Custom design
Custom jewelry design and remounting, made in house
Custom jewelry is a piece designed for one person and made once. At Diamond Works, you design it with Mike Tarbuck, in the jewelry business since 1978, and the piece is made in house in Mary Esther, Florida.
| Who designs it | Mike Tarbuck, with you |
|---|---|
| Where it's made | In house: "We do all of our custom design in house." |
| Starting points | An idea, your own stones, or a vendor design |
| Stones | Natural or lab-grown loose diamonds (GIA-certified recommended) and gemstones |
| Price | Priced to the design and stones; no price list |
| Timeline | About 2–4 weeks for a typical piece |
Three ways in
What can I bring to a custom design appointment?
Anything that helps describe what you want. Most people start in one of three places.
Start with an idea
A sketch, a photo, a feeling. Bring whatever you have, even if it's only a few words.
Bring
- Photos or sketches of what you like
- The occasion and your timeline
- A budget range, if you have one
What happens
- Talk it through with Mike
- Choose the stones and metal together
- Mike makes it in house
“… He remade my wedding ring into a fantastic high end ring. He took the time to design it and it looks fabulous! …”
Start with your own stones
Grandmother's diamond, a wedding set that no longer suits you, stones from a piece you never wear.
Bring
- The stones or the piece they're in
- Photos of designs you like
- Anything the piece means to you
What happens
- Mike looks at the stones with you
- Pick a new design for them
- Your stones are reset in house
“… Mike was so easy to work with and came up with a beautiful design. His price was very reasonable and service and workmanship was stellar!”
Start with a piece you saw
Something on a vendor's website, in a magazine or on a friend's hand. Tell us about it and we'll find it or make it your own.
Bring
- A photo or screenshot
- Ring size or length, if you know it
- What you'd change about it
What happens
- Describe it in your appointment request
- We special-order it or adapt the design
- Ordered or adapted, then ready for you
“Prior to coming into Diamond Works we had visited several other shops. Mike immediately made us feel at ease and was very genuine in wanting to help us find the right engagement ring and wedding band. …”
Why custom
Why choose a custom piece?
A custom design is a one-of-a-kind piece, available nowhere else. It suits a special gift, an engagement ring that has to be exactly right, or an heirloom to pass down to your children.
You don't have to design everything yourself. We've built long relationships with top-quality vendors such as Stuller, Quality Gold, Unique Settings of NY and Overnight Mountings. You can pick a starting point from their collections, and we'll take care of the rest: selecting the stones and making any changes you want.
Those relationships let us pass on significant savings while keeping the custom feel that makes a piece yours.
“… When I was originally looking for my wife's engagement ring Mike went above and beyond. He helped me create what I wanted when I could t [sic] seem to find an out of the box option. …”
“… I can now speak to his fantastic abilities to design and produce a wonderful custom piece. Keep up the amazing work!”
“We offer custom design and remounting of your stones into the latest fashions. Special orders are part of our daily business.”
Mike Tarbuck, owner
Remounting
Can you put my old diamonds in a new ring?
Yes. Remounting means setting your existing diamonds or gemstones into a new mounting. We offer "remounting of your stones into the latest fashions", whether it's an inherited diamond or a wedding set whose diamonds catch on things.
- Keep the stones that mean something
- Give an old wedding set a design you'll wear again
- Talk through the options with Mike before anything changes
The process
How does custom design work?
Request an appointment
In person or by phone. Tell us your starting point.
Talk it through
Mike calls you, hears the idea and sets a time and place.
Design together
Choose the design, the stones and the metal.
Made in house
Your piece is made in house.
Questions
Custom design questions
Who makes the custom pieces?
We do all of our custom design in house. Mike has been in the jewelry business since 1978.
Can you reset my grandmother's diamond in a new ring?
Yes. Remounting your own diamonds and gemstones into a new design is something we offer. Bring the stones to your appointment and Mike will show you what's possible.
Can you get a ring I saw online?
Very likely. Special orders are part of our daily business, and we work with a large network of suppliers, including Stuller, Quality Gold and others. Describe it when you request an appointment, and Mike will ask for a photo when he calls.
How much does a custom ring cost?
Every piece is priced to its design and the stones you choose, so we don't publish a price list. Mike walks you through options for your budget at your appointment, and our vendor relationships let us pass savings on to you.
How long does a custom piece take?
About 2 to 4 weeks for a typical custom piece, from design to pickup. It depends on the design and the stones, and Mike will confirm the timeline at your appointment.
Is your work covered by a warranty?
Yes. Diamond Works offers a warranty on its work. Mike will go over the details at your appointment.
Can we just talk on the phone first?
Yes. Choose "phone consultation" on the appointment form, or call (850) 244-5252.
By appointment · in person or by phone
Bring the idea. We'll make it.
An idea, your own stones or a photo of something you love: any of them is enough to start.