How the Custom Process Works

Creating a piece of custom jewelry is one of the most gratifying parts of my job. I absolutely love meeting new clients, chatting about their lives, their interests, their partners, and what their main objectives are in commissioning a special piece of handmade jewelry. I let my client explain their vision and it brings me so much joy to help them bring that vision to life! 

Here is a quick breakdown for how the custom process works!

Black table with grid paper and custom ring design sketches, jewelry design tools, and loose gemstones on Invidiosa Jewellery's studio table.

01. Initial Consultation

Send me a message using the handy contact form to set up an initial consultation! Include a brief description of what you are hoping to have made, as well as any inspiration images you’ve collected. If you are planning to re-use heirloom stones or gold, attach some photos of those items as well! I will be in touch within 1-3 business days to schedule a meeting (either in person, or over the phone) during which we will discuss preliminary design ideas, material options (e.g. preferred karat of gold and gemstones), the project timeline, and your ideal budget.

Founder of Invidiosa Jewellery using tweezers to hold a loose diamond gemstone as part of the custom design service she offers.
Founder of Invidiosa Jewellery, sketching custom ring designs on graph paper.

02. Stone Sourcing and Design Phase 

After the initial consultation (assuming both parties are happy to proceed), a $350 design and stone sourcing deposit will be obtained. Then the fun begins! Based on the details we chatted about in our meeting, I will create 3-5 design options for your consideration. I find my creative juices flow best with a pencil in my hand, so I generally start with good old fashioned sketches! I’ll take any design feedback you may have, and produce a second round of drawings incorporating your ideas until we land on your dream design! I will also curate a selection of gemstones for you!

03. Wax Carving or 3D CAD Rendering

Every project is unique, which is why this job never gets boring! Some pieces, such as organic textured wedding bands will be carved by hand in wax, while more intricate engagement rings featuring a lot of stone setting will be designed with the help of CAD (Computer-Aided Design). If I am handcarving a wax for you, I will send process photos and videos for review to make sure I am on the right path! If your item is being designed with CAD, I will send a 3D digital rendering for you to look over. Modifications are made if needed, and then you are welcome to set up a meeting to see the wax or 3D printed model in person!

Poetic and painterly floral bouquet in a vase atop stacked books with gold trinkets and jewelry laying about, all sitting on top of a round marble table

04. Casting, Polishing and Stone Setting

Once our design is finalized and you have approved the wax or 3D model, I will have your piece cast in the metal of your choice! At this stage, I will also request a 50% deposit for the project. The next step is cleaning up the casting, then I pass the item to my amazing stone setter. Once the stones are set, I will do a final polish of the piece and then it is off to the appraiser!

Custom golden engagement ring design with blue center stone surrounded by smaller blue gemstones and diamonds on a lavender velvet ring box.

05. Appraisal and Pick-Up

Any item valued over $2000 comes with a complimentary appraisal. An appraisal is essentially a certificate of authenticity, including all the important details about your piece, such as gold karat, stone type etc. Once the piece has been appraised, I will reach out to let you know your item is ready and we will schedule a time for pick-up! 

Custom engagement ring design with gold wedding band, blue gemstones, and diamonds on a heart-shaped red velvet ring box

Ready to start your custom journey?

Get in touch!

Notes From Our Customers

Caitlin

“Working with Tessa has been such a special part of our engagement experience. From the very beginning, she took the time to truly understand our style, preferences, and lifestyle, which made the entire process feel so personal and intentional. Her guidance was thoughtful and never pushy - she offered expert advice while always making sure the final decisions felt completely “us.”

She created my engagement ring as well as both of our wedding bands, and I couldn’t get enough of her work - I even reached out again to have earrings and a bracelet made for our wedding day. Each piece feels so beautifully considered and perfectly suited to us.

I can’t wait to walk down the aisle wearing all the pieces she created and to cherish them for years to come. We absolutely love everything and are so grateful for how easy and enjoyable she made the entire process. We couldn’t recommend her more highly to anyone looking for custom jewelry that truly reflects who they are.”

