What to Expect at a Custom
Jewelry Appointment

One of my favorite parts of what I do is sitting down with someone and figuring out what their jewelry could become. Sometimes you arrive with heirloom pieces that have been sitting in a drawer for twenty years. Sometimes you have a stone, a photograph, a CMD design you love, or an idea you can’t quite articulate yet. That’s exactly what my Custom jewelry appointments are for.

These one-on-one appointments are dedicated design time for Reconstruction, Custom jewelry, wedding and commitment bands, and other Special Occasionprojects. You don’t need to arrive with every detail figured out. My job is to help you sort through the possibilities and turn what you bring me into something that feels right for you.

First, Tell Me What You’re Thinking

Every project starts with a conversation. I want to know what brought you to me, what you’re hoping to create, what you love to wear, and what you definitely don’t. If we’re working with heirloom jewelry, I want to hear where it came from and what parts of it feel important to preserve. If we’re starting from scratch, we can talk about the shapes, metals, stones, proportions, and CMD designs you’re naturally drawn to.

You don’t need to speak fluent jewelry to have this conversation. “I want it to feel substantial but not traditional,” “I love mixed metals,” or “I have absolutely no idea what to do with my grandmother’s diamonds” gives me plenty to start with. We can build from there.

What Should You Bring?

If you’re meeting with me about a Reconstruction project bring the jewelry you’re considering using, even if you aren’t sure what can be incorporated. We can look at your metals and stones together and talk through what may make sense for the new design. If we’re meeting virtually, we’ll discuss your pieces on screen and go over the next steps for getting them to us safely.

For Custom and Special Occasion projects, inspiration is always helpful but doesn’t need to be elaborate. Screenshots of CMD pieces you love, photos of jewelry you wear all the time, or even examples of things you dislike can tell me a lot. You’re also completely welcome to arrive with nothing more than an idea and an open mind.

Then We Start Designing

This is where it gets fun. Once I understand what you’re responding to, we start exploring the details that will shape the finished piece. Depending on the project, that might mean looking at different band widths, shapes, metals, diamonds or gemstones, proportions, finishes, and ways to incorporate stones from jewelry you already own.

I’ve been designing jewelry for more than twenty years, and a big part of my role in these appointments is knowing when to keep pushing an idea and when something has clicked. You may walk in convinced you want one thing and discover that another direction feels much more like you once we start putting the pieces together. I want there to be room for that discovery rather than forcing a design simply because it was the first idea on the table.

Reconstruction Has Its Own Kind of Magic

Reconstruction appointments are especially personal because we’re often working with jewelry that already carries a history. Maybe it belonged to your mother or grandmother. Maybe it’s your original wedding jewelry, a piece from a past chapter, or several things you’ve inherited over the years that don’t feel like you but are too meaningful to leave unworn.

We’ll talk about which stones may be candidates for reuse, what happens to your precious metal, and how the materials can inform the new design without dictating it. The goal isn’t to recreate the old jewelry in a slightly different form. I want to understand what matters about what you brought me and design something you’re genuinely excited to put on your body now.

If you’re still deciding whether Reconstruction is right for you, you can also start with a complimentary 15-minute Reconstruction consultation before moving into a full design appointment.

In Person or Virtual?

If you can make it to The CMD Shop & Studio in Asbury Park, we can work together in person, which gives you the opportunity to see materials, proportions, and examples on your own hand. There’s something incredibly useful about being able to move things around together and react to them in real time.

But you absolutely do not need to live near New Jersey to work with me. I regularly meet with Custom and Reconstruction clients virtually, and we can work through the same design questions together on screen. For ring projects, we’ll also make sure we have the sizing information we need before your final piece moves into production.

What Happens After the Appointment?

Once we’ve landed on the direction for your piece, my team and I take it from there. Custom work has a lot of moving parts, and the exact process depends on what we’re creating, whether we’re sourcing stones, and whether your project includes jewelry being sent to us for Reconstruction. We’ll walk you through the details specific to your project so you understand what comes next.

This isn’t fast-fashion jewelry, and it isn’t meant to be. These are pieces we’re designing and making specifically for you, often using precious materials and stones that carry enormous personal meaning. I want the process to feel thoughtful from the first conversation through the day you finally put the finished piece on.

Who Should Book a Custom Jewelry Appointment?

If you’re considering Reconstruction, Custom jewelry, wedding or commitment bands, or another Special Occasion project that requires dedicated design time, book an appointment with me here. You don’t have to know exactly what you want before we meet. Figuring that out together is part of the process.

If you’re looking to shop my Everyday collection, try on rings, build a stack from existing CMD designs, get sizing help, or simply see what looks good on your hand, you don’t need a private design appointment. You can shop CMD online anytime or visit The CMD Shop & Studio during scheduled Open Hours and Pop-Up Events, when walk-ins are always welcome.

I love both sides of this work, but Custom appointments are where I get to dig deeply into your story, your materials, and the piece we haven’t made yet. If that’s what brought you here, I can’t wait to see what we come up with.

See you soon!
Colleen

© Colleen Mauer Designs. All rights reserved.
Published: October 23, 2024
Updated: August 24, 2026