Somewhere in Miami right now, a piece of raw gold is about to become something that exists nowhere else in the world -- because a customer walked in with an idea, and the GOLDZENN workshop said yes. What happens between that first conversation and the moment the finished piece lands in your hands is a process most people never get to see: skilled hands, specialized tools, and decades of experience transforming metal and stone into something personal, permanent, and built to last generations.
This guide takes you inside every step -- from the initial sketch through casting, stone setting, enamel work, XRF purity testing, and final delivery. Whether you are considering your first custom piece or your tenth, this is exactly what the process looks like.
Jump to: Why Custom | Workshop Team | The Process | Timeline | Customization Options | Pricing | FAQ
Ready to bring your vision to life? Every custom project starts with a free, no-obligation consultation. Call 321-521-4651, email contact@goldzenn.com, or use our contact form -- most clients receive a detailed quote within 24 hours.
Whether you are commissioning a one-of-a-kind pendant, an engagement ring, a custom bracelet, or a chain built to your exact specifications, the core principles are the same: precision craftsmanship, verified materials, and no shortcuts. To show you how the process works, we will follow a custom gold pendant with stones and enamel detail from start to finish -- one of the most complex and visually striking types of custom work we do.
Why Commission Custom Jewelry?
Off-the-shelf jewelry serves a purpose, but it has limits. You are choosing from whatever designs, sizes, and stones happen to be in stock. A custom piece removes those constraints entirely.
With a custom order from GOLDZENN, you define every detail: the shape, the metal (10K, 14K, 18K, or 22K gold in yellow, white, or rose), the stones (natural diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, or other gems), enamel colors, engraving, and finish. The result is a piece that exists nowhere else in the world -- built to your vision, tested for purity, and crafted by hand in our Miami workshop. Choosing your stones? Compare moissanite vs diamond options for your custom piece.
Custom pieces are also investment-grade by definition. You are specifying solid gold at the karat you want, set with stones you have selected, and backed by the intrinsic value of the materials themselves. There is no guesswork about what you are getting -- every piece ships with XRF-verified purity results. Unsure which karat to choose? Our 10K vs 14K vs 18K guide covers durability, color, and value for every option.
Meet the GOLDZENN Workshop Team
GOLDZENN was founded by Julio Cruz, a Cuban immigrant who came to the United States and built a career in the jewelry industry from the ground up. Before launching his own brand, Julio helped other jewelry businesses get off the ground, scaling multiple stores to $2-3 million in revenue each. He traveled to the top jewelry shows in the world -- including JCK Las Vegas -- built relationships with the best manufacturers and suppliers, and learned what separates real quality from marketing hype.
After years of building success for others, he launched GOLDZENN to fill a gap he saw in the market: real gold jewelry, handcrafted with care, without the inflated markups of luxury boutiques. Today, the GOLDZENN workshop in Miami brings together a team with 50+ years of combined experience in jewelry craftsmanship. These are specialists -- each one focused on a specific stage of the process, from wax carving and casting to stone setting, enamel application, and final polishing.
The result speaks for itself: 263+ Google reviews at 4.9 stars and 3,900+ verified product reviews from customers who have experienced the quality firsthand. You can also see the team in action on the GOLDZENN YouTube channel, which documents the workshop process across 335+ videos -- including the "Miami Gold Rush" series that takes viewers behind the scenes of real projects. For a look at the range of styles the team produces, see the complete style guide.
Watch: A 24K gold ring crafted entirely by hand in the GOLDZENN workshop.
The Custom Jewelry Process: Following a Pendant From Sketch to Finish
To show you what the custom process actually looks like, we will follow a real type of project through every stage: a custom gold pendant featuring natural stones and hand-applied enamel detail. This is one of the most technically demanding pieces we build, because it combines metalwork, casting, stone setting, and color work into a single piece. Here is every step.
Step 1: Consultation and Vision
Every custom project starts with a conversation. You come to us with an idea -- sometimes a detailed sketch, sometimes a photo of something you saw, sometimes just a concept described over the phone. There is no wrong way to start. For a custom pendant, the key decisions at this stage are:
- The shape and size of the pendant
- The metal and karat (14K yellow gold is the most popular for pendants)
- Which stones to include and where they will be placed
- Whether enamel detail is desired (and in what colors)
- Whether the pendant will hang from an existing chain or if we are building a matching chain as well
We lay out all the options and tradeoffs honestly. A larger pendant means more gold and more visual impact but also more weight on the neck. Certain stone placements look stunning but require specific structural support. We guide you through every decision so the final design reflects exactly what you want -- no surprises, no ambiguity.