Caitlin Cailler 

Emma

“We worked with Tessa to design custom engagement and wedding rings for our October 2025 wedding, and we had a wonderful experience from start to finish. Tessa let us be as involved in the process as we wanted, asking thoughtful questions and adding her expertise to bring our vision to life. She was always transparent about costs and timelines and was happy to present multiple options to work within our goals. She was very responsive and we never felt pressured to go in a certain direction. I am so glad we chose Made You Look and Tessa to work with on these special pieces - she truly helped us be a part of the creative process and I love that we got to be a part of creating these rings that I will wear forever!”

Emma Blanche

Jessie

“I’ve admired Tessa’s work for over a decade! Each of her custom engagement and wedding rings beautifully captures the individualism of every couple/bride. A while back, my partner and I fell in love with a vintage ruby ring and regretted not buying it. We kept looking at other rings but my heart was set on the unique vintage ring. That’s when I reached out to Tessa asking if she could possibly make one for me! Working with Tessa was a dream. She is your engagement ring hype woman. Every step of the way she explained the process and you can tell she is just as excited to create the ring as you are to receive it. She was more than accommodating when I asked for several pictures and videos while looking for the perfect ruby and was so detailed in the cad drawings. I saw the finished ring when my partner proposed and it exceeded my expectations; the level of detail and care Tessa put into making my ring is unparalleled. I get compliments everywhere I go about my engagement ring and honestly can’t be happier. Tessa made the entire experience so comfortable and seamless, you truly felt like you were receiving a white glove service from interacting with Tessa. You can tell she is passionate about her work and it SHOWS in every single piece she makes. I can’t think of anyone else I would go to for bespoke custom jewellery from now on.”

Jessie T.

Erin & Jenn

"When we walked into Made You Look we had no plan and no idea where to start. Then we met Tessa, who was so warm and inviting with a welcoming smile. From the moment we met her we knew she was the perfect person to design our engagement rings. The fit felt right immediately, and her energy spoke for itself. 

The whole process from start to finish was so smooth and seamless. We shared inspiration photos, lots of back and forth emails and exclamation marks and through it all Tessa was supportive and receptive. Her ability to turn ideas into such beautiful pieces of art truly reflect the quality of her craftsmanship. 

We are thrilled with our rings, and so grateful to have worked with not only an amazing artist but an incredible human as well. Tessa is someone we would recommend for any and all jewelry design projects, and we cannot wait to work with her again."

Erin & Jenn

Founder of Invidiosa Jewelry, sitting in a chair with bright red boots in an estate living room

A woman's hand reaching for white rose petals while wearing a custom engagement ring with a red center stone surrounded by diamonds on a gold band and a custom-designed golden wedding band. Each was handcrafted in Invidiosa Jewellery's Toronto studio.

I have been very lucky to meet and work with so many incredible people through custom collaborations. I enjoy nothing more than to transform someone’s abstract ideas and jewelry dreams into tangible pieces of art that can be worn and cherished every day.

A woman's hand using a charcoal stick on a green painting canvas while wearing a custom engagement ring on a gold band with a purple center gemstone surrounded by a halo of small diamonds.

I work closely with my clients every step of the way to ensure the final product will be everything they were hoping for and more. Through this process, I have often walked away from a project feeling that I have not only gained a new client, but also made a new friend. A selection of my recent custom creations can be found below.

Woman in beige linen dress clasping her hands in front of her to show two bespoke gold wedding bands and two custom-designed engagement rings with large gemstones, accompanied by smaller diamonds. Each was handcrafted in their Toronto studio by Invidiosa Jewellery.

Custom Work Gallery

A mesmerizing natural alexandrite framed by delicate diamond accents. This custom version of the Isla engagement ring features an intricate trellis setting, cast in delicious 18k yellow gold.

A mesmerizing natural alexandrite framed by delicate diamond accents. This custom version of the Isla engagement ring features an intricate trellis setting, cast in delicious 18k yellow gold.

