Let’s create jewelry people can’t live without.

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Hey, it’s Jenessa.

In today’s issue:

• Deep Dive: Stop wasting time! Four things I wish I knew starting out in custom jewelry…

•DEEP DIVE

Here’s What I Wish Someone Told Me Sooner

If you’ve been in the custom game for a while, you already know this:

Designing a beautiful ring for a client is the easy part.

It’s the other stuff—the awkward conversations, the last-minute change requests, the client who ghosted after you poured 8 hours into sketches—that wears you down.

I’ve been in this industry for over 20 years—designing in high-volume custom studios with 50+ bench jewelers and meeting clients one-on-one at my dining room table.

I’ve seen the behind-the-scenes chaos, the client curveballs, the trial-and-error mistakes—and learned a lot the hard way.

So if you’re in the custom jewelry game, here are four real-world lessons that completely changed how I work.

They’ll save you time, stress, and a few gray hairs.

1. “Can You Just Copy This?”

We’ve all been there.

The client pulls out a screenshot from Instagram and says, “I want this exact ring.”

You could say no and lose the job. Or say yes and feel like a fraud.

Here’s what I do instead:

I turn their copycat request into a storytelling opportunity.

Then I pivot:

“What if we made something with that vibe, but told your story instead?”

Now you’re not just a designer—you’re the expert who turns their story into something meaningful.

I’ve hidden pinecones in ring designs, included the word Beshert (Hebrew for “meant to be”), and brought all kinds of personal touches to life through jewelry.

Don’t copy. Create. That’s how you get clients who brag about you to their friends.

2. Design the Set, Not Just the Engagement Ring

Most designers don’t discuss the wedding band until after completing the engagement ring.

Big mistake.

Because if that band needs to sit flush, and it wasn’t part of the initial plan?

You’re either redesigning the engagement ring or explaining why a curved wedding band is the only option.

That’s why I bring it up in the very first consultation.

Clients appreciate the foresight. And 9 times out of 10, they buy the band too.

3. Free Sketches? Never Again.

Early in my career, I wasted dozens of hours on sketches that went nowhere.

Clients would vanish. Or worse—take my design to another jeweler.

So I started charging a non-refundable design deposit before picking up a pencil.

Guess what happened?

The time wasters vanished, and in came the serious clients who respect and pay for your time

Now I say this upfront:

Protect your time—it’s a limited resource.

4. Curation Is Key. Less Is More.

I used to overwhelm clients with too many sketches, thinking more options meant more value.

But too much choice creates confusion.

They’d freeze. Second-guess everything. Get stuck in indecision.

Now I limit what I show to a few tightly curated concepts.

Each one is purposeful, thoughtful, and aligned with their vision.

Great design isn’t about endless options; it’s about expert guidance and clarity.

You’re not just showing ideas. You’re leading them to the right one.

That's a wrap!

Designing jewelry people love isn’t just about skill—it’s about how you lead.

These lessons changed my process, client experience, and peace of mind.

If even one helps you work smarter and protect your creativity, it’s worth sharing.

Until next time, let’s continue creating jewelry people can’t live without!