Frequently Asked Questions

Alexandria is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and third-generation jeweler who works with you one-on-one. She takes the time to understand what you're looking for, guides you through every decision, and designs your piece from scratch. There's no inventory to push, no showroom pressure, and no sales team. When you work with Ali, she's your personal jeweler, and that relationship doesn't end after you take your piece home.

Actually, it can save you money. Without the overhead costs of a retail storefront, display inventory, and a sales staff, Ali passes those savings directly to you. There's no extra fee for custom design. She'll work within your budget to make sure you get a high-quality piece that represents the person it's made for. You can learn more about our approach to transparent pricing or read about what custom engagement rings actually cost.

Your free 90-minute consultation is a relaxed conversation, not a sales pitch. Ali will ask about who you're designing for, what matters to you, what your style preferences are, and what your budget looks like. She'll share ideas, show examples, and help you start forming a vision. You can come as a couple or solo. In person at the West LA studio or virtually. There's no obligation to move forward.

Absolutely. Ali works with clients from across the country through virtual consultations via FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet. The process is the same: a thorough conversation, sketches, curated stone options with photos and videos, CAD renders for approval, and your finished piece shipped with insured delivery in beautiful packaging. Some of her best projects have been designed entirely remotely.

This is exactly what Ali is here for. Searching for an engagement ring is overwhelming, especially with the amount of information online. Ali guides you through the process, asks the right questions, shows curated options, and educates you along the way so you feel confident in every decision. You don't need to know anything about diamonds or jewelry coming in.

Most custom jewelry takes about 6-8 weeks from approved design to finished piece. Bespoke engagement rings with complex designs or rare stones can take 8-10 weeks. Rush orders can often be accommodated depending on the design. Ali will give you an honest timeline upfront and keep you updated throughout. We recommend booking your consultation at least 3 months before any deadline. You can see the full step-by-step design process here.

Ali creates jewelry with all fine gemstones: natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, opals, moissanite, and more. She sources stones globally to find the best value for your specific needs. If you have a particular gemstone in mind, Ali can find it. You can also read our guide on lab-grown vs. natural diamonds if you're exploring that decision.

Yes. Ali specializes in heirloom jewelry redesign, transforming inherited pieces into something you'll wear every day while honoring their history. If you have a stone from a family ring, an old piece you never wear, or a diamond you purchased elsewhere, Ali can incorporate it into a new custom design.

Yes, and most couples do exactly that. Your 90-minute consultation gives plenty of time to discuss both wedding bands, explore how they relate to each other, and start the design process for both. One meeting, two rings, one experience.

Custom engagement rings start at $3,000 with no ceiling. The cost depends on your stone selection, metal choice, and design complexity. Wedding bands, necklaces, earrings, and other pieces vary based on the same factors. Ali is fully transparent about pricing throughout the process and will give you a detailed estimate after your consultation so there are no surprises. Your consultation is always free. Visit our pricing page for more detail.

The best way to determine your ring size is to visit us in person at the West LA studio. If you're not in Los Angeles, we recommend visiting a local jeweler to have sizing done professionally. As a backup, findmyringsize.com offers a manual guide, though professional sizing is always more accurate. If you're designing a surprise engagement ring, Ali has strategies for getting an accurate size without giving anything away.

Yes. We recommend insuring your custom jewelry immediately upon receiving it. Every custom piece from A. D'Mae Diamonds comes with an appraisal that can be submitted for insurance coverage. We recommend Jewelers Mutual or BriteCo for the depth and quality of their coverage. Once a piece has been delivered, A. D'Mae Diamonds no longer provides insurance coverage, so having your own policy in place is important. Ask your insurance agent how often you should have your jewelry reappraised, and contact us anytime for updated appraisals.

We accept all major debit and credit cards, cash, bank transfers, and PayPal. Through PayPal, you can access 6 months of interest-free financing or use Pay in 4 (which splits your purchase into 4 payments, with the first due at the time of transaction and 3 subsequent payments every 2 weeks). We also accept A. D'Mae Diamonds gift cards.

A. D'Mae Diamonds is located at 1832 S. Barrington Ave in West Los Angeles (90025), close to Brentwood and Westwood. All consultations are by appointment only, ensuring a private and relaxed experience. Street parking is available. Ali also maintains a virtual appointment option for clients in Denver and nationwide.