A custom cut Dutch Marquise lab diamond sits at the heart of this architectural engagement ring. Inspired by art-deco jewelry and gothic cathedrals, this bespoke ring is a true showstopper!

A custom cut Dutch Marquise lab diamond sits at the heart of this architectural engagement ring. Inspired by art-deco jewelry and gothic cathedrals, this bespoke ring is a true showstopper!

A customized version of the Adair engagement ring, featuring a breathtaking two-tone parti sapphire set in warm 14k yellow gold! This beauty travelled all the way to France for her big proposal moment!

A customized version of the Adair engagement ring, featuring a breathtaking two-tone parti sapphire set in warm 14k yellow gold! This beauty travelled all the way to France for her big proposal moment!

Custom 14K yellow gold engagement ring featuring a round brilliant cut lab diamond set in a sleek and stunning floating double bezel. This ring was commissioned by an old friend from high-school, and it was such an honour to create it for her!

Custom 14K yellow gold engagement ring featuring a round brilliant cut lab diamond set in a sleek and stunning floating double bezel. This ring was commissioned by an old friend from high-school, and it was such an honour to create it for her!

A truly bespoke, one-of-a-kind, white gold engagement pendant. The piece features my client’s two pets, Leon the leopard gecko and Skippy the fantailed goldfish, in a yin yang design!

A truly bespoke, one-of-a-kind, white gold engagement pendant. The piece features my client’s two pets, Leon the leopard gecko and Skippy the fantailed goldfish, in a yin yang design!

A sweet and sentimental, custom 14k yellow gold memorial ring featuring an heirloom sapphire and diamonds. We set my client’s late mother’s gemstones into a lovely, low profile, three-stone setting, allowing my client to easily wear the piece daily, and keep their mother’s memory close. 

A sweet and sentimental, custom 14k yellow gold memorial ring featuring an heirloom sapphire and diamonds. We set my client’s late mother’s gemstones into a lovely, low profile, three-stone setting, allowing my client to easily wear the piece daily, and keep their mother’s memory close. 

Bespoke 14k yellow gold, vintage inspired three-stone ring featuring a natural, oval cut emerald, and round brilliant cut diamond accents, held together in an intricate trellis style setting. 

Bespoke 14k yellow gold, vintage inspired three-stone ring featuring a natural, oval cut emerald, and round brilliant cut diamond accents, held together in an intricate trellis style setting. 

A customized version of one of our most population engagement ring styles, this time cast in 14k white gold with an oval cut lab diamond centre stone flanked by delicate diamond clusters. The white gold setting almost disappears in this piece, allowing the stones to shine even brighter than usual!

A customized version of one of our most population engagement ring styles, this time cast in 14k white gold with an oval cut lab diamond centre stone flanked by delicate diamond clusters. The white gold setting almost disappears in this piece, allowing the stones to shine even brighter than usual!

A sleek and stunning 14k yellow gold engagement ring featuring an emerald cut lab diamond, set in an elegant and timeless floating bezel. This elevated setting style makes the ring perfect for stacking!

A sleek and stunning 14k yellow gold engagement ring featuring an emerald cut lab diamond, set in an elegant and timeless floating bezel. This elevated setting style makes the ring perfect for stacking!

Bespoke 14k yellow gold and Australian sapphire cluster engagement ring. This statement piece features a mesmerizing deep blue centre stone, flanked by asymmetric clusters of green sapphires, diamonds and rubies, inspired by a bouquet of wild flowers. 

Bespoke 14k yellow gold and Australian sapphire cluster engagement ring. This statement piece features a mesmerizing deep blue centre stone, flanked by asymmetric clusters of green sapphires, diamonds and rubies, inspired by a bouquet of wild flowers. 

Bespoke 18k yellow gold Etched wedding band featuring a flush-set yellow diamond, to match my client’s partner’s engagement ring! How romantic!

Bespoke 18k yellow gold Etched wedding band featuring a flush-set yellow diamond, to match my client’s partner’s engagement ring! How romantic!