Step 2: Design and Blueprint
Once the vision is clear, we create the design. For complex pieces like pendants with stones and enamel, this often involves CAD (computer-aided design) to create a precise 3D model. The CAD model lets you see the piece from every angle before any metal is touched. Dimensions, stone placement, bail size, and overall proportions are all locked in at this stage.
For simpler custom work, hand sketches and measurements may be sufficient. Either way, the blueprint is the contract between you and the workshop. Nothing moves forward without your confirmed approval on the specifications. You are in control at every step.
Step 3: Material Selection
Gold purity is the single biggest material decision. GOLDZENN works with four karat options:
- 10K Gold (41.7% pure gold): The most durable option. Highly resistant to scratches and everyday wear. Best value per gram.
- 14K Gold (58.3% pure gold): The most popular choice for pendants. Excellent balance of durability and rich color. This is also what most of our solid gold chains are made from.
- 18K Gold (75% pure gold): Richer, deeper yellow color. Premium option for those who want maximum gold content with good wearability. Read the full 14K vs 18K comparison for a detailed breakdown.
- 22K Gold (91.7% pure gold): The richest possible color. Best suited for special pieces where maximum gold content is the priority.
For the stones, we source natural diamonds and gemstones graded for cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. You select the stones based on your budget and the look you want -- from a single center diamond to a full pave setting with dozens of accent stones.
Step 4: Wax Modeling
This is where the pendant starts to become real. Using the CAD model as a guide, a wax version of the pendant is created -- either carved by hand or printed using a high-resolution 3D wax printer. The wax model is an exact replica of the final piece, capturing every curve, every prong seat, every channel where stones will sit.
The wax model serves a critical purpose: it is the last chance to make changes before gold is committed. You can hold the wax version, check the size against your hand or chest, and request adjustments to proportions. Once the wax is approved, we move to casting.
Step 5: Lost-Wax Casting
The approved wax model is attached to a wax sprue (a channel system for gold to flow through) and then encased in gypsum-bonded investment (a specialized refractory material far more heat-resistant than ordinary plaster). The entire assembly goes into a burnout kiln for a carefully controlled 12-16 hour graduated thermal cycle. Temperatures are ramped slowly -- holding at 300 degrees Fahrenheit to drive off moisture, then at 700 degrees to melt and drain the wax, and finally climbing to 1,350 degrees Fahrenheit for the final burnout that eliminates every trace of organic material. This precise cycle prevents thermal shock that could crack the investment. When it is complete, a perfect negative cavity remains inside the hardened mold -- an exact impression of the pendant.
Molten gold, heated to between 1,700 and 1,850 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the karat and alloy composition, is then poured or forced into the mold under vacuum or centrifugal pressure. The liquid gold fills every detail of the cavity. Once cooled, the investment is carefully broken away to reveal the raw gold casting -- rough but dimensionally faithful to the original design.
Watch: The gold melting process at the GOLDZENN workshop.
Step 6: Quenching, Devesting, and Cleanup
Once the casting has cooled enough to solidify, the flask is quenched -- plunged into a bucket of water. The thermal shock breaks apart the investment mold, revealing the raw gold casting inside. The piece then goes into a pickle bath (a warm sodium bisulfate solution) that dissolves any remaining investment residue and removes firescale and oxidation from the gold surface. After pickling, the sprue is cut away, and the jeweler begins refining the piece using jeweler's files, a flex shaft (rotary handpiece), and graduated abrasive papers. Every surface is smoothed, every edge is cleaned, and the overall shape is brought into alignment with the original design.
For a pendant with stone settings, this step also includes preparing the prong seats and bezels -- making sure each stone compartment is precisely sized and properly positioned. Sloppy prep work at this stage would mean stones that sit crooked or do not catch light correctly. This is where experience matters most.
