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Before You Begin
From design and gemstone selection to pricing, craftsmanship and delivery, we have answered the questions you may have before starting your bespoke journey.
Your guide to creating bespoke jewelry with Kollectivet.
Everything to Know Before You Begin
Getting Started
We do more than just engagement rings and wedding bands. Whether you are looking for a one-of-a-kind cocktail ring, beautiful pair of earrings, a birthstone pendant and necklace, a signet men's ring, custom cufflinks or simply a variation on one of the designs from our existing collection - we make them all! Our skilled partner artisans can help create your own utterly unique piece (with your custom-selected gemstone!) to help make your vision come true.
Right now, Kollectivet is purely an online business with our registered business address in Fagerstrand, Norway. Each piece of jewelry is made by our partner independent artisans and goldsmiths in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Our founder, Gayara (a Sri Lankan herself), works very closely with our artisans to ensure you will never have to settle for 'almost perfect'.
Well, for starters, by you! Custom making your own special piece means you give us your design direction and we will work towards bringing your idea to life. When you start your free consultation with us, you can share images of inspirational ring(s) and flesh out the details of your design with us. We will help you weigh out various options that suit your preferences and budget. Once we have the information needed, we will proceed to work with our team to produce the relevant sketches and renderings of your special piece. You’ll have a chance to review the design and offer feedback. It is an ongoing process and we’ll keep designing until you’re happy.
Our consultations are free, meaning there is no charge to discuss your design and get your quote. Once you approve our quote, we will get started on the work! At this point, we will request a 50% non-refundable* deposit prior to CAD designing, gemstone sourcing and production of your custom piece. This deposit goes towards the final cost of producing your piece.We begin with creating artistic sketches (based on the design, hand drawn or 3D sketch) of your piece for your feedback. We won't stop till you say its perfect! If you decide to change your base design mid way, we will incorporate your ideas and let you know if there is an update to your quote as well. This update will be based on any extra metal usage or gemstones added in.Once the design is approved, we begin production!*Please note, this deposit is non-refundable as we use this to purchase your custom selected gemstone and to start work. All custom made pieces to your liking are non-refundable. Please read our store policy to learn more.
We understand that unforeseen circumstances can happen. The next steps that follow in a cancellation of a custom order depends on where you are in the custom order process. And yes, there is a cost involved.3D Design: If we have completed designing your ring, and it is after this point you decide you do not wish to proceed with the order, we will charge you a fee of NOK 2400* (approx. EUR 200) for the time and effort spent on bringing your design idea to a production feasible 3D sketch. We will consider it case by case, and if applicable, we will deduct the designing fee and refund the balance of the 50% advance payment made.*If you decide to come back to us to finish production of the same design of your ring at a later date, we will reduce this designing fee from your final quote. That's a promise! Gemstone Sourcing & Production: Once the 3D design is approved by you, we start production. If you cancel your order while your piece is in production, you'll forfeit the 50% non-refundable advance deposit. Please read our store policy to learn more.We really do hope that you give us the green light to start on your order after careful consideration to avoid such cancellations mid way into the process.
Yes. As an online bespoke jeweler, our portfolio is how we showcase our craftsmanship and inspire future clients. We therefore generally photograph and share the jewelry we create across our website and social media channels.
If your piece is an engagement ring or intended as a surprise gift, we will never share it before the proposal or special occasion has taken place. We always wait until you have confirmed the moment has passed.
If you have a genuine reason for keeping your jewelry completely private, please discuss this with us before production begins. We will do our best to accommodate confidentiality requests where appropriate. To learn more about our Photography and Portfolio Rights, read our Store Policy to learn more.
Pricing, Payments & Timelines
We require a minimum of 6-9 weeks to manufacture your special piece and deliver it right to your doorstep. Below is a rough breakdown of how long each part of our process takes:Design: As long as it takes for you to tell us it's perfect!When it comes to creating your design, we'll work at your pace. Some customers only need to share an inspirational image and exchange a few messages with us, while others may prefer to design and iterate with us over many weeks. We won't stop till you're absolutely happy with the final design.Sourcing Gemstones: Approximately 1-2 weeksWe will show you an array of gemstones within your preferred gemstone type, color hue and budget. Your final gemstone will be tested and certified by a reputed third party laboratory, signed by a GIA-alumni gemologist, to guarantee its authenticity.Production & Logistics: Approximately 2-4 weeksOnce you've approved the design, our Sri Lankan goldsmiths will manufacture your piece, finishing all the intricate details by hand. When it's ready, we'll send you photographs and videos of your finished piece so you can give us your seal of approval. Once you have approved it all, your special piece will be shipped from Sri Lanka to Norway, to be packed and ready to be delivered to you.Doorstep Delivery: 1-3 days We ship your special piece free of charge, straight to your doorstep! We have partnered with DHL Express for insured, carbon neutral worldwide delivery. We handle and pay for clearance, taxes and customs duties so you don't have to get an ugly surprise! We deliver to over 45 countries, please check our country list for more.
