the custom design process
A calm, collaborative approach to custom jewellery design.
At West of Fourth, custom jewellery is designed one-on-one, with clarity, intention, and thoughtful guidance at every stage. Whether you’re creating a custom engagement ring, redesigning an heirloom, or exploring unique gemstones, the process is designed to feel personal, unrushed, and transparent.
From concept to finished piece
how it works
what makes this process different
Custom jewellery doesn’t have to feel intimidating or transactional. West of Fourth was built to offer a more thoughtful, one-on-one approach — one that prioritizes clarity, education, and long-term wearability over sales pressure.
The goal is simple: a clear, collaborative process that results in jewellery you’ll want to wear for years to come.
stone options & sourcing
For many clients, the stone is the starting point, whether that’s a classic diamond, a specific shade of teal sapphire, or an old mine cut that feels distinct from standard brilliant options.
Rather than selecting from limited in-store inventory, stones are sourced individually once we’ve defined the direction. Most conversations start with size, budget, quality, and overall look, especially when it comes to colour for gemstones.
You’ll get clear direction on what’s worth prioritizing, where you can stretch your budget, and where you don’t need to.
-
Natural and lab-grown diamonds are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and qualities. While classic cuts are always available, many clients are drawn to antique and uncommon cuts such as rose cuts, old mine cuts, and other vintage-inspired shapes that offer a softer, more distinctive character.
-
Available in a full spectrum of hues—including blue, green, teal, yellow, pink, and bi-colour variations—sapphires offer remarkable range for engagement rings. Their colour diversity allows each piece to feel distinctive while remaining timeless.
Durable and well suited for daily wear, sapphires provide a practical alternative to traditional diamond engagement rings while allowing for far greater colour expression.
-
Montana sapphires are especially known for their muted, natural palette and subtle internal character. They often appear in soft blues, smoky greens, teal tones, and steel-coloured shades that feel understated and organic.
Each stone is unique, and many clients are drawn to Montana sapphires for their natural variation and quietly distinctive colour.
-
Defined by internal markings that create an organic, textured appearance. Each stone is visually distinct, with a spectrum from soft grey to deep, storm-like tones.
-
Modern, minimal, and bold. Black diamonds offer strong visual contrast and a refined, architectural look within custom structures.
-
Spinel, tourmaline, aquamarine, morganite, and other coloured stones thoughtfully selected and reviewed for hue, clarity, durability, and individual character.
-
Existing stones can often be incorporated into a new design. Heirloom diamonds and gemstones are carefully assessed and thoughtfully reused, allowing meaningful pieces to be reimagined in a new setting.
View our gallery of finished pieces →
ready to begin?
Whether you’re designing an engagement ring, exploring unique gemstones, or reimagining an heirloom, the process starts with a conversation.