The Diamond Ateliers Design Process: From First Consultation to Finished Ring
By Don Siah, Founder of Diamond Ateliers
One of the things that surprises clients most about commissioning a bespoke ring is how structured the process is. There is a common assumption that bespoke means open-ended — that you describe something vague and it somehow materialises weeks later. The reality is more deliberate than that, and I think understanding the process in advance makes the experience significantly better for everyone involved.
Here is what actually happens, from the moment you contact us to the moment you leave with a finished ring.
Stage One: The First Consultation
Every commission starts with a conversation — in person, at our studio at The Centrepoint. The first consultation typically runs between 45 minutes and an hour and a half, depending on how much the client has already thought through and how many questions they have.
What we cover: the occasion (engagement, anniversary, gift to self), the aesthetic (we look at inspiration images if the client has them, and we show reference pieces from our portfolio), the practical requirements (lifestyle, dominant hand, how the ring will be worn day to day), the stone preference (shape, size, natural vs lab-grown, any specific grades in mind), the metal, and the budget.
The budget conversation is one I have deliberately at the start, not the end. There is nothing to be gained by designing a ring that a client falls in love with before discovering it costs twice what they planned to spend. Understanding the budget from the outset means I can advise honestly on where it is best allocated — and in many cases, clients are surprised by how much is achievable within their range.
By the end of the first consultation, I have a clear enough picture of what is needed to move to the next stage. Sometimes that picture is very specific; sometimes it is broad and refined through discussion. Either is fine.
Stage Two: Stone Sourcing
Once we have agreed on a direction, I begin sourcing stones that match the brief. For round brilliants, I work from verified inventory with GIA certificates and shortlist candidates based on the criteria that matter for this specific ring — not just the grade combination, but the visual performance I described in my previous post on diamond sourcing.
For fancy shapes, sourcing takes more time and judgment. I evaluate stones in person where possible — looking specifically at cut quality, bow-tie, and proportions that no certificate captures. For rare shapes or specific colour and clarity combinations, I source from the international market through contacts I have built over years in the trade.
I typically present two to four stone options to the client at the next meeting — with my recommendation and my reasoning. This is not a sales exercise. If I am showing three stones at different price points, I will tell the client honestly which one I would put in my own ring and why. Clients are always free to ask questions, disagree, or ask me to source differently. Many do.
Stage Three: Design
Once the stone is confirmed and reserved, we move to design. For clients with a clear brief, this can be relatively straightforward — a specific setting style, a particular band width, a metal they have already decided on. For clients who are still exploring, this stage involves more back-and-forth: sketches, reference images, and discussions about what is and is not working.
We produce a 3D CAD render of the ring before any metal is cut. The render shows the ring from multiple angles with the actual stone proportions modelled in — so the client can see how the stone will sit in the setting, how the band will look relative to the stone, and whether the proportions are right for the hand size. We make revisions at this stage, not after.
Most commissions go through one or two rounds of design revision before the client signs off. Occasionally it takes more. I do not rush this stage — it is the one that cannot be undone easily after production begins.
Stage Four: Production
Once the design is approved, production begins. The ring is cast in the chosen metal, the setting is constructed around the specific stone, and the stone is set by hand. Depending on the complexity of the design — the intricacy of the setting, whether pavé work is involved, any hand-engraving — production typically takes two to three weeks.
We do not rush production to meet self-imposed deadlines. If something is not right at any stage — if a prong is not sitting cleanly, if the pavé work is uneven, if the metal finish is not what I expect — it goes back. The client does not see the ring until it meets the standard we agreed on.
Stage Five: The Final Fitting
When the ring is ready, we invite the client in for a final fitting before the ring is collected. For an engagement ring that a client is picking up to propose with, this is sometimes a brief check — confirming the size is right and the client is happy. For a ring that the client's partner will be fitting at the same time, it is a longer appointment where we check the fit together and make any final adjustments.
Minor size adjustments at this stage are normal and expected — we build them into the timeline so they do not delay the collection date.
After Collection
The relationship does not end when the ring leaves the studio. We offer complimentary annual maintenance checks — prong inspection, professional cleaning, and a general assessment of the ring's condition — for every piece we have made. We also handle any resizing, replating, or repair that becomes necessary over time.
A bespoke ring is made to last a lifetime. The after-care should reflect that.
How Long Does It All Take?
For most commissions, the full process from first consultation to ring collection takes six to ten weeks. Complex designs, rare stones, or commissions that require more design iteration can take longer. We always give a realistic timeline at the outset — and we never promise a date we are not confident of meeting.
If you are planning for a specific date — a proposal, a birthday, an anniversary — tell us at the first consultation. We plan backward from the date and tell you immediately whether it is achievable.
Start the Conversation
The first step is simply getting in touch. You do not need to know exactly what you want before the first consultation — that is what the consultation is for.
Visit us at 176 Orchard Rd, #03-05 The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843.