Step 7: Stone Setting
With the gold body refined and the settings prepared, the stone setter takes over. This is one of the most skilled jobs in the workshop. Using specialized setting tools -- setting burs to cut precise seats, pushers, burnishers, and gravers -- the setter places each stone into its prepared seat and secures it by carefully pushing gold prongs or bezels around it.
The technique depends on the setting style. Prong settings use small gold claws to grip the stone, maximizing the stone's visibility and light exposure. Bezel settings wrap a thin gold band around the stone's perimeter, creating a sleeker, more protected look. Pave settings use tiny beads of gold raised from the surface to hold many small stones close together, creating a continuous sparkle effect.
For a pendant with multiple stones, the setter works from the center outward, checking alignment and symmetry at every step. Each stone must sit at the same height, face the same direction, and be held with equal security. This stage alone can take several hours for a complex piece. For more on diamond settings and their impact, see our dedicated guide.
Step 8: Enamel Application (For Enamel Pieces)
If the design includes enamel work, the sequence depends on the stones involved. When only heat-resistant stones (diamonds, sapphires, rubies) are used, enamel is typically applied after stone setting. When heat-sensitive stones are part of the design, enamel is fired first, and those stones are set afterward. Jewelry enamel is a glass-based material that is ground into a fine powder, mixed into a paste, and carefully applied to specific areas of the gold surface using fine brushes and applicators. The colors are vivid and permanent -- blues, reds, greens, blacks, and custom blends.
The pendant is then fired in a kiln at around 1,400-1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The enamel powder melts and fuses to the gold surface, creating a smooth, glass-like finish that is extremely durable. Multiple layers and firings may be needed for depth of color or to build up different areas. An important consideration: only heat-resistant stones -- diamonds, sapphires, and rubies (the corundum family) -- can safely withstand enamel firing temperatures. Heat-sensitive stones like emeralds, opals, and pearls must be set after enamel firing, not before. When the design combines enamel with heat-sensitive stones, the enamel is fired first, then the stones are set into the cooled piece. The enamel is applied carefully around any pre-set heat-resistant stones, with precision required to keep enamel from encroaching on stone faces.
Enamel work is what transforms a gold-and-stone pendant into something truly one-of-a-kind. It adds color, contrast, and visual depth that pure metalwork alone cannot achieve -- and it is one of the details that makes people stop and ask, "Where did you get that?"
Step 9: Pre-Polish and Detail Work
After enamel firing (or after stone setting for non-enamel pieces), the jeweler does a detailed inspection and refinement pass. Any rough spots from the setting process are filed smooth. The bail (the loop that connects the pendant to a chain) is checked for proper size and smoothness. Edges between enamel and gold are cleaned up. The piece is examined under magnification from every angle.
Step 10: Polishing
Polishing happens in multiple stages. The pendant moves through progressively finer abrasive compounds, starting with tripoli compound to cut away tool marks and scratches, then finishing with jeweler's rouge (iron oxide) that brings out a mirror finish on the gold surfaces. The polisher must work carefully around stones and enamel, using smaller buffs and hand tools in tight areas.
This is the transformation moment -- the piece goes from looking like workshop metalwork to looking like finished jewelry. The polished gold catches the light, the stones refract it into color and brilliance, and the enamel provides rich contrast. This is the moment when the piece you imagined during that first consultation finally exists in the real world.
Watch: The filing, welding, and polishing process at the GOLDZENN workshop.
Seeing something you love? Whether it is a pendant like the one described here, a custom chain, or something completely different -- your project starts with one conversation. Call 321-521-4651 or email contact@goldzenn.com for a free consultation and quote.
Step 11: XRF Purity Testing
Before any piece leaves the workshop, it is tested with a Thermo Fisher XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analyzer. This non-destructive test uses X-rays to determine the exact elemental composition of the gold. It confirms the precise karat -- not an estimate, not a visual inspection, but a scientific reading of what the metal actually contains.
This is one of the things that sets GOLDZENN apart. In an industry where customers often have to take a seller's word for what they are getting, XRF testing provides verifiable proof of purity. Every piece ships with confirmed karat verification. For more on how to verify gold authenticity, see our testing guide.
Step 12: Final Cleaning and Quality Inspection
Before inspection, the piece goes through ultrasonic cleaning (high-frequency vibrations in a cleaning solution dislodge polishing compound residue and debris from every crevice) followed by steam cleaning (a jet of pressurized steam removes any remaining particles and brings the gold to its final brilliance). Only after this thorough cleaning can the piece be properly inspected.
