The word "consultation" can conjure images of a sales environment — someone behind a counter, a tray of rings under glass, a conversation that feels like it has an agenda. That's not what we do.
A custom jewelry consultation at Atelier Diamante is a conversation. No showroom, no hovering associates, no floor samples to push you toward. Just Dave, you, and an open discussion about what you're looking for — and how we get there.
Here's exactly what the process looks like.
How It Starts
Most clients reach out through our website or by personal introduction. The first step is a brief message or short call to understand the basics: what kind of piece you have in mind, a rough sense of timeline, and whether you'd prefer to connect by phone, video, or in person.
We work with clients across the country and internationally, so there's no geographic requirement. Most consultations happen over video — relaxed, at a time that works for your schedule. In-person meetings are available for clients in the area or for commissions that warrant it.
What the Consultation Covers
The first consultation typically runs 30–60 minutes. There's no agenda other than getting a clear picture of what you want and giving you an honest sense of what's achievable at your investment level.
What We'll Ask You
Expect questions about the person who will be wearing the piece. Not generic questions — specific ones. How do they dress? Do they wear yellow gold or have they always reached for white-toned pieces? Are they drawn to minimal or intricate aesthetics? Do they work with their hands in ways that might affect setting choice?
If it's an engagement ring, we'll want to know about the proposal — the timing, the setting, whether it's a surprise. This shapes how we approach the project, including whether we design with future sizing adjustment in mind or work from a confirmed measurement.
Questions We'll Answer
Bring everything you're wondering about. Some of the most common questions we work through in a first consultation:
- What's the real difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds, and which is right for our situation?
- What does my budget realistically buy in terms of diamond size and quality?
- How do I find out my partner's ring size without asking?
- What's the practical difference between platinum and white gold?
- Can we incorporate a family stone or an heirloom element into a new design?
- How long will the whole process take?
There are no bad questions here. The more we understand what you know and what you're uncertain about, the better the outcome for your piece.
What to Bring
You don't need to arrive prepared with anything formal. But a few things make the conversation more productive:
Inspiration Images
If you've been saving images from Instagram, Pinterest, or anywhere else, bring them. You don't need to love every image completely — even images that show something you like mixed with something you don't are useful. They help us understand your eye better than any description could.
A Budget Range
You don't need to give us an exact number, and we'll never ask you to justify your range. But knowing whether you're thinking $5,000 or $20,000 shapes the conversation significantly. We'll tell you honestly what that investment will achieve and where the meaningful trade-offs are. There are no wrong answers — only clearer conversations.
Ring Size, If You Have It
If you already know your partner's ring size, share it at the start. If you don't, we'll talk through several reliable approaches for finding out — there are good strategies depending on how covert the proposal needs to be and how much time you have.
The Timeline You Can Expect
A custom engagement ring commission from Atelier Diamante typically takes 4–8 weeks from design sign-off and diamond sourcing to completion. Here's how that breaks down:
- Week 1–2: Consultation, design direction, and diamond sourcing. We'll present 2–4 stone options with full GIA or AGS grading reports and our assessment of each — why we selected them, where they excel, and any trade-offs to consider.
- Week 2–3: Design finalization. We'll share reference imagery or CAD renderings depending on design complexity, and refine until you're fully confident in the direction before anything goes to the bench.
- Week 3–6: Setting fabrication and stone setting by our artisan workshop. More intricate designs — pavé work, hand-engraving, complex multi-stone arrangements — extend this phase.
- Week 7–8: Final inspection, polishing, and quality review. Then delivery — in person, by Dave, wherever works best for you.
If you have a specific proposal date, tell us at the start. We build our timelines around what matters to you, and we'll be direct if a timeline isn't achievable so you can plan accordingly.
What Happens After the Consultation
You'll leave the consultation with a clear sense of what your piece would look like, what it would cost, and how the process works. We typically follow up within 24 hours with a written summary of what we discussed and, if you're ready, an initial stone selection.
If you decide to move forward, we'll begin sourcing immediately. If you want time to think, that's completely fine. This is a piece that will be worn every day for a lifetime. It should be chosen with care, not urgency.
There Is No Obligation
Every consultation is complimentary. We'd rather spend an hour with someone who ultimately doesn't commission a piece than rush someone into a decision they haven't fully thought through. Our reputation is built on the quality of the relationships, not the volume of transactions.
Book your complimentary consultation and let's talk through your vision. We'll handle everything from there.