FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE CREATION PROCESS?
CHARLTON & LOLA jewelry is made with the finest materials, including precious metals and gemstones, and crafted with learned techniques. As such, each piece takes time to create and finish. Each fine jewelry item description will specify in more detail the production process. Besides Lisa's own hands, please know that we work with some of the best jewelers and craftsmen in the city to create pieces, so your patience is truly appreciated.
Order Lead Times
Made Fine Jewelry
For CHARLTON & LOLA ready-made fine jewelry, please allow for the time specified in the listing of your order, for your fine jewelry piece to be created, processed and then, based on shipping selected, the allotted time to receive pieces. Kindly note, we will notify you beforehand, if a fine jewelry piece will take more than the stated allotted time to be delivered.
Bespoke Fine Jewelry
The design process for each piece of CHARLTON & LOLA custom-made fine jewelry will vary in scope, complexity, and materials. Client approval is required prior to creation. Normally, the entire process averages 3-6 months, depending on the complexity of the project. Each custom order receives the closest personal attention from Lisa. Therefore, lead times quoted are not always approximate and can be subject to change with fluctuating variables.
To start the process to discuss the creation of your one-of-a-kind custom CHARLTON & LOLA fine jewelry piece, see our consultation form here.
Design by Stone Jewelry
Stones featured are usually selected and purchased by Lisa, for their uniqueness, both in nature and quality. Fine jewelry that uses “Stones” in its design will follow the same guidelines, processes, and lead times stated in “Custom-Made Fine Jewelry”. Clients can request a GIA certificate, if applicable, however the client will incur the cost of said certificate.
To further discuss, please contact us at info@charltonandlola.com.
Pricing Fine Jewelry
Clients are always curious into the different elements that determine the prices of create fine jewelry, especially engagement rings. This section gives a brief breakdown of the factors that determine the price of your fine jewelry.
Gemstones
The cost price of main gemstones, especially diamonds change constantly. Prices fluctuate according to market price according to market price (based on supply, availability and rarity) and by the exchange rate (diamonds sell in $US and are subject to fluctuations based on the money market exchange rate.)
Any Outer Gemstones
The cost of any outer gemstones, like diamonds that come in smaller mêlée diamonds seen in clusters and multi-stone rings, are built into the cost. Again, these gemstones are subject to cost fluctuations-market prices and exchange rates.
Metals
Most consumers are aware of the fluctuating costs of precious metals, which is also a major factor in the cost and pricing of fine jewelry. Availability, rarity, the cost of extraction and the world economy all affect the cost of precious metals. All fine jewelry parts, irrespective of gemstones, vary in weight. Metal weight also varies depending on metal choice. Each and every metal and choice of stone size play a part in the weight of fine jewelry.
Brand Value
When you buy fine jewelry, leaving aside the gemstones, you are not just purchasing metal. Styling and design play a strong part in the cost of creating fine jewelry. This difference can be significant due to the education and experience of the jeweler and their team. Even the location where the fine jewelry is designed and created will have an impact on the final price of the piece or pieces. New York City fine jewelry will have a different price point than Johannesburg fine jewelry. Brand recognition will also impact the price of fine jewelry.
Labor
From the very start to the end of the process, creating a diamond ring is a human process involving many hours of hard work. This is an important element deciding how we price fine jewelry. This work calls upon a unique skill set and generations of experience across casting, mounting, setting and finishing to name just four separate parts of the creation processes. Fine jewelry is the product of hard work, refined skill and attention to detail. Each person in the process, from the mounter, through to the setter and to the finisher demand a certain price for their work which needs consideration in the cost of fine jewelry.
Further Consideration
Further considerations include the cost of packaging, and sending an item, the insurance delivery all of which need consideration.
Whether you are considering creating fine jewelry or just curious how pricing is determined, hopefully the above information was able to shed light on some of the factors we have to consider on a constant basis so that we can price rings accurately.
This system keeps prices up-to-date constantly, while many retailers price jewelry periodically.
ETHICAL SOURCING
All diamonds, gemstones and materials are procured under environmentally responsible procedures. All diamonds are sourced ethically, in adherence to the Kimberely Process. We are committed to promoting ethical sourcing and creating the finest jewelry.
WHAT DO WE PROMISE YOU?
Guarantee
Our fine jewelry is handcrafted and is guaranteed against creation and material defects only. With proper care, CHARLTON & LOLA fine jewelry pieces should last a lifetime.
See Jewelry Care.
Client Expectations
We strive to make every client experience with CHARLTON & LOLA as simple and pleasurable as possible. We make every effort to ensure the buyer is completely thrilled with the fine jewelry pieces created for them. Due to the nature of some handcrafted fine jewelry, there can be slight variations between products. We reserve the right to make minor design changes without notice, as necessary in the interest of preserving the integrity of the fine jewelry piece. We will notify the client of such alterations when possible.
Although we do our best to display products as accurately as possible, the actual colors of the metals or stones could appear differently from the images on the website. We cannot be responsible for any inaccuracy in this regard.
If the buyer feels dissatisfied with their jewelry or the order experience, kindly contact us so we can remedy the situation to the best of our abilities. Please note that the policies are made very clear, and we can only offer solutions that fall within our stated guidelines. You will find that we strive to create joy and happiness with each fine jewelry order, so we will do the best we can every time.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN DESIGNING FINE JEWELRY?
The Design Process
Choosing to design and create your one-of-a-kind fine jewelry is firstly an experience: a desire to connect with your inner creator. The process requires a joy in the fine details in the creative process and most importantly patience.
Based on a client's level of interest in design, they can be part of every aspect of creation: from sourcing gemstones to determining the color of gold for their creation.
Projects are priced out based on the hours required to create a fine jewelry piece. The complexity in design will therefore be determined in hours. The materials used for the fine jewelry piece also determines the price of the fine jewelry piece. Please note, project pricing is stated on our consultation forms. This timeframe allows design meetings, sourcing materials, design revisions and craftsman labor. We love what we do so we look forward to creating an exceptional experience for our clients.
Please find the consultation form for wedding clients here and for private design projects here.
Ring Sizing
Awesome. You've decided to design and create your own unique ring with CHARLTON & LOLA, but what is your ring size? Let us help you determine that. From our favorite ring sizing source, blue nile:
The Perfect Ring Fit. How to Measure Your Finger.
Your ring should fit your finger comfortably; snug enough so that it will not fall off, but loose enough to slide over your knuckle.
Finger size changes depending on the time of day and the weather. For best results measure your finger size:
At the end of the day and when your fingers are warm (Fingers are smaller in the early morning and when cold.)
Measure finger size 3 to 4 times to eliminate an erroneous reading.
Avoid using string or paper to measure ring size as these materials can stretch or twist, yielding an inaccurate measurement.
See A Ring Sizing Chart & Instructions for Accurate Sizing