Most people who come to Franco Jewellers for a custom engagement ring have never done anything like it before. They know they want something different from the standard catalogue — something that reflects their partner specifically, not just a style that happens to be popular this season — but the idea of commissioning a piece from scratch can feel unfamiliar. What does the process actually involve? How many appointments will it take? When do you choose the diamond? What if the design doesn’t turn out the way you imagined?

These are exactly the right questions to be asking. And the answers, once you know them, have a way of making the whole thing feel a great deal more approachable than it seemed.

This is a step-by-step guide to what commissioning a custom engagement ring actually looks like at Franco Jewellers — from the first conversation through to the moment you walk out with the finished ring in your pocket.

Before You Book: How Much Do You Need to Know?

The most common concern we hear before a first consultation is some version of: “I don’t know enough to have a useful conversation yet.” People worry they haven’t researched the right things, don’t know the terminology, or don’t have a clear enough vision to avoid wasting Silvana or Daniela’s time.

The honest answer is that you don’t need to know anything before your first appointment. You don’t need to know diamond shapes from diamond cuts. You don’t need a Pinterest board, a reference image, or a clear idea of what style you want. You don’t even need to know your partner’s ring size.

What’s useful to have — and this is all — is a general sense of your partner’s style (the jewellery they wear, whether they prefer simple or detailed pieces, whether they gravitate toward yellow gold or white), a rough idea of your budget, and a proposal timeline in mind. Everything else develops through the consultation.

If you do have reference images or inspiration, bring them. But don’t worry if you don’t.

Step One: The First Consultation

The process begins with a conversation, not a commitment. Your first appointment at our Collins Street boutique — in the 9th floor showroom of the Manchester Unity Building — is an opportunity to meet Silvana or Daniela, look at examples of our work, and talk through what you’re envisioning.

This consultation is complimentary and carries no obligation whatsoever. Many clients visit us two or three times before they’re ready to move forward, and that is genuinely fine. The “friends just the same” philosophy that Franco Ceresiani built this business on in 1968 means the goal is always a decision you’re completely confident in, not a quick sale.

During the first consultation, Silvana or Daniela will explore your partner’s style preferences with you — drawing on their decades of experience to help you articulate things you might find difficult to put into words. They’ll discuss metal options (18ct white, yellow, or rose gold; platinum), diamond shapes, setting styles, and how different design choices will affect the overall look and feel of the ring. They’ll also talk you through budget realistically — what different diamond qualities and design complexities involve in terms of cost — so there are no surprises later.

You’ll also have the opportunity to look at and handle rings from our collection, which gives you something concrete to respond to: “I like this but simpler,” or “this setting but with a different stone shape.” That tactile reference point is often more useful than any number of images on a screen.

By the end of the first consultation, you’ll have a clearer sense of direction — even if the design isn’t yet finalised — and Silvana or Daniela will have everything they need to bring design concepts to the next stage.

Typical duration: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

Step Two: Diamond Selection

For most custom engagement rings, diamond selection happens either during the first consultation or as a dedicated second appointment. This is where the centre stone — the heart of the ring — is chosen, and it’s a step worth taking seriously.

At Franco Jewellers, all diamonds are GIA certified. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the world’s most respected diamond grading authority, and their certification gives you a detailed, independent assessment of the stone’s cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight — the four characteristics that determine both quality and value. When Silvana or Daniela presents diamond options to you, each stone comes with its certificate, and they’ll explain clearly what the grades mean and how they affect the diamond’s appearance in real life.

A critical point here: a diamond’s grades on paper don’t always translate simply to how beautiful it looks in practice. A stone with a slightly lower colour grade but an exceptional cut can outperform a technically superior stone that’s been cut poorly. Silvana and Daniela’s experience means they guide you toward stones that genuinely perform — diamonds that catch light beautifully and look exceptional — rather than simply optimising for certificate numbers.

Both natural mined diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are available. Lab-grown diamonds are physically and chemically identical to mined diamonds and are available at significantly lower price points, which can allow you to invest in a larger or higher-quality stone for the same budget. This is a discussion worth having openly during the consultation.

Once a diamond is selected, it’s reserved for your commission.

Typical duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Step Three: Design Development and CAD Approval

With your stone chosen and your design direction established, our master jeweller — who brings more than 25 years of experience to every piece — develops the ring design in detail. For most custom commissions, this involves CAD (computer-aided design): a precise three-dimensional rendering of the ring that shows you exactly how the finished piece will look before any metal has been touched.