The finished pendant then goes through a comprehensive final inspection. The piece is weighed and compared against the target weight from the blueprint. Every stone is checked for secure setting -- the setter uses a fine tool to gently test each stone for movement. Enamel surfaces are inspected for chips, bubbles, or uneven areas. The bail is tested for strength. The overall surface is examined under magnification from every angle.
The karat stamp (10K, 14K, 18K, or 22K) is verified or applied at this stage -- a legal requirement under FTC guidelines for gold jewelry sold in the United States, and a quality marker that customers actively look for. If anything does not meet the standard, the piece goes back to the bench. Nothing ships until it passes every check. This is the standard behind those 3,900+ verified product reviews -- no exceptions.
Step 13: Packaging and Delivery
The completed pendant is placed in premium packaging, accompanied by its certificate of authenticity with the XRF test results and stone specifications. Shipping is fully insured with tracking. For local Miami customers, in-person pickup is available at the GOLDZENN location -- and many clients tell us that unboxing moment is their favorite part.
What About Custom Chains?
While this walkthrough followed a pendant, GOLDZENN builds custom chains as well -- and the process is different. Chains like Cuban links, rope chains, and Franco chains are not cast. They are fabricated: gold wire is drawn to the correct gauge, cut, formed into individual links, assembled by hand, and each joint is soldered individually. A handcrafted chain can take days of skilled labor depending on the width and length. The same consultation, material selection, XRF testing, and quality control steps apply.
Custom chain options include your choice of chain style, width (3mm to 20mm+), length (16 inches to 30 inches and beyond), karat, metal color, and clasp type. Matching chain-and-bracelet sets are also available.
Custom Timeline: What to Expect
The timeline for a custom piece depends on complexity:
- Custom chains (standard styles in standard karats): 2-3 weeks
- Custom pendants and rings (casting, stone setting): 3-4 weeks
- Complex custom pieces (multi-stone, enamel, unique designs from scratch): 4-6 weeks
We provide updates throughout the process with photos at key milestones. You will know when the design is finalized, when casting is complete, when stones are set, and when the piece enters final quality control. Rush orders are available for an additional fee -- contact us to discuss timelines for time-sensitive projects like anniversaries, proposals, or milestone gifts.
Note: Because each piece is made by hand in our Miami workshop, we take on a limited number of custom projects at a time to maintain quality. Starting early gives you the best selection of scheduling slots.
What Can You Customize?
Nearly every aspect of a GOLDZENN piece can be tailored to your specifications:
- Piece type: Pendants, rings, bracelets, chains, earrings, and more.
- Shape and design: From initials and logos to figurative designs, religious symbols, or abstract art -- if it can be modeled in gold, we can build it.
- Karat: 10K, 14K, 18K, or 22K solid gold.
- Metal color: Yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold. Two-tone combinations are possible.
- Stones: Natural diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and other gemstones. Choose the number, size, cut, and placement.
- Enamel: Hand-applied jewelry enamel in custom colors for vivid, permanent color accents.
- Engraving: Text, dates, or symbols engraved on the back or interior of a piece.
- Chain pairing: Commission a matching solid gold chain to go with your pendant, built to the same karat and style.
If you have something in mind that is not listed here, reach out. If it can be built in gold, the GOLDZENN team can likely make it happen.
Pricing Factors for Custom Pieces
The price of a custom piece is determined by several factors, and transparency is central to how GOLDZENN operates:
- Gold weight: This is the biggest factor. Larger, thicker, or higher-karat pieces use more gold. Gold is priced by weight based on the current spot price.
- Karat purity: 18K gold costs more per gram than 14K, which costs more than 10K. The gold jewelry guide includes detailed pricing context by karat.
- Stones: Diamond and gemstone cost depends on quality (cut, clarity, color, carat), origin, and quantity. A single accent diamond is very different from a full pave setting.
- Craftsmanship complexity: A simple signet ring is less labor-intensive than a pendant with 50 pave diamonds and hand-applied enamel in three colors.
- Design work: CAD modeling for unique shapes adds to the upfront cost but ensures precision and allows your approval before any gold is committed.
