Client Care
Getting Started
How do I begin the custom jewelry process?
Simply reach out to us via our contact form or schedule a consultation. We’ll start with a conversation to understand your vision, preferences, and timeline, then guide you through each step.
Do I need to have a design in mind before contacting you?
We ask clients to come with some general ideas or inspirations to help guide the process. When you schedule an appointment, you’ll receive a brief Prep Quiz designed to capture your preferences and vision—so we arrive prepared with a clear direction for your consultation.
Can I visit your studio in person?
Yes! Visits are by appointment only to ensure personalized attention. We also offer virtual consultations for convenience.
How long does the custom jewelry process usually take?
Typical timelines vary based on complexity, but most pieces take between 4 to 8 weeks from initial consultation to final delivery.
Jewelry Design & Restyling
What customization options do you offer?
We offer a wide range of options including choice of metals (14k & 18k gold in yellow, white, or rose, Platinum, & Sterling Silver), gemstones, settings, engraving, and more. We can also incorporate heirloom stones or design entirely new pieces.
Can you work with stones or jewelry I already own?
Absolutely. We specialize in restyling and incorporating heirloom gems and metal into fresh designs that honor their legacy.
Will I see a design preview before production?
Yes. You’ll receive detailed 3D renderings of your custom design, as well as a 3D printed prototype to review and approve before production begins. This ensures you can see and feel the piece before it’s finalized.
Can I make changes once the design is finalized?
Minor adjustments are possible before production starts, but once fabrication begins, changes may be limited to ensure quality and will incur additional fees.
What is the Design Fee, and when is it due?
The Design Fee of $350 (plus applicable sales tax) is payable via an online subcontract after you receive your initial sample artboard. It covers up to five unique artboards, one CAD model with up to three refinements, and a 3D printed prototype. This fee is credited toward your final purchase, ensuring you receive dedicated design time and access to our full suite of visualization tools before production begins.
Custom Jewelry Pricing
How is pricing determined?
Pricing depends on materials, design complexity, and craftsmanship. To give you a starting point, our simple custom designs begin at the following:
- 14k Gold: Starting at $2,000
- Sterling Silver: Starting at $1,000
- Platinum: Starting at $3,000
We provide transparent estimates during your consultation and real-time pricing updates during template customization to help you create within your budget.
What is the typical payment schedule for custom jewelry?
- Design Fee: $350 (plus applicable sales tax), due after you receive your sample artboard
- 50% Deposit: Due at the start of production, based on the agreed contract total
- Final Balance: Due upon delivery of your finished piece
Why might custom jewelry cost more than ready-made pieces?
Custom pieces are crafted specifically for you with careful attention to detail, sourcing of quality materials, and unique design elements—offering value beyond mass-produced alternatives.
Can you work within my budget?
Absolutely. We tailor designs to fit your style and financial plan, providing options at various price points. For clients seeking a more budget-friendly route, we offer Ready to Design—a curated library of templated designs that are ready for your personal customization, combining affordability with bespoke craftsmanship.
FINANCING & PAYMENT
Payment Options
Financing with Jeweler's Reserve
We are pleased to offer flexible financing through CitiBank® Jeweler’s Reserve® to help make your purchase more accessible.
Qualified clients may choose:
6 Month Deferred Interest Financing
Available for custom jewelry, engagement rings, heirloom redesigns, and fine jewelry purchases upon approved application.
Financing Disclosure: Deferred interest promotions require minimum monthly payments. Interest will be charged from the purchase date if the promotional balance is not paid in full within the promotional period. Subject to credit approval through Citi® Jeweler’s Reserve®.
Payment Methods
For your convenience, The Leake Co. accepts:
- Most major credit cards
- ACH & wire transfers
- Cash Payments
- Cheque (subject to waiting period)
If you have questions regarding payment methods, payment milestones, or financing options,
our team is happy to assist.
Giving Back with Leake
Locally Designed. Local Impact.
Jewelry should also create meaningful impact. That’s why we’ve launched Giving Back with Leake — a quarterly initiative where we donate a portion of the saved processing fees to a carefully chosen non-profit organization.
When clients choose to pay via cash, ACH, or check instead of credit card, a portion of the money saved on processing fees is donated to support a new charity each quarter.
Want to learn more about our current charity or how you can participate?
Limited Warranty
Consciously Chosen.
Artfully Made.
Cherished for Life.