The CAD rendering is shared with you for review and feedback. This is the stage where refinements happen — adjustments to proportions, changes to setting details, modifications to the band profile. You might see the rendering and love it immediately. You might have questions or want something adjusted. Both are completely normal, and this back-and-forth is part of the process, not an imposition on it.

No work begins on the physical ring until you have reviewed the CAD rendering and provided your written approval. That approval is your assurance that what you’ve seen is what will be made.

It’s worth noting that a handmade ring — which is how Franco Jewellers creates all custom pieces, not through casting — will have a warmth and individuality that a CAD rendering can’t fully capture. The rendering shows the design; the finished piece has a character and presence that only comes from being made by skilled hands.

Typical turnaround: CAD rendering delivered within one to two weeks of design brief confirmation.

Step Four: Creation

Once your approval is given, the ring goes into production. Your piece is handcrafted in our on-site workshop by our master jeweller — the same person whose eye and hands have been part of the design conversation from the start. Everything stays in-house. There is no external casting house, no overseas manufacturer, no anonymous workshop. The ring is made here, at 220 Collins Street, by someone whose work you can see and whose name you know.

The handmaking process — rather than casting — is a genuine differentiator that fewer than ten per cent of jewellers offer. A handmade ring is formed by working the metal directly: forging, shaping, and finishing by hand. This produces a denser, stronger piece of metalwork with finer detail capability and a quality of finish that casting simply cannot replicate. When you’re creating a ring to last a lifetime, it matters how it’s made.

During the creation period, Silvana or Daniela will keep you updated on progress. If you’re working toward a specific proposal date, that timeline is factored in from the outset — and if any unexpected considerations arise during the making process, you’ll be told immediately rather than discovering them at collection.

Typical turnaround: Four to six weeks from CAD approval, depending on design complexity and workshop load. For proposal deadlines, discuss the timeline at your first consultation — we accommodate specific dates wherever possible.

Step Five: Quality Check and Final Fitting

When the ring is complete, it undergoes a thorough quality inspection by the master jeweller before we contact you for collection. Stone security, setting integrity, surface finish, and overall proportions are all checked against the approved design. The ring doesn’t leave the workshop until it meets the standard every Franco Jewellers piece is held to.

Collection is an in-person appointment at the boutique. This is deliberate — Silvana or Daniela will walk you through the finished piece, explain the care and maintenance it needs, and confirm the fit. If any minor adjustments are needed, they are taken care of before you leave with the ring. A complimentary first resize is available within twelve months of collection if needed after the proposal.

You’ll also receive documentation for the ring — including the GIA certificate for the diamond — and guidance on insurance and ongoing aftercare.

What to bring: Nothing except yourself. The ring will be presented in Franco Jewellers packaging, ready for the proposal.

Timeline Summary: From First Consultation to Collection

For most custom engagement ring commissions, the full process — from first consultation to collection — takes between eight and twelve weeks. Here’s how that typically breaks down:

First consultation and diamond selection: one to two appointments over one to two weeks. CAD design development and approval: one to two weeks. Ring creation: four to six weeks. Quality check and collection appointment: one week.

If you have a specific proposal date in mind, we recommend beginning the process at least ten to twelve weeks beforehand. This allows comfortable time for all stages without rushing any of them. For particularly complex designs or bespoke diamond sourcing, a slightly longer lead time may be recommended.

If you have a tighter timeline, speak to us early — we will always tell you honestly what is achievable rather than make promises we cannot keep.

Ready to Begin?

Commissioning a custom engagement ring at Franco Jewellers is a process designed to feel manageable, personal, and — for most clients — genuinely enjoyable. The first step is simply a conversation. There is no obligation, no pressure, and no minimum spend. Just an hour of dedicated time with Silvana or Daniela in our Collins Street boutique, and the beginning of a ring that will be worn every day for the rest of your partner’s life.

Book a complimentary consultation online at https://staging.franco.com.au/book-an-appointment/, call us on (03) 9564 7755, or email franco@franco.com.au. Walk-ins are welcome Monday to Saturday, 11am–4pm. Our boutique is located at Suite 904, Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne.

You can also explore our custom jewellery service and browse our engagement ring collection for design inspiration before your visit.