Our Process...
Step 1 - The Consultation
Arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with Martin Nagel.
We will talk about your design ideas, likes and dislikes and we will look at the options for your center stone - whether you want a mined diamond, a lab grown diamond or a gemstone. You will be educated on all the options available to you so you can make an informed decision on your stone as it will likely be the most expensive part of the ring and also the main focus. We will discuss the different metal options available with all their various pros and cons and also the ideal ring design for you based on what you and your partner like most. Any questions or concerns you have about the chosen materials, the design or the processes involved will be thoroughly addressed. We will also discuss your budget - this is an integral part of the process as it helps us to provide you with the best possible materials.
Tips to prepare for the consultation:
- Try to ascertain your partner's finger size beforehand. This will help speed up the process and also avoid any awkward situations when you pop the question. For tips on this, please view our suggestions here.
- Know your budget. You need to have an idea of what the maximum is that you are willing to spend for this, so that we can help you to get the most for your budget.
- Try to find out what kind of ring style or design your partner might like. Pay attention to any potential clues you receive from them. Ask friends and family for help in this regard - this way we can make sure there are big smiles when you get down on one knee.
- Set aside roughly one hour for the consultation.
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Step 2 - The Design
Once we have found the perfect stone (or stones) for you and we know exactly what you want in a ring, we can begin the design process. After the consultation is concluded a 3D CAD digital representation of the ring will be created for you - this is a photo-realistic image of what the ring will look like upon completion and is made to give you the most accurate idea possible of what to expect. Along with this, we will also send you a formal quotation for your approval. Once you have approved the design and the CAD renderings, we will require a *50% deposit to start.
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Step 3 - The Best Part
After your 50% deposit has been paid the manufacturing process can begin! After a 3D print of the ring is made, it is cast in your desired metal. After casting, it goes to our expert jeweller, Zizi, who starts cleaning and assembling the ring. Here, we make sure that careful attention is paid to the smallest details and that every part of the ring is perfect. The ring is then pre-polished and we do a quality check to make sure the metal and craftsmanship are up to standard.
Next, it goes to the setting department. Here, an experienced stone setter (our own Mr Kenny) ensures that your diamonds and gemstones are securely set into the ring. This is a time-consuming but critical part of the process that requires a deft hand and years of expertise. We do our best to make sure that every set stone stays set** and afterwards, we do another quality check to see if any stones are loose or not set straight.
The final step is to polish the ring to perfection. Our polisher, Sipho, is highly skilled and he ensures that all angles are perfect. In the case of white gold, the ring is also rhodium-plated after polishing. This creates a durable, scratch-resistant layer on the piece and also adds an extra hue of whiteness to the metal.
The ring then undergoes a final quality check by Martin Nagel himself. When we are 100% satisfied with the final product, we will prepare the Tax Invoice and the Valuation Certificate that you'll need for insurance purposes. We will send you both documents when we inform you that the ring is ready for collection.
