with Kestrel Dillon
with Kestrel Dillon

The Beginning
All pieces start with a simple conversation- talk to me about your idea! Feel free to send me sketches or reference images. If you’re unsure of a specific idea, that’s okay! Interest in a vibe or aesthetic works too- we can discuss options and variations for your or your partner’s taste. We will discuss budget, timeline and material preference at this time as well. I’m happy to build off one of my existing designs that you see on my site, or create a design from scratch. Once I have a sense of what you’re wanting to build with me, I can do a round of initial sketches, with a couple options, to make sure we’re on the same page and help you visualize the piece better.

The Details
I will source stones in the shape size, budget you want, specifically for your project. I try to source a variety of stones within these parameters to ensure that you’re getting the absolute perfect stone for your piece. If you have an heirloom stone or other materials that you are hoping to repurpose etc., I’m happy to incorporate them into my work, though a setting and carrying fee still applies. Giving an heirloom piece a new life is so special and one of my favorite types of projects to do.

The Production
Once we have settled on a stone and design, I will ask for a 50% deposit to begin production on the ring. Please allow 6-8 weeks from the date of the deposit for the piece to be completed. Depending on the design, the model will either be hand carved in wax by me or CAD rendered. You will get plenty of images of the wax model when it’s complete and we can make revisions, as needed.

The Finishing
After I get the final thumbs up on the wax model, I will complete the rest of production on the piece- casting, cleanup/polishing and stone setting. I love for custom projects to be collaborative, but this is the stage where I whisk it away and really bring it to life in the studio. When it is complete, I will photograph it and notify you. You can either pick up the final piece from me, if you are local in NYC, or I will ship it to you with 2-day air.

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