How to Pick a Custom Ring Jeweller in Toronto: 9 Questions to Ask
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio, Toronto · Updated October 11, 2026
Short answer: Ask every jeweller the same nine questions: who designs the ring and who makes it, whether you approve a 3D render first, what the price includes, how the deposit works, how long it takes, whether you see the actual diamond, what the warranty covers, whether you need to visit, and what reviews say about the process. Good answers are specific and in writing. Below is how we answer each one, so you have something to compare against.
If you are shopping for custom engagement rings in Toronto, you will find a lot of studios with nice photos. Photos tell you what a jeweller can make. These questions tell you what working with them will be like.
Who designs the ring, and who makes it?
Ask whether the person on your consult works with the bench, or passes your notes to someone you never meet. Details get lost in handoffs.
Our answer: Clint and Karina run design and consults, Adam leads ring design, and our dad Kenny, who started at the bench in 1985, leads production. You talk to the people who make the ring. Meet the team.
Will I approve the design before anything is made?
Ask what you get to sign off on. A sketch is not the same as a 3D model built to your stone's measurements.
Our answer: every ring is designed in CAD, and you approve 3D renderings before production starts. See each step in our custom ring process.
What does the price include?
Ask for the setting, the centre stone, the metal and shipping as separate lines, so you can compare quotes like for like.
Our answer: our median US ring order is about $4,000 USD, centre stone included. Our Made To Order settings start at $4,000 plus the diamond. Shipping is free and insured across Canada and the US. The full breakdown is in what a custom ring costs in Canada.
How does the deposit work?
Ask how much is due up front, what it pays for, and when it stops being refundable.
Our answer: half to start and half when the ring is ready, before it ships. The estimate is free with no obligation. Once a rendering deposit or diamond sourcing deposit is paid, the order cannot be cancelled and the deposit is non-refundable, so ask every question you have before that point.
How long will it take?
Ask for the timeline in weeks, and say so if you have a proposal date.
Our answer: custom rings take about 10 to 12 weeks from consultation to completion, and Made To Order rings about 8 weeks. Those are estimates, not guarantees. More in how long a custom ring takes.
Can I see the actual diamond before I commit?
Ask for video of the exact stone, not a stock photo of the shape, and ask what certificate it comes with.
Our answer: we film the actual diamond and send it to you. Rings with a centre stone of 1 carat or more come with IGI certification, and an independent appraisal is available for $100 CAD. Why that matters: IGI certified lab grown diamonds.
What does the warranty cover?
Ask what is excluded. That is where warranties differ.
Our answer: one year from delivery. We repair production defects and replace lost accent diamonds. It does not cover the centre stone, and resizing done by another jeweller voids it. Our own resizing is $100 in person or $200 shipped. Details in what our warranty covers.
Do I need to visit a showroom?
Ask how the jeweller works with people who cannot come in during business hours.
Our answer: no. Consults are free 20 minute video calls, and finished rings ship free and insured across Canada and the US with an adult signature. There are no walk-ins or studio visits.
What do the reviews say about the process?
Read reviews for how a jeweller handled changes and delays, not only the star rating.
Our answer: we are rated 5.0 on Google. Read them on our reviews page, and see finished rings in Our Clients.
The nine questions on one page
| Ask | A good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| Who designs it and who makes it? | Names, and you can talk to them |
| Do I approve it first? | A 3D render to your stone's size |
| What does the price include? | Setting, stone, metal and shipping as separate lines |
| How does the deposit work? | Amount, what it pays for, when it becomes final |
| How long? | A range in weeks, in writing |
| Can I see the diamond? | Video of the exact stone plus its certificate |
| What is the warranty? | Length, what is covered, what is excluded |
| Do I need to come in? | Video consults and insured shipping |
| What do reviews say? | Specific stories about the process |
Want to ask us these questions yourself?
A free 20 minute video call with Clint or Karina. Bring a photo, a budget, or nothing at all.
Book a free callSee our processQuestions we get about this
How many jewellers should I talk to?
Two or three is usually enough. Ask each one the same questions and compare the answers side by side.
Is a custom ring more expensive than buying one off the shelf?
Not always. The diamond is usually the biggest cost either way. Custom adds design time and bench work, but you only pay for details you actually want.
Do you work with clients outside Toronto?
Yes. Everything happens online, and we ship free and insured across Canada and the US.
Do you have a New York office?
Yes. US rings ship through our New York office at 580 Fifth Avenue.
What should I bring to a first consult?
A photo, a budget, or nothing at all. If you already have a diamond shape in mind, mention it, because the setting is designed around the stone.
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