If you follow us on Instagram, you know we love a good ring shot! Of course we love the bling, but what really moves us is knowing the stories behind the rings that the couple chose. So today we are talking with Adriann Anderson of Adriann Joy, Exclusive Jewelry & Design to learn more about the custom design process! I mean look at these gorgeous rings!
Image credit AdriannJoy.com
Q. Can you tell us a little about yourself, have you always had a passion for design?
I was born in Chico, CA and I have been in the diamond business since 2012. I originally was doing medical sales, but a family friend who was in the industry suggested I help her. She is a second-generation jeweler and has been in the business for over 30 years. At that point, I knew literally nothing about diamonds or this business – my father is a retired teacher, now caterer and my mother is a retired health professional, so working in jewelry was never a thought that crossed my mind.
In the beginning, I was completely mesmerized by the beauty and sparkle of diamonds and at the same time quite shocked by the trade itself. Over time, my understanding of not only the trade grew, but also my interest in the more technical aspects of diamonds, like cutting, grading and what aspects add to a diamond’s value and beauty. I especially enjoyed learning how cut can affect not only the look but also the value of a stone.
The diamond business is built entirely on reputation and relationships. A good reputation and strong relationship is everything to someone in my line of work. So, after several years of working for my family friend, with her blessing, I decided to start out on my own. I started Adriann Joy in 2015. My specialty is working with private clients on custom pieces. I love the design process!
Q. What is your favorite part of the design process?
My favorite part of the design process is the AFTER! I love seeing my client’s faces when they see the finished piece. A lot of client’s cannot visualize the transformation and they have to put a lot of trust in me that it will turn out exactly how they want it to!
Q . What advice do you have for couples that may be considering having custom bands made for their wedding? Should they already have a style in mind or does that seem to happen more organically through your design process?
My advice for couples that are considering a custom wedding band is to have some sort of an idea of what you want. Do you like traditional, modern, vintage, or a mixture of styles etc? The options are limitless as to what you can have made, so it is helpful for me to have it narrowed down. If you are unsure, I have a list of questions that I will ask you. From there, I show you photos of styles I think you may like and we hone in on what you want made.
Q. Can you describe the typical time frame that you recommend for couples to inquire about a custom ring or piece?
A typical time frame for a fully custom piece is 2-5 weeks. I feel better having the latter. I never want to rush through the process and some people need more time to think through the designs. Once a CAD (Computer Assisted Design) is drawn up & approved, it usually takes 1-2 weeks to make the ring.
Q. What should couples look for when buying a quality diamond ring?
The obvious things are color, cut, and clarity, though I always tell clients to not get overly hung up on the technical aspects. That takes the romance out of the whole process. Don’t throw those things out of the window, but buy something you love the look of and that you feel something for and you can almost never go wrong. You do not look at your diamond under a microscope (that is what we are for). So focus on what you see with the naked eye! That is what you and others will see daily!
While buying a nice diamond is a huge part of buying a ring, do not forget about the ring itself. A lot of people only think about the diamond and totally overlook the ring. The ring should be the perfect companion to your diamond. After spending all of that time and energy picking the ideal stone, you want the perfect ring to go with it!
Q. We’ve been loving the trend of unique or non-traditional styles when people are using gemstones like a sapphire or emerald. Are you seeing any trends?
I have always loved non-traditional styles, such as a gemstone for an engagement ring! There are many reasons why a customer may choose to use a gemstone versus the traditional diamond. Gemstones are typically easier on your wallet & you do not have to sacrifice a beautiful ring! Some people love the sentiment behind a gemstone. Maybe it reminds them of a loved one who is no longer here, it might be their future spouses birthstone or simply they love the beauty of the color!
Q. Do you service rings for couples as well, such as sizing, adding bands or soldering or would couples take their rings to a local jeweler in this case?
I do service rings! Sizing, soldering, engraving, repairs, adding bands etc. Depending on the type of service, I will recommend you ship the jewelry to me in Cincinnati, Ohio (It is fully insured & comes next day) or I will recommend a local jeweler. If local, I typically will recommend Julianne’s Jewelry. They are very friendly, trustworthy and super easy to work with!
Q. What is your take on insuring jewelry, is this a must?
My take on insuring jewelry is an absolute yes! I always tell my clients to check with their insurance provider on what their insurance covers. Sometimes, you may have some sort of coverage for jewelry below $5,000. They will still need to know what you purchased and have that on your coverage. Anything over $5,000 is an absolute must! It is such a nice sense of security if something was to happen to your jewelry & you can always confidently wear your gorgeous jewelry everywhere you go!
Q. What do you see trending now in everyday jewelry?
The trend that I continue to see is stacking your jewelry anyway. You can stack with your rings, necklaces & bracelets. The more the merrier! Clients are shaking up shape and color of the their stackables too! There are no rules with stackables, which makes it so much more fun and allows people to express all styles!
Q. What engagement ring styles are you seeing?
A solitaire diamond engagement ring is timeless and continues to appeal to all generations. There are so many ways to make a solitaire ring unique. You can set your diamond East to West, have designs on the gallery and different metals to create different textures. While some think a solitaire is a standard setting, it is so much more than that!
Next in line is a diamond halo engagement ring! The diamond halo surrounding the center stone is such a great option to accent your center stone. You can make the stone look larger or have it appear as if it is floating. This is such a beautiful setting and my personal favorite!
Thank you so much to Adriann Anderson for sharing her wisdom with us and providing some insight on the custom jewelry process! If you’d like to check out more of Adriann’s work be sure to reach out to her at the links below or follow her on Instagram (@adrianjoy) - we’ll be there swooning over those stackable rings!
Adriann Anderson
Owner at Adriann Joy, Exclusive Jewelry & Design
P: 530.570.1204 E: adriann@adriannjoy.comwww.adriannjoy.com
~ Happy Planning!