How to Design Jewelry Online

You may be able to try various beads and make a sample necklace

This article will describe the kinds of online jewelry design sites available and the types of services they offer.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Ideas about the type of jewelry you want to design
• Price ranges that you want to work within
• Time to receive the completed piece, or to receive the beads, clasps, wire etc. you will use to make the jewelry you have designed
• Willingness to check a number of web sites and compare what they offer
• Self discipline to check out the web site for possible bad reports before you order your dream jewelry

1. Decide how much freedom of design you want, whether you want to put the final object together yourself or have someone carry the design into reality, the type of materials you want to work with, and the price range you are willing to work within.

2. This is how a manual beading tray is used; the online ones are similar

   Some sites provide a design board for you to select beads, clasps, etc. and try them out in a pattern you can see before actually buying the materials. This is similar to using a bead design tray at home, but you can try out the parts before deciding if you want to buy them.

3. Sample of the various shapes, colors and materials available for use

   These kinds of sites do not directly help you design the piece except by offering samples of the jewelry parts you can buy. Sometimes they do provide free articles on general design guidance and characteristics of jewels, gemstones, glass or metal jewelry parts. Usually this type of online site does not offer the most expensive types of jewels such as diamonds.

4. Samples of various claps you might be able to try out in your design

   This type of site will usually not actually assemble the piece you designed. Rather, by allowing you to try different beads and arrangements, they help you decide what to buy so you don't end up with a lot of extra beads you don't like. This method lets you purchase just the materials you decide you want. Also, because they let you figure out exactly what you will need for the piece, you don't end up making extra orders or trips to the store.

5. You might get to choose the type of metal (silver), setting (bezel), and type of stone (amethyst)

   Another type of online jewelry design site provides options concerning the type of metal, setting, type of stone, engraving, etc. This is a mix and match service where you may get a fairly large number of selections but you can't introduce design elements of your own. The site may then create the piece and send it to you, or it may ask you to print out your final selections and take them to one of their stores in your neighborhood.

6. Wedding band designs are as varied as the tastes of the couples getting married.

   Some sites are run by one or more design artists who will work with you in a variety of ways to design the piece you want. Some will use your simple sketch and design options for you to look at. Some use sophisticated automated design software that allows them to control the design to exact specifications. Some will want to discuss your plans with you over the telephone before starting the design. These sites usually both design the jewelry and create the piece itself.

7. One more type of ring. Earrings are also available on some sites.

   I have listed a number of online sites below. I am not specifically recommending these as I have not used their services. Other sites are also available. Have fun surfing and searching!

Tips & Warnings

• Particularly for any high priced jewelry design, do not make any commitments or spend any money until you have checked the company out through web searches, the Better Business Bureau, etc.

• Find out what, if any, return policies exist. The company should at least guarantee that the item looks exactly like the one you saw online, that the workmanship is sturdy and the surfaces smooth, and that all materials are as advertised.