At Henne Jewelers, we know that jewelry isn’t just an accessory. It’s often tied to the most meaningful people and moments in your life. Whether you’re designing an engagement ring, repurposing a family heirloom, or dreaming up something entirely new, our custom design team is here to help bring your vision to life.
Custom Jewelry Design
Jewelry That’s as Personal as Your Story
Why Go Custom?
Jewelry is deeply personal. And sometimes, the perfect piece doesn’t exist yet. That’s where custom design comes in. At Henne Jewelers, we work with customers every day who want to create something one-of-a-kind: an engagement ring that tells their love story, a necklace made with heirloom gemstones, or a bracelet that brings generations of family history together in a fresh, wearable way.
Custom doesn’t always mean extravagant — it just means personal. Whether you want to modernize a family treasure, design a piece from scratch, or add subtle elements like birthstones or engraving, we’re here to turn that vision into a reality.
The Custom Design Process
Our process is simple, personal, and collaborative:
1. Start with Inspiration
Bring in sketches, photos, or existing pieces. Think about how and when you’ll wear the piece so we can help guide design choices that balance beauty and durability.
2. Meet with Our Team
Submit the form or make an appointment to speak with a friendly, experienced sales associate. We’ll review your ideas, budget, and any materials you want to use—like heirloom gemstones.
3. Visualize the Design
We partner with trusted vendors to create CAD renderings and often 360-degree previews of your design, along with clear pricing and timeline estimates. In some cases, we can create a mold for you to try on—so you can confirm the fit and proportions before we begin. Once approved, we’ll move forward with crafting your custom piece.
4. Bring It to Life
Once approved, your piece goes into production. When it’s ready, we’ll review it with you and make sure every detail is perfect before it leaves our store.
Real Designs from Real Customers
3 ways to start your own Henne Custom Design journey
1.
From Past to Present
Transform what you already love into something new.
Use Family Heirloom Diamonds
Make a Grandkids' Birthstone Necklace for Grandma
Create a Multi-Wear Piece
2.
Design from Scratch
Bring us your stone and your dream — and we’ll bring it to life. You can also pick your own gems here at Henne for your custom piece.
3.
The Finishing Touch
Add a personal detail with engraving or a symbolic element.
Custom or Personalized?
What to Know
Two things to keep in mind as you plan your one-of-a-kind piece with Henne.
- We usually don't recommend melting down old metals to create a new piece due to potential structural issues. But our team can suggest other ways to incorporate meaningful materials.
- Want to personalize a ready-made piece? Our laser engraving services can add initials, dates, scripture, or special message to a ring, pendant, or the back of a watch.
Check Out Our Custom Design FAQs:
What does “custom jewelry” mean?
Custom jewelry is all about creating something personal that embodies you, your story, and your priorities. Whether you’re updating a family heirloom, designing an engagement ring that reflects your relationship, or crafting a meaningful gift, custom design ensures that every detail is intentional and lasting.
What types of custom jewelry can you create?
We’ve helped customers design a wide variety of meaningful pieces that they can cherish for years to come. These include:
- Engagement rings with personal stories or heirloom stones
- Jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings) featuring inherited gems
- Updated heirlooms with a modern touch
- Birthstone jewelry for family members or milestones
- Engraved designs marking celebrations, mantras, or personal moments
Do I need a fully formed idea to get started?
Not at all. Some clients come in with sketches or Pinterest boards; others just bring a feeling, a single stone, or a family piece. Our team is great at translating abstract ideas into thoughtful, wearable designs — and we’re happy to guide you every step of the way.
Can you work with my family diamonds or gemstones?
Yes, and we love doing so. Incorporating family stones is one of the most meaningful ways to personalize a piece. We’ll carefully assess each stone and suggest designs that honor the sentiment while ensuring the piece is durable and wearable.
Is custom jewelry more expensive than ready-made?
Not necessarily. One of the benefits of custom design is flexibility. You are in control of materials, gemstones, and design complexity. We’ll discuss your budget upfront and present thoughtful options that fit within it.
What’s the custom design process like?
We keep things clear and collaborative:
-
Inspiration & Ideas
Bring a piece, a sketch, or just a concept. We’ll also discuss durability and lifestyle. -
Consultation
Meet with a friendly, no-pressure associate to review your goals, budget, and materials. -
Design Development
We’ll create CAD renderings and often 360° previews (in some cases, we can make a mold for you to try on—so you can confirm the fit and proportions before we begin), along with transparent pricing and timelines. -
Approval
You’ll review and approve before we begin. We can tweak the design if needed. -
Completion & Reveal
The Henne team will make sure every detail is perfect before it’s yours to wear and enjoy.
How long does the process take?
Timelines vary by complexity and materials. Most custom pieces take several weeks after final approval. We’ll give you a realistic estimate at the start and keep you informed throughout.
Can you melt down my old jewelry into something new?
In most cases, we don’t recommend melting down old metal, as it can weaken the new piece’s structure. But if you're sentimental about your jewelry, we’ll explore other options to keep the connection intact (e.g. using the stones, design motifs, or adding personalized engraving).
What if I don’t want full custom—just a little personalization?
You don’t have to design a whole new piece to make it meaningful. Our engraving services allow you to personalize many types of jewelry (including watch backs) with initials, dates, sayings, scripture, symbols, or even custom logos.
How do I get started?
Simply submit the online form or schedule an appointment. We’ll walk you through the process, listen to your ideas, and help you create something that reflects what matters most to you.
Let’s Design Something Just for You
Whether you're transforming a family heirloom or building something from scratch, we're here to help every step of the way. Visit our Shadyside store in Pittsburgh or get started online—your custom jewelry journey starts here.