As a custom jeweler, The Leake Co. has the advantage of closely inspecting each ring throughout the various stages of production. This opportunity allows us to provide high quality hand-crafted products with superior craftsmanship.
Ethical Sourcing
We partner exclusively with trusted vendors and suppliers who abide by the Kimberley Process, ensuring every diamond is conflict-free and responsibly sourced.
Whenever possible, we work with smaller gemstone sources to shorten the supply chain, increase transparency, and help ensure safe and fair working conditions for miners.
Authenticity Guaranteed
Every diamond and gemstone we select is carefully vetted and clearly identified as natural or lab-grown. We guarantee authenticity and verify quality in-store for complete peace of mind. Our metals are of the stated purity and crafted to the highest standard.
Metals & Craftsmanship
We work in 14k and 18k Golds, Sterling Silver, and Platinum, with nickel-free options such as palladium-based 18k White Gold. Each piece is expertly cast for heirloom durability, hand-polished to a luminous finish, and hand-set with precision so your jewelry shines from every angle.
Our Limited Warranty promises that your heirloom is free from any manufacturing defects at the time of delivery.
Warranty Details
Wear & Tear
Precious metals and gemstones/diamonds are delicate by nature and require care and attention to extend the lifetime of the jewelry piece. Rings in particular need routine preventative maintenance due to the constant impact incurred by day-to-day wear. Issues that you may encounter from frequent wear include bending, missing or broken diamonds, worn/bent/broken prongs, and broken chains. Manufacturer’s Warranty shall not apply to everyday wear and tear, projects utilizing Client’s own provided metals or gems, nor does this warranty cover any personal property brought in with the item(s) being serviced or created.
Since these occurrences are anticipated through the lifetime of your jewelry, it is recommended to obtain third-party insurance coverage for the possibility of loss, theft or extensive damage which is not covered by The Leake Co.
The Leake Co. is not responsible for further unforeseen costs incurred resulting from incorrect given information at time of repair intake services, such as sizing differences needed when the intended wearer is not present to professionally measure. The Leake Co. is not responsible for lost or damaged items, parts, findings, gemstones, or diamonds in part or in whole after the repaired item has been picked up from The Leake Co.
Warranty Claims
Client must notify The Leake Co. of any defect or general concern within the first 14 days of Client’s receipt of the item. Notice of defect or concern shall be in writing and delivered either by email or the U.S. postal service to The Leake Co.’s place of business. Damage, repair, or any alterations performed by someone other than The Leake Co. will not be covered by our warranty and will render all warranties null and void. Evaluations and decisions made by The Leake Co. in all warranty claims will be considered final.
Rhodium Plating Disclaimer
Rhodium plating is a surface treatment applied routinely to white gold jewelry items. White Gold is a manufactured metal consisting of natural gold and an alloy mix of naturally “white” or silver-toned metals. Rhodium plating is a topical aesthetic application and not permanent. Rhodium plating longevity is affected by client wear pattern and common chemicals and cleaners. Unless otherwise requested, all white gold items we repair or manufacture will feature rhodium plating.
Ring Resizing
All new rings custom-made or sourced by The Leake Co. include one free resizing within 60 days of purchase, within 1 whole size up or down (ex: Size 6 sized up to Size 7). This does not include eternity rings.
In the event that your ring needs resizing further than the aforementioned range, we will provide a quote to resize properly or remake your ring at an additional cost. We suggest having wearers sized before purchasing.
Contact us for tips on obtaining finger size.
The Dangers of Chlorine & Hand Sanitizer
These liquids can be damaging to jewelry. When jewelry is routinely exposed to chlorine, household cleaners, and hand sanitizer, your jewelry may become pitted or dull. In particular, the rhodium plating on white gold is susceptible to wearing away when hand sanitizer is frequently used.
We suggest removing all rings, bracelets, and necklaces when visiting the pool, using hand sanitizer, or handling similarly corrosive materials.
Body Chemistry, Allergies, & Precious Metals
Some wearers possess a higher level of skin acidity and/or vitamin deficiency, or take medication that may interact negatively with fine metals. Hand lotions, serums, and makeup can micro-abrade fine metals as well. Silver and golds may react to these known issues and create dark areas and/or irritation on your skin. Please note that this is not a manufacturing error or otherwise defect in jewelry.
Some wearers may develop metal allergies over time, commonly due to changes in body chemistry or hormonal fluctuations. We do offer nickel-free 18k White Gold as well as Platinum. Contact us if you suspect you have developed a metal allergy, and we would be happy to quote an item in a hypoallergenic metal.
