Custom jewellery making

Custom jewellery making in South Africa: what it costs

Updated 4 November 2026

In South Africa a custom engagement ring usually costs between R 10,000 and R 80,000 or more, and a sapphire or diamond piece should be budgeted from about R 25,000. The final price depends on the stone, the metal and the design, and a custom design usually takes five to ten working days once the sketch is approved. Send a request on BlaBlaPrice with a sketch or photo to get current quotes.

Prices for custom work are quoted per job, and the main factors are:

• the stone, because gemstones such as amethyst, garnet or topaz change the price
• the metal and its purity, for example gold or silver
• stones and settings, and the size or weight of the piece
• the design, where a sketch or photo makes quoting faster
• engraving, and whether you bring your own metal

Permits for working with precious metals

A jeweller who works with gold needs a Jeweller's Permit (PMJ) or a refinery licence, and the permit is issued under the rules of the diamond and precious metals regulator. Professional jewellery bodies also expect members to hold a valid Jeweller's Permit and a senior manufacturing qualification. Before you hand over your own gold or stones, ask the jeweller to show a current permit.

Lead time and season

November is late spring here, and summer runs from December to February. A custom design usually takes one to two weeks from the approved sketch, depending on complexity, so order early for a piece needed in the summer months. Allow extra time for delivery as well, and confirm the deadline in writing.

How custom pieces are ordered

Many studios take custom work by appointment only, so book a consultation before you bring a stone or a sketch. If you have existing metal or stones, check their purity or grade with the jeweller first. Couriers deliver across the country, and one studio charges about R 150 per parcel. Ask whether the quote covers the stone, the setting and delivery.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe the piece in your own words in a chat, and it is free for buyers. The assistant asks for missing details, looks through jewellers' websites and price lists in South Africa, and shows the prices and businesses it found. Registered sellers reply in the chat with their own offer, and your contact details stay hidden until you decide who to share them with. You can see household services or create a request for your piece.