A stunning cornflower blue, pear cut sapphire sits at the heart of this epic custom engagement ring. The centre stone is accented by a mix of shimmering diamonds, in different shapes and sizes, all carefully picked out by my client. 

A stunning cornflower blue, pear cut sapphire sits at the heart of this epic custom engagement ring. The centre stone is accented by a mix of shimmering diamonds, in different shapes and sizes, all carefully picked out by my client. 

Custom yellow gold, heirloom diamond redesign. My client chose to re-use the diamonds from her engagement ring from a previous marriage to create a new piece that symbolizes her past, present and future.

Custom yellow gold, heirloom diamond redesign. My client chose to re-use the diamonds from her engagement ring from a previous marriage to create a new piece that symbolizes her past, present and future.

A customized version of one of my classic collection pieces, this Art Deco inspired, 14k yellow gold engagement ring features an emerald cut black diamond, giving this timeless piece a moody and romantic quality.

A customized version of one of my classic collection pieces, this Art Deco inspired, 14k yellow gold engagement ring features an emerald cut black diamond, giving this timeless piece a moody and romantic quality.

Custom 14k white gold and pastel coloured, heart-cut sapphire and diamond engagement ring. This whimsical, winged design was inspired by Cardcaptor Sakura, a popular anime show that my client’s partner loved as a child! 

Custom 14k white gold and pastel coloured, heart-cut sapphire and diamond engagement ring. This whimsical, winged design was inspired by Cardcaptor Sakura, a popular anime show that my client’s partner loved as a child! 

Custom 10k yellow gold, opal and diamond memorial ring. We set the ashes of my client’s late dog under the centre stone, accented with a scattering of flush-set diamonds on the band to add to the celestial and otherworldly energy of the ring.

Custom 10k yellow gold, opal and diamond memorial ring. We set the ashes of my client’s late dog under the centre stone, accented with a scattering of flush-set diamonds on the band to add to the celestial and otherworldly energy of the ring.

A pair of tailor-made, 14k white gold engagement rings! The first ring features a juicy, emerald cut lab diamond in an elegant and seamless bezel setting, while the second ring is a sleek signet style with a flush set lab diamond baguette! Both rings are perfect for everyday wear. Clean lines and minimalism for the win! 

A pair of tailor-made, 14k white gold engagement rings! The first ring features a juicy, emerald cut lab diamond in an elegant and seamless bezel setting, while the second ring is a sleek signet style with a flush set lab diamond baguette! Both rings are perfect for everyday wear. Clean lines and minimalism for the win! 

A pair of tailor-made, 14k white gold engagement rings! The first ring features a juicy, emerald cut lab diamond in an elegant and seamless bezel setting, while the second ring is a sleek signet style with a flush set lab diamond baguette! Both rings are perfect for everyday wear. Clean lines and minimalism for the win! 

A pair of tailor-made, 14k white gold engagement rings! The first ring features a juicy, emerald cut lab diamond in an elegant and seamless bezel setting, while the second ring is a sleek signet style with a flush set lab diamond baguette! Both rings are perfect for everyday wear. Clean lines and minimalism for the win! 

A pair of hand-carved, customized 10k yellow gold Tangles wedding bands.

A pair of hand-carved, customized 10k yellow gold Tangles wedding bands.

Custom 14k yellow gold and amethyst laurel-inspired wedding band. This ring features both a high-polished finish on the leaves and a sandblasted finish in the recessed areas, adding dimension to this one-of-a-kind wedding band. 

Custom 14k yellow gold and amethyst laurel-inspired wedding band. This ring features both a high-polished finish on the leaves and a sandblasted finish in the recessed areas, adding dimension to this one-of-a-kind wedding band. 

This incredible 14k yellow gold and diamond wedding band is full of movement and personality. Featuring a classic tattoo style wave design, the recessed areas of the ring have been sandblasted, while the raised waves are high-polished, adding texture and depth to the piece.