One important thing to understand: custom does not automatically mean more expensive. Because you are ordering directly from the workshop with no retail middlemen, a custom GOLDZENN piece is often priced competitively with off-the-shelf options from traditional jewelry stores. The difference is that you get exactly what you want -- designed, built, and tested by the team that made it.
We provide a detailed quote before any work begins. There are no hidden fees and no surprises. The price you approve is the price you pay.
Want to know what your piece would cost? Getting a quote is free and takes less than 24 hours. Call 321-521-4651, email contact@goldzenn.com, or fill out our contact form with your idea. No commitment required -- just a clear, honest number so you can make the right decision.
Other Custom Projects We Build
The pendant walkthrough above represents one type of custom work. Here are other popular custom projects:
Considering a custom tennis chain? See our tennis chain buying guide for style inspiration.
- Custom engagement rings: Design the perfect ring with your choice of center stone, setting style, band width, and karat. From classic solitaires to elaborate halo settings with accent diamonds.
- Custom chains: Cuban links, rope, Franco, Figaro, and other styles built to your exact width, length, and karat. Handcrafted link by link.
- Custom bracelets: Match a chain you already own, or design a standalone piece with diamond accents or a custom clasp.
- Name plates and initials: Personalized gold name plates, initial pendants, or monogram pieces with optional diamond accents.
- Religious and symbolic pieces: Crosses, saints, cultural symbols, and other meaningful designs crafted in solid gold.
Start Your Custom Project
You have seen every step of the process -- from raw gold to finished, XRF-tested jewelry. Now picture the piece you have been thinking about. The pendant with your design. The chain in your exact width and karat. The ring that does not exist yet, but will.
Every custom GOLDZENN piece starts the same way: with one conversation between you and the team that will build it. There is no obligation, no pressure, and no minimum order. Just tell us what you are envisioning, and we will tell you exactly how we can make it real.
Three ways to start your custom project:
Call: 321-521-4651 (Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm EST)
Email: contact@goldzenn.com
Online: Contact Form
Most quotes delivered within 24 hours. Include any reference images, preferred karat, and approximate size to get the most accurate estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a custom piece from GOLDZENN?
Simple custom chains take 2-3 weeks. Pendants and rings with stone setting take 3-4 weeks. Complex pieces with enamel, multiple stones, or unique designs may take 4-6 weeks. We provide progress updates throughout and offer rush options for time-sensitive orders.
What karats does GOLDZENN offer for custom pieces?
We work with 10K, 14K, 18K, and 22K solid gold in yellow, white, or rose. Each karat has different characteristics in terms of color, durability, and price. 14K is our most popular option for everyday pieces, while 18K and 22K are preferred for their richer color.
Can I add enamel detail to any custom piece?
Enamel works best on flat or gently curved surfaces with enough area for the glass to fuse properly. Pendants, ring faces, and larger design elements are ideal candidates. We will advise during the design phase on where enamel will work well and where other color techniques might be better.
How does GOLDZENN verify gold purity?
Every piece is tested with a Thermo Fisher XRF analyzer before shipping. This non-destructive test uses X-ray fluorescence to determine the exact elemental composition of the gold, confirming the karat with scientific precision. Your piece ships with verified purity results.
What is the minimum order for a custom piece?
There is no fixed minimum. Whether you want a small initial pendant or an elaborate multi-stone statement piece, we build to your specifications. Contact us with your vision and we will provide a quote.
Can I supply my own stones or gold?
We can discuss this on a case-by-case basis. We typically source materials directly to ensure consistent quality, but if you have specific stones or gold you would like to incorporate, contact us to discuss the options and any additional testing that may be needed.
Do custom pieces come with a warranty?
Yes. Every GOLDZENN piece -- custom or catalog -- is backed by our quality guarantee. If there is a defect in craftsmanship, we will repair or replace it. Our 3,900+ verified product reviews reflect the durability and quality customers experience over years of wear.
How do I start the custom jewelry process?
Contact us through the website, by phone at 321-521-4651, or by email at contact@goldzenn.com. Tell us what you are envisioning -- the type of piece, the metals and stones, any reference images. We will provide a detailed quote and timeline within 24 hours. From there, we confirm the design and begin crafting your piece.