We believe the experience of getting something made just for you should be accessible to everyone. While your special piece is custom designed and crafted to exceptionally high standards, we're able to keep our costs much lower than traditional jewelers who do custom work. This is not by cutting corners or settling for lower quality, but by finding better ways to do things.We purchase our gemstones directly from the source nation. Our founder, Gayara, is a Sri Lankan living in Norway. With her very close and personal ties to Sri Lanka (a nation known as the Gem Island of the world!) - most of our colored gemstones are purchased directly from gemstone suppliers in Sri Lanka. This greatly reduces the mark up prices and margins kept by third party gem merchants. We also work directly with our community of Sri Lankan artisans and goldsmiths.Keeping our costs low means we're able to produce heirloom-quality custom jewelry for prices that are comparable to what you'd pay for similar quality pieces off the shelf. Therefore, we offer the opportunity to have something made for you for roughly the cost of something that's been mass-produced.
Each piece of jewelry we produce starts off as a brand new idea and made from scratch just for you! Because of that, it’s difficult to know how much a piece is going to cost without knowing a bit more about the idea you have in mind.The easiest way to get an estimate on your piece is to start a consultation with us. With just a bit of information, we can usually provide you with a close accurate quote. Once we have the finer details, we can offer you a proposal with an exact price.One thing to remember: There is NO additional charge for our bespoke service! Every piece of our jewelry is individually handmade by our design partners using the same processes with equal care and precision. Your cost will depend solely on materials and gemstones used. So no, there is no extra charge for custom making your own dreamy design.
Gemstones & Certification
We at Kollectivet predominantly source our natural gemstones from Sri Lanka - an island nation not just renowned for their spectacular sapphires, but has also become a role model in eco-friendly gemstone mining due to small-scale mining in a way that conserves resources. Further, gemstones sourced from Sri Lanka are fair mined and conflict free. 🇱🇰 With a 2500+ year history in the world of gemstones and jewelry, Sri Lanka has a well-regulated and transparent system of gem mining and trading that ensures the protection of the environment and the welfare of the workers. 🏆 Gem traders are licensed and registered by the government, and follow strict standards of quality and authenticity. Uncontrolled mining is non-existent and there is NO child labor or exploitation of workers. The national regulations are probably the strictest in the world for mining!🤚🏽 The artisanal mining practise in Sri Lanka is done by hand. This physically intensive work ethic is firmly rooted in the Sri Lankan tradition and still exists today. This traditional method is also considered to be the most environmentally friendly (or least damaging) in the mining industry. ⚒️ Gem mines are mostly small-scale and family-owned built using locally sourced natural materials minimizing environmental damage.🫱🏾🫲🏽 Sri Lanka has forbidden foreign investments in their mining industry, only allowed in the form of joint ventures with local partners. The export ban on uncut gemstones helps avoid the modern form of colonialism - where raw materials are extracted with no value created for the people in the country of original. By allowing ONLY cut and polished gemstones to be exported from the country, the process ensures that the backend supply chain of the natural gemstone industry is compensated for their work! 🌱 Environmental protection plays an important role as the nation sees its gem deposits as a gift of nature with gratitude. It is required by law that unused and abandoned shafts and pits are re-naturalized after mining is complete. While the global mining industry has very questionable practices, there are sustainable gemstone producers that do strive to limit their impact on the environment and ensure that workers are treated fairly.
No two natural gemstones are completely identical. Even when stones are carefully matched, subtle variations in colour, tone, saturation, clarity, inclusions and the way each stone reflects light are a natural part of their character.For designs featuring two or more matching natural gemstones, our standard sourcing process includes selecting stones that are closely matched in size, colour and overall visual appearance. However, a perfectly identical match cannot be guaranteed, particularly with smaller natural gemstones where the available selection can be more limited.For clients who require a closer match:We can offer an extended gemstone matching service at an additional charge. This involves additional sourcing time and comparing a larger selection of gemstones to find the closest possible pairing in colour, tone, dimensions and overall appearance. Depending on the gemstone, this may also involve additional stone costs. Additional costs will vary depending on the gemstone variety.Even with extended matching, natural gemstones will retain their individual characteristics and a 100% identical match cannot be guaranteed. If absolute uniformity is important to your design, we can also advise on alternative gemstone options where greater consistency may be achievable.
Yes. Every bespoke piece is delivered with the appropriate gemstone certification.
Diamonds & Moissanite:
Natural diamonds above 0.40 ct are supplied with a GIA certificate.Lab-grown diamonds above 0.50 ct are supplied with an IGI certificate.Moissanite above 0.50 ct is supplied with a GRA certificate or a certificate from another accredited gemological laboratory.
Colored Gemstones:Every colored gemstone is accompanied by an authenticity certificate from one of Sri Lanka's reputable gemological laboratories. We primarily work with:
GIC (Gemmological Institute of Colombo)GGTL (Global Gem Testing Laboratory)NGJA (National Gem & Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka) If you have a preferred laboratory, simply let us know before production begins. Certification costs are already included in the price of your bespoke piece.
