement, and minor adjustments to the overall design. Most commissions go through one round of revisions at this stage. More complex designs sometimes need two.

Stage Four: Client Approval

No production begins until written approval is received from the client. This is a firm rule. The CAD render is presented, changes are made if needed, and the final design is approved in writing before anything physical is made.

This protects the client from receiving something they did not expect, and it protects us from making something that does not match the brief. The approval email or message is the point at which the design is locked.

Stage Five: Production Deposit

Once the CAD is approved, a production deposit of 70 per cent of the total commission price is requested. This covers the cost of the centre stone and initiates manufacturing. The remaining 30 per cent is due before dispatch.

Payment is made by bank transfer. We do not process card payments for the main commission value. The deposit invoice itemises the stone cost, metal cost, and production cost separately so the full breakdown is clear.

Stage Six: Manufacturing

Manufacturing is carried out by our partner goldsmiths to the approved CAD specification. The process covers casting or fabrication of the setting, stone setting, polishing, and quality inspection. For most commissions this takes four to six weeks. More complex designs with significant pavé setting work or unusual configurations take six to eight weeks.

We do not update clients daily during manufacturing as there is typically nothing to report until the piece is complete. We contact clients when the ring is ready for hallmarking or if any issue arises during production.

Stage Seven: Hallmarking and Delivery

Every piece produced for UK delivery is hallmarked at a UK Assay Office before dispatch. This confirms the metal purity — 750 for 18ct gold, 950 for platinum — and is a legal requirement for precious metal articles above certain weight thresholds. Hallmarking takes three to five working days in normal periods and up to ten working days at peak times such as Christmas and Valentine's Day.

After hallmarking, the ring is photographed, quality-checked, and dispatched by fully insured, tracked delivery. UK delivery is next-day once dispatched. International orders are dispatched directly from our manufacturing facility where UK hallmarking is not required.

One complimentary resize is included within three months of delivery for most designs. Full eternity rings and certain pavé configurations cannot be resized. We flag this clearly at the design stage for any commission where it applies. Full details are on our aftercare and warranty page.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I make my first payment? After the CAD render has been approved in writing. No payment is requested before you have seen and approved the design of the ring.

Can I change the design after approving the CAD? Not without additional cost and potential delay once production has started. Changes before the approval are normal and expected. Changes after approval require a conversation about what is feasible without affecting the timeline or requiring new production.

What if I am not happy with the finished ring? We address any quality issue before dispatch, and if a fault becomes apparent after delivery it is covered under our aftercare policy. We have not produced a ring that required replacement, but the policy is in place should it ever be needed. See our aftercare page for full details.

Can I visit in person? À Vie Diamonds operates without a physical showroom. The entire process is conducted remotely, which is how we avoid the overheads that would otherwise be priced into your ring. Consultations by video call are available for clients who want a face-to-face conversation.

How do I get started? Get in touch with a brief description of what you have in mind and we will take it from there. No preparation is needed: we ask the right questions to build the brief, and the consultation is a conversation rather than a form to complete.

Last reviewed: July 2026 · À Vie Diamonds