FAQ + CUSTOM WORK

Each piece is handmade by me, Corkie Bolton, in my Rhode Island studio. I’m an independent jeweler and take pride in crafting thoughtful, small-batch and one-of-a-kind pieces using high-quality materials. I fabricate the jewelry, set the stones and do the engraving. Some wax pieces and customs are cast for me by a trusted small business caster.

What does “responsibly sourced” mean?

For me, it means knowing where my stones come from and choosing partners who value fair practices and sustainability.

I source my opals from Ancients17, a collaboration dedicated to natural, solid Australian opals from Lightning Ridge. They work directly with small, independent miners, keeping environmental impact low and ensuring fair labor. Each opal is hand-cut in the USA for full traceability.

My diamond melee and salt + pepper diamonds come from Misfit Diamonds, who specialize in traceable, ethically sourced Canadian stones. Their unique salt and pepper “galaxy” diamonds celebrate natural inclusions while offering transparency that’s rare in the industry.

Some of my smaller sapphire melee are sourced through reputable wholesalers. While these don’t always have complete traceability, I’m careful to work only with suppliers I trust and who share my commitment to responsible sourcing.

This approach allows me to balance beauty, craftsmanship, and integrity in every piece.

I source my Canadian salt and pepper diamonds from Misfit Diamonds, who work with stones from the Gahcho Kué Mine in the Northwest Territories. Each diamond is traced from rough to polish with full provenance, offering a rare combination of natural inclusions and crisp brilliance.

Unlike cloudier salt and pepper diamonds, these feature striking celestial patterns paired with high-quality cuts such as old mine, old European, step-cut hexagons, kites, pears, and more. Every stone is hand-selected by Misfit, ensuring that when I source through them, you receive an ethically sourced, one-of-a-kind diamond with a verifiable chain of custody.

I use certified recycled or in-house recycled gold almost exclusively in my studio. This commitment to sustainability ensures that my pieces are crafted with responsibly sourced materials, minimizing environmental impact while maintaining the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.

For custom work, I also offer Fairtrade certified gold, sourced from artisanal and small-scale mines (ASM) that follow the Fairtrade Gold Standard. This certification guarantees the gold is mined and traded under fair and responsible conditions, creating both social and environmental benefits for the mining communities. Please note that choosing Fairtrade gold does come at a higher cost, reflecting the true value of responsible mining practices.

I primarily work in 10k, 14k, and 18k yellow gold, crafting pieces that are both beautiful and durable, using responsibly sourced materials. 10k gold (41.7% pure gold) is the most durable and resistant to scratches, though it has a paler yellow tone. 14k gold (58.5% pure gold) offers a balance of strength and rich color, making it a popular choice for everyday wear. 18k gold (75% pure gold) has a deeper, more luxurious yellow tone and is prized for its beauty. While it is softer than 10k or 14k, it is still appropriate for everyday rings with a little extra care, and many people choose it for its richness of color.

I also offer rose gold through made-to-order, custom work, and from time to time you’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces available in my shop.

I do not work with white gold due to the additional maintenance it requires. White gold is typically alloyed with nickel or palladium and coated with rhodium to achieve its bright white appearance. Over time, this rhodium plating wears off and must be reapplied to maintain the finish.

While I don’t use platinum in my own designs, I can source platinum wedding bands upon request. Platinum is a naturally white metal that does not require rhodium plating, and it’s known for its durability and hypoallergenic properties.

If you’re interested in platinum bands or have specific metal preferences, please reach out — I’m happy to discuss your options.

I’d love to size every ring to your exact fit — but sometimes it’s just not possible.

When I engrave on gold, those bright, polished cuts are what make the piece sparkle. Resizing a hand-engraved ring usually requires soldering, which can expose those cuts to oxidation. Once that happens, the only way to restore the shine is to re-engrave the entire piece — and that’s often not possible.

Another reason a ring might not be resizable is if it’s an eternity band (with stones all the way around). In those cases, there’s simply no space to cut and solder without disrupting the design.

Always check the product notes — I’ll clearly state whether a ring can be sized. If it can, it’s typically only up or down by about one size. Please contact me if your heart is set on a ring and the size is close — I’m happy to see what’s possible.

The good news? I offer made-to-order pieces you can customize in your size and metal of choice. And for some one-of-a-kind designs, I can often create a similar version in your size, depending on stone availability. Just reach out, and we’ll figure out the best option together.

My Made to Order collection (found in the drop-down menu) features a variety of rings and chain bracelets that can be customized to your preferred size or length. Depending on the design, some pieces are available in your choice of 10k, 14k, or 18k yellow or rose gold, giving you the flexibility to create a piece that feels truly personal.

For rings, sizes are available in quarter, half, and full increments from size 3–10. Made to order pieces are paid in full at the time of purchase and are typically shipped within 4–6 weeks. Shop Now.

Custom Work

Custom work is limited, but I do take on special projects! This includes modifications to existing designs or unique commissions. These are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability, production time, and material sourcing.

If you're dreaming up something unique, feel free to contact me with your idea and I’ll let you know if it’s a fit.

I am happy to work with customer-provided diamonds for custom work, both melee (small stones) and center stones. I will also work with sapphire melee, but I do not accept other stones. This policy is in place due to the risk of breaking or damaging precious, irreplaceable stones during the setting process, which cannot be replaced. To ensure the highest quality and safety, I am more than happy to help source beautiful stones for your custom piece. If you have a custom request, feel free to reach out, and we can discuss the possibilities.

I work in 10k, 14k, + 18k yellow or rose gold. I do not work in white gold, or platinum.

I do not create custom work in silver. However, in some instances I will create mixed metal pieces that include sterling —just reach out to discuss your request, and I'll let you know if it's possible. I love working with my customers to create something special that suits their vision!

In some cases, you may see a piece in my inventory that you would love to have created in a different metal. Options may include 10k, 14k, and 18k yellow or rose gold.

We can also add some special engraving! We can switch out stones so that we use something meaningful like birthstones or add a different pop of color.

I have a minimum cost of $500 on gold custom projects.

Once a project and price has been agreed upon a 50% deposit is required to begin the project.

Once production begins, cancellations forfeit the deposit. Any significant changes requested after production has started may incur additional fees.

Final payment is due upon completion; the piece will not ship until the balance is paid.

If the final payment isn't received and attempts to contact the customer fail, the piece may be sold as inventory. Due to the personalized nature of these pieces, all custom work is final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged.

Shop Pay, powered by Affirm, enables eligible U.S. customers to split their purchase into manageable installments. For orders between $50 and $999.99 USD, you can opt for four biweekly, interest-free payments. For higher amounts, monthly installment plans ranging from 3 to 12 months are available, with interest rates varying based on eligibility

These options provide a convenient way to invest in unique, handcrafted jewelry without the need for full upfront payment. Your piece ships to you immediately, as it's a credit card-like payment method.

Custom orders can take up to 4 months to complete, depending on the complexity of the design and the availability of materials. Each piece is crafted with care and attention to detail, so this timeline ensures the highest quality and craftsmanship for your custom jewelry.

Use the form below to tell me about your project, please be as specific as possible! I will email you back and let you know if it is a good fit.

Next we can schedule a 15 minute ZOOM call to further discuss. That consult is complimentary and does not require a commitment.

READY TO GET IN TOUCH?

If you do not find the answer to your question in our FAQ, you can send me a message!

If you are interested in starting a conversation about a custom project use this form. Please be as specific as possible including type of metal, gemstones if applicable, and what type of project and I will get back to you as soon as possible!