Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions regarding jewellery and Lily Grace Jewellery. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
FAQ for Buyers
What is handmade jewellery?
Handmade jewellery is jewellery that is made by hand without the use of machines or casting. With a handmade piece of jewellery, all materials must be shaped, formed, fused and soldered. Metal is annealed and work hardened to maintain the integrity of the metal.
Handmade jewellery is the benchmark for craftsmanship in fine jewellery as it requires highly skilled labour to manually control tools materials and temperatures to accurately work platinum and gold.
This is where training as an apprentice for four years and then working as manufacturing jeweller for the last 20 years comes to the forefront.
How can I buy a piece of your work?
Can you make a replica of a piece that was sold?
As these collections are one off designs, once sold they will not be replicated. However, some themes may appear later with different designs. Keep an eye out on Instagram or join my mailing list to be the first to see the works in progress, and for details on collections.
Do I need to make an appointment?
As custom made jewellery does take alot of time I try to space my appointments around blocks of time. Please contact me to discuss a suitable time that works for you.
I have some heirloom jewellery that I don't wear, can you design something new reusing the stones and/or gold?
The simple answer is Yes! Reusing stones and/or gold that is precious to you is one of my specialties. All pieces are made on my premises. I handmake, set stones and engrave so nothing is outsourced to a third party. You can be guaranteed your jewellery is safe and in expert care.
Can I re-use my stones to make a custom piece?
When remaking jewellery, utmost care is taken to remove existing stones and to reset the stones in the new piece.
However, alot of old jewellery contains stones that are worn, damaged, chipped or cracked. There are also alot of Old Cut/European cut diamonds that are cut quite differently to the "newer" round brilliant cut. and may be quite flawed or misshapen. I will always endeavour to let you know as much as possible before taking on any job, however there are occasions some of those precious stones cannot be reused or cannot be assessed until under the microscope.
I've got the gold and the stones. Why does it cost so much?
As with any creative process, everything takes time. From the design process, to the removal of stones from existing jewellery; melting and/or alloying gold and the creation of your one of a kind bespoke piece, it is all a process that is labour intensive. Requiring a wide range of training it is this skill set and experience that helps bring your vision to life. As the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for"
Where are your pieces made?
All pieces are hand made by myself in my workshop here in Sydney, Australia. All processes from melting the precious metal, forging, setting stones and engraving are all performed by myself. Handmade pieces take time, so please allow 4-8 weeks for your custom piece to come to life.
What is the difference between platinum and white gold?
Platinum (Pt ) is a very rare malleable precious metal that is coveted for its use in jewellery. It has a higher content of precious metal being a pure white metal in itself. This means it retains its colour indefinitely as opposed to white gold.
With a specific gravity of 21.5 compared to gold at 15.5, it is significantly heavier than gold.
Contrary to popular belief Platinum is actually softer than white gold and can endure many years of wear without showing the signs of fatigue that white gold jewellery exhibits.
Platinum also melts at 1768 degrees Celsius compared to gold at 1064 degrees Celsius making it very difficult to work with. While it is harder to work with than gold, its advantageous properties far outweigh the extra cost associated with platinum.
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What Is White Gold? To create white gold, pure gold is alloyed with copper, nickel, and zinc, which lends it the white colour and add durability needed for jewellery making. At 75% pure gold the alloy added makes up the remaining 25%. This is why white gold maintains a slightly yellow tint. To offset the yellow tint, white gold jewellery is plated with a precious white metal rhodium. This constant maintenance adds up over time. It is why I don't recommend rhodium plating your jewellery. Enjoy white gold for its warmer grey tint. There are many different white gold tints.
If you are after that bright white colour, it is worth remaking or beginning with platinum to maintain that white luxurious colour.​​​​​
Are your diamonds certified?
All diamonds 0.50ct or higher that are sourced come with GIA certification. Small accent diamonds do not come certified but I do only source top quality D-F coloured diamonds for my bespoke pieces. I believe you should always get quality and a well cut, high grade diamond will always sell itself.
Are your diamonds conflict-free?
All of my diamonds are sourced through Australian diamond dealers. This ensures that the diamonds I source are conflict free due to the Kimberly Process. An international agreement in 2003 undertaken to prevent "conflict diamonds" entering the mainstream rough diamond market.
Do you sell Lab Grown Diamonds?
Yes, I sell Lab Grown diamonds. Lab Grown diamonds are certified similarly to mined diamonds. As with mined diamonds, they come in all different colours, carat weights, cuts and clarity. They are an excellent alternative, especially if you have a budget in mind.
I release new collections of work available for purchase on my website four times per year. My collections are comprised of a limited number of one-of-a-kind pieces. I will announce the exact date and time about one week in advance of the sale on Instagram and via email. Sign up for my email list or follow me on Instagram to be notified when new work is available for purchase.