Jewelry Care Guidelines
Caring for Your Jewelry
Free Cleaning & Inspection
We recommend visiting us every 6-12 months for jewelry inspection, a service we offer for free to our established clients twice a month.
During this visit, we will inspect your heirlooms for loose or damaged stones, metal damage, prong wear and tear, and overall aesthetic. We offer free jewelry cleaning for the lifetime of your jewelry, whether it was purchased from us or not.
In between visits, we recommend removing jewelry during activities, such as working out, household chores, cooking, showering, sleeping, or anytime the wearer is doing hand-intensive work
Jeweler’s Mutual Care Plan
The Jeweler’s Mutual Jewelry Care Plan is offered for most custom pieces and fine jewelry gifts—a nationwide program designed to keep your jewelry beautiful and secure.
Clients can choose between two plan options:
3-Year Term: Comprehensive coverage for common repairs including prong retipping, lost stones, polishing, buffing, and resizing.
Extended Term: Provides all the benefits of the 3-Year Term with added duration for long-term peace of mind.
Both plans are backed by Jeweler’s Mutual, a trusted industry leader, and are ideal for maintaining your cherished pieces for years to come.
Keep your jewelry looking its best by learning more about the Jeweler’s Mutual Care Plan.
Requesting Jewelry Repair
The Leake Co. does offer comprehensive repair services for your peace of mind. Keep your heirloom looking as beautiful as the day you received it. All repairs feature a limited 30 day repair warranty on labor only.
Explore our expert tips on cleaning, storage, and long-term care.
Policies
Booking An Appointment
All appointments can be booked online, with 24 hour notice. We reserve the right to require identification before any in-person appointment occurs.
Appointment Rescheduling & Cancellation
We require at least 24 hour notice for all cancelled/rescheduled appointments. If you cannot make your appointment, notify us as soon as possible. In the event that an appointment is cancelled or rescheduled inside 24 hours of appointment, we reserve the right to charge a $50 nonrefundable fee to reschedule. Clients who are more than 10 minutes late to an appointment may be asked to reschedule.
In the event of two missed appointments/cancellations/reschedules without a minimum of 24 hours notice, client will be permanently discharged from our services.
Service Cancellations & Refunds
Custom jewelry is made specifically for you and is non-returnable and non-refundable. We do not offer refunds or returns on any custom or made-to-order items, nor deposits on specially-sourced gemstones and diamonds. The Design Fee is also nonrefundable, as it covers time and resources dedicated to creating your custom concepts.
Cancellations are only accepted before production begins. Once production has started, all sales are considered final.
All deposits relating to the sourcing, cutting, and shipping of diamonds and gemstones are non-returnable and non-refundable.
Jewelry Repair, Jewelry Appraisal, Estate Evaluation, Consulting Fees, Design Fees, Service Plans, and related service fees are non-returnable and non-refundable.
Post-Order Changes
Minor adjustments may be possible before production begins, but once fabrication is underway, changes are limited to preserve quality and will incur additional fees. Any alterations needed beyond the contracted scope of work will be billed at an additional expense to the client.
Exchanges
I want you to love what you’ve purchased. Exchange policies will vary based on the jewelry designer and the piece. Exchanges are not available on custom items.
Intellectual Property
The Leake Co. solely retains all intellectual, artistic, distribution, and manufacturing rights to provided designs including all original design files, in addition to any copyrights sought during or after this agreement, in perpetuity.
Casting waxes and master molds are not provided to Client and are considered sole property of The Leake Co.
Shipping & Delivery
We offer insured, tracked shipping for all orders through FedEx & UPS. Delivery times vary based on production schedules and destination. You’ll receive tracking information as soon as your piece ships. All shipping insurance ends upon delivery.
Insurance & Third Party Policies
The Leake Co. advises each Client to obtain third-party insurance on all jewelry against loss, damage, theft, or mysterious disappearance, with such insurance to begin once jewelry item is released into the direct custody of Client, an authorized representative of Client, or delivered by third-party delivery/courier to Client. Third-party jewelry insurance is not provided by The Leake Co. nor included in any quote or fee. The Leake Co. will provide an appraisal upon request (and may incur an additional fee), with which Client may independently obtain his or her own insurance policy at his or her own expense and unique insurance needs.
Need a competitive quote on jewelry insurance? Contact Jeweler’s Mutual today.