How We Make Your Jewelry

A look inside our slow, intentional, handmade process.

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Let's begin!

At Gems & Flowers, every piece begins long before metal touches flame. Our jewelry is not mass-produced or outsourced. It is made in a small studio, by human hands, with time and care guiding every step. This page explains exactly what happens between the moment you place a custom order and the moment your finished piece arrives at your door.

my favorite part

Drawing

When you order a custom design, your name goes on my studio board.
This is intentional. It reminds me that I'm not making an object. I'm making your piece, for your story, for your moments.

I review your order details,
double-check your chosen metal, gemstone, size, and any notes you left.
If something seems unclear, we reach out right away. No guesswork. No
shortcuts. I start drawing by hand and double check if you like the designs before we move to 3D production.

Now I have whole books of drawings of custom and unique designs!

I select each stone by hand

Selecting gemstones

Natural gemstones vary in color, clarity, and inclusions. Machines don’t choose them. I do.

For each order, I open my trays of stones and select the ones that match your piece best, considering color balance, shape, and the subtle patterns and inclusions that make natural gems beautiful.

If your piece requires a special stone, I source it specifically for you.

This is why made-to-order pieces cannot be returned: stones are often purchased individually for each client.

Modern technology

3D Modeling

If a design is very intricate, we create a 3D and print it in wax to produce. Some designs are make by hand without this step.

Usually we send our customers the images of 3D models for proofing.

Pouring

We prepare the metal

Your piece begins as raw gold or silver: sheet, wire, or grain. Once melted, it's poured into the molds.

Then we cut, shape, and polish the metal using techniques that take years to master. Hammering, sawing, filing, and soldering all happen by hand. Every action affects how your piece will feel on the body. This is why handmade pieces often feel “alive” compared to factory-made jewelry.

Refinement

Slow, controlled soldering

Soldering is the heart of jewelry making. One second too long, and details disappear. One second too short, and joints fail.

We use micro-torches and careful heat control to keep your piece structurally sound while maintaining delicate details. This is the step where we check integrity again and again to make sure everything is perfect.

precision and care

Stone Setting

Setting stones is quiet and precise work. It’s also irreversible.

Each prong or bezel is shaped, tested, tightened, and polished by hand. Then we test the setting with pressure to ensure the stone does not shift or wobble.

last stage

Finishing and polishing

This stage determines how the piece will feel against your skin.

We refine edges, smooth surfaces,
and polish the metal to a soft luster or matte finish depending on the design. If the design has organic texture, we are very careful not to polish it away and leave as much texture as possible.

If the piece is sterling silver with gold plating, this is when
it receives its final layer of plating.

Plating is beautiful but delicate; all information is explained in our Jewelry Care guide.

Maker check

Final inspection

Before anything ships, we examine the piece one more time.
We look for:

  • Secure stone settings
  • Even polishing where required
  • Smooth edges
  • Correct sizing
  • No defects or weak points

If anything is not perfect, we make adjustments. If major adjustments are needed, we remake the piece entirely.

This is the promise behind handmade.

Why we chose the slow way

Handmade jewelry is slower for a reason. Slow processes protect quality and design integrity.

When you order from us, you're not buying a product off a shelf.
You're commissioning a small studio to create something that didn’t exist before, something crafted specifically for you.

Another very important aspect of slow production is sustainability. Crafting something to order doesn't affect our environment the same way as overproduction and factory practices do.

And we take that responsibility seriously.

Discover more about us...

  • Meet the designer

    Find out what inspired me to become a jewelry designer.

    See more 

  • Our Story

    We started as a one-person studio on Etsy in 2016. Our style evolved from simple handmade jewelry you can find everywhere to our signature high-detail, organic pieces...

    See more 

  • Materials Guide

    Learn about the durability of different metals and finishes. Discover which metal choice is best for you.

    See where we source our gemstones - and much more...

    See more 
See More