This incredible 14k yellow gold and diamond wedding band is full of movement and personality. Featuring a classic tattoo style wave design, the recessed areas of the ring have been sandblasted, while the raised waves are high-polished, adding texture and depth to the piece.

Elegant and minimal, this custom 14k white gold and teal marquise sapphire engagement ring was inspired by the bride and groom’s favourite secluded spot on a lake. So romantic!

Elegant and minimal, this custom 14k white gold and teal marquise sapphire engagement ring was inspired by the bride and groom’s favourite secluded spot on a lake. So romantic!

Vintage-inspired 14k yellow gold, natural ruby and diamond engagement ring. The halo of this ring is made from a combination of marquise and pear cut diamonds, adding to the subtle floral motif.

Vintage-inspired 14k yellow gold, natural ruby and diamond engagement ring. The halo of this ring is made from a combination of marquise and pear cut diamonds, adding to the subtle floral motif.

An absolutely epic pair of custom 18k yellow gold sapphire engagement rings for a truly incredible couple. From accent stone layouts to colours and cuts, every detail was thoughtfully selected. Each ring is unique, yet they compliment each other effortlessly. 

An absolutely epic pair of custom 18k yellow gold sapphire engagement rings for a truly incredible couple. From accent stone layouts to colours and cuts, every detail was thoughtfully selected. Each ring is unique, yet they compliment each other effortlessly. 

An absolutely epic pair of custom 18k yellow gold sapphire engagement rings for a truly incredible couple. From accent stone layouts to colours and cuts, every detail was thoughtfully selected. Each ring is unique, yet they compliment each other effortlessly. 

An absolutely epic pair of custom 18k yellow gold sapphire engagement rings for a truly incredible couple. From accent stone layouts to colours and cuts, every detail was thoughtfully selected. Each ring is unique, yet they compliment each other effortlessly. 

18k yellow gold and a one-of-a-kind John Dyer fantasy-cut sapphire engagement ring featuring a textured and sculptural wave design and teal and blue accent stones. Inspired by the colour of the groom-to-be’s eyes and the couple’s mutual love of the ocean. 

18k yellow gold and a one-of-a-kind John Dyer fantasy-cut sapphire engagement ring featuring a textured and sculptural wave design and teal and blue accent stones. Inspired by the colour of the groom-to-be’s eyes and the couple’s mutual love of the ocean. 

A very sentimental custom piece, incorporating my client’s late grandmother's ashes set in the heart of the pendant. Framing the ashes are the words, “Lot’s of Love, Grandma,” engraved in the actual hand-writing of my client’s late grandmother. We were able to carefully replicate the text from an old birthday card.

A very sentimental custom piece, incorporating my client’s late grandmother's ashes set in the heart of the pendant. Framing the ashes are the words, “Lot’s of Love, Grandma,” engraved in the actual hand-writing of my client’s late grandmother. We were able to carefully replicate the text from an old birthday card.

Every curve, every diamond, every tiny detail of this custom ring was carefully considered to capture the spirit of a fox. On the day my client’s father passed away, she spotted a fox in her backyard, one she’d never seen before. The animal kept returning, as if watching over her. She began to see the fox as her father’s spirit, checking to make sure she was safe. This ring is a beautiful symbol and daily reminder of her late father’s love and protection. 

Every curve, every diamond, every tiny detail of this custom ring was carefully considered to capture the spirit of a fox. On the day my client’s father passed away, she spotted a fox in her backyard, one she’d never seen before. The animal kept returning, as if watching over her. She began to see the fox as her father’s spirit, checking to make sure she was safe. This ring is a beautiful symbol and daily reminder of her late father’s love and protection. 

14K yellow gold custom engagement ring featuring a stunning golden green oval cut sapphire flanked by two clusters of sparking diamonds.

14K yellow gold custom engagement ring featuring a stunning golden green oval cut sapphire flanked by two clusters of sparking diamonds.

Two custom wedding bands created using heirloom gold from my client’s great grandparents.

Two custom wedding bands created using heirloom gold from my client’s great grandparents.