For clients who would like a Country of Origin report (for example, confirming a sapphire's origin), this can be arranged through laboratories that offer this service, such as GIC. Origin reports involve additional testing and are therefore available at an additional cost of NOK 1000/USD 100.
Not in the traditional sense.
Because every piece we create is bespoke, we don't keep a fixed gemstone inventory. Instead, we source each stone individually to suit your design, budget and preferences. This allows us to select the best available gemstone for your project rather than limiting you to a pre-existing stock.
All of our gemstones are sourced directly from trusted gem suppliers and merchants in Sri Lanka. Throughout the design process, we will guide you through selecting your gemstone, explaining the characteristics, quality and pricing of each option so you can make an informed decision.
Transparency is at the heart of our sourcing process. We believe choosing a gemstone - whether it's a diamond, sapphire or another colored gemstone - is one of the most important decisions you will make, both aesthetically and financially. We will provide all the information you need and encourage you to ask as many questions as you would like.
Looking for gemstone inspiration?
If you would like to browse some of the gemstones our suppliers share with us, join our Gem Drop Instagram channel. We regularly share newly acquired gemstones there before they appear anywhere else, including their specifications, pricing and sometimes, some design inspiration. Since many of these gemstones are one of a kind, they are often reserved quickly, making Gem Drop the best place to discover new arrivals first! 💎✨
Absolutely! We offer both moissanite and lab diamonds. A lab-grown gem can be a great choice, both as a budget choice and for those who prefer a ring with no connection to the mining process. We're happy to talk you through the trade-offs, and to show you both mined and lab-grown center stone options. We source our lab diamonds from India.
Yes! From September 2026, all our bespoke jewelry undergoes independent precious-metal purity verification and hallmarking through Sri Lanka's National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA).This process verifies the purity of the precious metal used in your piece, providing additional assurance of its authenticity and quality.
Craftsmanship & Personalization
CAD allows us to design your jewelry with a high degree of precision and gives you a detailed representation of its proportions, structure and overall appearance. However, CAD is a digital design tool - the finished piece is still brought to life and completed by hand.
Every Kollectivet piece is set, polished and hand finished by skilled Sri Lankan artisans, many of whom work with traditional jewelry-making techniques passed down through generations. As a result, microscopic variations from the CAD - or between individual handmade elements - are a natural part of the process.
These subtle human variations should not be confused with defects in workmanship. We carefully quality check every piece before it leaves us, but handmade jewelry should not be expected to have the absolute uniformity of a digitally rendered image or a fully machine-produced object.
This human element is also part of what makes bespoke jewelry special. Even when a piece begins with the precision of CAD, the final details are shaped and finished by hand, giving each piece its own individual character.
Yes, and it is complimentary!
Complimentary engraving is included with all our bespoke jewelry.
We recommend keeping engravings short and meaningful - such as a name, initials, a special date, or two to three meaningful words.If you have a particular font in mind, you are welcome to share it with us in PDF format, and we will do our best to accommodate it depending on the design and available engraving space.All engraving details must be finalised before your jewelry enters production. For CAD designed pieces, this means confirming your engraving at the time of final CAD approval. For entirely handmade pieces, engraving must be confirmed when the final design is approved.Once production has begun, we cannot guarantee that new or revised engraving requests can be accommodated and additional charges may apply where changes are still possible.
Delivery & Aftercare
We strongly recommend having your finger professionally measured by a reputable local jeweler before placing your order to ensure the best possible fit.
Most solid gold and platinum rings can be resized, although this depends on the design. If the ring size differs due to an error on our part, we will arrange a complimentary resize when notified within 7 calendar days of receiving your order. If the ring was crafted to the size provided during ordering but requires resizing, the resizing costs will be the customer's responsibility.
For full details, including eligibility, the resizing process and warranty considerations, please refer to our Ring Resizing Policy under our Warranty Policy.
Yes. We offer a 1 year commercial warranty on sterling silver jewelry and a 5 year commercial warranty on solid gold and platinum jewelry, covering qualifying manufacturing and workmanship defects. We ask that any immediately visible issues are reported within 7 calendar days of delivery where reasonably possible.
Normal wear, accidental damage, inappropriate care and damage caused by third-party work are not covered. Post-warranty, we are still happy to assist with repairs and aftercare wherever possible.
Please read our Warranty Policy for full coverage, exclusions and claim information.
Yes we do! We ship to over 45 countries, and all international shipments are delivered via DHL Express On Demand Climate Neutral delivery. It will take 1-3 days depending on your location. To understand more about our shipping locations and subsequent rates, please read our shipping policy.
All taxes and duties are prepaid by Kollectivet.
There will be no surprise costs.
All of our gold jewelry is presented in beautiful wooden walnut boxes fit for a proposal!
Still have a question?
Chat directly with our co-founder, Gayara. She will be happy to help. Or reach out to us via email and we will get back to you within one business day.
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